“In the appropriate order. That means I make a proper proposal of marriage, we have a proper wedding, andthenwe have a proper wedding night.”
Now she began to feel rather grumpy—and frustrated. “But we can still have a proper wedding night, even if we . . .” She twirled a hand.
Kade bit back a smile. “True. And trust me, you tempt me more than I can put into words. But while we were lost in the throes of passion, some dim portion of my brain was not entirely addled with lust, nor was my hearing. And I heard—”
“Oh, Lord,” she said with a sigh. “The night footman making his rounds.”
“Exactly. It would not do to be discovered like this, Charlie. I will not have you embarrassed, for one thing. And if your parents found out, your father would likely murder me before I managed to explain that I’m going to marry you.”
She patted him on the chest. “That’s very noble of you, but the footman only patrols once every hour, so we should be fine.”
“It’s not noble at all. It’s bloody inconvenient. But there’s too much going on for us to do this properly. Scabby Sir Leslie could be wandering about the place, up to God knows what, or—”
She grimaced. “Or it could be my father. Even though I promised I wouldn’t cause any more trouble, I don’t think he’s convinced.”
“So he might check to see if you’re in your room.”
“He probably won’t, though.” She gave him an encouraging smile. “And if we’re quick—”
Kade tipped her upright into a sitting position. “I have no intention of rushing this, Charlie. We’ll have all the time we need soon enough.”
When she crossed her arms under her naked breasts, plumping them up, she could practically hear him grinding his molars.
“Are you sure?” she asked in a coaxing voice.
His laugh sounded more like a groan. “No, I’m not. And you’re a vixen to keep tempting me like this.”
Charlie couldn’t help smiling. “No one’s ever called me a vixen before except you.”
“Then they haven’t been paying attention. Now, up with you, lass.”
“Very well,” she grumbled.
She climbed off his lap, doing her best to ignore the massive erection that was tenting the front of his trousers. Wincing a bit, Kade stood and then helped her restore her stays to order and put on her shirt.
Finally, he leaned down and kissed the tip of her nose. “There, all is well now. Even if you do run into someone, you look perfectly respectable.”
“I don’t feel very respectable,” she replied. “I feel frustrated.”
“I share your pain.”
“It’s a rather large pain, from what I can see.”
He snorted. “Och, lass.”
“It’s just that I’ve been waiting forever,” she said.
And, yes, she sounded cross, but that was his fault for so thoroughly working her up.
Kade took her hand and led her to the door. “I promise to make it worth your wait.”
“You’d better, or I’ll bequiteannoyed with you.”
When he laughed, she flapped a hand. “Sorry, it’s just that I’m not quite sure how to behave under the circumstances—not that I’ve ever been very good at behaving, really. According to Mamma I’m much too forward, as my actions tonight would seem to bear out.”
Kade leaned down and brushed a soft kiss across her lips. “As long as you’re only forward with me.”
“You have no competition, I assure you. Until you showed up, I was quite convinced that I would end my days as a spinster.”
