Adrian cleared his throat, and at once, the two maids fell back and curtseyed.
“And your enthusiasm is greatly appreciated,” Adrian answered kindly. “However, my wife is in dire need of some rest. Have you prepared the bath?”
“Yes, Your Grace,” Eva replied, standing upright. “We just finished filling the tub. There are salts and oils on the stand. The bedding has been changed, and your valet has brought a few of your things down from your quarters.”
“Excellent,” Adrian said as Bridget turned to him with a curious look. “Thank you both. You may depart now. We shall ring you if we need anything else.”
The two of them curtseyed once more, and as soon as the door shut, Adrian began leading Bridget to her bathing room.
“How did you do all of this?” Bridget asked, looking down at the enticing bathing tub filled with steaming, clear water. “When?”
“I had Damien ride ahead to take care of a few things for us,” Adrian said, going to the back of her dress.
Her flesh tingled as he placed a soft kiss on the nape of her neck, then she felt his fingers begin to loosen the stays of her dress.
“And your things?” Bridget asked.
“I have had many revelations today,” Adrian explained, sliding the fabric of her dress slowly down her shoulders.
She sighed softly. Though the dress was simple and lightweight, after the day’s events, it now felt heavy and burdensome.
“For starters, I no longer wish for us to have separate quarters,” Adrian went on as he moved to loosen her corset next. “I have been spending my nights with you anyway, and having our things separated is ridiculous.”
Adrian moved to his knees, placed one of her hands on his shoulders for balance, then helped her step out of the pool of fabric.
Warmth spread through Bridget’s body as Adrian’s strong hands so very delicately reached for her calves and slid over her flesh. Her breath caught, and goosebumps pebbled her skin at his reverent attention. She let her head loll back slightly as his hands roamed slowly over her body, as if inspecting every precious inch for a bruise or cut.
“I want nothing about our union to remind you of what you used to endure,” Adrian rasped, sliding his palms up to her thighs and backside. “I want us to be completely different.”
Bridget fought the fog gathering in her mind from Adrian’s touch and opened her eyes. She reached down and cupped his cheek, and her heart fluttered as she watched him nuzzle into her touch.
“You have already proven that, my love,” she whispered, tracing her fingertips over his cheekbone, his lips, his jaw.
Adrian’s blue eyes burned as he looked up at her.
“And I intend on proving that again and again,” he vowed. “After today, you will never have a reminder of your past. I will make sure of it.”
He kissed her palm, then rose to his feet. Adrian continued his inspection, prodding gently over her waist, her sternum, and her back. When he reached her breasts, he stepped behind her, and as he pressed soft kisses into her neck, he dragged his fingertips up her waist until he could cup the underside of her breasts, and gathered them in his hands.
Bridget grew dizzy with desire; her nipples hardening into taut peaks at his touch.
“I want you,” she breathed, leaning the back of her head against his shoulder.
“You have me,” Adrian whispered against her ear, then trailed kisses to the other. “You willalwayshave me. I must make sure you are all right first.”
“I am!” she said almost desperately. She wanted Adrian to take her completely. As if for him to do so would dissolve any reminder of Warren’s hands on her earlier that day.
She tried to move, tried to turn around so she could start removing his clothes as well, but Adrian held her fast.
“Patience, my love,” he murmured, drawing his fingertips up to her shoulders.
Bridget whimpered, but she allowed him to finish. He trailed his fingers back down her arms, then turned her around. She watched as he looked over her body with a look of deep concentration, taking in every aspect of her. Then his brows furrowed, and he lifted her wrist.
“That bastard,” he growled.
Bridget looked at her wrist as Adrian held it in one hand and caressed it gently with the other. There, like a bracelet, was aring of bruises. He then picked up her other wrist and held them together, and she discovered that she had a matching set.
“It was just from the ropes,” she murmured, seeing anger cloud over Adrian’s handsome face. “They will heal.”
