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“It happened seven years ago, it was considered an honourable match and approved of by your father.”
“So why did she break it off?” demanded Alice, stamping her foot.
“She found out Frederick had gone missing in France, was being held captive and her attention became entirely focussed on him. She could offer me no more and although I helped locate her brother, and arranged for his exchange, she couldn’t be persuaded from her duty to Freddy.”
“What of you, do you desire her still? Am I to be usurped? Is she to be another one of your mistresses?” Alice snivelled, horrified at the thought.
“How dare you!” Edmund slammed his fist down on the desk, causing Alice to jump. “You assume too much about me and Caroline.”
She could barely see him through her tear-filled eyes. “You’ve lied to me,” she whined. Her confidence crumbled.
“I chose not to tell you for fear you would be filled with jealousy and my supposition has been proved correct.” He walked round the desk and approached her. Alice backed away as he stopped. His hands on hips, legs apart. He repeatedly shook his head, scowling at her. “It is most unfortunate that Caroline told you.”
“You loved her, though, that is why you helped her and still do.” Tears tumbled down her cheeks.
Edmund’s posture softened. The scowl went and he bowed his head slightly. “Yes, she broke it off, but I was relieved by her decision.”
“Relieved?” She brushed away her tears with the back of her hand. He had to tell her the truth; she couldn’t face him in the bedroom if he wasn’t honest about his feelings towards her.
“Yes,” He let out a deep sigh. “I began to believe we were not suited to each other.”
Alice pictured the elegant Caroline and her refined manners. How could she not be suitable? “She is quite a lady. A good match. Intelligent, beautiful, a suitable age for you. How could she not be a good wife for you?”
“She lacked… what you bring to our marriage.”
“I don’t understand.”
“She would have been perfect, a great hostess, accomplished in many areas, but she is unadventurous. She lacks your… spirit, spark.”
“You confuse me, Edmund.” She slumped into a nearby chair. “You want me to be obedient and all the things you speak of in Caroline, and then you desire me to be what? Challenging?”
“Alice, I expect your obedience, your respect, but I do not want a boring marriage. I have travelled, seen many sights, some horrific, others wondrous. I have had the company of great men. Caroline, a sweet, kind woman, and I could have so easily loved her, but she would never make me feel what I do towards you.”
She perked up. “You didn’t love her,” repeated Alice, letting the words sink in. “I haven’t handled this very well, have I?” She bit her lip.
“No.” He rubbed his forehead and puffed out his lips. “You lost your composure too readily. If you have something to discuss with me, please have the grace to do it with decorum. Charging in here like a regiment of cavalry is not going to go in your favour.”
Alice smiled at the image of her on horseback. “No, I suppose not. I was a little cross though. You can understand why.”
“Is Caroline still your friend?”
“Yes. She was genuinely unaware of my ignorance and mortified at her forwardness. Apologised profusely over tea and we managed to part amicably. I assured her it was a matter between you and me. And it is, isn’t it?” A distance had opened up between them and all she wanted to do was remove it.
Edmund took Alice’s hand and drew her up on to her feet. Lowering his mouth, he touched her lips with his own and gave her a gentle kiss. “You are quite breathless with anger. Hot too. You need to cool a little. That fan is not sufficient.”
Alice’s throat constricted as he returned to kissing her. The fan slipped in her fingers, almost dropping to the floor. How could he take her from anger to passion so swiftly? Now, held tightly to his beating chest, she felt his erection against her belly
, prodding her into a further state of unravelling.
“Edmund,” she murmured between his kisses. “I… am sorry.” His hands squeezed a breast and her faint voice stuttered. “However, I do believe I am justified”—the same hand travelled down her front and cupped her sex through the fabric of her dress—“in my grievances…” His other hand combed through her hair, twisting and twining strands amongst his fingers and transmitting tingles into her scalp. “Do you have any other secrets?”
Edmund’s hand ceased their explorations and his lips moved off her neck where he had been teasing her with nibbling kisses. Pinching her chin between his fingers. “I have no further secrets to divulge. No clandestine lovers waiting in the wings to depose you. I am utterly yours.”
Alice nodded, her eyes fixed on his, seeking any element of untruthfulness in his declaration. She truly hoped it was the case—that he had nothing more to hide. He had bared her soul many times, as well as her flesh, and he owed her the same courtesy.
Breaking off from his sensory exploration, he propelled towards the desk. With a hand on her shoulders, he bent her over.
The familiar quickening of her heartbeats heralded her exclamation. “What are you doing?”
