And then he was gone.
Henry looked at Burns. “Fancy a whiskey now, sir?”
“I most certainly do.”
Henry walked with Burns back to the inn, where he bought the lawyer a whiskey and one for himself. He knew Katie was upstairs waiting for him. She was his now. He wanted nothing more than to see her and fall into her arms.
But what happened after he fell into her arms was why he needed the whiskey. He’d never taken his wife to bed before. He wanted to take her to bed, but he was also keenly aware that she hadn’t exactly enjoyed the act last time, and he wasn’t sure if she’d like it any better today.
He heard a rattle, and his head went up, like a hound catching the scent. He looked about, and Burns said, “Fancy a game of chance?” He nodded toward a corner where a couple of men were tossing dice and passing coins.
Henry felt himself rising to his feet, drawn to the game without even thinking. He moved toward the commotion, feeling the old surge of excitement. His heart pounded, his breath shortened, and he felt strong and almost invincible. He stopped outside the circle and watched as bets were placed and the dice thrown. A man won and another lost. Coins exchanged hands.
You’re not invincible, Henry told himself.You could lose everything.He’d already lost his estate and his town house. But somehow those losses paled in comparison with losing Katie’s trust. She believed in him. She’d told him he could resist.
“Would ye like tae play, milord?” one of the men asked.
Henry swallowed. He desperately wanted to play. He needed the game, needed some sort of release after three days in a coach, dealing with an irate father, and signing away the last profitable piece of property he owned.
“Milord?” asked the man.
Henry clenched his fists, and the image of Katie in their bedchamber, watching the door hopefully, came to mind. “Not just now,” he said, his voice tight. “Excuse me.” He forced his heavy legs to move away, dragged himself up the stairs, and pushed himself into the bedchamber, whereupon he leaned against the door and closed his eyes. In his mind, he could still hear the rattle of the bones. They still called to him.
And then he saw her.
She was lying on her side, facing the fire, her dark hair spread out behind her. The blanket she’d wrapped around herself had slipped down, revealing a good portion of her back. He saw the tub, sniffed the scent of lemon in the air, and realized she’d probably bathed and then fallen asleep from exhaustion.
He should let her sleep.
The problem was, he needed her. The game was still calling to him, and his attraction to her was the only pull stronger thanthe urge to lose himself in the wagering. Nothing and no one had ever tempted him away from a wager.
Perhaps he could just lie beside her, hold her. Perhaps that would be enough.
He crossed to the tub and the pail of clean water. He disrobed then used a cloth to scrub the dust of travel away. Now he’d just find where the servants had stored his luggage and don a clean shirt and breeches, then pick her up and see if he could put her in bed without waking her.
He turned to glance around the room, and his gaze met Katie’s.
“I thought you were asleep,” he said.
“I was.” She smiled, turning toward him and propping herself on her elbow. “But the prospect of seeing my husband naked was too tempting.”
He looked down at himself. “I can’t seem to find my clothing.”
“That’s too bad.” She gave him a lazy perusal worthy of a courtesan. He’d wanted her before, but now that need doubled. He could feel himself growing aroused. Her eyes widened at the sight.
“I had planned to pick you up and put you in bed and let you sleep.” He walked toward her. “But I think I’ll just pick you up and put you in bed.”
She squealed when he lifted her and carried her to the bed, but she wrapped her arms around him when he put her on the coverlet, bringing him down with her. He sank into her arms, groaning at how soft she felt, how warm. Her lips met his eagerly. He wanted to be tender and gentle with her, but his need and her response were making that impossible. He kissed her deeply, his tongue teasing hers and drawing out moans and gasps from her as he stripped the blanket she’d been wrapped in and tossed it away.
Henry was determined to savor the feel of her, drink in her scent, revel in the knowledge that she was his wife. He didn’t need to worry they’d be discovered. He didn’t need to fear her father would find out about them. He’d settled things with the marquess. No one could take her away from him.
Henry lifted his head from where he nuzzled her neck and looked at Katie. “I just realized your father didn’t come to tell you goodbye.”
She blinked at him, not comprehending for a moment. “He’s gone, then?” she asked, her voice slightly breathless.
“I signed the vineyard in France over to him and he agreed not to challenge the wedding. I heard him order his men to return to London straightaway and then make arrangements to travel to France to see the property.”
She gave Henry a rueful look. “He finally got what he wanted.”
