To seal their marriage with a kiss in front of God and all of their witnesses. To give in to that unspoken desire that he had been fighting with all of his might…but no longer. With his heart feeling like a jackrabbit in his chest, that was exactly what he did.
He kissed her with abandon.
Chapter 18
Pulteney Hotel
“I thought that I would feel different for some reason,” Catherine admitted as Richard’s footmen loaded up their few trunks and belongings into the back of the carriage. It was not as if they were leaving for any prolonged amount of time.
Their union would not be a secret for very long, and as soon as the duke heard the news, the man was likely to track them down no matter where they might be. So, in Richard’s opinion, it was simply better to hide in plain sight as it were.
He had booked them a room at one of the finest hotels in London, under his given name. If the duke decided to show earlier than planned, then they would cross that bridge when they got to it.
No matter what happened going forward, he found himself to be far more excited than he had presumed. “And you are feeling the same?”
Catherine turned to him with a sheepish smile. “Nervous, I suppose? I worry about my mother on her own.”
“Lady Elizabeth said that she and her father will take turns checking in on her daily to ensure that she has all she needs during this transitional period. She will want for nothing, I promise you that,” Richard said, hoping that he could reassure her. The urge to pull her into his arms and hold her was nearly overwhelming. He knew that just because she was his wife did not necessarily give him permission to her, but the desire wasstrong.
“I know. She is just such a social woman and has never been on her own. Even during the short times when I was allowed to travel, she had my father then. Their marriage was a wholly separate issue, but she loved him deeply. In spite of her better judgment, I think,” Catherine said as she allowed Richard to take her hand to escort her into the carriage.
“Perhaps it will be good, as she wished to have you married off so desperately.”
“I am certain that she presumed that she would be going with me, whenever that did happen.” Catherine grinned and adjusted the skirts of her wedding gown around her legs so that the fabric would not be damaged.
There was more than enough space available next to her on the bench seat, but he sat across. Mostly to keep his hands to himself.
While Catherine might not feel changed, he certainly did. There was a lightness in his chest that he did not think he had ever felt before. While she had only promised herself to him for a year, that was such a very, very long time to convince her to change her mind.
The thought was sudden and intrusive. He had not even fully grasped that was something that he wanted for himself until that moment. He had grown so used to her company that she was the highlight of his entire day. Somehow, she had become the reason that he got out of bed in the morning.
“Perhaps it is the wedding night that causes your nerves?” Richard offered, attempting to get a feel for where she stood on the matter.
He was surprised when she lifted her eyes to his and gazed deeply into his eyes. There was not so much as a hint of apprehension in her eyes as she held his attention. For the first time in his life, he felt that he was the one being undressed by another person’s eyes instead of the other way around.
“No, my lord, that is the one thing that I am not afraid of in the slightest,” Catherine answered evenly.
Anticipation grew into excitement in his gut as the carriage pulled them toward their destination. Perhaps he had been foolish to presume that he was not allowed to touch her. Perhaps she might desire him in the same way after all.
“Richard, I think, should be just fine, Lady Landry.” His voice came out huskier than he intended. He could not stop the torrent of suggestive images that poured readily into his mind.
“And you shall call me Catherine?”
“Unless you prefer I start using sugary nicknames for you? My pet? Kitty? That one is most in keeping with your name. Kate? Sweetums?” Richard grinned.
Catherine stuck her tongue out at him. “Catherine, thank you very kindly.”
Richard leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees as he eliminated some of the space between them. “Catherine, you understand that in order for the next phase of our plan to work, we shall have to be seen dining together, appearing very much in love.”
He could see the challenge spark in her eyes.
“Are you implying that I will not be able to pull it off?” Catherine’s gaze narrowed as she leaned in, closing into his personal space. He wondered which one of them would be the first to back down. He hoped that they both lost. It was the best sort of game to lose. His focus drifted to her lips, and then slowly back up to her eyes once more.
“And if I am? We are to be newlyweds, after all…and there will be a certain level of admiration that you will be expected to show.” Richard grinned, wondering if that would call her bluff.
“I suppose I shall be able to stomach it. But will you? You should trail after me like a love-sick puppy,” Catherine teased.
“How will that be any different than what I already do?” Richard answered easily.
