Lisbeth warned, “Alice.”
“It’s fine,” Thomas was finally able to say.
Alice grabbed Jeremy’s hand. “I want to play.”
Jeremy seemed uninterested, and Lisbeth said, “Both of you go and play. We will have a treat in a little bit.”
They rushed off farther into the garden, chasing each other. He glanced at Lisbeth’s devastated face. It was precisely how he felt.
“I’m sorry, Thomas.”
He wanted this. “What we need is time to become acquainted with each other. We will be fine.”
She nodded but was uncertain. Lisbeth said, “Alice was very close with Nicholas. I don’t want to hurt you, so please tell me if you don’t want to know certain things.”
“I want to know everything about her,” he said, determined.
“He died when Alice was eight, and it was tough for her. Nicholas doted on her and was affectionate with both children. He’d grown up in a very cold household. He didn’t want that for Alice or Jeremy. Most of his free time was spent teaching and playing with them.”
“While I want to hate him, your husband seemed like a good man.”
Lisbeth nodded. “We became close friends, but there was always a sadness that hung over him. He’d lost his true love, Margaret, and I’m not sure he ever recovered.”
“Thetoncan certainly make a mess of life,” Thomas muttered.
She nodded in agreement. His wife looked beautiful today. He perused her form, unable to stop himself. Lisbeth was dressed in a green gown, and it accentuated her slender waistand firm, small breasts. A surge of lust coursed through him. He imagined his hands sliding along her body.
Her face heated as if she could sense his thoughts. They were trying to salvage their relationship, and he couldn’t stop thinking about touching her. Unable to stop himself, he said, “You look lovely today, Lisbeth.”
A hum of attraction surged between them. Her eyes connected with his. “I don’t think we should be intimate until we figure out what we are doing.”
Thomas wanted Lisbeth, but would not rush her. “When you are ready, I will be.”
She nodded, her gaze momentarily flicking to his mouth before going back to his eyes. He smiled softly. “I want you as much as I did when I was a boy. I think I will always crave you.”
Lisbeth gulped, seemingly flustered. He grabbed her hand and kissed the top of it. “But I can wait until you are ready. I forced you into this marriage; I won’t force you into my bed. I want you to come willingly.”
She flushed. “We’ve already done that.”
“Next time you are in my arms, I don’t want it to be because we are both angry.”
They stared at one another, and then Thomas broke his gaze and looked at Alice and Jeremy. He wanted Lisbeth physically, but more importantly, he wanted everything. Thomas wanted her heart, her friendship, and a life with her, Alice, and Jeremy.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Lisbeth stood inthe library, enjoying a brandy and flipping through the pages of a book. It was far too late to be awake, but she couldn’t sleep. Maybe another story would help. She stood and walked to one of the bookshelves, hoping to find something that would keep her interest or help her fall asleep.
“You have the same idea as me,” Thomas said.
He was in trousers and a hastily buttoned-up shirt. Lisbeth gasped at the sight he made. She still couldn’t get over how different he was from the boy she left all those years ago. He was all hard muscle and temptation, she thought. Warmth flowed through her.
Thomas smiled at her. “You are ogling me, duchess.”
She flushed. “I hate it when you call me that.”
He winced. “Noted. I will refrain from doing so. Why, though?”
Lisbeth gave him a pointed look. “You only call me that when you are angry with me.”
