Page 10 of The Marriage Debt
Katherine’s internal turmoil took a new frightening swoop. ‘I never thought of that.’
‘Yes, well it happens. Now please, Kat, get into bed. I have been dreaming of a good night’s sleep in a decent bed for weeks.’
‘You have the bed then, I will sit up.’ She felt flustered, as if he had begun to make love to her.
‘Do you want me to undress you and put you to bed?’ That glint was back in his eyes, the sensual drawl back in his voice. Katherine was in no doubt he would enjoy the tussle.
‘There is no need,’ she said with a dignity she was far from feeling. ‘If you would just turn your back I will get into bed.’
He spun his chair around and faced the table. Katherine scrambled out of her clothes and into the nightgown she had brought. She had chosen the flimsiest, prettiest one she had while she was still buoyed up with her determination to prove willing and please him, now it seemed scandalous.
She pulled the pins from her hair until it tumbled down her back and slipped into bed. The sheets came up to her chin. ‘I am in bed.’
‘Good. Now close your eyes in approved maidenly fashion and I will join you.’ He was laughing, the wretch. Katherine screwedup her eyes and reflected that if Theo Lydgate was getting some amusement from the evening it was no more than she owed him.
There was the sound of boots hitting the floor, the softer sound of clothes falling on a chair, then the covers moved, the bed dipped and he was beside her. Katherine felt his warmth, the touch of linen against her skin. Thank goodness he had retained his shirt. He smelt good. There was the familiar soap she bought for Philip but under it a faint scent that could only be himself, clean, warm and relaxed.
‘That is a devilishly pretty nightgown, Kat.’ The straw mattress moved as he shifted to settle himself beside her. She opened her eyes just a fraction and saw he had snuffed all but two of the candles. ‘You should not be looking. Oh!’
He caught her in his arms and rolled her against his chest, his face buried in her hair. ‘My God, you smell good.’
‘You promised.’ Katherine wriggled.
‘I am not going to do anything but hold you and enjoy the scent of you. Now stop wriggling, it is extremely provocative and I will either break my promise or fall out of bed if you persist. That is a very charming noise you are making, like a cross kitten.’
Katherine subsided. Infuriating man. But he did appear to be as good as his word, he was simply holding her. She could feel his breath stirring her hair, but his arms were strong around her and his hands did not stroke or caress.
This was a very strange sensation, being held by a man. She tried to sort it out. The bed was surprisingly comfortable and she had drunk two whole glasses and a half of wine, so her head felt a little muzzy. Theo’s arms around her, though unfamiliar, made her feel protected and safe. But his body, that was quite another thing. That made her feel anything but safe, yet she was not in the slightest bit frightened. Just shy and confused. He was warm and felt very hard and strong. She shivered, not from fear but from a restless need to explore, touch…
‘Try and relax and go to sleep.’
‘I am relaxed.’
‘No you are not, you are quivering.’
‘Oh. I am sorry.’ She must stop thinking about how this felt, think of something else. It did not take much effort to find a topic. The story Theo had just told her came back in all its horrifying detail. It was as effective as cold water splashed in her face. This man who was holding her so gently was going to be executed in just a few days for a crime he did not commit. Anger stirred again and with it the beginnings of an idea.
‘Theo?’
‘Mmm?’ He sounded half asleep.
‘What was the name of the inn? The one at Box Moor.’
‘The Lamb I think. No, the Lamb and Flag. Why?’
‘Nothing.’ She yawned. ‘I just wondered.’ And slept.
When Katherine woke there was daylight in the room from a high barred window and she had no recollection of stirring in the night. They were lying as they had gone to sleep but in a far more intimate tangle. With the colour rising to her cheeks Katherine realised that her nightgown had ridden up around her hips and one of Theo’s legs was over hers.
She felt him move and raise his head. ‘Kat? Are you awake?’
‘Umm.’
‘We had better get up soon, I heard the clock strike seven.’
‘Oh.’
‘Are you usually this chatty in the morning?’
