“Was the handfasting part of your plan?”
He crossed his arms and faced her. “No, but Duncan thought it would help to strengthen our cause.”
“He knows? What have you told him?” Her voice reeked of condescension, like a lady to a servant, and he took offense to it. His glare must have warned her off. “I bet your pardon, husband. I thought you would keep your plan, our plan, secret. The more who know, the more of a chance of Struan and my father finding out before you want them to.” She ended her words with her head down where he could not see her expression.
“I would rather ye ask me the questions ye have than to throw out these darts of anger and sarcasm, Anice. We must find a way to deal with each other fairly if we are to live together as man and wife.”
Robert wanted to smile, but fought to keep it from his face. The infuriating, haughty Lady Anice still lived inside her and with his help, she would come out once more. He did not favor either her behaviors—the sarcastic remarks or being spoken down to as though he were a servant. He took them as a good sign that she was still a fighter and would not back down now as they moved step by step closer to what they both sought. Together.
She looked up at him and studied his face intently. He met her gaze and waited for her words. Anice nodded at him.
“I have never been a wife, Robert. I do not know the way of it.” Her voice trembled as she shared her fear with him.
He realized the truth of her words. She and Sandy had married but shared only the debacle of a wedding night. Anice knew more about living with Struan and accommodating his wants and needs than those of her own husband. He fought tocontrol the shudder that passed through him as he thought of what might have happened if Sandy had returned to Dunnedin seeking an obedient wife. May his depraved soul burn in hell for eternity, he thought even as he smiled at her.
“And I have never been husband to any woman, Anice. So we will need to learn of it together....” She gifted him with a tentative smile, one that held such promise that he felt his chest tighten from it. “Now, Lady Margaret was hoping you’d be rested enough to join us at table for dinner. If she finds that I woke ye and kept ye up with talking, she will have my b—... head.” He stood and turned to leave. Her voice stopped him.
“Robert. A question, please?”
He looked at her and waited. That becoming blush reappeared on her face and she looked uncomfortable about asking him something.
“What is it?”
“If I come to dinner, will they...? I mean to say, will I...?” She looked at him as though he could answer the question she could not get out.
“Just say it, Anice.”
“Must you kiss me in front of them?”
Of all the things he thought she’d ask, that was one he’d not thought of. Did he have to kiss her? Nay, but now that the question was asked, all he wanted to do was kiss her.
“Aye, wife. ’Twill be expected of us as newly married to celebrate our union with a kiss or two.”
“Two?” she whispered. He could not tell from her widened eyes if she was pleased or horrified by the possibility.
“As I said when we made this bargain, lass. A kiss now and then for show. Only for that and only when needed, of course.”
He waited to be struck down for the liar he was. He would have kissed her for days on end if she’d allow it. Her naive belief that he could be satisfied with those few simple expressions of affection was so far wrong he wanted to burst out in laughter. But he knew that he would have to break her in just as he did any terrified filly—soft touches, soft words, and the necessary time.
“Could you...? Do you think...?” She stuttered over herwords and twisted her fingers in the sheets and she would not meet his glance. He walked closer to the bed and lifted her chin with his hand. Looking at him now, he smiled to reassure her.
“Anice? Just say it.”
“Would you kiss me here so I know what to expect at dinner? I do not want my fears to embarrass you in front of your friends and the laird.”
He was deeply touched by her consideration and he admitted to himself that it was genuine. But under that concern he also recognized some amount of curiosity and longing to kiss him. He thanked the Almighty that there might be a glimmer of passion yet left within her.
Still holding her chin in his hand, Robert leaned forward and touched his lips to hers. Her soft intake of breath told him that she was fighting her own fears in allowing him this. Robert opened his eyes and found her staring at him as he drew closer. He did not break from her stare.
He controlled his own hunger for her and did nothing more than move his mouth gently over hers. Once, twice, and then again, he pressed against her mouth, never allowing his tongue to slide inside and seek hers within. He did not want her to be afraid. He hoped she would learn not only to tolerate his kisses, but at some time to want and welcome them.
He lifted his head and looked down at her, awaiting her reaction. She barely breathed, but then neither did he. An innocent kiss and yet its effect on him was so powerful. His body reacted at her first request, surging, full and ready beneath the hastily wrapped plaid. But it was his heart that was now even more engaged that before.
“Well? How was that?” he asked as she continued to gape at him without speaking.
“’Twas fine, Robert. Thank you for showing me what to expect.”
He grunted, not knowing what else to say to her. Her polite acceptance was not what he’d hoped for, but ’twas all he was getting at the moment. Straightening his belt and plaid, he walked to the door without looking back at her. He truly feared his actions if her lips looked fuller or if her eyes were passion-glazed because of his kiss. He might run back and dive onto thebed, taking her down into the soft mattress and covering her with himself. It would end any hope he had of a gradual acceptance of a physical relationship.
