People would be shocked and no doubt gossip would start making the rounds. There would be many different rumors spread, but she didn’t care. She was even going to enjoy facing her aunt and father, but she would wait a day or two. Only when she heard from Mister Peabody would she confront them.
What Garth planned to do about his cousin she had no idea, but she didn’t want to discuss it tonight. She was still shaken at how easy it had been for the fiend to snatch her from her own bed. There was also the servant who had betrayed her to deal with as well. In the morning she would ask her husband what he thought should happen to them.
Somehow, she would have to find a way to get word to Jenny before she could cause mayhem when she discovered her missing. Her maid would also have to pack her possession and send them to Garth as well as come herself.
The trouble was she wanted it all done without her father or aunt knowing what was happening or where she was. When it was time to throw them out would she be ready to face them. Though it wasn’t very nice of her, she wanted them to stew and worry when they discovered their plan had failed.
If they had no idea where she was, they would be panicking and they deserved to after what they had put her through. When Garth suddenly spoke she raised her lashes, she tilted her head back and met his concerned gaze.
“You’re awfully quiet, are you alright? Not having second thoughts are you? I’m afraid it’s a little late for that since you already agreed to be my wife and we just went through the ceremony.” Garth teased, but he was fretting that she might be thinking she’d made a terrible mistake by marrying him.
She gave him a sincere smile. “No, I’m just tired. It has been quiet a night you know. So much has happened and I’m just worn out. But I’m not regretting we were married, well, not yet. Only time will tell won’t it.”
“What the hell does that mean? Time will tell.” He scowled at her; he hadn’t liked her reply one little bit.
Straightening up she looked him in the eye. “It means that as yet we barely know each other. You probably have habits I don’t like and I have some you don’t. It’s going to take time for us to adjust and accept each other’s faults. If we can’t and we don’t come to an understanding we’ll both be terribly unhappy. The very last thing I won’t is for us to be miserable.”
“And just say we do end up regretting being married, what happens then?” Though what she had said made perfectly good sense, it still irritated him.
With a shrug of her shoulder, she dropped her lashes so he couldn’t read the unhappiness in her eyes. “I lived through my mother’s horrible marriage and I don’t intend to experience the same. If we can’t get along and we make each other unhappy, we’ll separate. I’ll live in my own residence and you live in yours. It makes perfect sense to me.”
In wide-eyed disbelief he glared at her, in all his years, all thirty of them he’d never heard anything so ridiculous. Husband and wives didn’t separate and live in different establishments. No matter how miserable they were, they lived under the same roof. “That’s the most idiotic thing I’ve ever heard.” He growled in displeasure.
His annoyance was evident in his tone; she ducked her head and smiled. “It makes perfectly good sense to me. I don’t want to make you wretched and I don’t want to be either.”
“Blast it all, wife. Neither of us will be unhappy nor have the least bit of regret. We are two intelligent people and can sit down and discuss whatever’s wrong and fix it.” Her idea was ludicrous and he was having none of it.
“I hope so, my Lord. I truly hope so.” Lifting her head, she saw the displeasure on his face and sighed. She was not up to discussing the matter right now; she was just too tired. “Oh, we’re home. I’m so exhausted and can’t wait to go to bed.”
Not in the least bit happy with how the conversation ended, he quickly shoved it away and searched her face. Aye, she looked shattered, when the coach door opened, he quickly jumped from the vehicle, he swept her up in his arms and carried her through open door. “Bed for you, wife.”
“Thank you, Garth. I can barely keep my eyes open.” She snuggled against him as he carried her up the wide staircase and into the bedchamber. She smiled up at him when he sat her on the bed.
“Under the covers with you, sweetheart before you fall asleep.” He quickly removed her footwear. After kissing her brow, he straightened up, with a lingering glance and a tender smile, he walked away.
With a sigh of both disappointment and happiness, she quickly removed her borrowed gown, slipped beneath the blankest and snuggled deeper in the bed. She closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.
***
Dissatisfaction stirring in his chest, Garth dismissed his valet and undressed himself. This was his wedding night and he was going to be spending it alone. What a joke. He shook his head as he stripped off the last of his garments. Turning out the lamp, he slipped beneath the covers and stacked his hands under his head. Frustrated and dissatisfied, he stared up at the dark ceiling, after the traumatic experience his bride had suffered this evening, he had at least wanted to hold her in his arms while they slept. He knew that other than sharing a few kisses there wouldn’t be any more intimacy between them until she was satisfied they were better acquainted.
Hell, he must have been out of his mind to agree to such a ridiculous arrangement. Ever since he saw her coming down the staircase this evening, he hungered to make love to her. It was all he could think about and crave. That was the main reason he didn’t even dare kiss her tonight.
He knew that if he had, he probably wouldn’t be able to stop at just a few kisses. He scowled remembering the evening he’d first kissed her. Though she had set him on fire and unbridled lust had pounded through him from her erotic essence, he was now recalling just how innocent her reaction was.
