Page 38 of Every Rake Has A Silver Lining

Those seductive brown eyes narrowed. “But it ismyroom?”

“As opposed to ours? Yes.”

“And Honoria and Burwood?”

“Ah, if you’re worried about that, they’re in the other wing.” He inclined his head to the left. “After they were married, I insisted on a room farther from theirs.” He grinned. “To help with the noise.”

“Noi—” Her cheeks reddened. Just as he hoped.

“Now, shall we have our discussion out in the hallway, or go inside where it’s private?” Without waiting for her answer, he gave her a gentle push into the room.

The sweet scent of peonies filled the room, placed there by his request. Unbidden, his gaze drifted to the bed where a maid had already turned down the counterpane.

If only.

Charlotte glared at him, popping that dream like a fragile soap bubble on a strong breeze. “What is it you wish todiscuss?”

“Well, our wedding trip, for one.”

She sat in a chair by the window—far away from the tempting bed. “Can’t we stay here in London?”

His new wife might think him simple-minded, but he’d already developed a strong argument to convince her. “If we remain here, it will be harder to keep up appearances. Especially if my family extends their stay. They will expect us to be, shall we say, privately occupied most of the time. Do you want to be cooped up in your room for days on end? Or would you rather go somewhere away from watchful eyes where you can spend your days coming and going as you wish?”

As she sucked in half of her bottom lip and worried it with her teeth, his blood stirred, remembering their kiss at the church.

“What if I don’t mind staying in my room for days?”

Fine for her. But he would surely go mad if he had to stare at the four walls of his bedchamber for days. However, if he could get her into bed, that was another matter entirely.

Her brows drew down into a sharp V. “What are you thinking about? You’ve gone from looking horrified to enormously pleased.”

He took a seat on the bed, hoping to nudge her mind toward more passionate pursuits. “I was thinking about being alone with you.”

“Hmph. And get off my bed.” The determination in her voice faltered—or was that his imagination? “Your father said you hate to be confined to your room. He said it was your punishment as a child.”

Surprised both that his father would share this information and she remembered it, he nodded. “Yes, that’s true.”

Unreflected in her eyes, the smile spreading across her face was positively malicious. “Then perhaps a week isn’t long enough? Don’t wedding trips typically last months?”

Dear God!She’d kill him within the first year. Chills ran up his spine, his limbs grew numb, and he wanted to sprint from the room—and from her. To find his phaeton, the fastest horse, theriskiest dare—anything to save him from staying in one place and drowning of boredom. He forced down the mass in his throat. “You’re serious?”

“Quite. But please tell me thiscottageyou mentioned is larger than a tenant’s hovel. I require servants and some comforts.”

What?He blinked, trying to clear his head. “I don’t understand.”

Her dry laugh brought him up short. “You wouldn’t. You expect the worst from me, it’s clear. But I yield to your argument. Reluctantly. Besides, Honoria’s time of confinement grows near, and she and Burwood need time alone rather than worrying about us. And as much as I love to read, unlike my dear friend, I can only do it for so long before I need other diversions. So tell me about this cottage.”

He wanted to kiss her. To jump up, grab her by the shoulders, and kiss her so hard it made her head spin. But he promised himself he would go slowly. To ease into things with her. And she had just given him an enormous gift. The last thing he wanted to do was frighten her and have her rescind her agreement.

“It’s a dower house, actually. It was my grandmother’s before she died. It’s very cozy, and yes, large enough for a few servants, but still providing privacy for us.”

“And you would spend the time hunting and fishing? Leaving me alone?”

He studied her, unsure how he should answer. Did she truly want him to leave her alone, or was she casting a line of her own, hoping he would bite? “I will yield to your will. If you want me with you, I will be with you. If you want me away, I will find something with which to occupy myself.”

“And how will being confined to a cottage differ from remaining in my room here?”

“No one will question us. Swindon is but a half-hour away. Or, should you wish to spend time with my family, they are nearby but will not bother us unless invited. If you like to ride, wehave a fine stable of horses. If you want a fête, my family would be happy to host one and introduce you to neighbors and friends.”

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