“Yes. That’s the one.”
“We’ll live there?”
“No. Carlisle Castle isn’t mine. Carlisle Keep is. Like Carlisle Castle, the keep used to be a grand fortification, built to help keep peace on the border with Scotland. When the first of our family came over with William the Conqueror, my ancestor was given land and fortified it. Years later, in the fifteenth century, my ancestor was given a dukedom and made more improvements, including building a keep and palisade walls. But by the time the fourth Duchess of Carlisle was in residence, she preferred to reside in the guardhouse rather than the keep. The keep was in need of repair even then.”
“Do you have any tenants?”
“Possibly? Have I mentioned I am not on the best terms with my solicitor? I suppose we will find out the condition of the land and buildings tomorrow.”
“And if the guardhouse isn’t habitable?”
“We’ll find an inn.” He grinned. “I rather like spending time with you at an inn.”
She looked down, feeling her cheeks warm.
“Where is the woman who wantonly perused me over in front of the fire?”
She shrugged. “Now I feel shy. I just keep thinking of—” She gestured to the bed. “You were inside me, and now we’re discussing history as though nothing happened between us.”
Carlisle rose and crossed to her, pulling her into his arms. “I haven’t forgotten what happened for a moment. It will take more willpower than I possess to forget what it feels like to be inside you. But”—he pulled back and looked down at her—“if I focus on that, I’ve have you naked and back in bed again, and then you’ll starve and hate me because you’ll be sore and unable to sit in the coach tomorrow.”
Her eyes widened.
“So I’m talking about history to take my mind off what I really want to do. But…” He kissed her forehead and then her nose. “I’m glad you reminded me this is new to you.” He gestured to the bed.
“It’s not new to you, I gather. Have there been many other women?”
The look that crossed his face was like that of a rabbit startled by a hound who appeared unexpectedly. She was amused by the reaction—and curious, as she’d never seen him look discomposed before. But before he could answer, a tap sounded on the door.
“The food is here!” He hurried to answer the door and spent more time that she thought strictly necessary to arrange it on the small table near the fire. “Soup?” he asked, ladling some into a bowl. She took the bowl and a crust of bread.
“I take it I am not supposed to ask about your previous paramours,” she said. “One consequence of being kept away from Society and surrounded by four brothers is that I don’t always know what is and is not appropriate conversation.”
He poured a full glass of wine. “I had noticed you are often more direct than other ladies of theton. I rather like it, I admit.” He poured another glass and handed it to her. “Most women in Society can talk for an hour and say nothing of consequence.” He took a large sip of his wine. “And while you shouldn’t ask just any man how many lovers he’s had, I think it’s acceptable to ask one’s husband. Or wife.”
“I’ve only ever kissed you or…done anything of this sort”—she gestured to the bed—“with you.”
“I know. And you did not marry a rake. My vices always tended far more toward gambling, which meant I didn’t make much time for women.”
“So you were a virgin?”
He choked on his wine. “I said I didn’t make much time. I foundsometime.” He began to eat, and when he looked up at her again, she motioned to him to go on. “You want to hear more?”
“That was a very vague answer, Your Grace.”
He sighed. “Er—at some of the gaming hells there are serving wenches. One or two were happy to take me to their beds.”
“Just one or two?” She gave him a dubious look.
“Approximately. In any case, they were women I was fond of. I like to think when they realized I was willing to take some, er, time, they invited me to return to their beds.”
“I see. They taught you what women like. That’s how you know what to do. What I like?”
“My experiences taught me to observe and experiment to find out what you like. But in answer to your question…” He drank again. “I’ve had less than a handful of lovers. My vice was never women.”
She nodded. “So you intend to be faithful, then, and not take a mistress.”
Carlisle practically spat out his sip of wine.
