Page 27 of The Baron's Return
A thrill of anticipation surged through him. Whatever else could be said about their relationship, he very much wanted it to be a physical one. And it appeared Abigail was of the same mind.
He thanked the man and made his way to her bedchamber. When he knocked, she bade him enter.
The sun was just starting to set and candles had already been lit. A great deal of them, lending the room a cozy, warm glow. He hadn’t been in this room since taking up residence last year. At the time he reasoned it was because he had no interest in marrying anytime soon. But now he realized it was because a part of him was mourning the fact that this room would never belong to Abigail.
His gaze was drawn to the small table that had been set up in one corner. Covered dishes sat on its surface as well as on the dressing table.
She’d gone to a great deal of effort to make their first night together special. Far more effort than he’d managed, and a rush of shame coursed through him at the realization that he wasn’t worthy of this woman who had sacrificed her own happiness to ensure his family wasn’t ruined.
His eyes swept across the room, and then he saw her standing in the doorway of her dressing room.
Clad only in a white nightdress that clung to the curves of her body.
He swallowed hard when she began to walk toward him and he realized that a large slit had been cut along the side seam of the skirt, going almost all the way up to her hip. Her entire leg was bared with every step she took.
“I wasn’t sure you’d join me tonight.” Her voice was soft, husky, and he could tell she was looking forward to their night together as much as he was.
He wanted to throw her onto the bed and ravish her, but it would be more enjoyable if they drew out the anticipation of what would be happening tonight. And if he was being honest with himself, he needed to get a measure of control over the lust raging through his body.
“As I told you when I proposed, there would be no point in having a wife I never meant to touch.”
Her smile told him she was pleased with his reply.
He held out her chair, his eyes glued to the slit in her tempting nightdress. It wasn’t until she’d sat down that his gaze moved up her body and he realized that the upper part of the dress was so sheer he could almost see right through it. The press of her hard nipples against the fabric was unmistakable.
Oh yes, she was just as aroused as he. He couldn’t help but wonder if she’d touched herself while she was waiting for him to arrive.
And with that errant thought, his erection became almost painful.
He lowered his head and spoke low in her ear. “I’m going to enjoy tearing that infernal scrap of fabric from your body.” A shiver coursed through her, and he saw gooseflesh rise along her bare arms.
Good. They could both be in pain right now. It would make their pleasure all the sweeter.
He took the chair opposite. The table was small enough that he could reach out and take hold of her hand if he wanted. Instead, he watched her remove the cover from her dish, and then he did the same.
She poured a glass of wine for each of them. “Your housekeeper assured me this was one of your favorite meals.”
He hadn’t even looked at his plate, but he saw now that they would be having roasted pheasant. His gaze swung to the other dishes on the dressing table. “And for dessert?”
“We still have wedding cake… or me.”
He growled before he realized he’d meant to make the sound.
She widened her eyes in mock innocence, and he vowed to make her beg before the evening was over.
They spoke little as they ate. He struggled not to shovel the food into his mouth so they could move on to more pleasant things. But the only thing that kept him intent on drawing the meal out as long as possible was the way she kept shifting in her chair, telling him that she was suffering just as much as him.
She pushed her plate away when it was only half-eaten and finished the rest of her wine.
He raised one brow and swirled his own drink in its cup. He wouldn’t be getting foxed tonight. “Is the meal not to your liking?”
She wet her lips. “I was thinking that I would enjoy something else instead.”
“Shall I fetch the cake?”
She bit her lip and shook her head.
And just like that, he gave up all pretense. He downed the rest of the wine and stood.
