“I should not have gone outside alone.”
“I drank far too much that evening.”
“I ought to have announced myself the moment I saw you.”
Their feet ate up the pavement. “I know I’ve already apologized to you, but I cannot help but—”
“Are you in love with her? Have I ruined it for you?” Her question had him glancing over to see if she was serious. “Unless you intend to continue—that is—I mean—”
“I won’t.” Chase jerked to a sudden halt. He really hadn’t expected this subject to come up yet. It would have eventually, however, because the nature of their marriage failed to meet either of his two criteria. He hadn’t concluded whether fidelity would be a requirement between them.
Studying the circumstances rationally, he and Bethany were not a love match. Neither, however, had their nuptials been arranged to advance any business objectives. None of the details had been ironed out when they’d agreed to the wedding. But she was right in that they had matters to discuss. “We need to decide how to proceed—as husband and wife.”
“As far as..? Oh.” Pink flushed her cheeks as she stared at him. Her jaw dropped, revealing small white teeth and the tip of her tongue.
“Yes.Oh.” He replied, biting back a grin.
He’d considered kissing her on the mouth at the conclusion of their ceremony but hadn’t been certain how she would respond. She had a lovely mouth, really. It reminded him of the pink roses blooming in the extensive gardens at Byrde House. Her bottom lip was full, almost pouty, and the top a perfect Cupid’s bow.
Even as he studied those lips, they clamped into a tight line. Ah, perhaps that was why he hadn’t noticed them in the past. Bethany’s demeanor didn’t exactly invite gentlemen to appreciate such aspects of her person.
He steered her once again along the walkway. It was too disconcerting to have to look at her while discussing such matters asmarital congress.
The thought, although less earth-shattering than it had been before, still shook him.
Bethany Fitzwilliam—Westerley’s sister—was hiswife!
She looped her hand through his arm as they resumed strolling, both of them likely contemplating the future.
A detached sort of marriage, as many in society tended to be, ought to appeal to Chase. But this wasBethany. Although the image she projected to her family and to the world, for that matter, was one of independence and poise, he sensed a vulnerability, a…softness in her.
She would require protecting. What else would she need?
“I’ll defer to your inclinations as pertains to the physical aspects of our marriage,” he stated. And if she was under any misconceptions, he added, “Consummation.”
She didn’t answer right away as the two of them promenaded along the footway. Any other couple would be discussing the weather.
“I’m inclined to…” She tucked her head down. “I will address it in whichever manneryousee fit. I won’t force you, though. You don’t have to do it if you don’t want to.”
Her response had him inhaling sharply, which promptly sent him into a coughing fit. He bent over and dropped both hands onto his knees, practically choking, until he’d cleared his throat and was breathing normally again.
“Are you all right?” She was patting him on the back with very solid thumps. After he regained his composure, she extracted a handkerchief and held it out to him. Good Lord, tears were streaming down his face from the bout.
As he dabbed it to each corner of his eyes, he caught a whiff of her fragrance—fruity, sweet, a hint of floral. Tucking the handkerchief into his pocket when he was done, he shook his head, astonished still at her response.
“Why wouldn’t I want to?” He nearly choked again.
If possible, her cheeks flushed an even darker pink.
She gestured to her face, and then made a sweeping motion down her figure. “Because. Look at me. Nobody wants to... you know. Not with me! It’s not as though I’ve attracted any serious suitors since I’ve been out. One proposal.” She held up her finger. “And that was when I was eighteen. The gentleman in question was poor as a church mouse, nearing his seventies, and smelled of garlic and dill.”
This time, when she reached for his arm, she was the one to direct them along the pavement. “I don’t labor under any misconceptions of my desirability. Why else would my brother ask his friends to defend my younger sister from potential suitors but never me?”
Chase was taken aback by her honesty. He’d never have suspected she felt like this. He’d known her long enough and simply assumed she wasn’t interested in marriage or romance. He definitely hadn’t considered her opinion on sex.
Had he known her at all? What else didn’t he know about her?
“Perhaps your brother believed you are not inclined to succumb so easily to insincere compliments or seduction? Perhaps he didn’t see any need because he and your mother see you as levelheaded and sensible?”
