Page 66 of Much Ado about a Widow

“Why would you think I needed to relax?” She was strung tighter than a bowstring, and he knew it. Grasping the glass, she gasped in a breath.

“Because you were about to crack my noggin with that poker, if I don’t miss my guess. After last night’s visitor, I can’t say I blame you, but”—he grabbed the poker, and she let go—“I do not think you want to use this on me. At least, not before we marry. Afterward, well, I will simply have to take my chances.” He leaned the iron rod back against the fireplace. “I do love a resourceful woman.”

“Oh, Rob.” She laid her head on his chest, truly relaxing now. “I was hoping you would come here.” She raised her head. “But how do you come here? I tried to open that door when I first arrived, but it was locked. I thought it might be a room for Clara to occupy, then we were told she should go to the upper floor. So where does that door lead?”

“To the marquess’s suite of rooms of course.” He sipped champagne, watching her.

“To your bedchamber?” Georgie frowned. “If your room connects to this one, then this must be . . .” Her mouth dropped open, and he had to grab the glass in her hand to keep it from spilling.

“The marchioness’s suite, yes. My mother vacated it years ago when my father died. I moved into his chamber when I turned twenty-one and officially assumed the marquessate. And these rooms have been waiting ever since . . . for you.”

“Oh.” This magnificent room would be hers for as long as she lived. Right beside his.

“That is why I asked Mamma to put you in this suite of rooms.” He smoothed a strand of hair away from Georgie’s face. “I wanted you to become very familiar with them.”

“But that first day you hadn’t proposed to me yet.” Had he been so certain of her answer even then?

He waved his hand. “Formality, only.” He raised her hand to his lips. “Before we landed in the cove I knew I wanted only you as my marchioness.”

Slipping her hand from his, she stepped back. “You seem to have been very sure of yourself. Almost cocky, one might say.” She peered at him, pursing her lips. “What if I had said no?”

Giving her an arch look, he drained his glass, then plucked hers from her hand. With a devilish grin he set them on the bedside table. “Well, as you may recall, I can be particularly persuasive.” He pulled her against his firm chest, harder now that only his robe and her gown separated them. Tipping her head back, he cupped it in his sure hands and stared deeply into her eyes. “As I recall you did say ‘yes.’ Isn’t that right?”

“Yes.” She scarcely breathed the word.

“And will you say ‘yes’ to me tonight?” His mouth hovered over hers, his breath warm and sweet against her cheek.

“Oh, yes.” She urged her lips toward his, desperate for their touch.

He met her halfway, their mouths bumping awkwardly in their hurry. Then his tongue was in her mouth, greedily licking into her, drinking her in. She thirsted too, darting into him, tasting the sweet wine that made her hungry for more.

Pressing harder against him, she longed for them to be simply skin to skin, no barriers between them. She stepped back and, with one clean motion, pulled the tie of his belt. The gray silk slithered like quicksilver to the floor. There was a flash of smooth skin as the robe fell open, and he stood still, an air of expectancy about him.

“Finish unwrapping your package, my dear.”

She could hardly wait. Grasping the soft, damasked fabric, she walked slowly around him, peeling the garment off him, revealing his beautiful body bit by bit, a powerful shoulder first, then muscular arm. She remembered well the strength of those arms holding her and shivered.

When she finally stood directly behind him, she gave a firm tug, and the robe came away, revealing the sleek muscles of his back. A low, hungry growl began deep in her throat. With a sure hand, she traced the deep crease of his spine all the way down to where his slender waist gave onto firm, small buttocks, reveling in the satiny feel of his skin. “You are beautiful, my love.”

“And you have not yet come to the best parts.”

Georgie couldn’t help but smile, heat tinging her cheeks. She had no doubt his best would be spectacular. She slid her arms around his waist, hugging him to her, her breasts rubbing across his back, his bottom firmly nestled against her stomach.

A groan issued forth, and she released him, continuing around until she stood in front of him once more. His naked body reminded her strongly of the Greek statues in Lord Elgin’s collection, the clean lines, the sharply defined muscles of his chest, the deep V of his hips that led the eye directly to his manhood. Which did not resemble the marble statues at all.

“I told you the best was yet to come.”

Georgie jerked her gaze upward, her hands going to her hot cheeks. Had she been staring at him—down there—for very long? His entire body was magnificent, now that she could focus on his attributes above the waist: strong, broad shoulders, a well-defined smooth chest, and his stomach seemed etched in classic lines leading down to . . . There she was again, dragging her gaze back up to his laughing one.

“Look your fill, sweetheart.” He ran his finger down her cheek. “Touch too, if you wish, although I would like to gaze on your lovely form as well.”

“Of course.” That was only fair. She untied the drawstring and began to slide her nightgown down over her shoulders, then slowed, suddenly shy. What if he did not like what he saw? Under no misapprehensions about her own physical appearance, she’d long ago accepted that she was not the ideal form for a woman. In addition to her red hair and freckles, which Rob had been kind enough not to mention at all, she did not have the pleasing curves that many women took for granted. Her breasts were undeniably small, her hips slim, and her skin, while pale, did not have the creamy glow she envied in others.

“May I help you with that?” He covered her hand with his and slowly pulled the gown down over one shoulder, then dipped his head to kiss the exposed flesh.

At the touch of his lips she began to tremble, her skin pebbling, her nipples hardening to stiff points. Below, at her very core, she ached with need as she had not done for a very long time. Please don’t let him stop.

He continued his kisses, traveling up her neck, behind her ear.