He caught her hand in his and brought her fingers to his lips. “Then let us reconvene at the first opportunity.” He leaner closer and whispered, “Tonight, mayhap?”
Her blushing smile warmed his heart. “Tonight.”
Chapter Seven
Ariana followed Ottointo the castle feeling as if she were walking on air. Her husband had shown her more than kindness that morning. He’d introduced her to a level of pleasure she’d never believed possible. Although her gown was now demurely fastened, her skin still tingled from his kisses, and she imagined her decolletage must still bear the visible imprint of his ministrations. Surely, everyone they met could divine what they had been doing?
And he so darkly handsome, so fearsomely tall and broad, so unequivocally male. It filled her with satisfaction to recall that she had made a man so powerful hunger for her touch, too. She had made him groan. The memory made her insides quiver like a jelly. If only they hadn’t been interrupted at such a vital moment. Blood rushed to her cheeks as she imagined what might have happened if they had only enjoyed a few more minutes of uninterrupted time. The act she had once feared now called to her with incessant longing.
Once inside the stone-flagged entrance hall, Otto turned to face her. His fierce hunter’s eyes captured her face, and she pushed down the idea that he could read her thoughts, relishing what he had glimpsed in her mind’s eye.
“I have something to show you,” he said, taking her hand. She looked up at him, feeling dainty and feminine at the side of his height and strength.
Would he take her to his bedchamber? Finish the act they had begun? Despite herself, that was what Ariana hoped. She felt as if a delicious meal had been placed before her, then removed before she could take a bite.
However, Otto did not lead her towards the staircase, but beyond it. They walked together down a narrow corridor lit with torches and emerged at the back of the castle, an area she had yet to explore.
“In here,” he said, releasing her hand to push open a large wooden door.
“Oh.” She could not help her exclamation of surprise. For where most rooms inside Darkmoor Castle were overshadowed and imposing, this one was flooded with light thanks to a row of windows set into the south-facing wall. The air was fragrant with lavender from the fresh rushes on the floor, a small fire flickered in the grate, and comfortable looking chairs invited them to sit. Everything about the room projected an air of cheer and welcome. “What is this place?”
“The morning room.” Otto seemed to be enjoying her reaction. “In truth, it has not been used in many years. But I had the maids prepare it for you. I thought you might like it.”
“I do,” she nodded, with one hand at her throat as she looked out at the expanse of gardens. “I like it very much.”
“It was my mother’s room,” Otto flung out carelessly as he walked over to the windows. “My father shut it up after she died. There was little call for it, I suppose.”
Ariana stilled at this mention of his mother. It was the first time Otto had mentioned her. “Did you never know her?” she asked, greatly daring.
“Never.” Otto turned to her with a smile and a shrug. “My father told me I couldn’t miss what I had never known.”
She held her breath at this unanticipated reveal of such personal information. “And did you?”
“Miss her?” He raised his eyebrows. “Mayhap a little, but my father was correct. How can you miss what you have never had? Sit down, Ariana. I have something for you.”
Though his tone was light, she felt the reprimand in his words. The Earl of Darkmoor did not like to discuss any perceived weaknesses. She would tread more carefully in the future.
“But you have already given me so much,” she said, crossing over to an upholstered chair by the closest window. “I mean…” her sentence trailed off and she felt heat rise to her cheeks as she recalled their morning’s activity.
Otto smiled down at her. “There’s so much more I intend to give you,” he whispered, his breath warm on her skin. “But first this.” He fished in his pocket and pulled out something small. “Open your hand.”
She did as he asked, opening her palm to receive his offering. “What is it?”
“It is a token, in return for the one you presented to me.”
She brought it closer to her eye, smiling in genuine pleasure as she saw the delicately wrought broach studded with pretty stones. “It is a gift of greater worth than the one I gave to you.” She spoke without thinking, surprised by the generosity of the gesture.
Otto closed her fingers around the broach. “It once belonged to my mother.”
Her heart beat quickly at this. “Thank you,” she whispered. Otto had given her a gift, apersonalgift. Husband to wife,lover to lover.It was far more than she had ever expected from him. Or from their transactional marriage.
“Will you wear it?”
“Of course.” He had asked the question lightly, but she could see her answer mattered to him. “Will you…?”
With his dark eyes burning into hers, Otto gently took the broach from her and fastened it to her bodice. The warmth of his hands transported her back to the riverbank where his expert touch had delivered such exquisite pleasure.
“It looks well on you,” he said, dropping his arms to his sides.
