Page 474 of Conveniently Wed
“Just one more week. I agree that we don’t want her here this winter. Plus, there’s an easy way to remedy her misconceptions.” A smile tickled her lips.
“What?”
“We’ll have to get cozy.”
The thought of slipping under Katherine’s spell made his heart buck against the walls of his chest. There was nothing easy about it.
33
Josiah safeguarded himself for another few days, forcing himself to be in that woman’s presence through supper and every evening to support Katherine. Tonight was no different.
He got up and stoked the fire, then seated himself close to his wife on the settee. He draped an arm around her shoulder and pulled her in. She looked his way, and he smiled, bending his head close enough to whisper. “Relax.” She sank into his embrace. It was killing him to be this close. The smell of her hair. The feel of her body melting against his. Her open smile and warm embrace.
Emmaline’s shockingly low dress, the bright red lipstick, and the fourth glass of wine in her hand made his stomach turn. He ignored her chatter and spoke sweet nothings into Katherine’s ear. She giggled and gave a smile that would warm a winter’s day.
Emmaline huffed. “It’s rather rude to conduct yourself in that manner in front of others.”
“You’ll have to excuse us,” Josiah said. “We’re not used to endless company. We’ve been more than hospitable, but to be honest your visit has been quite lengthy.”
Emmaline’s eyes popped wide, and she let out an exaggerated gasp. “Well, I never?—”
“The evenings are our private time,” Josiah said. “I fear I’ve neglected my wife something awful.” He stood and held out his hand to Katherine. “Come, my love. Obviously Emmalineprefers we go elsewhere.”
She shot him a tentative smile and placed her hand in his. She was not taking this to heart, was she? They still had a mountain between them.
“Good night, Emmaline. Feel free to enjoy the fire while my wife and I search for some much-needed privacy.”
His arm encircled Katherine’s waist, and he guided her across the hall to his library. His head dropped to kiss her full on the mouth while he slowly shut the door behind him. He made sure Emmaline had plenty of time to view the cozy scene.
Katherine’s giggle erupted beneath his lips the minute the door closed, and he pulled back. They both started laughing, their hands to their mouths to stifle the noise.
Katherine pressed her other hand to her chest. “Did you see her face and how she looked at me? She was jealous.”
“I told you.”
Katherine’s expression sobered. “I wanted to believe she cared to get to know me. I’m sorry it’s taken me this long to figure out she’s only here to cause more trouble.”
“You needed time to make sense of your past. I know how difficult it’s been with your ma, and I was hoping I was wrong about Emmaline, that she’d realize what an amazing daughter she has."
She reached up and touched his face, and he froze. “Thank you.” The look in her eyes warmed his insides.
His eyes closed, and he enjoyed the featherlight feel of her fingers caressing his cheek. He caught her hand in his to stop the agonizing, yet wonderful, sensation, and turned it toward hislips. He kissed the inside of her wrist. The intake of her breath urged him to fold her close.
She pressed her body against his, and it was his turn to take a sharp breath.
Her hands circled his neck, and his heart kicked into a gallop. The soft brush of her fingers along the clipped hair at the nape of his neck nearly undid him.
He gave into the temptation and brushed her lips with aching tenderness. Without hesitation her mouth opened to his caress. He was lost. He dug his fingers into her hair, crushing his mouth against hers. A blaze ignited inside him.
The creak of the library door opening frustrated him beyond words. Lost in the pleasure, he did not want to be interrupted. But he pulled back and they both turned to Emmaline’s head peeking in.
A glower belied her upbeat words. “Just wanted to say good-night.” She stepped back and slammed the door shut.
A knot of anger curled in his gut. “Can you believe that woman?”
Katherine pulled out of his arms, leaving his body missing her warmth. He wrapped a hand around the back of his neck to keep himself from dragging her back into his arms. “She has the audacity to intrude upon our privacy. Unbelievable.”
“That was good she saw us.” Katherine still sounded a little breathless. “I’m certain she witnessed the opposite of what she thought she would see. We haven’t exactly been affectionate in her presence, and she’s thinking tonight a ruse.” The flickering candlelight danced across her face, and her eyes smoldered in the shadows. “I wish we were more,” she whispered. “Like we used to be.”
