What she didn’t say was that even when married, she’d kept him close in her heart. Suddenly, he wanted to erase whatever experiences she had with her late husband. He wanted her to feel love and pleasure…and fulfillment. He could do that for her. He could give her that gift at least.
Lowering his head, he brushed her lips with his.
She gave a soft sigh as if she’d been waiting for his touch. It was all the encouragement he needed. Moving his hand to the back of her neck, he nibbled at her lips, before nudging them. As she opened to him, he swept his tongue inside and tasted all that was Mariel.
Her arms wrapped around his neck as she welcomed him, one hand rifling through the hair on the back of his head. Her tongue tangled with his before slipping by and into his mouth, starting a fire in his gut. He wrapped his other arm around her waist, pulling her closer. He wanted to taste all of her.
Her mouth became more demanding as if she couldn’t get enough. He welcomed her passion and slid his hand up her side to cup her breast.
She broke their kiss and pushed him away.
Dropping his hands, he stared into her startled gaze. “What’s wrong?”
“You touched me.” Her utter surprise was clear. “I thought you said you loved me?”
He frowned, completely confused. “I’m not sure I understand.”
Her face heated, but she didn’t look away. “Touching my body is to have children. I told you, I cannot have them. There is no reason to touch me.”
Quickly, he tried to make sense of what she said, his instinct telling him it was vitally important that he understand. “But you kissed me.”
“Of course I did.” She shook her head at him as if he were daft. “I love you.”
Her explanation didn’t help. “So kissing is good between people who love each other, but touching a body is for procreation?”
Her whole body relaxed at his words. “Yes.”
Bloody hell! Unable to sit there, he rose and walked to the window. What had her husband taught her? That copulating was only about having children? A new thought came to the fore. Without looking at her, he spoke over his shoulder. “Did your husband ever kiss you?”
“Of course not. I told you, it wasn’t a love match.”
His fingers itched to curl into his palms, but she watched, and he didn’t want her to know of the fury burning inside him. Beaumont had done far more damage than anyone knew. Even she didn’t know. The whole situation reminded him of a mare he’d saved from an irresponsible dandy. She’d been abused and neglected. It had taken him over a year to undo the damage, though she still shied from loud noises.
“Marcus?”
He needed to get his emotions under control. Taking a deep breath, he slowly exhaled before he turned to face her. “I apologize. Your thoughts on the subject of intimacy are new to me.”
She gave him a soft smile. “I’m sure they are. You have never been married.”
Her condescending tone was so ill placed, he rubbed his hand over his face to keep from smiling at her naiveté. “Perhaps we should discuss my thoughts on our journey to London.” Which would allow him a distraction until he could contemplate his new information on Mariel.
She picked up her cup of tea and took a sip. “I have already started planning my departure. It won’t take me as long as my sister to be ready as I don’t have an entire household to move yet. Have you decided what public venture you wish to pursue before we remove to Town?”
He walked back to the chair he’d originally taken and sat. “Having seen Lady Burchell at church last weekend, I don’t believe we need to be seen in public again here in Northampton.”
She raised her brows. “Truly? You think the baroness will ensure everyone here knows of our betrothal?”
“I do. Have you had any callers since then?” He had no doubt people would come to judge her to determine if she were worthy of their local viscount.
“I had two yesterday, but I was not at home.”
No, she was at Ravenridge with him being shot at. “What of before that?”
“I did have three callers the day before, but as I was out riding and my sister still in residence, I didn’t think anything of it. From what I understand, all callers were told she was not receiving. I imagine she was quite busy ensuring all staff and household goods which needed to be moved to Haven House were ready.”
As he expected. His mother was right. Going to church did spread the news quickly. “Then I would suggest being available for callers today and tomorrow at the least. How soon can you be ready to travel to London?”
She tapped her index finger on her palm multiple times as she thought about his question. Finally, she returned her gaze to his. “I could be ready in two days.”
