His expression was pulled into grim lines, his eyes a dull shade of grey. “Again, I must apologize for my reaction.”
“There’s really no need.”
He blinked, seemed to collect himself. His eyes focused on her with remarkable clarity. The air between them thickened. Her breaths came slower, harder. She parted her lips without even thinking. And then the air between them was gone, and his mouth was pressed against hers with insatiable hunger.
Surprise made her flinch and for a brief second he paused. Yes or no, he seemed to ask.
“What if someone sees?”
“No one will.” His breath whispered softly against her lips. “They’d have to enter the room completely to see this corner. And the door isn’t fully open.”
Still, she hesitated, though only for a brief second before his scent and the desperate desire to ease away his sorrow in some small way overwhelmed her. She wanted this. She wanted him. And he must have felt her compliance, for he closed the gap between them once more with a kiss that reached to the depth of her soul.
This was passion and desire – it had to be – and she was alive with it, so alive every nerve ending in her body clamored for more. Her lips parted instinctively, and he wasted no time in taking advantage. Good lord! Whoever knew it would feel so grand to be devoured? His hand slid down her back, its progress slow, assessing, gauging her willingness and her reaction.
Angelica gasped. Not because she objected to his caress, but because of the air brushing over the nape of her neck. Ice dug its way under her skin like claws trying to rake their way through her. “I…” She drew back. “Do you feel that?”
His eyebrows drew together in bewilderment. “What?”
She glanced about. The chill trickled down her spine, slowly releasing its grip. “I’m referring to the cold.”
He stared at her. “We are near the window. Perhaps you’re more sensitive to the lower temperature in this part of the room than I am.”
“Of course.” That had to be it, right? Any other explanation would border on madness. She shivered. “Perhaps I should make a habit of wearing a shawl while I’m here.”
“Perhaps,” he agreed.
His gaze drove into hers in a way that made her heart pound with longing. Something warm touched her hand, almost causing her to leap. She relaxed when she realized it was his fingers, slowly sliding over her skin in a way that pushed all else to the background. She forgot her unease and relaxed once more while allowing herself to savor his touch.
“I want you to know…” His mouth flattened in a serious manner. He swallowed in an almost awkward sort of way. “I haven’t kissed any of the others. Only you.”
It felt important. Monumentally so. Yet she still had to ask, “Why?”
“Because I don’t want them. I want you.”
Angelica’s lips parted in surprise. She hadn’t expected him to be quite to frank. “You barely know me.”
“I know you’re the only woman here with whom I can see myself spending the rest of my life. Whether or not it will come to that will be determined in the coming days.”
“You already know I don’t care for Colchester Hall. What if I don’t want to live here?”
The edges around his mouth tightened and he released her hand. Stepping away from her, he watched her through narrowed eyes. “This is my ancestral home. I cannot rid myself of it simply because you wish it.”
“No. Of course you—”
“But” –he held up a hand— “I could perhaps be persuaded to spend more time in London.”
“Really?” He merely inclined his head by way of answer. Angelica bit her lip and considered the sacrifice he was ready to make. “Thank you. For everything you’re offering to do.”
He shrugged one shoulder and strolled toward the side table. She followed and watched as he poured two glasses of port, their still-full teacups on the table completely forgotten. “We’re merely trying to learn if an understanding can be reached.” He held one glass toward her, and she stepped forward to take it. “Marriage requires compromise. Don’t think I won’t ask for anything in return.”
Angelica gazed up at him. There was something mesmerizing in the way he looked at her. “Like what?” She had to know.
“I won’t endure another marriage in which my wife and I sleep apart.”
Her face heated. “Really?” The word was more of a squeak than something one might consider part of the English language.
His lips curved into the most devilish smile she’d ever seen. “I have needs, Angelica. And I will expect you to tend to them.”
