He arrived suddenly through the connecting door that linked their rooms. Though she had been expecting him, she nearly jumped when he appeared as a glimmer of movement in her mirror.
“Should I have knocked?”
“Of course not.” Rising from the padded seat, she turned to face him fully.
He wore a brocade dressing gown of sapphire blue, loosely belted at the waist, that accented the width of his shoulders and the broadness of his chest. His feet were bare. She could not see much beyond his ankles, but surmised he wore nothing else beneath the garment. The flickering candlelight flattered his fair complexion and refined facial features.
Meredith nearly sighed. He was such a compelling, handsome man. The intensity of his gaze made her heart begin to thud. Yet his face could have been carved from stone, for he showed not a hint of emotion.
“Your maid?”
“Rose has retired for the night.”
“Good.” She felt his gaze travel over her, taking in every detail of her revealing attire. With effort, she was able not to flinch. “I assume you are a virgin?”
There was a long pause as Meredith told herself not to be insulted or angered by the question. “Yes. Does that disappoint you?”
His expression broke and he grimaced. Yet he did not answer her question but instead said, “Your mother is not here to offer you advice or address any of your concerns. Is there anything you would like to ask me?”
Ask him? About what?Though she had vowed she would not, Meredith felt a blush creep into her cheeks as she finally caught his meaning.
“My mother already explained . . . that is to say, I already know . . . I mean I am aware—”
Abruptly she stopped, not believing how flustered she felt by this discussion. Taking a deep breath, Meredith tried again. “I am very aware of all aspects of marital relations. Physical relations. My mother has always felt it was most important that a woman not remain ignorant of such matters, so she took it upon herself to enlighten and explain everything to me when I reached my eighteenth birthday.”
“Everything?” The notion seemed to amuse him. “Hmmm, nowIam nervous.”
Meredith felt herself relax. It was going to be all right. Trevor seemed to be in the grip of some strange emotion, but it no longer frightened or disturbed her.
She lacked the nerve to suggest they move to the bed, so instead of speaking she acted. Rose, or some other servant, had drawn back the spread. Meredith could feel the coolness of the satin sheet against her bottom through her sheer nightgown as she sat in the middle of the bed.
As she waited for him to follow, she admitted she was looking forward to this aspect of their relationship. He had already demonstrated his passion for her with his soul-melting kisses and languid caresses.
She had always been curious about the physical side of the male/female relationship, but never more so since the marquess had kissed and caressed her. Even that first night in the garden she knew there was something different about him, different about them.
The intimacy they were about to share would create a bond between them, a bond that would grow stronger as the days and weeks passed.
Meredith was not a love-struck fool. She did not believe this would instantly solve all the obstacles they now faced. But it could be a start. A most important, pleasurable start.
But still she waited. The marquess had not moved from his position. He seemed to be wrestling with some internal dilemma, some indecision. He turned and Meredith nearly cried out, for she thought he meant to leave.
She quieted when she saw him unbelt his dressing gown, then inhaled slowly as he removed the robe. As she had thought, he was naked beneath and achingly beautiful. Hard, solid muscle, broad shoulders and chest, narrow waist, long, fit legs.
The mattress shifted slightly as he sank down beside her. His nearness brought on a longing and hunger that started somewhere deep inside her. Never had she been so acutely aware of her body.
“Are you still nervous?” Meredith asked with a small smile.
“Terrified.” His expression was so serious it made her heart ache. Somethingwastroubling him.
Tenderly she raised her hand and laid it on his chest. “I promise I will not bite you, my lord.”
“Regretfully, I cannot make the same vow, my lady.”
Her fingers strayed to his hair, caressed the outline of his ear, then moved to the back of his neck. “I do not mind in the least,” she whispered in a sultry voice, pulling his neck forward.
Arching against him, she drew him into a deep, warm kiss. He remained totally still for a moment. Then he ran his tongue along her lips. Eagerly Meredith parted them, and his tongue sank inside to tease and tangle with hers.
It felt so good, warm and sensuous and wild. Their mouths fit perfectly. Trevor’s tongue began plunging slowly in and out, and Meredith became lost in the wonder of it as she tasted him fully.
