“But the need to keep you safe was uppermost in my mind,” he said, a smile in his voice. Not entirely true, as he’d thought of this many times, but still… “It made me a poor excuse for a lover, Maddie.”
“Hush.” Her finger traced along his jaw. “That was then. This is now.”
His hand skimmed her thighs, drawing up her nightgown. “Yes, this is now.”
*
When Hart undressed,Maddie caught her breath. If you could call a naked man beautiful, Hart certainly was. She marveled at his satiny, smooth skin, strongly delineated muscles, and that fascinating part of him which he urged her to touch and moaned when she did. His body fascinated her, hard and yet soft, and when he entered her it brought her such pleasure that she lost all sense of herself.
As their breaths slowed, she lay quiet and sated, her leg resting partly over his in the soft glow of the candles while she considered their future together. Hart seemed to have withdrawn from her, his eyes closed, and that nagging worry entered her mind she could not keep at bay. Although he was an unselfish and considerate lover, he had not told her he loved her, or allowed her a glimpse into his heart. It made her reluctant to be honest with him, and left a hollow feeling of unfulfillment, which, had she voiced it, would only make her sound unreasonable. And she was afraid of his answer.
Why was Hart reluctant to reveal much about his life before he met her? She yearned to know everything about him, and was impatient to tell him all about hers, the good and the heartrending. To hear him say how meeting her had changed his life, and how he loved her. But he had not invited such intimacies. And then, in the throes of passion, when her confession of love hovered on her lips, she bit down on it, fearing Hart would not wish to hear it.
While he murmured endearments as his body and skillful fingers brought her to climax, he never spoke those words she longed to hear. This marriage was not a love match, she told herself sternly, and she must not allow herself to forget it, or want more, for that would lead to dissatisfaction. But what might this mean when they returned to London? His friends would believe their marriage to be one of convenience, and some would wonder at the reason for it. She stiffened. She had her pride. If Hart took a mistress, it would humiliate her.
Hart turned his head to look at her. “You seem tense, Maddie. Have I fallen short as a lover?”
She laughed and leaned over to stroke his muscled chest, curling her fingers in the tufts of dark hair. “Don’t be silly.”
He rolled on his side and propped his head with an elbow, his eyes roaming over her. “I can always remedy that. You have only to ask.”
Maddie felt his gaze like a stroke from his warm hand, but her fears had cooled her ardor. “That would be most unreasonable of me. I am a little sleepy.” She stretched, suddenly irritated with herself. Why did she let these thoughts spoil the most wonderful moments of her life?
“Sleep then, sweetheart. We must head home tomorrow.”
“Yes,” she murmured, closing her eyes.Home.But the thought failed to lull her to sleep.
Chapter Fifteen
Hart woke witha start, but it was not yet dawn. Beside him, Maddie slept deeply, her legs curled within his. How well her body fit. It began to rain, and a flash of lightning lit the sky, brightening the room for a moment. Heavy drops pattering against the window, Maddie sighed in her sleep and rolled onto her side. When her hand found his, Hart smiled and pulled the covers over her shoulders. Warm and dry and completely content, he fell asleep.
When he woke again, bright sun shone through the gap in the curtains. It must be late. He had instructed the servants not to disturb them this morning. He watched his bride sleep, wanting to wake her and make love to her again. But he should allow her to rest. He considered himself the most fortunate of fellows. As a lover, Maddie was not only beautiful, she was sensual and giving.
A knock at the door interrupted his pleasant reverie. Expecting the maid with their coffee and chocolate, he pulled the sheet over his sleeping wife’s creamy breasts and rose to don his dressing gown.
“Come.”
Henry stuck his head in the door. “Sorry to interrupt, milord.”
“You should be, Henry. This had better be important.”
“You said you wished to leave at ten and it’s gone eleven-thirty.”
“That late, eh? I hadn’t noticed.” Henry looked at his feet and shuffled them. “We shall be down shortly for breakfast. Send Jane to attend to her mistress.”
He would prefer to allow Maddie to sleep a little longer. But they must cover some ground before nightfall. He leaned over and kissed her lips.
She opened her eyes and sleepily smiled at him.
“Good morning, my sweet.”
“Have I overslept?” She sat up and stretched. “What time is it?”
Admiring her naked body, he wished he could join her in the bed. “Late. I’ve sent for Jane.”
Gathering up his clothes, he left her to wash and dress in the adjoining chamber. Cursing the absence of his valet, he got himself ready to leave. He looked dubiously at his crumpled waistcoat, then donned it and buttoned it up. His coat had fared better. He tied his cravat before the mirror. Having pulled on his boots, he returned to Maddie’s room. Jane had not arrived, and Maddie was out of bed, her peignoir in her hands. A glimpse of her naked body gave him an inconvenient cock stand. He retreated to the door before tempted to act on it. “I’ll see you in the dining room for breakfast, my sweet, after which we must depart.”
She turned to him with a smile as she slipped her arms into the sleeves, remarkably unselfconscious about her nakedness. And why would she be? He watched the elegant play of her muscles, her slender thighs, her rounded belly, dark hair over her sex. Years of riding had fashioned a lissome beauty. He turned away from the beguiling sight, smiled, and opened the door. Stepping out into the corridor, he closed the door behind him with a chuckle and a shake of his head. He foresaw the journey home would be frustrating and pleasurable in equal measure.
