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CHAPTER8
It had taken everything Owen had not to push Selena against the wall and kiss her until she begged for more. He had been waiting for that moment for weeks. But it was their first proper kiss, and it would not do to force himself too much. He could sense Selena was still reluctant to accept him completely in her life. Hopefully, this was a step in the right direction.
Tom was laying his night clothes on the bed when Owen entered the room.
“Good evening, my lord. How was the party?”
“It went well. I didn’t stumble over Lady Fernsby’s feet when we danced.”
The valet smiled. “That is good. Do you want a nightcap?”
“No. I just want to go to bed. It’s been a long day.”
Tom helped him out of his formal wear. Owen dismissed the man, telling him he could see to everything in the morning. The darkness settled around him, with the only light coming from the fire. He had to tread carefully with Selena, lest he frighten her away. It might prove difficult when every fiber in his body screamed at him to claim her. It was an animalistic instinct that arose each time he was around her.
That brought up another dilemma Owen had not thought of much. How did one seduce one’s own wife? He had overheard his fellow soldiers over the last few months speak of past lovers or wives. It seemed each woman was different. Some men had said bedding their wives was like sleeping with a stone, cold and unfeeling. Others had lovers who were insatiable, their appetites veering to the unusual, and there had been everything in between. What did Selena enjoy?
From what she had said, their previous intimate relationship had been nil. It certainly left room for improvement. Perhaps they could discover their pleasures together, learn what the other enjoyed. The idea warmed Owen. He wanted to experience everything with Selena. That was the last thought on his mind before he drifted off to sleep.
The following morning, a dull noise woke Owen from his slumber. He peeked through the slits of his eyes to see Tom opening the curtains. The bright light made him wince.
“Good morning, sir.”
Tom must have heard him groan.
“What time is it?”
“Almost nine.”
Owen’s head pounded. It had been there last night when they had arrived home, but not so pronounced. Now it felt like a herd of elephants was running through his head. “Uh.” He put a pillow over his head.
“Is something wrong, sir?”
“The blood is hammering in my ears, and my head feels like it wants to burst.”
The valet chuckled. “Sounds like you may have had too much to drink last night.”
Was that it? If that was the case, he would never be so foolish again.
“Would you like breakfast in your chambers?”
“Yes, thank you.”
The sound of the door closing made Owen jump. The noise reverberated in his skull. Damnation. He hadn’t felt this awful since that time at Drummonds when he had been in an all-night poker game against the Duke of Surrey.
Owen shot up in bed. Good God! He had remembered something. Suddenly, the headache was forgotten. Now Owen only focused on that memory, trying to pull anything else to the surface. He concentrated. Yes, Drummond’s had been his favorite gambling hall. It was in London. He couldn’t recall the street, but they had the best brandy. Images flashed in his mind, but the faces were blurry.
Was this the start of him remembering? Should he tell Selena? No. It would do no good to alarm her. Besides, it might be a one-time jolt and nothing more.
Tom entered with a breakfast tray shortly afterward, and Owen started his day. That morning, he had a meeting with Victor Steele to go over the work around the estate.
A half hour later Owen was seated in the study with papers strewn across the desk.
“The pasture fencing on the south side has been repaired. We are expecting the new cattle in the next few days, depending on the train.” Steele showed Owen the contract.
Owen perused the documents. He wanted to increase the livestock, including cattle, sheep, and pigs, to use both for food for the tenants and for sale to the butcher. There were also repairs to be made to some of the outbuildings, including a barn and a grain storage warehouse.
“Here are the plans for the greenhouse.” Steele laid the designs in front of Owen.
