Page 27 of Impeccable
The cottage boasted five rooms: a parlor, a kitchen with eating area, two bedrooms, and a small room that could be used for storage or any number of things. There was furniture, but not much of it. They’d focused their attention on the larger of the two bedrooms, dressing the bed in soft bedclothes and adorning it with more pillows than they probably needed.
They’d built a fire in the bedchamber and lit several candles. Heloise reasoned they could extinguish them later, if they wanted. Evie had always preferred the room to be as dark as possible. Would that continue with Gregory?
An unexpected apprehension had gripped her as they’d driven a cart with the furnishings along with some food and drink to the cottage. Now, as Gregory was shortly expected, she found she was practically quivering with nervous energy.
Heloise stepped back from the small table near the fire where she’d set out the bottle of wine that they’d brought along with two glasses. The basket with a small, cold supper sat on a dresser in the corner. “Is there anything else we should do?” she asked.
Evie took a deep breath that really wasn’t that deep. Her lungs couldn’t seem to expand enough. “Nothing comes to mind. Thank you for everything.”
“I should go before Lord Gregory arrives.” Heloise wriggled her brows at Evie. “Sleep well! Or not.” She smirked before leaving, taking the cart as they’d arranged.
Evie went to the parlor and looked out the window to watch her sister drive away in the cart. Or perhaps she just didn’t want to stand in the bedchamber any longer.
Why was she nervous? It wasn’t as if she hadn’t done this thousands of times. Thinking that made her cringe. What would Gregory say if he knew that about her?
She wouldn’t ever know because she wasn’t going to tell him. Some might think that cold of her, but she didn’t owe him any explanation about her past. Nor did she expect anything from him. Why, then, had she asked why he’d remained a virgin?
Because curiosity had got the best of her. A celibate man was a rare discovery and one she hadn’t made before. It made sense, she supposed, since he’d at least considered entering the church. And his family had made a deep impression on him, both good and bad. Between his parents’ encouragement and his brother’s behavior, it seemed he was bound to remain a virgin until he wed.
Movement outside jolted her from her reverie. He was coming up the path to the door. A wave of heat and anxiety swept over her. She tried to take another deep breath and failed. She had to regain her wits. What would he think if she acted as if this were her first time too?
In some ways, it was. This would be the first time she gave herself to a man because she wanted to. For herself and nothing else.
And for him. She had to admit she was quite eager to take him to bed, to show him pleasure.
Evie hurried to the door and pulled it open. “Come in before you freeze.”
He stepped inside, and she closed the door firmly. Rubbing his gloved hands, he blew out a breath. “I wasn’t in danger of freezing, but it was cold. I kept up a brisk pace to get here.” He gave her a brilliant smile that nearly made her sigh. She was really becoming quite silly about this. Glancing toward the dark hearth, he frowned slightly. “No fire? I saw smoke from the chimney.”
“In the bedchamber. I didn’t see a point in lighting one here. Come.” She almost took his hand, but she still felt too apprehensive. So, she led him to the bedchamber, which was much cozier. “This should be better,” she said with a smile.
He moved into the room and went to the fire. “Much better.”
Evie closed the door to warm the space even more. “Can I take your cloak?”
Unfastening the clasp, he shrugged out of the dark wool. She caught the garment and moved to hang it on a hook near the door. When she turned back toward him, he’d removed his hat and was in the process of stripping away his gloves. The simple act of taking them off made her mouth go dry. The rest of his clothing would soon follow. She imagined the hard planes of his body glowing in the firelight.
Shaking her head, she walked to the table. “Would you like claret?”
“Yes, thank you.”
She poured two glasses. He reached for one, and their fingers brushed against each other. Another jolt of heat stole through her, and thankfully, less of the irritating nervousness. Still, she took a long drink of wine, hoping it would ease her anxiety.
He sipped his claret, standing on the opposite side of the table from her. His dark eyes glimmered with anticipation as his gaze moved over her. She’d dressed simply so it would be easier to disrobe, but now wished she’d taken more care.
Why? It wasn’t as if she needed to lure him. He wasn’t a future protector. He would be her lover, and he was already eager to bed her.
Another surge of disquiet sent her to the basket on the dresser. She had to walk by him and made sure to leave plenty of space so as not to brush him as she passed. “There’s food too—ham, bread, cheese, apples, and biscuits. What can I get for you?” she asked, keeping her back to him.
Setting her glass on the dresser, she opened the basket. The touch of his hand on her shoulder made her jump. She let out a soft gasp and turned.
“Evie?” He looked at her with gentle concern. “Is everything all right?”
She pressed her back against the dresser. “It’s fine.”
“You don’t seem quite…fine. You appear agitated. Have you changed your mind?” He searched her face as if he could discern the answer from her expression.
“I haven’t.” She put her hand on his chest, and it was almost as if she’d been burned, but with only the shock of heat and none of the pain.
