Page 61 of The Study of Seduction
It truly was her choice. Except it was no choice at all.
“I will,” she said.
Only when Edwin let out a breath did she realize he’d been holding it, awaiting her answer. And somehow that made everything a tiny bit better.
Then came the kiss, which he didn’t linger over, probably overly conscious of their audience. And that was it. They were done. It wasn’t yet noon when they headed back to the town house.
They rode a while in silence before she ventured to speak. “Well, that was . . . quick.”
“Yes, of necessity. But I’m sorry that the ceremony couldn’t be more lavish.”
She arched a brow at him. “You know perfectly well you preferred it that way—no fuss and no crowds.” When he looked uncomfortable, she regretted the statement. “But it is a lovely church. I’ve always liked it. And it’s conveniently named for the same saint as your club. Or did you name your club after your church?”
“Certainly not. They named the church in anticipation of my club.”
When she blinked, he cast her a smug smile, and a laugh sputtered out of her. “You made a joke.”
“I do sometimes, you know.”
“Not very often. And hardly ever around me.”
“Well, then, I shall have to remedy that,” he said, nudging her knee with his.
It was such a companionable gesture that it made a lump form in her throat. He could be so charming when he tried. And now his knee was squarely up against hers and she was feeling rather . . . heated. That would not do.
Determinedly, she changed the subject. “Shall I now reside at your town house?” she asked brightly. “Or will we take a honeymoon trip?”
Returning his gaze to the road, he said, “I don’t think a trip is wise just now. If Duranddoescall my bluff and spread slander about my family, I don’t want to be too far away, making it seem as if I ran off to avoid it. People will give his tales less credence if I act as if nothing happened.”
She tried to hide her relief. A honeymoon trip would be so very intimate. It would be hard to share a room with him in an inn somewhere without . . . well . . . having relations. She needed to put that off as long as possible.
First, because she had to work herself up to enduring the pain. And second, because she wanted him to get to know her well enough so he wouldn’t be too appalled when he realized she wasn’t chaste. She wasnotlooking forward to that discussion.
Perhaps she should just let him have his way with her tonight and get it over with. She didn’t have to tell him the truth. He already assumed that her fears stemmed from her being a virgin.
And could a man even tell that a woman was not? She didn’t know. But if so, she would feel awful to have Edwin discover it in their marital bed.
Best to be honest when the time came.
To distract herself from that sobering thought, she said, “So I suppose we will be living in your town house from now on, then.”
“Actually, if you don’t mind, I’d prefer to stay at Stoke Towers for the next couple of weeks. It’s near enough to London that we can be here quickly if anything happens, but far enough that Durand won’t be sniffing about day in and day out. Your mother can stay here if she wishes, or at Margrave Manor, but I imagine she’ll be more comfortable in one of those two than at Stoke Towers.”
Clarissa arched an eyebrow. “She’ll also be out of your hair.”
The corner of his lip quirked up. “That, too.”
“Knowing Mama, she’d rather be in London lording it over all her friends who haven’t yet married off their daughters.” She sobered. “But do you think she would be safe alone at Warren’s?”
“The servants have been keeping an eye out for Durand for some time. And what could he do, anyway? Kidnap her to force you into unmarrying me? She should be fine.” He cast her a sidelong glance. “And if she stays in town, it will allow us more privacy.”
Oh, Lord. Just what they needed. “We’re not leaving until tomorrow, I assume, to give you time to inform the count of our wedding.”
“I already had the announcement scheduled for this evening’s papers. He’ll learn of it quickly enough. And in case he doesn’t, I’ll pay him a visit before we go tonight to make sure he knows.”
“I don’t want you meeting him alone.” Her heart constricted at the thought of how Durand might take his anger out on Edwin.
“I won’t be. I’ll go while his staff are still at the embassy. Besides, I’m not afraid of him.”
