Page 31 of Lord Garson's Bride
“How very…restrained,” she said shakily. “A good night kiss?”
He shrugged. “Or good morning. I reserve the right to choose my moment.”
“I…see.” Although she really didn’t.
She appreciated him trying to smooth her way. To a certain extent. Touching and kisses still seemed more threatening than claiming her body in a quick physical act. But she could see that he sought more from her in bed than dumb obedience.
The problem—or one of them—was that last night, she’d had a hint of what “more” might mean. It had terrified the life out of her.
“I hope, with time, you’ll learn to trust me.”
“I do trust you.”
His glance was skeptical. “Not really.”
His doubts were justified. “I thought I did.”
“Your body tells me you don’t.” He stood and joined her beside the fire. “I give you my word of honor that you’ll sleep alone until you invite me to join you.”
“I invited you last night.”
“Out of duty.”
“I owe you my duty.”
“But I want your desire.”
What should she do? A wooing might be nice. She couldn’t hope to be the woman he really wanted, but just because she washis second choice, did that mean they must settle for second best in everything?
“Jane?” he asked softly.
“What if it doesn’t work?” Her eyes narrowed as she studied his expression. “You’re sure it will work, aren’t you?”
His shrug was unconvincing. “I live in hope.”
More than hope, Jane was sure. Every line of his body betrayed self-confidence.
Why shouldn’t Hugh be confident? He was an attractive man, experienced in the ways of women. They both knew that before panic set in, she’d been mad for him.
“Do we have a deal?”
On the surface, what did she have to lose? But a deeper, barely formulated disquiet niggled. She had an unshakable premonition that Hugh’s kind, generous offer—he was a kind, generous man—foretold disaster.
Oh, grow a backbone, Jane Norris.
He already had the right to do everything he asked for, whether she agreed or not. As he said, at least this arrangement restored some agency to her. Over the last two days, she’d felt like a leaf swept away in a flooding river.
She snatched a breath and nodded. “Yes, we do.” She paused. “Thank you. You’ve been very understanding.”
“It’s my pleasure, Jane.” He subjected her to a thorough inspection.
As the silence extended, she sidled from one foot to the other. “You’re making me feel like a side of beef in a butcher’s window,” she muttered. “And as if you’re wondering whether I’m worth the extra penny in the pound.”
He laughed. “I’d never choose such an unflattering description. I’m just deciding when I’ll take today’s kiss.”
Oh, dear Lord. She wasn’t prepared for the arrangement to begin straightaway. “Perhaps we should get it out of the way.”
Laughter lit his eyes, even as she wanted to kick herself. She kept putting her foot in her mouth. Yet before this, she’d never have said she was particularly maladroit in social situations.
