Page 83 of Indecent
Would that ever sound normal to his ears?
She took his arm, and they went to the door of the inn where Bennet knocked.
The door opened to reveal Mrs. Logan, who gasped.
“Allow me to present the Viscountess Glastonbury,” Bennet said with a wide smile.
“My goodness, how wonderful! Come in, come in.” Mrs. Logan grinned enthusiastically as she stepped back and gestured them inside.
Bennet closed the door behind them. “Tom is seeing to the coach—we’ll just be here overnight, assuming you have room.”
“Certainly. The window still isn’t repaired in the second room, but you can have the one you used on your last visit. Let us hope the weather doesn’t prevent you from leaving this time. Though, Mr. Logan and I enjoyed having you here for so long.” She clapped her hands together. “How wonderful that you are married!”
“Just this morning, in fact,” Bennet said.
Mrs. Logan’s eyes rounded. “Oh! Then this will require something special for dinner or dessert. My goodness, I will do my very best.”
Prudence took the woman’s hand. “Anything you prepare will be lovely, truly. Do you require any help in the kitchen?”
“I couldn’t ask that,” Mrs. Logan replied, looking slightly horrified. “It’s just…you’re a viscountess now.”
Prudence smiled. “I’m the same person who baked bread here with you, so my offer stands.”
“Well, you’re newly married, and you’ll be wanting to spend your time with your husband.” She winked at Bennet. “Do you want me to show you to your room?”
“We can find it,” Bennet said with a chuckle.
The stable master’s lad dashed through the common room bearing their cases. He must have brought them from the coach.
Mrs. Logan pivoted toward the kitchen. “I can’t wait to tell Mr. Logan you’ve come. Dinner will be at half six, but then you already know that.” She bustled toward the kitchen, happily mumbling, “So much to do!”
“I hope she doesn’t go to too much trouble,” Prudence said as they turned toward the stairs.
“Nothing you say can sway her, so just enjoy it.”
“True.” She preceded Bennet up the stairs and, when they reached the top, stepped aside so the stable master’s lad could descend.
He touched his forehead with a nod. “My lord, my lady.”
“Thank you, Davy,” Bennet said. He went to open the door to their room for Prudence.
She moved inside, and he followed, closing the door behind him. Leaning against the wood, he watched her walk to the hearth, where it looked like Davy had started a fire.
Untying her bonnet, she removed the hat and set it on the chair he’d slept in that first night they’d spent together here. Her profile was so lovely—the graceful sweep of her lashes, the pert tip of her nose, the provocative pucker of her lips. He’d been waiting all day to devour them. Indeed, he’d planned to ravish her, at least partially, in the coach, but she’d dozed off almost immediately and hadn’t awakened until just before they’d arrived.
“Are you still tired?” he asked, pushing away from the door. He stripped off his gloves and hat and set them atop the dresser.
She gave him a sheepish look. “I didn’t realize Iwastired. I’ve heard that carrying a babe can make one inordinately sleepy, especially in the beginning.” Her cheeks flushed, and she returned her attention to the fire.
Bennet came up behind her and wrapped his hands around her middle. “It’s not your fault,” he whispered. “Neither of us wanted this.”
“But here we are,” she said quietly, her breath hitching. “Do you feel trapped?”
He thought before speaking. “Yes, but not for the reasons you think. My father trapped me in an impossible situation when he gambled away every last shilling and failed to run the estate so that it would be profitable.” He pressed his lips to her neck just below and behind her ear. “You didn’t entrap me. As I said, neither of us planned for this to happen.”
“No, you said neither of uswantedthis. That is not the same thing.”
“I suppose it’s not.” Her scent and proximity were making it hard to think. “But that wasn’t true either, because I want you rather fiercely.”