Could she really be that innocent? he asked himself. She certainly hadn’t look like a chit who would be lose with her favors. Hell, getting her naked between his sheets was going to take a lot longer than he first thought and definitely a lot of seduction. Blast it all, it could be months before he could consummate his marriage.
Damn it, he didn’t want to wait that long, even now he was aroused, throbbing and aching for her. He’d end up tortured in hell if he had to wait several weeks or God help him even longer. Ruthlessly he shook his head, nope he wouldn’t allow it. No damn way.
Starting tomorrow he was going to start his seduction. As long as he kept a firm rein on his own lust, he should be able to manage a few kisses and able to hold her in his arms. When he heard a slight sound coming from across the room, his thoughts fled and he lay motionless. When hearing the whispering of the connecting door opening, he sat up.
Only just able to make out the slight figure huddled in the doorway, he was shocked to see his bride. “Is something wrong, sweetheart?”
“I… I’m sorry to disturb you, but I had a nightmare and I know it’s silly, but I’m frightened. Do… do you mind if I sleep with you.” Laura’s voice trembled and she knew what she was asking was wrong, but she didn’t want to be alone.
The sound of terror in her tone was unmistakable, lifting up the covers in invitation, he smiled tenderly. “It’s not silly. Come here, sweetheart and I’ll keep your nightmares away.” He watched her rush across the room and slip on the bed beside him. Covering her, he lay down. “Would you like me to hold you?”
“Yes, please. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I’m not usually so pathetic or weak, but I can’t seem to help myself.” She blushed over her inadequacy; she sighed when he gathered her up in his arms and kissed her brow.
His hand soothing down his back, Garth battled the desire pounding through him. “It’s perfectly understandable. You had a traumatic experience tonight. Even the stoutest person would be frightened. Your safe now, I won’t let anything else happen to you.”
Snuggling against his chest, she nodded. “Thank you.”
Even with the flimsy garment she wore, her soft feminine curv
es were unmistakable. He clenched his jaw as he continued to caress her back; he closed his eyes, breathed in her soft, flowery perfume and her unique womanly fragrance. She had a special scent all of her own and even now it was driving him crazy with lust.
Yet no matter how much he craved to make love to her, he wouldn’t. Not only had he given his word to wait, but he couldn’t take advantage of her while she was so vulnerable. Hell, he hoped it wouldn’t take her to long to recover, yet on the other hand it had its advantages, no matter how excruciating they were.
Tonight would be the very first night he would actually sleep with a woman. Usually he only spent a few hours in a female’s bed. Any longer than that, they started getting idea’s into their heads and start planning to gain even more from him. It was something he would never allow.
When he had on those rare occasions ever thought of marriage, he always imagined that he and his wife would have separate bedchambers. Yet now holding his bride in his arms in the middle of the night while she slept contently in his arms it felt so right. He frowned thoughtfully.
The idea of making love to her and then leaving her to sleep by himself seemed rather ridiculous. He knew most married couples didn’t share a bedchamber and were quite satisfied with the arrangement and he had imagined he would do the same, but now he was quickly changing his mind.
Since they would be spending the rest of their lives together, why shouldn’t they share a bed all night long? At least if he woke during the night and wanted to make love to her, he would only have to reach out and take her in his arms.
Besides, it wasn’t as if she could plan to trap him when they were already married. A smile tugged at his mouth, he wondered how his bride would react when he insisted she sleep in his bed every night for the rest of the lives. Shocked most likely, but he wasn’t going to be denied the pleasure no matter how torturous it was at the moment.
Heaving out a heavy sigh of dissatisfaction, he turned his mind to more serious matters. Her father and his cousin. No doubt they were already together plotting something else since their attempt to kidnap his bride had failed. Pride swelled his chest over her bravery and quick thinking.
Not many chits would have the spirit to fight back or escape, no they would probably scream, weep and beg for mercy. Aye, he was proud of his bride and he couldn’t help hugging her tightly, but when she grumbled in her sleep, he eased his hold on her. Kissing her brow, he rested his cheek against the side of her head.
His mind turned to what he was going to do with his cousin and her father. He didn’t want to cause a scandal, but he also wasn’t going to let them get away with what they had attempted to do. He intended not only would they suffer, but they would pay dearly for what they had done.
God, he couldn’t even imagine how terrified Laura had been when she woke up and found herself in a moving coach, kidnapped and about to be ravished. For that alone he intended to make Walter pay. Beating the miserable sod to death would be most satisfying, but he’d be charged with murder and it wasn’t worth it.
No, there had to be something else, he would just need time to think of it. Rage swelled through him, but he valiantly fought it. He knew if he didn’t, all he would do was lie here simmering in in furious frustration and it would only be pointless. Besides, he didn’t want to spoil the first night of his marriage and have the pleasure of holding his bride in his arms.
Tomorrow would be soon enough to start exacting his revenge and by damn he was going to thoroughly enjoy every blasted minute of it.
