Will shoved the memories of his former paramours back into the farthest corners of his brain. He meant to win the wager and had gotten off to an excellent start. She’d been skittish, but he’d managed to put her at ease and make her laugh. As for reforming, he figured he could avoid the usual rakehell lures for three weeks. He rather looked forward to seducing his wife. Granted, he would likely be frustrated, but the anticipation would undoubtedly increase her desire and his as well. He grinned as he thought about the wicked plans he had in store for her.
When that third week ended, he would gradually distance himself. He grew bored quickly and knew that his desire for Amy would eventually burn to embers. For her sake, he would be discreet about his liaisons. Given the circumstances of their marriage and his reputation, she probably expected him to be unfaithful.
He was fooling himself. Amy was no mouse. She would not overlook a liaison the way so many other wives of the ton did. The thought arrested him. What would happen if he ultimately failed, as he no doubt would, to give her what she wanted?
He tried to dismiss the implications, but they hung over his head like a thundercloud.
Chapter Nine
The bathwater was luxuriously warm, and the scent of the rose soap was divine. Anna added more warm water to the bath, and Amy leaned back in the hip tub. For the first time since she’d found herself locked in the wine cellar, she felt relaxed. “Anna, you might as well go on about your duties. I wish to enjoy the water until it cools.”
After Anna left the bathing room, Amy let her thoughts drift. She was lethargic, likely a result of the anxiety that had plagued her for days. She closed her eyes and must have dozed, because the click of the door closing startled her. When she turned her head, she found Will watching her.
Her face grew hot, and she covered her breasts with her hands.
His boots clipped on the marble floor until he stood over her. “You’re naked.”
“You might knock,” she said.
“I’m allowed to see you naked.” His gaze swept over her body. “Stand up.”
“Please return to my room. I’ll meet you there after I dry off and put on a robe.”
He shook his head. “I intend to watch.”
“You’re embarrassing me,” she said.
“I’m your husband. You’d best accustom yourself to being naked in my presence. At the end of three weeks, you’ll be spending a great deal more time naked in bed with me.”
“If you win,” she said.
“Oh, I will.”
“You’re failing at courtship,” she said, desperate to be rid of him. Oh, she wished he would leave and give her privacy. The water had cooled, but she couldn’t make herself get out of the bath with him watching.
“I’m abiding by the rules,” he said. “You ought to thank me. No other husband would let his bride stay chaste on their wedding night.”
She didn’t doubt it, but she refused to let him win that argument. “Our situation is irregular. We would never have married if not for the scandal.”
“You have chill bumps on your arms. Get out of the bath before you freeze.”
“Not until you leave.”
“Very well, but you will lose the wager,” he said.
“No, I will not.”
“Yes, you will, because you’re not abiding by the established rules. But that’s perfectly fine with me. I’m more than eager to take you to bed this morning.”
“You do not care about my tender sensibilities,” she said.
He took out his watch. “You have two minutes to get out of that bath or you lose the wager.”
“That was not part of the agreement,” she said.
“One minute,” he said.
She stood and climbed awkwardly out of the tub. Then she grabbed a towel, intending to cover herself with it, but she dropped it.
He bent to retrieve it, and his gaze traveled up her legs. Then he smiled when he looked at her sex. “Red,” he said.
“The towel, if you p-please,” she said.
He rose and gave it to her. “You’re shivering.”
She applied the towel as quickly as she could. Her face burned the entire time. Then he handed her the robe. She slid her arms into the sleeves and tied the sash.
When he reached for her, she marched past him. Oh, she was furious with him.
He followed her into the bedchamber. “I did not break the rules.”
“You are a cad,” she said. “You did not care that I was embarrassed.”
“Do you care that I’m frustrated? Do you care that I wanted desperately to make love to you last night?”
“You agreed to the rules,” she said.
“So did you.”
“I wish I’d never…” She closed her mouth before she said something she would regret.
“Never what, Amy?”
“Forget I said anything.” She’d almost told him she wished she’d never married him. It was a petulant thing to even think, and she was ashamed of herself.
“No. Finish what you started,” he said.
She looked at him. His expression was severe. “Will, I suspect you came here looking to start a row.”
He shook his head. “I picked wildflowers for you this morning and hoped to find you still in bed. I’d planned to order a tray sent up for us.”
She saw the bouquet of dandelions in a vase sitting on the night table and winced.
“When I heard the sound of water, I came to you. I can’t have what I want until I prove I’m worthy of you—”
“Will—”
“No, let me finish. All I wanted was to look at my bride.”
“Will, I’m modest.” She couldn’t tell him that she’d feared he would look upon her and find her wanting. Her breasts were small, and she was too thin. Worst of all, she’d feared he would compare her to all the beautiful women he’d taken to bed. No doubt he was disappointed after his first glimpse of her body.
He took her hands. “I suppose I’ve got a black mark today.”
