“Oh, my! Marcus!” She wrapped her hands around his face and pulled him down to kiss her again. “That was amazing!” She kissed him again.
Marcus couldn’t help laughing into her neck. She was so God damn incredible. Was it possible he’d never tire of somebody like Emily? Was it possible she’d keep him entranced for a lifetime?
Her hands had already crept down his shirt and then down… farther. She wrapped her hand around him, and he went hard all over again. “Can we do it again?”
Perhaps she’d simply kill him first.
The Honeymoon
After the inauspicious beginning of their marriage, Emily and Marcus more than made up for it later that day and well into the night. Emily wished they could stay another day. In fact, a part of her never wanted to leave Gretna Green, but she knew Sophia would be worried. And she needed to explain herself to Rhoda.
She so hoped Rhoda wouldn’t be angry!
She wondered, too, if Prescott’s man could possibly have been wrong about Mr. Thistlebum. Was it possible there’d been no misunderstanding? Oh, she never should have delved into Marcus’ affairs this way. But that the Duke of Waters really had wronged Marcus horribly, she’d have no cause to upset her husband’s very reason for marrying her!
Even though she’d tried to tell him.
He’d refused to even entertain the notion.
Emily fisted her hand against her forehead. None of this would be an issue if she’d only minded her own business.
Even so, Marcus’ intentions had been made crystal clear. She might enjoy his company and attention for now, but he’d no plans to become a besotted husband like Mr. Nottingham, or Prescott, for that matter.
They were friends.
They enjoyed one another physically.
And they happened to be married to one another.
He’d had rings made for both of themout of her the metal from her broken spectacles!
And then the rest. They’d gone back to her chamber, and she’d done things she didn’t even know words for. Even now, sitting in the carriage next to him, heat spread up her neck.
He seemed a little quieter than he had been when they left, but nothing like before. She didn’t wish to push him. He’d already made so many concessions for her.
They’d talked, like friends. And now they knew one another’s bodies in shockingly intimate detail… and yet…
“What are you thinking?” She couldn’t stop the question from escaping past her lips.
Marcus turned his head away from the window to look at her. Dark circles etched beneath his eyes, which didn’t concern her. She probably had some herself, since they’d slept so little.
But he hesitated. Emily fingered the smooth metal encircling her finger. Did he regret making such a gesture?
“Perhaps I’m simply wondering what you are thinking.” He dodged her question easily enough.
Emily wondered how honest she could ever be with him.I’m worried you’ll distance yourself before I’m ready. I’m wondering if I could be increasing after what we did over and over again yesterday. Are you going to hate me if your father didn’t kill Mr. Thistlebum as well? If you realize you’ve burned your bridges with him for nothing?
Emily had never considered herself to be an overly emotional person but all of this marriage and intimacy business had sent her moods into a dizzying spiral.
But what should she say to him?
“I’m afraid of going back.” She settled on the truth.
Marcus seemed a little surprised at first, but then he nodded, dropped one arm over her shoulder, and pulled her close. Emily sighed and snuggled against his chest. Oh, yes, this was what she needed. But then his words jolted her out of the comfortable place she’d settled into.
“There’s nothing to be afraid of.”
“I’m not so sure of that.” She pulled back and met his eyes. “There’s Rhoda and Sophia and my mother and oh, blast and tarnation! Your father! And everybody in theton!” They were going to think the Earl of Blakely had gone mad! And all because of her!
