James
“Howprofoundly moving.”Lucysighed. “Theway your great-uncle wrote about the possibility of not having children was so thoughtful, so tender, so loving towards his wife.Heonly wanted her health and happiness above all.Heaccepted that they might never have children, especially an heir to his title.Andknowing what happened, it makes it even more heart-wrenching.”Sheblinked back more tears, her heart torn asunder over what must have been such a hard moment forJudith. “Thisletter…the pain…everything seems so raw.”
“Itis my understanding that there were several miscarriages before she was finally able to carry a child to term,”Rowansaid. “Unfortunately, the birth took both his wife and child.Perhapsthat broke him.Thisletter gives insight into whyIinherited and it is asIsuspected.Myfather didn’t bear a title, and we were only a distant extension of the peerage,”Rowansaid.Heleaned back in his chair and looked at the ceiling. “Ialready knew my great-uncle was driven in his business affairs, these letters show that he was someone who valued those he loved.Iconfess these insights into my great-uncleJameshave made me feel differently about him.He’sgone from being a virtual stranger to someone thatI…admire.Inretrospect,IwishI’dknown him better.Ibelieve he felt his convictions deeply.Hewas a good man…”
Lucyloved reading these letters withRowan.Butshe couldn’t help but feel they were intruding on someone’s private pain. “Theseletters are so beautiful, butIfeel as though we’re trespassing on the privacy of your aunt and uncle.”
Rowanblew out a breath. “Ican understand that given your empathetic nature but perhaps we were meant to find the letters and read them.”Hepaused for a long moment as he stared at her with such intensity thatLucywondered if something was wrong.
“Idon’t wish to stir up unpleasant memories,” he finally said, “ButmayIask you something?”
“Yes, of course, you can ask—ifIhave the right not to answer,” she teased.
“Fairenough,” he said, his lips quirking up into that smile.
Shefound herself drawn to those lips.Thatsuch a virile and masculine man should have such sensual lips was most disconcerting.Andshe couldn’t help but lean closer.Andhis scent, his incredible scent of bergamot and orange and something that was so uniquelyRowan…Itwas so masculine and warm and seemed to envelop her.Itwas heady and magnetic, and she could inhale it all day.
“Whenthe minister at your proxy wedding pronounced you andTenetman and wife, you weren’t with him.Youwere with a stand-in.Didyour stand-in kiss you?”
Lucyfelt heat travel from the roots of her hair to the tips of her toes—so much heat that she took off her glasses in case they fogged up.WasRowanmaking fun of her?Thewedding hadn’t been her decision.Shehad to compromise all her beliefs where marriage was concerned—including the most important one—to only marry for love. “Itwas a strange event, and not one thatIwould have chosen for myself hadIhad any say in the matter…”Shetook a deep breath. “Heasked, which was strange as well, butIdidn’t allow him to kiss me,” she added.
“Didyou want one?”
“One?”
“Akiss.”Hisvoice sounded deeper, almost ragged. “Didyou miss receiving a kiss…even a little?”
Hislips are so beautiful.Sowarm and inviting.“Yes…Imissed it.”Hervoice was low. “I’vealways dreamed of that special wedding day kiss.Nota kiss from a stranger standing in for the groom.Ididn’t know the stand-in—andIwould only ever want to be kissed by a manIcared for.Ididn’t know my husband either and had no feelings for him or attraction to him.None.”Wasshe really saying all of this?Sheneeded to stop talking.EvenAshewas sitting up now, with his ears perked.“Ithink the kiss is part of every girl’s dream when she thinks about her marriage ceremony.Idoubt any woman dreams of a proxy wedding.”
Hegot up from his chair and reaching for her hands, pulled her up so that she was standing close to him, looking up at his incredible blue eyes and daring to hope…
“Wouldyou like one…a kiss,Imean.BecauseI’vebeen wanting to kiss you—really kiss you—for a while now…”Hepulled her closer to him so she could feel the heat from his body.
“Yes.”Lucyclosed her eyes, longing to experience everything his kiss offered.
Whenhe lowered his lips to hers, a warm, tingling feeling ran through her body, settling in her most private place.Hislips were soft and hot.Hermind whirled, and a moan escaped.Tuggingher closer,Rowanwrapped his arms around her and deepened the kiss.
Lucyfelt a heady heat and excitement but strangely also safe and protected.Butwhen the kiss ended and he stepped back, the warmth left her, and she shivered at the loss.Sheleaned toward him, seeking that warmth again, not wanting to disconnect from that burning, yearning feeling racing through her.
“Howwas that?” he asked softly.
Sheopened her eyes and looked up at him. “I’mnot sure.”Herwords were measured, slow.Imay need another kiss to decide.”
Hegrinned. “I’mhappy to oblige.”Hewrapped his arms around her and pulled her close again.Hetenderly brushed his lips against hers, once, twice, with light butterfly kisses before he deepened it.Lucyslid her arms around his neck and tugged him closer.Hemoved his lips to her neck, and she felt that tingling, burning feeling sprint across her shoulders.
“Don’tstop,” she breathed. “Ineed another,” she said in breathy tones.
Whenhe broke the kiss, she fought to regain her bearings. “Itwas good,” she finally said.
“Good?” he asked incredulously.
“Well, you see, it was so good thatImight need to compare it with more kisses…”
“Isthat right?”
“Yes, and you know what they say, practice makes perfect,” she said, tilting her face back up to his.
Hechuckled as he lowered his mouth to hers again.Thistime his kiss made her almost swoon.Itwas a good thing he was holding onto her so tightly.