She lowered her eyes. “Thank you for the flowers.”
He lifted her face. “At the risk of earning another black mark, I’ll admit something to you.”
Her pulse quickened, wondering what he meant to say.
“Do you recall when I told you that I watched you walking in the Beresfords’ ballroom?”
She frowned. “Yes.”
“You were so tall and regal in that gown. I imagined then that you must have long, shapely legs.” He grinned. “I was right.”
She looked into his eyes, stunned that he was pleased with her.
“I suppose I shouldn’t mention what else I wondered.”
“Now you must tell me,” she said.
“Well, I believe I mentioned it when you got out of the bath.”
She blushed, remembering the one indecorous word he’d uttered: red. “Do you ever stop thinking about—that?”
He grinned. “That what?”
“Making love,” she said.
“Sweetheart, I’m a man. You would be appalled if you knew how much we think about—that.”
“You’re trying to pull the wool over my eyes.”
He pulled her into his embrace. Good heavens, he was aroused.
“We’re clothed,” he said. “In case you want to touch me.”
He smelled so good—like sandalwood, starch, and him. “I don’t know.” He was a little too eager, and she was far from unaffected by his embrace. If she didn’t watch out, he’d win the wager, and all her hopes of kindling tenderness between them would die out.
“If you’ll be sweet to me, I’ll be sweet to you,” he said.
She found it difficult to resist his charm, and he was trying. “Tonight,” she said. “First course, only, with clothing.”
He gave her a dazzling smile. “I’ll count the hours.”
“Speaking of hours, the servants have probably set out breakfast. We should go downstairs. I’ll ring for Anna. After I dress, I’ll kno
ck on your door.”
“Amy?” he said.
“Yes?”
“I am very determined to win this wager.”
She laughed and pushed him away. “Go now, so I can dress.”
Georgette clasped Beau’s arm as they walked out into the garden. “There’s a bench along the row of hedges,” she said. The shrubbery was tall enough that it would conceal them from her mother’s watchful eye.
The wind riffled his blond hair. “I’m surprised your mother relented and let me walk with you alone,” he said.
“Papa told her that she was being too fussy after he caught me moping.”
Beau found the bench and sat beside her. “Why were you moping?”
She looked at her lap. “I miss Amy.”
“It has been only two days since you saw her at her wedding,” he said.
“Everything will change now that she’s married. It’s the same with Julianne. Now she has an infant and a husband.”
He said nothing.
She knew what he was thinking. If she married him, she would join the ranks of her friends. “We were as close as sisters, but it will never be the same again.”
“Georgette, I’ve wondered about something, and I haven’t said anything, because it is indelicate.”
“Then perhaps you shouldn’t say anything.”
“I have to know, because I can’t stop thinking about it.”
She turned her head slightly and let the bonnet hide her anxious expression.
He tugged on the ribbon. She reached to stop him, but he batted her hand away. Then he took off the bonnet. “Look at me while I speak to you.”
She met his gaze. He had the most amazingly beautiful blue eyes, but they were clouded today.
“Are you afraid of making love?” he asked.
She averted her gaze. “You are too immodest.”
“Georgette, look at me and tell me the truth.”
She looked at him, inhaled and exhaled without speaking.
He cupped her cheek. “I knew it.”
Her temper flared. “I’d have to be an idiot not to be apprehensive.”
He chuckled. “You like it when I kiss you, don’t you?”
“Yes,” she whispered.
“And I think you liked it when I touched you, although we were both nervous. It’s a bit difficult when you’re afraid of being caught.”
“Beau, that’s not the entire reason.”
He stiffened as if he expected her to say something that would wound him, and that made her feel awful.
“It isn’t you,” she said. “I don’t like change very much.”
“It’s a part of life,” he said, “and it can be wonderful, if you embrace it.”
“I’m two and twenty and afraid of growing up. There, I’ve admitted that I’m a silly, childish goose.”
His lips parted. “Why didn’t you just tell me?”
“Because I was embarrassed.”
He looked at her thoughtfully. “Your brothers have all married and left home. Your two closest friends have married. And I have been pushing you to let me propose. My guess is you’re feeling overwhelmed by all the changes.”
“Yes, but now I feel even worse about it, because in comparison to Amy I’m lucky. I cannot even imagine how she’s bearing up in such a marriage—to a man she despises.”
“One thing at a time,” Beau said. “First of all, your fears of change are not all that unusual. It’s natural to feel apprehensive about how a change will affect you. Second, you must not feel badly about yourself, because of your friend’s difficult situation. I think it’s awful that they had to marry, when they were accidentally trapped.”
“I fear he will mistreat her,” she said.
Beau shook his head. “I won’t lie to you. He earned his bad reputation, but I saw the two of them dancing. There were enough sparks between them to catch fire. And she encouraged him afterward, by allowing him to escort her round the ballroom. A number of people remarked about the two of them flirting.”
