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“I … did not want to marry. But then my circumstances caused me to change my mind. Once I changed my mind, I realized that your crusade to reclaim your honor intrigued me.”
“What circumstances?”
She flushed in shame. “It became clear that the terms of my dowry created an untenable situation in which I was exposed—vulnerable to fortune hunters. As the terms were set long before my birth, they could not be altered. I concluded that the most favorable solution was to seek security through marriage to a man of my own choosing, and I immediately thought of you. Your interest in me appeared genuine.”
Richard looked troubled. “Is that the only reason?”
She bit her lip, her eyes focusing on the hand resting on his shoulder. “I … found you fascinating after our second conversation … and … attractive during our first dance,” she blurted out, the last in embarrassment.
He grinned in delight, wrapping his arms around her to embrace her close to his body, which emanated heat. He lowered his head to rest on hers, and she gave in to the impulse to burrow into his chest and remain there.
“We should eat soon,” she ventured after a while.
“Soon. Right now, I just want to hold my bride before any more excitement can find us.”
She smiled at that and settled back down to rest her head on his shoulder. Several minutes passed while she listened to the thudding of his heart within his powerful chest and wondered if he would bed her tonight. Warmth pooled in her belly at the thought.
He spoke in a low, soothing voice. “How is it you knew what to do with Ethan? I am personally at a loss, but you did not hesitate.”
“I was a girl not that long ago. A motherless one. I simply thought what I would like in Ethan’s place and acted accordingly.”
“What about the mothering?” He gestured his head up toward the nursery.
“Lady Moreland is a capable woman. I was older than Ethan when we arrived at the Abbott household, but I thought he would need similar things. Time spent with family, including meals. Something to engage his curious mind. My aunt and uncle are very involved with their family, and I was fortunate to be included. I observed them for many years, so I developed some instincts, I suppose.”
“I am impressed. You are quite composed for such a young woman.”
Sophia raised her head to roll her eyes. “That does not serve as a compliment. Am I not composed for an older, more experienced woman?”
Richard chuckled, leaning his forehead on her shoulder. “I stand corrected. You are quite composed—period,” he emphasized.
His hand idly caressed her belly, fracturing her breathing once more at the exquisite delight of his fingers gliding over her skin with just her day gown and her shift between his hand and her body.
“I am afraid there is something I failed to mention.”
Sophia stopped breathing. She had been taking the events of the past evening and this morning in her stride, but she thought she might have reached her capacity for surprises.
“I accepted an invitation to a musicale for this evening. Before I knew I would marry yesterday.”
Sophia exhaled in relief. This was a minor issue, then.
“I know you have not had an opportunity to order a new wardrobe befitting a married woman, but do you mind if we attend? The gentleman is a friend, and he has two daughters to marry off. He asked me to lend my support, and there has been no opportunity to speak with him about my getting wed.”
Sophia smiled. “I think we can manage that if it is someone you consider a friend. Who is it?”
“Lord Lawson.”
“Oh! I heard his daughters are quite talented musically. I think we could enjoy a most agreeable evening.”
“I hope you are right. I would hate to sit through pitchy singing and missed notes on the pianoforte. Even worse, if they cannot properly play the harp, it could be a loud and painful evening.”
Sophia giggled and swatted his shoulder. “Nay, husband. This is a perfect evening of entertainment. Shall we learn about each other once more? Yesterday the time spent together was enjoyable before …” She did not wish to recall the awful night.
Richard grimaced in distaste. “Yes, before. I want to apologize for the chaos you have encountered since taking up residence at Balfour Terrace. I would have preferred our marriage to begin differently.”
“You could not help that someone played that vicious prank on you. However, Ethan should probably not have been a surprise?”
“I assure you that I was as surprised as you the past few days. More so.”
