“Must we wait three weeks?” She looked up at him, her love shining in her eyes.
His brain, for once, was in sync with his heart as he gazed at her. “I would prefer to. I do not want our wedding to appear hurried in any way. I’m proud to make you my wife.”
Her shoulders sagged. “Then I guess we will simply have to hide our kisses from prying eyes.”
Hide their kisses? “No, we need not hide them because there will be no more until after we wed.”
She smirked. “Not even to stop me from rambling?”
He chuckled. “No, not even then.”
A devilish light came into her eyes. “We’ll see.”
He groaned silently, quite sure this would be the longest three weeks of his life.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Dory strolled intoher husband’s library anxious to see how many books he might have in it while he gave instructions to the butler. After three long weeks, she was finally Lady Harewood. She grinned as she imagined a forest filled with bunnies. Turning in a circle, she studied the room and smiled, thrilled at the number of volumes on the shelves. Since her husband had a well-stocked library, she would spend her pin money on statues and pictures of rabbits and set them about the house until the King of Bunnies noticed and told her to stop. After all, he did say he was observant. She had quite a clever husband after all.
Husband. She was well and truly married. And Fen had made sure everyone was there, well everyone but her mother. Father had forbidden it. Still, all the Mabrys and Curious Ladies had come, and of course Lord and Lady Enderly. Surprisingly, even the countess shed a few tears at seeing her son wed, and had welcome her warmly, which was a relief.
Dory sighed happily as she wandered past the fireplace, the windows, the desk, until she came upon a table with four books on it. She reviewed the titles and her heart filled with love. They were some of the philosophers she’d mentioned to him over the last few weeks. Had he been reading them to converse with her? While their conversations had been quite satisfying, there had been but a few, as he’d come back to Denton House to have it prepared for her, as she had once hoped. She greatlyappreciated his thoughtfulness, but she’d missed him. Missed their conversations and his kisses the most.
Fen strode in, his gaze immediately searching her out. He took her in his arms, exactly where she wished to be.
She wrapped her arms around his neck. “You have a preponderance of books.”
He smiled. “I do. Would you like to see them?”
“Not particularly.” She looked up at him from beneath her lashes.
He laughed, a sound that had been so rare when she’d first met him and now was common. “Then what would you like to do, Lady Harewood? This is your home now. You’ve already met the servants. Would you like to see your room?”
“Not especially.” She licked her lips.
His smile disappeared. “Then I admit that I am at a loss as to what you would like see.”
She played with the dark hair at the back of his neck, twining the silky strands around her fingers. “I believe I wish to seeyou.”
His chest filled as he took a deep breath. “Youareseeing me.”
“No, I wish to see yousans vêtements.”
His nostrils flared, causing a ripple of excitement to flow through her. “Without clothes? What has Mademoiselle Lissette been teaching you?”
“She says the French are well educated in the art of love. I thought it best to learn all I could while waiting for our wedding.” She moved one hand down between them to unbutton his tailcoat.
He pulled her tightly against him, effectively stopping her efforts to disrobe him. “Dory.” His voice had lowered and a shiver of excitement raced to her core.
She had learned much in the last few weeks from a book Lissette had found in the library at Silver Meadows and thoughtshe should read. Lissette was very good at discovering things, her mind working in ways foreign. Lissette had seen Lady Blackmore give it to the duchess and had searched it out. It had been tucked away on a high shelf, and Dory was quite sure they hadn’t been meant to find it. It had a false cover claiming it discussed feminine education, but inside it wasThe Illustrated Pleasures of Seduction.
Since she still had one hand around his neck, and he’d pressed her so close, she raised herself on her toes, liking the feel of his hard chest against her breasts. “Will you not kiss your bride?”
Immediately, his head lowered and he took her lips with his.
She opened her mouth and nudged his open, delving in to taste him. The scent of pine filled her nostrils even as she tasted the faint hints of brandy on his tongue from the wedding breakfast.
His mouth became demanding as if he were starved for her. She understood and tangled her tongue with his until she could barely breathe, her thoughts shooting into the sky. His arms pressed her closer, one hand pushing her pelvis tight against him, where she could feel his desire for her. His other hand moved against her back where her purple gown was tied.
