Pressing the heel of his palm to his forehead, he massaged for a moment. He had no wish to distress or hurt her. Contrary to popular belief, he did posses the ability to care, just not to love. Two entirely different emotions.
“Caleb, whatever it is we can fix it.” She watched him, her expression turned serious.
There was nothing for it other than to have out with his reason for calling on her. He swallowed hard, bracing for her reaction. “I compromised a lady while I was away and was forced to marry her.”
Dahlia exhaled, audibly as she relaxed back into the settee. “Is that all? You had me worried for a bit there. I thought something severe had occurred.”
“This is serious. Do you not understand what I said? I am wed, leg shackled, caught in the parsons noose.” Irritation laced his voice.
“Come now, Caleb, this is not the end of the world. Lords almost always marry ladies. They still continue on with their lives as normal after the deed is done.” Dahlia came to him. Placing her hand on his chest she began rubbing small circles. “There is no need for your marriage to affect what we have.”
He placed his hand over hers, stilling her ministrations. “There is every reason. I cannot keep a mistress and a wife. Considering the latter is a lifetime commitment, I must sever our arrangement.”
“You cannot be serious.” She leaned in, pressing her lips to his.
Caleb closed his eyes for a heartbeat, his lips remaining rigid beneath hers. She trailed her kisses across his cheek to his neck.
Unable to tolerate much more, Caleb stood. “Do not make this harder than necessary, Dahlia. I have no intention of casting you out into the streets. My solicitor will be by tomorrow. I assure you, you will be provided for.” He turned, striding from the room.
“Caleb wait.” She ran after him, taking hold of his coat sleeve once she reached him. “Do let us discuss this further.”
“There is nothing more to discuss.” He shrugged free of her hold and made haste for his waiting mount.
The ride home allowed Caleb time to clear his head. He had done the right thing for everyone. Dahlia would come to realize it in time. There was no shortage of peers hunting for skilled mistresses and she was a beauty as well. It would not take long for her to settle in with another peer of theton.
He shoved all thoughts of Dahlia from his mind as he entered his smoking room, going directly to the sideboard. After pouring a glass of brandy he swirled it in the short stemmed glass. The delicious burn of the liquor as he drank it chased away any remaining stress. Setting the glass aside, he quit the room. He did not know whether or not Jane waited for him, but he could not stay away from her another moment.
Reaching the threshold of her bedchamber, he rapped on the wooden panel before pushing the door open.
She sat up in her bed the blanket slipping to her waist, revealing her thin white gown. His body instantly reacted as he found himself powerless to look away—not that he wished to. She was magnificent with her raven hair cascading around her and sleepy paisley eyes, not to mention her barely hidden curves and rosy complexion. It took every ounce of control he possessed not to pounce on her as a lion would a gizzel.
“W-what are you doing.” She snatched the blanket to her chest. “I mean…”
He started toward the bed. “I thought it time we consummate our union.”
Her eyes widened as he sat on the mattress next to her.
“My apologies, that came out far crasser then I had imagined it would.”
She averted her gaze. “You thought about what you might say before entering my room?”
“I have thought about little else since we left the country.”
The flush covering her checks and neck deepened. “I thought you were not interested in a true marriage.”
“On the contrary, love. I want our union to be long, and mutually satisfying.” He reached out stroking his thumb across her cheek. “Of course, if you wish for me to leave, I will.”
“N-no, stay.”
He worked to remove his hessians then stretched out in the bed beside her before pulling her into his embrace. He paused when she stiffened in his arms. “I am heartily sorry if our first time was unpleasant for you. I promise to bring you nothing but pleasure this time.”
Her lips parted and he took the opportunity to capture them.
CHAPTER 6
Jane relaxed under Caleb’s tender ministrations. All thought fled her mind as he deepened the kiss while massaging her back. He was all heat and strength pressed against her, touching her, sending pleasure to pool in her stomach. The sensations rendered her completely helpless in the most deliciously wicked way as her tongue parried with his on equal terms.
