Page 73 of Wicked Rivals
Ashton studied her, the wide eyes, the firm line of her lips and the clenched fists at her sides. And then it all settled into place. She’d been hit before by her father. She didn’t understand a bit of sensual bed play and teasing threats compared to actual harm.
“I was angry, and I should not have said that. I was frightened more than anything else.” He hoped this admission would win some trust from her. He had to make her understand how scared he’d been when he thought she was gone.
“Because you’d lose your property?” She didn’t spit in his face, but the way she’d cast those words in a soft, spiteful tone she might as well have.
“No, because I…” He rubbed his temples with his palms, swallowing the words that would expose him. She could never know he was coming to care for her, not as much as he was. She wouldn’t hesitate to use that against him.
“Because what?”
Ashton took a long moment to respond, weighing his words carefully and remembering his mother and sister were there as well. “When I realized you were under the water, it terrified me. I once told you that Charles almost drowned in a river. What I didn’t tell you was that one of my other friends did drown that night. It was one of the worst nights of my life. I could not lose you like that.”
If he lost her, it would kill him. He was going to do everything within his power to keep her safe.
Chapter Nineteen
The weight of three feminine stares made Ashton’s stomach clench. His mother and sister knew nothing of what had transpired all those years ago. Aside from academics, they knew he’d formed deep bonds with his friends and that was all. And he hadn’t planned on telling Rosalind more unless he had to. She pulled away from his hold to stare up at him, those gray eyes soft as dove feathers.
When he’d first gone to Cambridge, he’d had no friends. His father’s death and his subsequent debts had destroyed their societal connections. A year later he’d made true friends, whom he had brought home to meet his family. But he had never shared how he had met the rest of the League.
“Ashton, I never knew that,” his mother said, eyes as wide as saucers from the Lennox family china.
“It is a bad memory. I never wished to share that burden with anyone else.”
“I’m so sorry,” Rosalind whispered again.
He rested his forehead against Rosalind’s and stroked her back. She could be furious with him as much as she wanted, but he would not take back his anger and fear at the thought of her being harmed.
When the coach stopped in front of Lennox House, he let his mother and sister out first, followed by Rosalind. Their wet clothes squelched as they marched to the front door. The butler opened the door for them, brows raised as he took in their appearance.
“We had a quick swim in the river,” Ashton said curtly.
“I see.” The butler’s lips twitched, but he knew better than to laugh.
“Send a footman to run a bath, and send for Lady Melbourne’s maid,” he added.
Rosalind hurried up the stairs, anxious to remove her wet apparel, and he rushed to catch up with her, catching her by the hand just as she reached the top step.
“Rosalind, wait.” Her face was pale and her body was trembling. She raised her head, silently daring him. To do what, he wasn’t sure.
Frustrated by her continued resistance, he scooped her up in his arms and carried her the rest of the way.
“I have legs,” she reminded him.
“You do. Lovely ones. But I am carrying you the rest of the way because I bloody well want to.”
She bit her lip at first, then nodded imperiously, permitting him to proceed.
Lowell, the valet, was in the process of folding shirts and froze when Ashton entered the room with his fierce little woman in his arms.
“That’s enough. Put medown! You’re embarrassing me in front of Lowell!” Rosalind hissed, pink flushing her cheeks.
“Excuse us.” Ashton carried Rosalind to the bed and dropped her onto it. His valet blushed and fled the room.
The quiet in the room soon filled with tension. Ashton stared down at his fiery future bride, wondering if she was going to be worth all the unending aggravation. Then, before he could think it through, he cupped her face and slanted his mouth over hers. He had to kiss her, to hold her in his arms and reassure himself that she was all right. Her sweet taste pushed away any doubts he might have had. The woman, once she stopped being surprised, returned the kiss like a dream. She climbed onto her knees to get closer to his height and curled her arms around his neck.
With a stumble, he fell onto the bed, her body beneath his as he continued to kiss her. He craved the way she moved beneath him, her hands grasping his hair just the way he liked it. The beast inside him that had raged and panicked at the thought of losing her ceased its restless pacing. He relaxed, slowing his kisses, and her responses slowed in kind. Then they were simply staring at each other.
“Please don’t ever frighten me like that again.” His voice was rough with emotions he couldn’t reconcile.
