Page 19 of Everything But the Earl
“Is this all right?” she asked when he broke the kiss to move to her neck.
“Touch me wherever you like,” he murmured.
It felt good to touch him, to learn the contours of his body as well as she could through all his layers of clothing. The fabrics were fine, though, and well fitted to his body. He smelled good, too, like pine,maybe, or mint, it was hard to say exactly what it was. What he did to her felt wonderful, too, the way he licked at her skin as if it were covered in sugar, the way his fingers splayed on her hip, the way he grasped her possessively. She washis, technically, because they were married, but she found she wanted to be.
When her fingers went to the buttons of his coat because she had to know what his skin felt like underneath, he jerked way.
“Did I do something wrong?”
“No. No, not at all.” Owen sat up and tugged at the edge of his coat. “I loved what you were doing, but I’ll not have your first time be in a carriage.”
“Oh.”
“You are beautiful and very desirable, I must say. And I am eager to relieve you of your lovely gown when we finally arrive at the inn tonight, but for now, I believe we must behave ourselves.”
“Yes, of course.” Grace paused, feeling flustered. “Why?”
Owen shot her a sidelong glance. “I am rapidly forgetting, but it just seems… I mean, you are my wife, I like you a great deal, it feels…sordid. Cheap. To be with each other in that way in a moving carriage just isn’t right. Not to mention, the ride is quite bumpy. We may be more prone to injury.”
Grace couldn’t help but giggle. “Injury. All right.”
“Just trust me, my dear. We will both have a great deal more fun in a bed and not in the tight confines of this carriage rolling through the potholes of London.”
Grace reached over and took his hand. She held it in both of her own. “I trust you,” she said.
“Good. Now I suppose we must find a way to pass the time.”
Grace nearly laughed again at how ridiculous this all seemed. “Well, you said we could just talk. Maybe one of us could tell a story or something. Could you tell me about your childhood or your schooling? Or Wales? I know so little about Wales.”
Owen smiled. “Well, despite the amount of time I spend in London, I am rather fond of Wales…”
*
Owen led Graceinto the Hound & Deer and knew he was in a lot of trouble.
She wore a cloak around her travel costume now, and most of her hair was covered, but sprightly curls still peeked out, and her face was striking. Every part of her was beautiful. This was perhaps the main reason Owen had not yet found regret for any of his choices. And he was about to see all of her.
He was also starving, though, so they went straight to the dining room, in search of the inn’s proprietor.
Mr. Madden was indeed in the dining room, speaking happily with a customer. Madden was a round man and always had a smile on his face. He saw Owen approach and his grin grew wider.
“My lord, it is wonderful to see you!” Madden said after parting company with the customer he was talking with. “I received your letter and have our best room set up for you. This must be your lovely bride.”
Owen shook Madden’s hand. “Yes, if I may introduce the Countess of Caernarfon.”
Madden took Grace’s gloved hand and kissed her knuckles, and Owen was surprised by the spike of jealousy. Madden, of course, had a wife of his own and was just being charming to customers.
“If your carriage is outside, I will see to your luggage,” Madden said.
“Yes it is. I spoke with a porter outside.”
“I will check on them in just a moment. Can I interest you in dinner before you go up?”
“Yes,” Owen said. “That is, we broke fast after the wedding thismorning, but there were so many well-wishers, we were barely able to eat a thing.”
“That is the way,” said Madden. “At my own wedding, I think I had but a single grape. Here, come over here and sit at the table by the fireplace. I’ll send Mrs. Madden over to take care of you while I see to your luggage. We have roast chicken tonight that my customers seem to be enjoying.”
As Grace sat, she lowered the hood on her cloak to reveal her shining blond hair. “This is a nice place. I’ve stayed at a few coaching inns, and many of them are far less nice than this.”
