Page 55 of A Lady Igniting Wicked Passions
“I would agree. I have always enjoyed being in your company. I would relish a coach ride from Cornwall to the Highlands of Scotland if you were beside me.”
“I have been somewhat distracted,” Aaron replied, raising her hand to his lips.
Arabella closed her eyes briefly at the feel of his lips. There was a small sense of relief, brought on by his talking to her. It quelled the fires of her worry almost immediately, helping her to push them down.
“By what? I am your wife, there is nothing you need keep secret from me,” Arabella said, opening her eyes and looking into his.
For a long moment, he watched her before shaking his head. Arabella felt the heat of despair rising within her once again. His fingers tightened on hers and he looked back. There was anguish on his face and in his blazing green eyes.
“I told you that my father was not the best manager of his estates and fortune. In fact, he left me with a mess. I have made that mess worse,” he said.
“Worse?” Arabella asked.
“I have made some poor investment choices and had relied upon the dowry from your father to make amends.”
“The dowry he would have paid for Helena,” Arabella said.
“Yes. It has left me in somewhat of a worrying position,” Aaron admitted.
Arabella turned in her seat, facing him. She stroked his face and then kissed him. To her relief, she felt her desire returned in his kiss. Then his arms were about her and she found herself swooning into his embrace.
For a few miles of rattling over country roads, Arabella remained in bliss within the arms of her husband. Then they were sitting back in the shade of the carriage, faces inches apart, gazing into each other’s eyes.
“To return to what we were saying before you distracted me,” Arabella said with a smile.
Aaron’s answering smile was a ray of light into her heart. “Yes, you have an uncanny way of taking over my very thoughts,” he replied.
“You have been worried about money. And, presumably, afraid to tell me.”
“An over-simplification. But, yes.”
Arabella frowned. “You do not regret choosing me over Helena? Even though her money would have spared you this worry?”
“Of course not!” Aaron insisted. “I will take a difficult life with you over an easy one with her.”
“Will it be difficult?” Arabella asked.
Aaron sighed, running his fingertip along her lips. “Perhaps not, after this evening.”
“This evening?” Arabella queried.
“Bredwardine and I have made a plan which may solve the problems I have been having.”
Arabella smiled, wanting to be supportive but with a reservation in her heart.
“Are you going to share your plan with me?” she asked.
Aaron scrutinized her for a long moment. Then he shook his head. The icy stab of concern struck Arabella’s heart. She bit her lip again.
“A man should not be required to share all of his business with his wife,” he said.
Arabella’s eyes widened at that. It had been unexpected.
“I see. You do not see our marriage as an equal partnership, then?”
Aaron sighed. “In some ways. In many ways, yes. But I will not go into detail about such matters as my finances.”
“Our finances, surely. I am now dependent on you for my very living. If you were to become bankrupt then so shall I,” Arabella pointed out.
