In a few moments, an elegant manor house built in the local, light yellowish-brown stone appeared. “It’s lovely. How clever to have placed a round flower bed in the middle of the drive.”
“I was told the owner built the house for his grandson who, insteadof marrying a local girl, wed a young woman whose father owned a shipping company and had no son. The man has made Bristol his home.” He drew the gig to a halt at the Georgian-style portico. “There is apparently every modern convenience.”
“That, I’ll be interested in seeing. I suppose it’s one of the advantages of building a house rather than having one handed down over the centuries.” Eunice put her hands on his shoulders as he lifted her down, setting her lightly on her feet. She stood still for a moment, breathing in his very male scent of leather, horse, and musk.
“Eunice, my love.” His voice was low and seductive. “If we remain here, I’ll kiss you in front of God and whoever is here.”
Although she couldn’t see anyone . . . he was the rector and they shouldn’t take the chance. “Lead on, sir.”
The house was indeed modern, with Rumford fireplaces in all but the main drawing room, where two marble fireplaces intricately carved with Greek figures anchored each end of the room. The dwelling had been tastefully and expensively furnished. “Does the furniture come with the house?”
“I believe the owner is willing to sell it as part of the whole.”
Crystal sconces lined the walls. “These almost look like the new gas ones.”
“They are, but they’ve been altered so that candles can be used until we get gas up here.”
“How forward thinking. Is there a ballroom?”
“I don’t know.”
They walked through all the ground floor rooms, impressed by the pocket doors used so that rooms could be combined if needed. A ballroom was found on the side of the house with most of the formal rooms. It jutted out into a garden, and gave the appearance of a conservatory with three glass walls set at angles. She was surprised to find that the panes of glass opened. “How lovely and clever. Just what one needs on a warm night.”
They didn’t spend too much time looking at the bedchambers on the first floor until they got to the master’s bedchambers. The apartments included two bedrooms, each with its own dressing room. She glanced at a door that did not lead into either of the bedrooms. “What is this, I wonder?”
Brian opened it, allowing her to enter first. Light flowed throughwindows built high on the walls, which were covered in pale yellow glazed tiles. A stove, covered in elaborately decorated multicolored tiles stood centered on one wall and next to it was a large, pink marble shell-shaped bathing tub complete with pipes for water. It was as if the Romans had constructed it.
Brian flushed, and when he spoke his voice was gravelly. “The birth of Venus.”
“I’ve never seen anything so decadent in my life.” Eunice laughed. The sound echoed around the chamber. “I’m quite sure my dresser would declare this scandalous.”
“No wonder the price is so low.” He ran a finger under his collar. “We probably ought to see the remainder of the house.”
She whirled around, unable to resist teasing him. “Perhaps we should give it a try. You know, just to make sure the water pipes work.”
“Eunice.” Her name came out in a strangled tone.
“What?”
He turned toward her, backing her up to a wall. Leaning in, he anchored his hands to the tiles on either side of her head. “I’m doing my very best to keep from taking you here, against the wall. The least you could do is not tempt me. Unless”—his lips touched hers, and she could feel his barely repressed lust—“this is where you want our first time to be?”
Her breathing quickened. Was that what she wanted? Her nipples ached for attention, and need coursed through her. It had been so long, so very long. She took a breath. This was the first time she’d seen him out of countenance, and she loved that he had such passion for her. As to the bathroom, definitely sometime but not their first mating. “Oh, very well. Though I do want this house. If you don’t buy it, I will.”
He straightened, hustled her out of the room, and quickly closed the door behind them. “If you want it, you shall have it.”
“Wonderful.” She turned to him, went up on her toes, and kissed him. “How soon may we wed?”
“Considering I can barely keep my hands off you, we should let it be known we are betrothed and will marry almost immediately.”
“Come to think of it, with Mary and her friends going to Edinburgh, we can put it about that she and Mr. Featherton are leaving foran unknown period of time, making it necessary for us to wed soon.” She tilted her head, watching him study her. “To-morrow perhaps? I’ve always wanted to elope to Scotland.”
Brian caught her around the waist as she danced away, bringing her flush against his hard body. “You, my lady, will be the death of me. The morrow is not possible, but in a few days we can leave. Fortunately, the rector in the next parish owes me a favor. He can stand in for me on Sunday.”
“What a fabulous idea.” Their lips touched, and she opened to him, slowly stroking his tongue with hers. “I have plans for our new bathing vessel.”
He nipped her ear. “You’re not the only one.”
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
