Page 15 of Bedding the Marquess
Caroline jumped as the door to the chamber clicked open and Gideon slipped inside. Having changed from his formal clothes into a loose shirt and breeches beneath a loosely tied robe in burgundy silk, he looked relaxed and breathtakingly handsome. She tried not to feel self-conscious about her own state of dishabille, but she struggled when he managed to look likethatwithout trying.
Sinfully handsome.
Erotically charming.
Every fantasy she’d ever held rolled into one.
And now…he washer husband.
“How are you? Not too fatigued by today?” he asked, his tone gentle and solicitous.
“Not at all,” she murmured in reply, wanting to add that she wouldn’t object if he decided to toss her over his shoulder and have his way with her. She cast her eyes back at the fire and hoped he would not see the flush on her cheeks at the memories of how he’d done just that and brought her to shuddering releases again and again.
“I hope the rooms are to your liking,” Gideon said, joining her by the hearth and dropping into the other armchair. It was a marvel that his large frame did not cause it to collapse entirely. “The staff did their best on such short notice. We can change anything you do not care for.”
“Oh no! It is lovely, thank you.” It was not lost on her how Gideon did not take any of the credit for the care taken with her rooms—not even for the flowers or the comfortable chairs positioned perfectly between the hearth and the windows. “I enjoy the view of the gardens quite a bit. There is nothing about the room that cannot wait to be changed or updated should I decide in the future.”
Gideon nodded, seeming pleased by her answer.
They sat in silence for several minutes after that, both lost in their thoughts and unsure of how to approach the new status of their relationship.
Finally, Gideon blurted out, “We do not need to consummate the wedding night if you do not wish to. I know it is expected, but since when have we done anything the proper way?”
“Oh…” Caroline’s stomach did a swooping loop. Was she relieved? Disappointed? Hurt?
“Or, if you wish to…”
“Do you? Wish to…consummate it?”
“No—I mean, yes,” he laughed and raked a hand through his dark hair, making it curl boyishly. “I have never been at a loss for words in my life. Since when did we become so awkward around one another?”
They both laughed at that, helping evaporate the tension between them. He leaned forward and covered her hand on the arm of the chair with his own. Did he feel the same tingle there that she did?
“Please know, Caro, that there is no pressure for anything. This situation will take a great deal of adjustment for both of us.”She nodded in agreement. “For now, we can resume as friends while we learn one another’s private habits. I dare say we have a better foundation than most married couples with our years of friendship, but that doesn’t mean there is still not a great deal to learn.”
“I could be a horrible snorer,” Caroline said mischievously, then laughed heartily at Gideon’s stricken expression.
“You aren’t, are you?” She shook her head. “Thank God,” he breathed a dramatic sigh of relief.
“Though I suppose that is the benefit of separate bedchambers.”
“Who says we will always inhabit separate rooms?” he asked cheekily. There was a brief moment where Caroline thought that might have been an invitation, but the flirtatious glimmer in his gray eyes told her that he was no more serious than any other time he’d jokingly propositioned any number of other women who struck his passing fancy. He’d been dubbed a rake for a reason, after all. She needed to bring herself under control before her pregnancy-addled brain made more of this situation than it really was.
Yes, Gideon was her husband.
Yes, he was the father of her unborn child.
Yes, she’d always found him intensely attractive both in physical appearance and manner.
But he was her friend.
Despite the fact that they’d shared a bed once and then married due to the consequences of their choice, even though she would be the woman to bear any legitimate children he had, he’d likely never viewed her as anything above a close friend. She’d convinced herself that she could be like most males and set emotion aside from physical pleasure, but this was proving her sorely mistaken.
Their marriage was all about making an inconvenient situation more convenient, of allowing Gideon to fulfill his sense of right and duty, and of assuaging his guilt over what his father had done to this mysterious half brother of his.
Caroline forced herself to return Gideon’s quip with a good-natured eye roll and, with effort, settled back into her role as his good friend… even though the last time they’d been in each other’s presence in such a state of undress, they’d wound up panting and sweating in bed. Suddenly, a thought occurred to her. “How do you expect we shall pass the time?” she asked steadily. It was humbling and slightly mortifying to realize that everyone—even the staff—believed them to be busy copulating.
Gideon cocked a brow and it sent her pulse racing. After a beat, he said, “Shall we play some cards? I believe there is a deck of cards somewhere in my bedchamber.” He spoke so casually, as if his look hadn’t sent awareness curling through her veins like fire.
