Page 46 of The No Good Irresistible Viscount Tipton
“You, Miss Bedegrayne. Just you.”
He gave her a questioning look as if expecting her to say more. When she remained silent, he glanced at the room. “Not exactly up to your standards, is it?”
Devona had not considered that he would be bothered by the accommodations. She was not a world traveler, but she possessed enough sense to accept that if she wanted to surround herself in luxuries she should have remained at home.
“We have a bed and the sheets appear clean. As for food?”
His gaze strayed to the bed. “I spoke with the innkeeper. They will provide us supper and warm water to wash, if you choose.”
Although she welcomed the idea of washing the grime of their journey from her face, she wondered how she was supposed to accomplish the personal task with a husband around. He did not expect to watch? Her eyes widened at the scandalous thought. She cursed herself for not consulting her sister Irene about what one does with a husband.
He must have sensed her distress. Uncertain of its cause, he rubbed his thumb against her chin. “Devona?”
Lowering her lashes, to hide her response to his caress, she whispered, “Supper and w-water. Fine.”
“Ah.” He exhaled, drawing her rigid stance into his embrace. He pressed a kiss onto the bonnet she had yet to remove. “You are nervous, Wife?”
“I have never been married before, my lord,” she replied, her voice muffled since he had pressed her face into his chest.
“Devona, do you remember how you felt when I touched you in the carriage that day?”
She was glad he could not see her blush. “Yes.” The warmth she felt was not on her face as she expected, but rather it was lower, deep within her.
“That was only the beginning of our exploration.”
She drew back, eager to see his face. “Will we—do you expect—you will make me your wife tonight?”
“Of that I have no doubt, my love.” He laughed and gave her a tight squeeze before releasing her.
Seeing that he was prepared to stay within their room for the evening, she reached up to untie the bow under her chin. “We do not have to do this. My family will not contest our marriage.” She did not underestimate her family’s determination to remove her from Tipton’s custody if they had been against them, whatever deal between them be damned.
Rayne glanced out the window before drawing the curtains. “I am not bedding you because I fear your family, Devona.” He sent her a look that turned the warmth in her stomach into a bubbling cauldron. “My motives are completely selfish,” he added.
***
Another ball was being given for the amusement of theton.More music, more dancing, another hostess praying her efforts had made her the success of the Season. To walk through the crowded ballroom no one would ever guess the anger that was being hidden behind the smiles.
Word of Tipton’s romantic flight to Scotland to marry the reckless Miss Devona Bedegrayne was the talk within the intimate circles. Some wondered if Miss Bedegrayne had been kidnapped, another ravished victim of the fiend. However, her family was supporting the match. Even hotheaded Brock Bedegrayne could not be counted on to put a ball into Tipton’s beating heart.
The thought of Tipton touching her caused one to grieve and plot revenge, another to pray that she was mauled for daring to rut with the resurrected demon. Two angry, tormented individuals who unbeknownst to themselves were united in purpose. No one knew that behind the laughter each prayed for retribution and death.