“But he is reputed to be a horrible rake,” she said. “I fear he will betray and humiliate her.”
“I’m not defending his rakish past, but he comes from a good family,” Beau said. “He did not abandon her, and believe me, there are plenty of men who would have done so. The material point is that only they can make their marriage work. There is nothing that you or anyone else can do. For what it is worth, I heard he is to take over as his brother’s land steward. Let us hope that this is a sign that he’s changing for the better.”
“Thank you,” she said. “I’ve been so worried.”
He regarded her with a solemn expression. “I never meant to distress you, but I did. My attempts to rush you were selfish and only resulted in you wanting to push back. I hope you will forgive me. From this moment forward, I promise to listen, and will respect your wish to make your own decisions.” His jaw clenched. “I hope that you will give me another chance, because I don’t want to think about a life without you.”
“Beau, thank you. There is no other man I want. I just needed to be sure of my feelings without everyone pushing and prodding me.”
He squeezed her gloved hand. “I know. I will give you the time.”
All she’d needed was to know that he would respect her enough to let her make her own choices. She smiled at him. “You know my mother approves of you.”
He regarded her as if he were trying to hold back some strong emotion.
“My father told me he likes you.”
“I’m honored,” he said.
“Beau, I love you with all my heart,” she said.
“Oh, God,” he said.
“And I didn’t say that because my friends are married now. You know I have a mind of my own.”
“Yes, I know,” he said.
“I love you because you understand my foibles and fears, and also because you’re so handsome you dazzle my eyes.”
He laughed.
“But mostly, I love you because you understand how I feel and respect that I am capable of making good decisions. I love you because you’re patient and kind and you kiss very well.”
“I didn’t think it possible to love you more, but I do,” he said.
“You can kneel,” she said. “Oh, never mind. You’ll get your trousers dirty.”
“I don’t give a damn about the dirt,” he said, kneeling.
Her eyes welled with tears as he took her hands.
“I love you so much. Please make me the happiest of men and marry me,” he said.
“I will marry you,” she said.
He rose, drew her to her feet, and gave her a lush kiss that left her breathless. “Your father is home. I want to ask his permission.”
“You may,” she said. “Mama will be beside herself with happiness.” She gave Beau a sassy grin. “And then I shall shock her by telling her that you proposed in the dirt.”
Will came to her room, wearing trousers and the banyan the way he’d done the previous night. “No poetry tonight,” he said. “We’ll talk instead.”
She sat on the chaise with her hands clasped.
“You let your hair down,” he said, smiling. His hair was a bit rumpled and there was a bit of stubble along his jaw.
“I wanted to please you.”
“I like that you want to,” he said, threading his fingers through her long locks.
“I want you to believe that I’m a good wife, and I want you to look forward to seeing me.”
“I have an idea. Let us lie on the bed and talk,” he said.
She cut her gaze over to the bed. “That might not be the best place.”
“Are you reneging on your promise this morning?”
“No, but—”
“Then the bed is the most comfortable place for talking and touching,” he said.
She suspected this might prove to be a fatal mistake, but she vowed to keep her virtue mostly intact until she won the wager. “Very well, but you must behave.”
He took her hand and led her to the bed. Then he took off his banyan. “You might as well dispense with the robe. We’ll be plenty warm beneath the covers.”
She rather thought she’d be safer with the extra layer of the robe, but that was ridiculous. He wasn’t about to pounce on her and lose the wager.
After she climbed beneath the covers, he followed and turned on his side. “Amy, why don’t you face me? I doubt there’s anything interesting on the canopy.”
She did feel a frisson of unease, but she turned toward him. “What do you want to talk about?”
“It’s your turn to ask questions,” he said.
“Well, there is something I realized today. You lost your father several years ago. I tried to imagine how I would feel, and it occurred to me that it must have been a very difficult time for you and your family.”
He sighed. “He died of a heart seizure unexpectedly. It was hard on my mother and sisters.” They had wanted to draw the whole family closer and talk about his father. His mother had idolized his father as if he’d been a saint.
“How old were you?”
“Seventeen.” His mother and sisters had looked to Will for comfort, but he hadn’t known how to deal with his own grief, much less theirs. His brother had been equally inept at trying to console them. With more than a little shame, Will recalled being relieved when he’d gone back to school after the mourning period.
“I’m sure your mother and sisters were glad to have your brother there to take over the reins.”
Will hesitated. “Hawk had left home years before. He and my father didn’t get on very well.”
“Did they have a falling out of some sort?”
“My brother got into serious trouble when I was twelve. No one talked about it, but everyone knew something was wrong.”
“It must have been painful,” she said.
His father had covered up a scandal in the making. Will had only learned the truth in the past year.
“You must have missed your brother,” she said.
No one had ever said a damn thing when Marc left home. “I resented my father for driving Marc away, but I was only twelve, and no one would tell me anything.”
How to Ravish a Rake Page 18