He shut the door to his bedroom and lit the gas lamps. “Why are you here?” He couldn’t remove the concern in his voice.
She pulled the hood down. “I wanted to apologise for what my mother said and the horrible way she treated you.”
Oh, that. He’d hoped she’d come to tell him she wanted to marry him.
He shoved his hands in his pockets. “It’s all right. She’s your mother. I understand. You needn’t come to apologise, although the sticky arrow idea was great.”
She put down the bow. “I didn’t come here only to apologise.” She walked over to him, tugging at the strings fastening the cloak on the front. The fabric swished down her body to end on the floor. “I want…”
She must have had second thoughts about whatever she wanted to do because she stopped and gazed everywhere but at him.
“What do you want? A cup of tea? Are you hungry? I have the finest quality ham in the pantry. A nice slice with some mature cheddar is excellent. A cure-all.”
She laughed, throwing her head back. “No, I’m not hungry. But it’s something similar to hunger.”
“I see. You want to indulge in something sweet. Pudding?”
She smiled. “I certainly want something sweet.”
“I’m not good with riddles.”
Her steps towards him were small and tentative. She seemed ready to bolt out of the room if he sneezed.
When she was close enough, he caressed her cheek. “What is it?”
She rolled her bottom lip between her teeth. “I’d like to be with you. In bed. Without clothes.”
“What?” he raised his voice and regretted it.
“I’m too bold, am I not?” She stepped back. “I shouldn’t have come. I’ll leave immediately.”
“Wait.” He took her slender wrist and tugged gently. “It wasn’t too bold. I was surprised. That’s all.”
She smiled, and the trust in her gaze almost broke him. “So we’re going to get in bed together.”
Oh, hell. “Let’s start slowly.”
Her happy expression faltered. “What do you mean?”
“It’s like learning something new. You learn step by step without skipping ahead.”
“All right.” She tugged at her gown. “Shall I undress?”
“No.” Damn. His tone rose again. “Let me do the undressing.”
“If you don’t want to be with me, you have only to say it.” A quiver rang in her voice.
He closed his eyes for a moment. “Of course, I want you here. I want you more than anything. But see, I grew up in a bordello. I saw and did things not appropriate for a fine lady as you are. I have to learn as well.”
“Learn what?”
“To be gentle. The women I’ve known so far were very well experienced without a shred of discomfort, and I knew what they wanted from me. With you, everything is different.”
She drew her eyebrows together. “What do I have to do then?”
“Just be honest and tell me what you like and what you don’t.” He cupped her cheeks. She was so beautiful he wanted to weep.
“Fine. I’ll be honest. Now what?”
