Mama would tell me to buck up and take action.
But how? She did not even know where Aidan was. And noblewomen did not run about Town, left to their own devices.
Although …
She was married. That meant she had more freedoms like that horrible Milly. Perhaps it was time to storm some clubs and find her missing groom?
Gwen gently slipped her feet from under the resting Buttercup and stood up, resolved to take some sort of action. For years she had retreated into her library, away from the unwarranted aggression that had begun in school, but this was her chance to have a babe of her own. To build a life.
She strode toward the door, resolute that she would wait no longer. Aidan needed to do his duty and then he could have all the regrets he desired once she was increasing.
Whipping open the door, she let out a shriek when she found Aidan facing her on the other side. He stood with no boots or stockings, merely his buckskin breeches, a shirt, and his coat. Even his waistcoat was missing. The tanned columnof his throat exposed, and his large naked feet upon the floor, were shocking to behold.
Clapping a hand over her hammering heart, Gwen clung to the door.
“Where have you been?” The cry was out before she could sort out her thoughts at his sudden appearance.
“Thinking about you.”
Her brows drew together. It was tempting to believe his words, but that did not make sense, did it?
“What does that mean—that you were thinking of me?”
Aidan drew a deep breath. “I was considering the honor of joining you in your bed.”
The very air in her lungs froze as his eyes dropped to her lips with a sweep of deep brown lashes. He lowered his voice, speaking in a deep and pleasurable tone like a fine wine sweetened with a drop of honey. “O Helena, goddess, nymph, perfect, divine! To what, my love, shall I compare thine eyne? Thy lips, those kissing cherries, tempting grow!”
A low growl emitted from the region of her ankles. Both she and Aidan looked down, startled.
“You have a dog,” he said in a surprised tone.
“Buttercup. I rescued her from a halfpenny showman last week after I saw him kick her in the ribs.”
He arched an eyebrow in response, staring down at the bristling canine at her feet. “She has thoughts about me entering your room.”
It was true. Buttercup had her teeth bared and was growling from the back of her throat.
“I think she wishes to protect you.”
Gwen smiled at Buttercup’s antics, musing that animals were much simpler than humans. “I am afraid you have to leave now, girl.” Gwen leaned over to take hold of Buttercup and gently sweep the dog out into the hall. When she looked up, Aidan’s eyes were back on her.
Gwen’s breath quickened to huffing pants as her blood heated in response to the naked desire on Aidan’s face. His recital ofA Midsummer Night’s Dreamhad been intoxicating, and she had never dreamed of hearing such exquisite words directed toward her.
Gwen licked her lips, noticing how his gaze followed the movement and he, too, became flushed and his breathing frayed. A muscled arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her against his long, hard body before he drove them into her room.
Reaching behind him, Aidan groped around for the edge of the door, his gaze never leaving her face as he shut it firmly behind him and his lips descended. Gwen’s lids fell shut as she tilted her chin up to meet his kiss.
When their mouths made contact, it was as electric as rubbing silk over a glass rod, their lips fusing together as if finally finding their purpose. To join, to become one, to … rip each other’s clothes from their bodies.
Even as their tongues tangled together, Gwen distantly realized that there were no longer any barriers. Their previous kisses had been muted compared to the fire that was now blazing between them, with the knowledge that they were finally alone and there was no longer any reason to hold back their passions.
Growling caused them to raise their heads and look about. Buttercup had apparently re-entered the room before the door had been shut. A silly oversight to not have closed it right away, Gwen supposed.
Aidan huffed impatiently, turning to open the door. Gwen quickly dropped down and pushed the bristling Buttercup out the door, holding the dog with a firm hand while Aidan carefully closed it once more, until only a small gap remained. She pulled her hand back in, which was followed by a decisive click.
A short, rough bark sounded from the other side, followed by scampering paws to announce the little dog’s departure from the family hall.
Gwen stood up, quickly returning to passion as her hands came up to fumble with Aidan’s lapels. Desperate to finally place her hands upon his broad chest with only thin linen to defend him from her exploration, she tugged at his wool coat.
