“How did it fall into this state of disrepair?”
“That is a good question,” he said, opening the door. “The damage was done by Cavalier cannon when the earlier Rochdale refused to admit defeat. Unfortunately, subsequent Rochdales spent their money on other things than the house. The structure here is sound but be careful when you walk on the other side of this floor.”
He’d set down the lantern on the desk by the window as he spoke and now turned to find her inside his room and looking as he had pictured her.
She’d removed her bonnet. Her hair fell around her shoulders and it did not take much imagination for him to picture her naked and willing. Exactly how she’d been last night.
“Leonie,” he said, her name like a blessing on his lips.
She smiled—she had a heavenly smile—and looked to the bed. It was a four-poster and built for a big man. Roman liked it and had recently had the bed ropes replaced so that the cotton stuffed mattress was quite comfortable. Her gaze swung back to him. “Where are you going to sleep? Because I assure you, my lord, you willnotbe in my bed.”
Heavenly?She was the devil.
“I beg to differ, wife. If you want to move—by all means move, but I plan on sleeping in that bed tonight and it is the only bed in the house. If you stay in this room, we will be sharing it.”
Chapter 16
Leonie was exhausted.
It had been a long day.
However, she was not going to let Roman run roughshod over her.
She’d meant what she’d said about being thoroughly chastened this morning... and then to discover he hadn’t been genuine? Well, it raised her hackles.
“May you have your cold bed, and be welcome to it,” she announced. She reached for the counterpane, an ugly thing of blue figured material, and pulled it off. She started for the door, dragging it behind her.
“Where are you going?” Roman demanded.
“To find somewhere to sleep.”
“There isn’t anywhere else to sleep,” he answered. “The other rooms on this floor are not safe.”
“Then I shall find somewhere else.” Leonie opened the door, but then realized how dark it was. Instead of reaching for her valise, she picked up the lantern and marched out into the hall before he knew what she was about.
He shouted, “Hey!” in protest of her leaving him in the dark, but she ignored him.
Because of the size of the bed, the counterpane was huge and a bit of a trial to carry, especially when it came to the stairs. Leonie reached down and grabbed her skirt to lift the hem. There would be no honor in tumbling down the stone stairs and breaking her neck.
Of course, Roman might be happy if she did. Then he’d have all her money and noimperfectwife to bother him.
Just the thought of him celebrating her demise sent her stomping into the receiving room. The chairs were still arranged in the circle where Roman’s family had enjoyed meeting her earlier. Something else was there as well—the bottle of elderberry wine. The glasses and tray were on a side table.
Leonie glanced behind her. All was dark.
She set the lantern on the floor, crossed to the bottle, and lifted it to her lips. There was not that much left but she had two swallows. Shehadto drink it, she realized. She’d been so good, so circumspect.
The bit of wine could not hurt anything.
Wiping her mouth with the back of her hand, Leonie quietly placed the bottle on the tray. She backed away from it, as if she could deny what she’d done by standing on the other side of the room.
Today had been hard. Being with his family and watching them enjoy cider, which she adored but was afraid to touch because of Roman’s presence, had been a challenge. Leonie was not accustomed to denying herself anything.
Guilt over what had happened last night had kept her humble. However, her body was comfortable with a nip or two. Well, perhaps more than that but it wasn’t like she was adrunkard.
Her behavior at her wedding ceremony had been an aberration. She’d never had that reaction before and might not ever have it again.
In fact, right now... after those few swallows of wine, why, she felt herself. She knew where she was. She understood what was happening.
