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Her heart seemed to flip over when his eyes finally collided with hers. The expression of raw need in his gaze both frightened and excited her. “Should I…should I go on the bed?” She didn’t have much of an idea what should happen, but she knew enough that it must happen there underneath the covers. Adel had heard enough giggled whispers from the maids at her former home.
A disturbingly sensual smile curved his lips, yet his eyes remained guarded. “While there is distinct appeal in the notion, I believe you need time. There is no rush.”
This Adel had not expected. “Thank you for being so considerate, but I assure you, time would only serve to fuel my anxiety.”
“I had thought you would be pining over Mr. Atwood.”
Adel gasped. Edmond was blunt to the point of being distressing. A gentleman would
not so willingly hint his wife might be in love with another man. Would he? What was even more startling, she had not given Mr. Atwood a thought since she married Edmond. Her heart ached with the knowledge she would have wedded a man she apparently had little or no romantic feelings for. “Mr. Atwood is in the past.”
Edmond downed his drink and moved farther into the room. He placed her note on a small side table and rested the glass on it. Then he sauntered over to her, his movements so graceful and masculine she was mesmerized. There was a startling surge of heat in her veins, and a flutter wormed its way through her heart. It was an unfamiliar sensation, but not an unpleasant one.
He skimmed his fingers over her cheek, and then dragged the pad of his thumb across her lips. “Is he?”
She swallowed. “Yes.”
“A few days ago you were planning on marrying him. You were so certain of your affection you took radical steps to climb into his bed and into his life. Are you saying that you did not love your young Mr. Atwood?”
A soft pain sliced through her heart. She had assuredly been fond of James. The only man with whom she had laughed, bantered. They had even exchanged a few chaste kisses. However she would admit she had been desperate to marry him because of how strident her papa had been in pressuring her to marry Lord Vale. Without her father’s ambitions, she would have waited until she and James had formed a stronger bond. “I had affections for Mr. Atwood, and I respected him. They have not disappeared despite his inconstancy, but I am now attached to you.”
Cynicism twisted Edmond’s lips and she hated to see it there.
“I do not need time,” she insisted. “I would prefer to get it over with.” Her stepmother’s only advice in relation to the martial bed had been “Do not brace against the pain or it will make it harder, and if your duke is the sensible sort it will prove to be stimulating.” The mysterious it once again. Adel would have preferred to have had the knowledge of what she should expect in the marriage bed rather than wait in anxiety. Though if what she had experienced in his arms was a precursor she was baffled as to how it, could ever be unpleasant.
A shadow seemed to cross his face, and dark eyes watched her. “Get some rest and in the morning I will inform you of the state of our marriage.”
The state of their marriage? “I would have you inform me now.”
“No.”
“I will not be able to sleep a wink after such dire words. I will not hesitate to follow you to your chambers for answers.”
An imperious brow arched, no doubt at her audacity.
“Our marriage will not be consummated.”
Adel truly appreciated his restrain but it was not needed. “Thank you for thinking of giving me a reprieve.” She winced. “I expressed that poorly. It is not necessary for us to wait until tomorrow, I am ready to—”
“I do not only speak of tonight.”
Bewilderment filled Adel. She searched his face, seeking understanding. His mien was cool and distant. “I do not understand,” she said softly.
He crossed his forearms across his chest and leaned against the door. Something akin to regret gleamed in his eyes. “I had thought since you were in love with another man, you would welcome such news.”
She flinched. “I am not in love with Mr. Atwood! If this is the reason you—”
“Nevertheless it is best we delay. We had no knowledge of each other a few days ago. It would not be remiss if we wait until we are better acquainted to pursue the more intimate aspects of marriage. My home, my wealth, and titles are yours, let that be enough for now.”
She considered him. Was this the normal way of ton marriages? Suddenly she felt the burning need for her mother’s guidance. Oh, Mamma, how I wish you were here. “I do believe waiting will create more distance between us,” she said softly.
Adel should have been happy he was willing to wait, for she hardly knew this severe man standing before her. But instinctively she felt if she agreed to such a separation, the fight for his heart would be much greater, and the divide would be impossible to close. She jolted. The fight for his heart? When had she even thought it likely she wanted this cold infuriating man to hold affections for her? Certainly a happy marriage could be achieved without any attachments?
No…it cannot. Even with her limited understanding of what a marriage should entail, without love they would be like the many lords and ladies she had observed throughout the seasons. Most attachments were cold and impersonal, with both man and woman seeking other lovers to soothe the heartache of loneliness. She couldn’t endure such a union.
“I do not desire anything deeper from this union,” he said flatly, piercing the disquieting silence that had formed.
Pained awareness dawned. “You are not granting me time to acclimatize myself to you…are you?”
