Lila absorbed his words rather than respond right away. He’d known well enough how to deal with her father. His servants obviously respected him.
He’d fixed the carriage wheel, for heaven’s sake, something she doubted her father or even Lord Blakely ever would have been able to accomplish.
“You seem smart enough to me.” And of course, this only drew silence from him. “Tell me where you feel your intelligence is lacking.”
He groaned.
“You don’t have to if you don’t wish, but I will only keep asking until you do.”
Was that a kiss he’d just pressed atop her head? She couldn’t be certain and glanced up to see if she could read his expression. He met her eyes with a wry smile. “I did not attend university, as my brother did. The reports and accounts perplex me.” He shook his head. “And I cannot hire someone else to handle such matters. They are my direct responsibility.”
Lila raised one hand to his chest and rested it there. “Will there be many parties for me to attend?”
He stiffened, but she stroked her hand up and down until he seemed to relax again. “No parties to my knowledge. There is a small village nearby, of course. And the ladies in the village head up some sort of charities, as far as I know.”
“I’ve only brought a few books to read. And I’ve never been all that accomplished at any particular musical instrument. When I tried painting my sister in watercolors, she nearly fell over for laughing so hard.”
“Is there a point to this recitation of your ineptitudes? Are you already complaining that you will be bored at—”
“My father is a horrible person. A villain. It’s possible he’s even a murderer.” She’d never been certain of the latter, however. “But one thing my father has always excelled at is the running of his estates. Making money. And whenever he was away, I made it a point to understand his business. If you don’t mind, I’d be more than willing to go over yours.”
He didn’t answer her immediately, but she was learning that this was his way. He thought before he spoke and said only that which was necessary.
“I will think about it.” His voice rumbled under her ears.
She sat up and stared at him curiously. “I would not offer if I was not confident.”
He wiggled his shoulders and shifted on the bench, as though something about her offer discomforted him. “We shall see.”
Lila turned and rested her cheek against him once again. She had more work to do.
He must learn to trust her.
The remainder of the afternoon,they’d pressed on diligently, stopping only twice on the side of the road so Pemberth could check the wheel and so she could stretch her legs.
She had not expected to enjoy getting to know this husband of hers, nor had she expected to feel so comfortable in his protective embrace.
He was a man who’d married her under duress.
Likely, these strange emotions had merely been stirred up by the exquisite sexual gratification he’d given her.
Twice.
Even the thought of that second time had her reaching for her fan.
It was as though her father, a man she’d hated for most of her life, a man she’d feared, had somehow handed her the perfect husband.
Who also made a most comfortable pillow.
Admittedly, he was not much of a talker, but she was gradually learning a little at a time. Feeling truly optimistic for the first time in her life, Lila snuggled deeper into her husband and dozed.
The darkness woke her.And then the cessation of the bouncing and rocking she’d endured over the last few days.
She sat up from the bench she’d taken over completely only a moment before the door swung open and a tired-looking Pemberth peered inside.
“We’re home,” he announced.
Lila gathered her belongings and allowed him to assist her down the step. There wasn’t much to see. It must be the middle of the night, but she could hear ocean waves crashing in the distance.
