“That was the tutor I paid for? I thought a trip to the continent was for culture and self-improvement.”
“It was self-improving.” She grinned. “I saw some men fighting in the square as a demonstration during a festival and became entranced. Now I use it to expend anger and alter my mood when I am having a bad day. Plus, it is just plain fun.”
She stood tall and powerful with that staff in her hand like some ancient goddess. Hart couldn’t stop his gaze from traveling over the length of her from her strong shoulders down to the tantalizing view of her decolletage through the summer weight white shift and all the way down to the sturdy brown half boots she wore on her feet.
She glanced down and seemed to realize how little she was wearing. With a small squeak, Lucy turned and strode over to the chaise to grab her jacket.
Hart followed her, coming to a stop just behind her. Lucy froze and gripped the garment to her chest.
He bent low next to her ear. “I was just admiring the beautiful lines of your muscles. I have never seen a woman exude such strength.”
A small shiver accompanied a long exhale from Lucy. He desperately wanted to kiss the hollow right below her ear. To feel her shiver again against his lips. But he meant to take things slowly, and at this moment, his blood was running far too hot. He stepped back so she could slip her arms into the jacket. Once she buttoned up the front, Lucy turned to face him, her blue eyes luminous with some emotion that he could not read. Was it desire? A man could hope.
“Trudy says I need to convince you to come out and get ready for our nuptials. Are you having second thoughts?” He clasped his hands behind his back.
She shook her head. “No. Are you having second thoughts?”
“No, I would never go back on my word. But perhaps we should speak about our expectations.”
“Our expectations?”
“Yes, will you join me?” He sat down on the chaise and patted the seat beside him. “Perhaps without the big stick?”
“It’s a quarterstaff.” She gripped the staff with white knuckles and didn’t move to put it away.
“The quarterstaff. Will you need a space at my house for your… um exercise?”
Lucy’s grip on the staff loosened. “That would be nice.” She walked across the room and opened a door in the wall that turned out to be a closet for instruments. After setting her staff inside, she returned to stand in front of him with her eyes filled with questions.
Hart reached out and tugged her hand, pulling her gently to sit next to him.
He ran his fingers over the top of her knuckles as he tried to gather his thoughts. “I know that neither of us was expecting this marriage to happen. And I am still not convinced it is in your best interests to be married to me. I am moody and still fight with my demons. I’m truly not fit to take care of anyone.” He would try his best to be a good husband, for her sake. “So, you must promise to tell me what you need, what you want from me. Can you do that?”
Lucy nodded as she bit her bottom lip, worrying it with her teeth.
“Lucy, I know that your affections are engaged elsewhere. I understand this must be difficult, but you are going to be my wife now. I won’t have my duchess be involved with another. You belong to me, do you understand?”
Her lips parted in surprise. Hart took a deep breath in. He hadn’t meant to come off so possessive. But the thought of her in any other man’s arms made him want to howl like a wolf.
He gripped her hand. “Have you spoken to Mr. Murdoch?”
She shook her head. “I did write to him to tell him I couldn’t marry him. I haven’t received any sort of response.”
Hart nodded. Perhaps the man wouldn’t become a problem after all. Something loosened in his chest as he stared at Lucy. She looked so uncertain, at odds with the fierceness she exuded a few moments ago with that staff in her hands. But he needed to make sure she understood what she was getting into.
“Lucy, I won’t be the charming, handsome husband you probably imagined you would marry, but I will always keep you safe. And you needn’t worry about the marriage bed tonight. I want you to take the time you need to feel comfortable in your role as my wife. Whenever you are ready to come to my bed, I will be waiting.” He let his desire for her show in his gaze. “I just ask that you come freely. Not because of any duty. Do you understand?”
“I guess so.” She bit down on her lower lip. “You don’t want me to share your bed tonight?”
“No, I mean yes, I want you more than you can imagine. But I want you to have time to get used to me… I mean to being married to me.” He was mucking this up. “What I’m trying to say is the choice of when and where to consummate our union is entirely up to you.”
Lucy nodded.
Hart plowed onto his next point. “I don’t know where you wish to reside. It matters not to me in the long run, but for now, I need to stay in London. I am a man with a mission to find a murderer. I must continue my investigation.”
“I can help you. We can figure it out together.” She gripped his hand. “Later, I think I would prefer to live at Belstoke. At least most of the time. Trudy loves town, but I am tired of the constant merry-go-round of social events in London.”
He squeezed it back. “Then we are in perfect agreement.”
