Page 69 of Marriage with a Proper Stranger

“Good thing we brought the wagon,” Garrett replied as he sat.

“Miss Tuttle, Lady Sabrina mentioned a kitten?”

“Yes. Your grandson gifted her to Sabrina. I’ll pack while you and your son seek out Mr. Umlah, my lord.”

“I believe you should accompany me and direct me to the place. Besides, the man owes you an apology; I intend to see he gives it. Garrett will start loading the wagon.” They all stood.

“Let me fetch my shawl. Oh, the kitten is asleep in the bedroom. Make sure she doesn’t get outside, will you, Mr. Wollstonecraft?”

“Of course,” Garrett replied.

Once Miss Tuttle placed her shawl about her shoulders, Oliver gently clasped her arm. Sizzling heat moved through him, settling deep within; what he was about to propose would only stoke the flames. “I’ll unhitch one of the horses and we will ride into town together. Are you fine with the plan, Miss Tuttle?”

She met his gaze, and he did not mistake the interest sparking in her light brown eyes. “Completely fine, my lord.”

Yes, standing here next to the fetching Miss Mary Tuttle, everything was completely fine.

Chapter 26

Forget about sleep; Riordan had none at all. He’d respected Sabrina’s wishes and stayed away from her, though he had stopped and listened outside her door shortly before eleven. Water splashed—she was in the bath. The thought of her naked caused him to harden, and he returned to his room and took care of the condition. But the release left him unfulfilled and staring at the ceiling until the sun peeked over the horizon.

He still had no idea how to explain, but he would face her and tell her whatever she wished to know. He knocked on the bedroom door, and she bade him enter. Sabrina stood by the window, engulfed in warm autumn sunshine, which gave her skin a golden glow. She looked as if she belonged here at Wollstonecraft Hall. The lady of the manor.

“Sabrina.”

She turned to face him, her expression as impassive and devoid of emotion as the day they first met. With a sweep of her arm, she motioned to the two chairs set up in front of the fire. She wore the same clothes as yesterday, but they looked to have been pressed.

He sat, as did she. “Allow me to begin with an apology. I am truly sorry I did not tell you of my name, especially after we grew more intimate. I was going to…” He stopped. Saying he was going to tell her last night would be a lame excuse. He changed direction. “The main reason I did not tell you was that the false name was the grounds for the annulment. You recall I did tell you it was better if I kept the motivation secret until we appeared before the court. Also, I hid it from the school board, save for one member, as I wished to take the position of schoolmaster on equal footing with the residents of Carrbury. I did not want my family’s standing and reputation to interfere with my plan.”

She frowned. “You sat there at the inn, the night before our wedding, choking when I mentioned the name Wollstonecraft. You could have told me during that conversation. Or when I lay in your arms after making love. Or when you told me you loved me. Why did you not tell me then? Or, better yet, before we became intimate? I feel betrayed. Used. By yet another man for his own selfish reasons.”

He was about to reply, but Sabrina continued, “And what of the settlement? Imagine my horror at finding out there never was one. You created an elaborate ruse with your solicitor friend to…to…I’m not sure why. To lure me into marriage for your own base needs? Is the marriage even legitimate?” Her voice rose with each sentence. The hurt in it cut him to the quick.

“The papers we signed are legal, as is the marriage. I was going to say no to your proposal, but your story moved me. It spoke to my progressive soul, as it were. And I realize now that I was already beginning to care for you. I wanted to protect you from hurt.” He paused, staring into the fire before meeting her gaze. “There is money, Sabrina. I alone put up the ten thousand pounds. It sits in an account at the law office, awaiting you.”

Her eyes widened. “Why would you give such a sum to a complete stranger?”

“I am a Wollstonecraft, raised with liberal beliefs. I spoke the truth when I said women are treated no better than property, with no rights at all. I wanted to give you a fresh start. I did not intend to fall in love with you. But I did.”

She looked away, staring out the window once again, as if contemplating what he was saying. “What do you mean by plan? Regarding your position?”

“I originally accepted the teaching position in order to try out my ideas on education reform. Each of us in the family have our own pet causes; education was mine. I did not expect to enjoy teaching as much as I do. God, I don’t know how to describe it. Never have I felt as alive as when I am standing before a group of children eager to learn.” He paused. “Except when I’m in your arms. Except when I’m deep inside you and you raise your hips to meet my thrusts, taking me deeper. Taking me…to paradise.”

She flushed, then stood and began to pace, wringing her hands. “I must speak to your father. Please bring him here at once.”

What in the hell? He’d gone too far, bringing up the intimacy they’d shared. “Sabrina…”

“Please!” she cried, clearly distressed.

Riordan stood and inched toward the door. “As you wish.”

He located his father in the library, reading assorted papers. “Sabrina asked me to fetch you. I don’t know why.”

His father followed him upstairs to the guest room. “What is it, Lady Pepperdon?”

She turned to face his father, still wringing her hands. “I cannot stay under this roof any longer.” Riordan’s heart sank. “At least, not until I think this over. I appreciate your family’s hospitality and all you’ve done for me. But I need a place of quiet, with no…distractions.”

Wonderful. Now I’m a distraction. Damn it.