“True...” He would not deny it. “But that doesn’t mean we can’tmake love.” He let his voice warm the last words and watched her reaction.
Willa fidgeted with her skirt, right where the imaginary lint had been. She rubbed her thumb against it as if there was a stain only she could see.
She was nervous. The idea struck like lightning.God, he was a fool.He’d thought she was angry. He’d actually been ready to take offense, but now he realized, she was shy. Yes, that was it. Maidens were shy... because they didn’t know what to expect.
Matt had never slept with a virgin. He knew what thetonwhispered about his carnal adventures, but a good deal of that had to do with Letty. In truth, he’d actually not had many sexual partners. Meaningless relationships had never been attractive to him.
However, Willa wasveryattractive, and she always had been. From their first introduction, he’d admired her English beauty and the way she held herself. He would never have agreed to marry her if he hadn’t been somewhat drawn to her.
He leaned in, reaching for her hand rubbing the material and covered it with his own. His action brought his eyes level with hers. “I’m pleased with my choice of wife,” he said, thinking that was important to say. “I won’t hurt you, Willa. I promised we would be good together.”
The corners of her mouth tightened.
He held his breath, waiting for her response and uncertain if he’d made the situation better or worse.
And then she leaned forward and pressed her lips against his.
The startling kiss was innocent, untried—and set a fire alight inside him.
Matt had not anticipated such a response to her artless inexperience. All admonishments to himself about maidens aside, he would have taken that kiss and more, if the coach had not come to a halt.
Willa broke the chaste kiss, her color high, a second before Marshall, the Camberly butler, opened the coach door himself. “Your Grace,” he said to Willa with great flourish, “welcome.”
“Thank you,” she managed, and offered Marshall her hand to help her out of the coach. Matt followed.
The servants were in a line by the front door. Willa hung back as if intimidated, but with a slight press of the fingers, Matt teased her forward. She went by every servant acknowledging their bows and curtseys of welcome. Fortunately, Matt didn’t have even a third of the servants her father’s household boasted or else they would be at it all day.
And this was not how he wanted to spend his time. He was ready to open a school for kisses and he had only one pupil in his mind: his sweetly innocent wife.
Inside, Mrs. Snow, the housekeeper, waited by the stairs to be introduced to the new duchess. “If you have any questions, Your Grace, I am completely at your service.”
“That is nice—” Willa started, but Matt had waited long enough.
“Very nice,” he agreed brusquely, a beat before sweeping Willa up in his arms, just as he had in front of the church. His arms full of wife, Matt looked to Marshall and Mrs. Snow. “Don’t disturb us.”
His pronouncement was met with good-humored laughter as he carried Willa up the stairs to his room.
Another servant waited for them there, Willa’s maid. It had been arranged that while the wedding breakfast was taking place, Willa’s clothing and personal effects would be moved to his house.
Her maid made a deep curtsey as they came upon her. “Annie,” Willa said, “did the move go well?”
“Oh, yes, Your Grace, very well.”
“Annie,” Matt said, testing the name. “Your services will not be needed for the night.” A grin of delight spread across her Irish face, and Matt decided he liked this new addition to his household. “Have a good evening,” he tossed over his shoulder as he carried Willa into his bedroom. He kicked the door shut and conveyed her to his massive bed with the intention of pursuing that kiss they had started.
He was hard, he was ready... he was excited. If she’d been more experienced, Matt would already have her on her back. Instead, he remembered she’d been gently reared. Protected and pampered. Guarded.
And he’d taken a marriage vow to cherish her, one he was determined to obey if it killed him.
He removed his jacket.
The time had come.
The moment everyone had gossiped about. Willa was going to let Camberly have her because he was her husband. Giving in to him was her duty. She wasn’t truly his duchess unless they did the deed.
She experienced a pang of regret that she’d overheard his words to his sister about not loving her. Willa was practical. In spite of the marriage vows, she wouldn’t even have thought of love if it hadn’t been for Kate’s words.
Now, it seemed all she could think about.Love.
