Benjamin’s mouth kicked up in the corner. “On the contrary. The only reason that book is in this library is due to my insistence.”
She lifted a curious brow at that. “Indeed? You don’t strike me as the type to read a romantic novel.”
He rubbed his thumb absently along his lower lip, his focus temporarily dipping to the shadowed valley of her breasts. “You will come to find a lot about me in the coming years, my dear. We share the same roof.”
Her expression looked as though she’d encountered something unpleasant, her nose wrinkling slightly, but the way her skin flushed under his regard told of a different reaction from her body. “Of course.”
She picked up her book as if in silent dismissal, but he wasn’t quite ready to show his proverbial hand and leave the table just yet. “Do you not believe in fairy tales yourself, Catherine?”
It was the first time he’d addressed her so informally and he quite liked the way her name rolled off of his tongue. Her eyes widened slightly, as if surprised he had addressed her so informally, but then she quickly concealed her reaction by scrunching up her nose again. “Not in the real world, no. But they are fun to read.”
“What if I could bring them to life for you?” he asked softly. “What if I could become the hero you want?”
She was captured,ensnared by his hooded gaze. He was exuding the same charm she’d fallen under the night before. It was dangerous. And enticing. Too many conflicting emotions that she couldn’t dare name. But she could answer his question truthfully. “Do you believe that when you married me, I was a damsel in need of rescuing? Because I can assure you, I would have found my own way.”
“It’s an unforgiving world.”
A simple statement that carried a wealth of meaning. She set the book aside. “I realize that my options would have been limited, but Iwould have not asked for anyone to sacrifice themselves for me as you have apparently done. It sticks in my craw to think I’m anyone’s charity case when I acted out of desperation to gain my parents’ notice.”
As Catherine had spoken, her temper had begun to rise. She didn’t know if it was a combination of lust mixed with the frustration she continued to feel, but she certainly hadn’t meant to reveal her true reasons for entertaining David’s attentions and finding herself carrying his bastard. She must not have been thinking clearly. This pregnancy was obviously affecting her mind.
“Excuse me.” She got to her feet, intending to leave and spare herself some of the embarrassment that was flooding her face. She could feel the warmth suffusing her cheeks.
Before she could go, a strong, gentle hand encircled her wrist. “I have found that there is nothing wrong with the truth.” The baron’s breath tangled with her hair, causing gooseflesh to travel down her upper arms. “Don’t be ashamed to express your innermost thoughts to me. I will not judge you for your actions. I am the last person who should do so.”
Catherine relaxed slightly in the face of his own admission. She slowly turned and faced him. He was standing close, almosttooclose, because she was immediately reminded of the position they had been in the night before. It would not be a struggle to lift her face and touch her mouth to his and resume where they’d left off so abruptly. Her body had been aching for him, her skin anxious for the touch of his hands on her skin. Just having his hand on her wrist caused a flurry of butterflies in her midsection.
Suddenly, she realized that it wasn’t just nerves she was feeling.
With a gasp, she put a hand to her abdomen.
His brows drew together in a frown. “What is it?”
Rather than reply, she took his hand and placed it where she’d last felt the slight flutter. Standing in silence, she waited with bated breathuntil her patience was rewarded with another light movement.
“The baby is moving,” she noted in awe. It was the first time the life growing inside of her actually felt…real. Before, she’d only thought of it as the consequences of her actions, but now she realized it was a living thing growing inside of her. It was quite astounding.
She looked at the baron’s face to gauge his reaction and found his cheeks had turned rather pale. “Is something wrong?” she asked in alarm.
“No. It’s just—” He had to stop and gather himself before he could speak again. “I remember feeling the same sensation with—”
He didn’t have to say anything more for her to understand. Her heart instantly went out to him. Whether or not he claimed he deserved her kindness, she couldn’t resist offering it when he looked so visibly torn. She tentatively raised her hand and laid it on his cheek. “I’m sorry.”
His focus burned into her and she could feel the heat starting to return with a dark swirl through her chest.
“Thank you,” he said huskily. “That means a lot. It’s nice knowing that someone… cares.”
She smiled. “I wouldn’t be much of a wife if I didn’t.”
His eyes darkened slightly, the dark pupils nearly eclipsing the mahogany. “Speaking of that…”
She stepped back and put some much-needed distance between them. “My lord—”
“Benjamin.”
She blinked. “What?”
He lifted his hand and rubbed his knuckles along her cheek. “It’s my name. You should use it.”
