Understanding dawned on his face, and she could tell by the ridge that bumped against her bottom. “Are you sure?”
“I am. I don’t want to wait three weeks.”
His eyes widened as if he hadn’t realized they would have to wait for the banns to be read. “I don’t either.”
She wiggled her way off his lap. “My room.”
He rose slowly as if it pained him. “I will meet you there.”
“No. Come with me.” She held out her hand.
He stared at it a moment, then, as if making a decision, he took it.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Without a word,she lifted a lantern off the wall and led him out of the kitchen to a door in the servants’ corridor. He opened it for her, and they traveled along the back of the house before coming to a narrow stair. She let go of his hand and started up. Once at the top, she moved to the right, into the student wing of the house. After passing one other corridor and two doors, she stopped and put her finger to her lips.
Opening the door, she peeked out. The lanterns on the walls of the corridor gave just enough light to prove it was empty. She looked back at Tam and waved him forward. Quietly, she walked past Georgie’s door and then opened her own to slip inside. As soon as Tam was in, she closed and locked it, a surge of triumph running through her.
He took the lantern from her and set it on her dressing table. “You truly are a Rosalind.”
She couldn’t have wished for a better compliment. “And you are truly my knight.”
He gathered her in his arms and kissed her until her limbs felt like flowing water. Then he scooped her up and dropped her on her bed, only to follow her down, lying atop her, yet keeping some of his weight from her as he stared into her eyes. “I must ask again, while I still have control over my actions. Are you sure you wish to become my wife tonight before we are properly wed?”
“I do. Please, Tam. I can’t wait any more. I want to show you how much I love you.”
He shook his head. “You don’t have to. I know you love me as much as I love you.”
She gave him a coy smile, worthy of Rosalind. “Iwantto show you. Unless you wish to wait. Then, of course, I would respect your wishes.”
“Respect my—I’ll show youexactlywhat my wishes are.” His mouth came down on hers and his tongue swept inside her mouth, taking her for his own.
She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back with a like passion, wanting all of him. Grasping his thick hair, she moaned into his mouth as a fire started deep in her belly.
As if that sound was all he waited for, he left her mouth and kissed her neck, then moved down to the top of her breast, but the neckline of her dress did not give as he tried to pull it down.
The next thing she knew, he had rolled her over to make short work of her ribbon and buttons. As soon as the dress loosened, he pulled her to a sitting position, which caused the neckline to fall to her waist.
“Come, let me get you out of those clothes.” He left the bed and had her stand, so he could lift the material over her head. He threw it on the settee then turned her around to untie her stays. They followed her dress.
As he made to pull her shift over her, she stopped him. “I want to see you.”
He didn’t answer. Instead, he untied his cravat and threw it to the settee. After unbuttoning the fall of his pantaloons, he pulled his shirt from them and over his head, to land on her clothing as well. “Better?”
She gazed at his broad chest that tapered to a thinner waist. He must be built differently than the typical lord, as he had the muscles of a laborer, though she knew him to be a scholar. Just thinking abouttouching his strength had her body heating, but she pretended to ruminate on his question, and tapped her chin with two fingers. “No, I think there’s more I need to see first.”
He looked uncertain, which she found endearing. “Did that book of yours tell you what to expect? I do not wish to scare you.”
She dropped her hand and grinned. “Not only do we learn about anatomy and procreation here, but my book also shows exactly what a man looks like and the positions he uses to take a woman.”
His nostrils flared at her words, but he didn’t respond. Instead, he pulled off his boots and then yanked down his pantaloons. After turning behind him to drop them on the rest of the clothing and giving her a view of his taut backside, he faced her.
“Oh.” At the sight of his erection, a shock of desire raced through her so hard, it caught her breath. She was quite sure she also felt moisture at the juncture of her thighs. Licking her lips, she examined him, fascinated by his shape, the shadows in his thighs where muscles met, and the perfection with which he was made.
His erection jumped, and she found herself moving closer. Knowing she’d caused this in him had her feeling powerful, something she’d never felt before. She reached out and touched him. He was silky smooth, but stiff. She curled her fingers around him, and his hand grasped hers.
“Rosalind, if you wish me to take you with some semblance of caring, you’ll need to refrain from touching me any more.”
