Page 75 of The Lady Was Lying
Pacing across the small room, he rolled his shoulders in an effort to release the tension he’d been holding. It didn’t work. “You aren’t nervous?”
“Why would I be nervous?” She paused. “You thought I was innocent?”
He’d had no reason to think otherwise. “You aren’t?”
“I am untouched in that way. By another, at least,” she clarified, licking her lips.
Ultimately, it didn’t matter to him whether she’d been with anyone else, but it did add a layer of responsibility. He could still disappoint her if she was inexperienced. It wasn’t as if he were an expert lover himself.
As if she could hear his thoughts, she said, “I know my body and what it enjoys. Additionally, I’ve done my fair share of research on the matter. The library at Greydon Hall provided me with a book that offered helpful illustrations and guidance. I stole it and practically memorized it, replicating as much as I could on my own. Naturally there were things I couldn’t attempt without a partner, but thankfully they weren’t necessary for me to achieve satisfaction.”
What exactly had she done on her own?
Curiosity flamed, but so did apprehension. He so desperately wanted to please her.
“If I can bring myself pleasure, I’m rather confident that you’ll be able to manage it too.” She casually gestured at his midsection. “You have the proper equipment.”
He blinked and then blinked again.
“You should not be so shocked,” she added when he remained silent.
“It’s not that I’m shocked.” Although he certainly was.
“If you aren’t shocked, what are you?”
“What if you’d rather do it by yourself?” he blurted. He was trying not to panic, but in all his preparation, he hadn’t once considered that she’d be interested in copulating at the very first inn they came to.
The pressure to please her was not insubstantial.
If he failed, would she change her mind about accompanying him to Scotland? Would she refuse to stumble upon a willing blacksmith?
Would all his plans be ruined?
Her chin lifted. “You aren’t much of a kidnapper if you balk at ravishment.”
“I’m not balking,” he stated. “I’m simply trying to recalibrate. It took us weeks to kiss, and I assumed…I’m a patient man who assumed we would move forward at our own pace.”
“Our relationship has evolved quickly. This morning, we were barely more than acquaintances and now we are to be married.” It was an immeasurable relief to have her confirm she intended to marry him. “Our physical relationship can evolve as we wish,” she added.
“We were more than simply acquaintances this morning,” he argued.
“We certainly weren’t together.” She fiddled with her boots, lining them up perfectly. “Why can’t our pace change to breakneck if we desire it?”
“It can,” he responded slowly. “But it doesn’t have to.”
“Explain,” she demanded.
“It’s just us here. Me and you. We don’t have to follow arbitrary rules established by society. Nor do we have to follow the path laid by your mother. We can decide what is best for us. We can ease into more intimate relations at our own speed.”
She frowned. “You don’t want to ravish me.”
“Not true,” he rushed to reassure her. “But I don’t want to if you’re only doing it because you think we should.”
Her eyes narrowed. “You want me to ravish you instead?”
Was she being intentionally obtuse? “You’re missing the point.”
“And the point is?”
