She didn’t know. Even her parents hadn’t loved her enough to give her funds of her own. They had given it all to Richard. True, the marriage contract had said everything reverted to her upon his death, but he had run everything into the ground by then.
A tear ran down her cheek and Joshua wiped it away with the brush of his thumb. More tears followed and he gently brushed them away as well.
“No one has ever thought of my needs before their own,” she said in a voice that wavered with every syllable.
“I will always put your needs before my own.”
She stared into his fathomless eyes that seemed more stalwart than she had ever seen before. “And who will put your needs first?” She would of course, but she needed to know what he expected.
“I am content at being second, or third, or fourth.”
“Why would you be third or—oh.” The hope that was blossoming in her chest died. “I cannot have children, Joshua.”
“Then I will be second. It matters not.”
Her chin began to quiver and he placed a gentle, consoling kiss on her lips which only made her tears fall faster.
He pulled back and gazed into her eyes once more, his expression serious and, to be honest, frightening. “I need you tounderstand that you won’t be able to travel in the same social circle you are accustomed to if you marry me.”
She laughed at his fear. She shouldn’t, yet it was so preposterous, she couldn’t stop that single bit of hope from escaping as she rushed to reassure him. “You do realize the scandalous set I belong to, don’t you? They will continue to accept me, provided I continue to throw the house partiestheyare accustomed to.”
A wrinkle appeared on his brow and she was certain he would change his mind. “Can I request that we reduce the number of parties to two parties a year?”
“As my husband, you may insist we throw zero parties a year.” She prayed he wouldn’t try to be so controlling. That was not a relationship she cared to have.
“I would not do that to you.”
“I wouldn’t mind if you did.” Because in this instance, if she was being honest, she didn’t.
His forehead smoothed as if he finally understood what she was saying. “Does that mean you will marry me?”
Joy blossomed in her chest in a manner she’d never experienced. It felt as if she would explode with the pure wonder of the moment, and she smiled. “Yes, I will marry you, Joshua.”
He kissed her then. It wasn’t gentle, or soothing. Their lips crashed together hard, with her claiming him with an equal amount of vigor. He suddenly drew back.
“You have to sign it.”
“What?”
“You have to sign the contract.”
She laughed, her bubble of joy bursting from the seam of her lips. “What exactly do you plan to use for quill and ink?”
His eyes twinkled. “My inkstand is in the travel compartment to my right.”
“You thought of everything.”
“I aim to please.” He ground against her and her breath caught. Every part of her that wanted a repeat performance of thatpetite mortshe’d been gifted just moments ago, tingled with anticipation of joining with him for the first time.
She pulled the fur off the seat next to them and removed the cushion. Hidden from view was a compartment large enough to hold a pistol. Joshua’s weapon of choice sat inside, his gorgeous gilt bronze inkstand with a handle in the form of a serpent.
“Nithesdale always said you wielded a deadly pen.”
“I hope this one is filled with life, love and promise.” He pulled her tight against his cock with his free hand.
She removed his quill and the inkstand while trapping the marriage contract between their bodies. “You are not making this easy.” Her lip quirked.
“I want you to know your mind and know that you are certain about your decision.”
