Page 28 of Counting on a Countess
Tamsyn sat down on the edge of the bed. “Better this way,” she reasoned, trying to convince herself as much as Nessa. “If he paid me too much mind, he’d get suspicious about what we do in Newcombe.” She affected a shrug. “It doesn’t trouble me. I may grow fond of him, but I’ll neverlovehim.”
Nessa walked to her and placed her hands on her shoulders. Her expression mingled sadness and resignation. “I know you, my girl. You can’t do anything by half measures.”
“What would you have me do?” Baffled, Tamsyn lifted her hands in supplication. “I can’t refuse him his husbandly privileges.”
“Just have a care with your heart,” Nessa answered, and pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Now, stand up so we can make you ready.”
Tamsyn rose and remained still while Nessa took down her hair, removing pins and ornaments. At last, her hair came down to hang in loose waves around her shoulders. Fear and excitement warred within her. She couldn’t tell if she craved being intimate with Kit, or if it filled her with dread.
Nessa cupped Tamsyn’s chin in her hand. “Remember this, my dove. If he wants to kiss youdown there, by God, you let him.”
“Oh,” Tamsyn said faintly. She didn’t know people kissed each other’s parts.
A soft rap sounded at the door. “It’s Kit,” his muffled voice announced.
Instead of answering, Nessa handed Tamsyn an embroidered robe—presumably purchased with Kit’s money—before giving Tamsyn’s cheek a pat. Then she hurried out the door. Tamsyn quickly pulled on the robe, then sat on the edge of the bed, her hands tapping against the tops of her thighs.
“Come in,” she called, her voice oddly loud.
Kit entered, looking just as delicious as he had all evening. With his neckcloth gone, she could see a glimpse of his throat. He carried a decanter of wine and two glasses. “I thought we could—” He stopped, a puzzled frown on his face. “Wouldn’t you be more comfortableinbed?”
“There’s no hurry, is there?” she answered brightly.
Kit raised a brow but didn’t speak. Instead, he poured two glasses of wine, then sat beside her. The mattress dipped with his weight, and warmth radiated from his body. “Go slow with this.” He handed her a glass. “To make you comfortable, nothing more. No one enjoys making love with a drunken partner.”
Trying to follow his advice, she took a few sips of wine, rather than downing the whole thing in one gulp. “Damn these nerves,” she muttered ruefully.
He watched her before drinking from his wine. “You’ve been so brave about everything.”
She pushed out a laugh. “Not so courageous tonight.” After taking another sip, she spoke, her words edged in frustration. “Iwantto be a wife to you. Please understand that.” His frame radiated warmth, and she wanted to sink into it, and the strength he offered. While her body craved his touch, her mind and heart held back warily. “It’s all been so fast. We don’t know each other at all, and now we’re supposed to be... intimate.”
“People do this knowing each other far less,” Kit noted. At least he didn’t sound angry or impatient. “Do you understand how sex works?”
After a moment, she nodded.
He let out a small exhalation, sounding relieved. “I’ll tell you something and you must promise me you won’t jeer or call me silly.”
She wasn’t certain he was serious, but at his prompting gaze, she answered, “I promise.”
He leaned close, his lips hovering by her ear. His warmth and scent enveloped her, and she fought for breath.
“I’m nervous, too,” he whispered.
Her eyes went wide. “You?”
He edged back, giving her some much-needed space. A small smile curved his mouth. “Why not me?”
“But you’ve done this loads of times,” she protested.
“With ladies of experience,” he answered. “With a virgin? No.”
“Surely your first time...?”
A slightly faraway look came into his eyes. “I was fifteen and she was a worldly seventeen. She wanted a conquest. I was happy to provide one.”
“So... we’re both in the dark here,” she ventured wryly.
“To an extent,” he allowed. He took a sip of wine, and then set it down on a bedside table. He had to reach across her to do so, and his arm brushed against her breasts. She started. Kit held himself still, then chuckled softly. “Unintentional, that, but I don’t regret it.”
