She stepped back and looked up at him. “Sir, you amaze me. What brought about this startling change of heart?”
Patting her shoulder, he said heartily, “Turns out the man has an adequate population of pheasants within his park.”
Jane laughed. “You won’t tell me, then. All right. So long as I know every family meet won’t include the risk of fisticuffs and cursing, I’m pleased.”
Sherbourne dropped a kiss atop her head and turned back toward the door. “I’ll leave you to discuss what needs be discussed, and ask you to join me in the drawing room before you take your leave.”
Michael nodded and waited for the doors to close before he approached Jane.
“You’ve charmed him, or cast a spell upon him, surely.”
“Nothing of the sort. We merely cleared the air of some misconceptions.” He stood beside her at the window. “I’m grieved by the morning’s events, Jane, and would know what you discussed with Miriam.”
She calmly told him of their conversation and he couldn’t decide whether to laugh, or lecture her on the propriety of having tea with his previous paramour. He opted for neither, and instead slipped an arm about her shoulders to draw her to his side. “You are a compassionate woman, I see, willing to offer assistance to a woman it must surely be your instinct to dislike.”
“I did have the very low desire to snatch a handful of her hair and stomp upon her lovely hat. I realize, however, that she’s not competing for your affection, that she’s merely concerned for her future, as any woman in her position would be.” She looked up at him and said soberly, “I did warn her that if she were ever to be intimate with you again, she would regret it bitterly.”
“Did you, Jane? I’m flattered, I must say. But it does take two, so I wonder what vengeance you might mete out to me?”
Her face fell and she looked away. “I find I cannot jest about this, Blixford.”
“Of course not.” He turned her so that he might draw her closer, within his arms. “Never fear. I will be faithful.”
“As will I.” She lifted her face to his. “May we go now? I’m terribly anxious.”
“Is this why you were awkward at breakfast?”
“It’s telling, I know, but I’m nervous about it all, afraid you will find me lacking in some way. I’ve somehow got it in my head that we should hurry up about it, get past the initial discomfiture, and all will be well. Until then, I will be on tenterhooks.”
Her anxiety was oddly endearing. “You are all bluster, wife. I see now, you are not the brave woman I thought, but a frightened girl, hiding behind her pistols.”
Her eyes darkened. “I am not frightened. Merely fretful. There is a difference.”
He bent his head to hers. “Kiss me, Jane.” Far from the pliant, soft woman of yesterday, she was stiff as a board, her lips cold. He ignored the instinct telling him to step away. Moving his mouth across her cheek, he nibbled the lobe of her ear, inhaling her scent at the same time. “Lemons can be tart, sometimes even sour, but add a bit of sugar and they’re divine.”
“Do you consider yourself sugar?”
He growled softly and gathered her nearer. “Not hardly.” He wanted her. As soon as possible. What a novel thought, to desire one’s wife to such an extent. He’d found it difficult to muster the enthusiasm necessary to bed his first three wives. Truth be told, he’d lost a great deal of his enthusiasm for Miriam the past few months. She was a gentle woman with a sad life, and he hoped she’d find some measure of happiness. He considered her a friend, in spite of her choice of work, and would certainly support her child, as was his duty. But he wouldn’t miss her bed.
In a manner of speaking, he felt as though it had been a very long time, despite having bedded Miriam only two nights ago. Running his hands along Jane’s back, he absolutely considered drawing the draperies and taking her upon yon sofa. She’d suggested they hurry up about it. Her reason was anxiety; his was pure, unadulterated lust. This was something he’d held in the back of his mind all of the four years since he ravished her in Lucy’s library.
But he couldn’t consummate their marriage on her father’s sofa. It was too ghastly common, by half, and she deserved better. He kissed her again and met the same response. “You are reacting to Miriam, and I ask you to put her out of your mind. I certainly have.”
“You lie.”
“No, Jane,” he whispered into her hair, “there is only you.”
“Prove it.”
“Would you have me love you in your father’s study?” He shocked himself by hoping she’d say yes.