“All things considered, no.” In the wave ofinexplicable relief that washed over him, he did not ask her to elaborate.
Diantha hurried upstairs as soon as they entered the house. What had possessed her to speak so freely on the drive back? She must have drunk one glass of champagne too many. Living with Papa and her brothers had taught her that gentlemen did not enter into the sentiments of females.
She awoke Florette where she slept on a cot in the dressing room and returned to the bedroom. Sinking onto the slipper chair in front of the vanity, she removed the earrings and necklace herself before the maid came yawning out to take down her hair.
“You can brush it out in a moment. If I’m laced up much longer, I fear I shall burst.” She turned about as Florette unfastened hooks and buttons, and stepped out of the rustling pile of satin with her help. When the corset came unlaced at last, Diantha took in a great breath, relishing the freedom of her chemise and drawers.
She removed her own shoes and stockings as the maid gathered up the discarded gown and petticoats for cleaning and pressing. The soft creak of an opening door barely registered with either woman.
“You’re dismissed, Florette.”
Diantha sat up with a jerk, dropping a stocking. Kieran leaned against the frame of the doorway. Her body tightened under his heavy-lidded stare. “She hasn’t brushed my hair yet.” Her voice came out in a breathy squeak.
“I can do that.” He advanced into the room. “Good night, Florette.”
“Good night, milord.” The maid placidly curtsied and disappeared, leaving Diantha to face her husband with a pounding heart. The confidence that had buoyed her all evening dissipated. She clasped her hands together on the surface of the vanity, much like a schoolgirl sitting at a desk.
Kieran picked up the brush and slowly ran the bristles through her hair. “Are you afraid I’ll hurt you again?”
“No.” Some of her tension fell away at each stroke. “I don’t think you wanted to last time.”
The brush whispered down each strand in a gentle rhythm, followed by his hand. “What then?”
She shook her head. The turmoil in her heart did not rise from physical fear, but from something deep in her own soul. “I feared you might think my conversation earlier was foolish.”
“I won’t deny it took me by surprise.” He pulled Diantha to her feet, settling his hands on the curve of her hips. Heat grew low in her midriff as his thumbs made small circles at her waist. “You seemed very happy to see your former suitor this evening.”
“I have always been very fond of him.” Her eyes widened as a suspicion struck her. “Surely you aren’t jealous of him! I told you I prefer you to him.”
Kieran stiffened. “When I see my wife holding hands with a man I’ve never set eyes on before in my life, I am not jealous. I am concerned that she is not behaving in a manner befitting her position.”
“It was only a harmless flirtation.” She enjoyed the look on his face when she threw his wordsregarding thesenhoraback at him. “After all, I only talked with him.”
“You danced with him twice, and went down to supper with him.” He growled the words as he picked her up and carried her to the bed. “You are my wife, if you’ll recall.”
She glared up at him from atop the neatly turned down coverlet and sheet. “Perhaps you should have remembered that fact before you started gallivanting all over Paris with the Marquise de Tourelle. You don’t even want me!”
“On the contrary, I want you very much.” He untied his sash and slipped off his robe.
She sucked in her breath at the sight of his bare chest and the burgeoning arousal pushing against the silk pyjamas.
In the candlelit room Diantha could see him far better than in the shadows of the ship’s cabin. His chiseled features, the muscular shoulders and chest tapering to a slim waist and long legs, all combined to weaken her. He was so very beautiful, and he stood looking down at her as his own eyes darkened with desire. She could not resist the potent combination.
As if he read her mind, he seated himself on the edge of the bed. Balancing with a hand on either side of her head, he bent forward to place a gentle kiss on her lips. She opened to him and within seconds, he wrapped her in his embrace as their tongues mated over and over. The jut of flesh between his thighs hardened rapidly, but when he drew back, it was only to stroke his fingertips down her throat.
Catching sight of the ostrich feather fan on thetable beside her bed, he picked it up and lazily stroked the inside of her bare arm with it.
She inhaled in surprise when goose bumps rose over her entire body from the gossamer touch. Watching her intently, he trailed the plumes across her exposed breastbone and down the other arm. Her nipples peaked against the thin linen chemise and a tingle came to life in the flesh between her legs.
He teased her neck with the end of the feathers, playing the cloud softness over her sensitive skin till she squirmed and giggled. “Stop, you’re tickling me!”
He desisted at once, setting the fan aside before returning to unbutton the chemise. She closed her eyes as he settled over her, his weight unfamiliar and yet welcome. Air cooled her breasts as the cloth fell away, followed by Kieran’s warm hands caressing them. She hoped he would suckle, but instead he slid a palm under her back to lift her slightly.
Opening her eyes, she saw that he wanted to remove the chemise completely. Sitting up a little she assisted him in freeing her. Then he eased her back down to the bed, running his fingertips over the soft globes with their puckered tips. She arched against his touch, silently begging for more.
“Not yet.” He murmured the words as he sat back on his heels. The sight of the hardened erection between his silk-covered thighs made her breath come faster. The idea of being impaled on his member without pain excited her. Following the direction of her gaze, his lips curved in a sensual smile. “Soon, my bonny wife.”
His hands dropped to her waist and he pulled at the silk tie holding her drawers up. Sliding the loosened garment over her hips and down her legs,he discarded it and impulsively dropped a kiss onto her navel. As his tongue swirled around the tiny indentation, she shivered in anticipation.