Chapter Eight
Slowly coming awake, Laura frowned something was different. Beneath her ear, she could hear a steady beat and her head was rising and falling in a continual rhythm. Her pillow was hard and solid, not at all soft and fluffy. She could also feel something heavy wrapped around her and it was if she was pressed up against a brick wall, a hot brick wall. A steady breeze kept blowing across the top of her head. Yes, something was very strange and she started to grow anxious. Forcing her lashes up, she blinked the sleep from her eyes and when they focused, she gasped.
Lord Almighty, she was lying on a naked chest, a very male, stark-naked chest. With a squeak of panic, she shoved at the heavy object wrapped around her, which she presumed was an arm and scrambled to sit up. With wide-eyed trepidation, she turned her head and met the grinning face of lord Brookes.
Suddenly everything came rushing back and she blushed. Quickly turning her head, she looked down and gasp at seeing she was only wearing her chemise. Hurriedly she reached for the covers and dragged them up to cover her breasts. When she heard Garth chuckle, her head whipped around to glare at him. “I find nothing about my embarrassment is amusing.”
Rolling over onto his back, Garth grinned. “I wasn’t laughing at your embarrassment; it was your reaction when you found yourself in bed with me. You had forgotten where you were and that you we are married didn’t you, sweetheart?”
She gave a curt nod. “Yes, well, I’ve never woken up in bed with a man before and one who’s half naked.” When she saw the wicked light in his eyes, her face grew hotter and she groaned.
“Not half, sweetheart, completely.” He teased.
“I knew you were going to say that, I just knew it. Your enjoying this aren’t you?” She accused and turned her irritating eyes on him.
Reaching out, he lifted up a heavy, lock of hair and rubbed it between his fingers as he stared into her eyes. “Not particularly, I would much rather you were naked as well and lying down beside me.”
“Why am I not surprised by your answer? You’re a rake after all.” She grumbled with annoyance yet her heart was racing with excitement at what he suggested.
With a chuckle rumbling in his chest, he dropped the lock of hair, pushed himself up and leaned against the headboard. “Former rake. I’m now a happily married man and those days are behind me.”
“Only time will tell,” she grumbled and then sighed. “What are we going to do about this situation?”
Garth ignored her curt remark, though he wasn’t pleased by it. “You mean my cousin and your father?” He shrugged. “I haven’t decided yet, but since it’s only six in the morning why don’t you go back to sleep. I need to take care of a few things and I’ll join you for breakfast.” He watched indecision cross her face before she nodded. “Good.” He was about to toss the covers aside and stand up, but when she gasped again, he grimaced and reached for his robe at the end of the bed.
While he was shrugging on the garment to cover himself, she lay back down and stared up at the ceiling. Heaven’s, if her face grew any hotter she’d boil. When the bed dipped, she breathed deeply. Closing her eyes, she listened to him wander around the chamber opening draws and cupboards.
Only when she heard the sound of him dressing and closing the door did she relax. She couldn’t believe how bold she acted last night. Though she had been frightened from her nightmare she should have remained in her own bedroom, instead she’d practically begged him to let her share his bed.
A groan of humiliation passed her lips; at least she supposed he hadn’t taken advantage of her. Perhaps he did have some scruples after all. She admitted that he’d been very caring and kind through her terrible ordeal. He had also been understanding and tender. Maybe, just maybe they might deal well with each other after all.
Though she didn’t expect love in their marriage, companionship, respect and friendship would be a lot more than other couples had. She knew for now there was definitely passion between them, but who knew how long that would last. She wasn’t certain what would happen if it ever faded, but for now she wasn’t concerned with it.
Since she barely knew Garth and that was going to take time, she’d worry about losing their desire for each other later. She concentrated on now. So far, he hadn’t disappointed her. She had yet to find any flaws or any complaint in his character, but it was still early days and she wasn’t going to let her guard down until she could trust him completely.
If their marria
ge didn’t work out she wasn’t going to spend the rest of her life being miserable and end up despising Garth or he, her. Last night when she mentioned having separated houses, he hadn’t liked the idea, but if living with each other was intolerable, she would leave and he wouldn’t stop her.
Although she hoped it would never happen, no one could predict the future. At least she had an alternative if she needed one. For now though, she intended to do everything possible to make their life a happy one. Today was the start of perhaps the rest of her life and she was determined that she was going to do everything possible to make it perfect.
It was also important she be herself and she wasn’t going to pretend she was something she was not. She wanted complete honesty between them and would accept nothing less. The very last thing she would accept was dishonesty or lies. Especially after everything that had happened.
Yet before they could move forward with their live there were two problems well, more like three people that needed to be taken care of. She shook her head and sighed in disbelief. She still found it hard to believe the lengths her father, aunt and lord Brown went to so they could steal her inheritance from her.
Truly, she found it nearly impossible to believe the depths they would stoop. It was despicable what they had done and she would never forgive any of them. It was not just the terror that had consumed her that their plan made her experience, but their greed which outraged her as well.
None of them had taken into consideration what she would feel, yet it didn’t really surprise her that her father and aunt hadn’t cared. She wondered what Garth was planning to do about the situation; he was not the type of man that he would just sit back and do nothing. Though he had tried to hide it from her, she had seen the black rage glittering in his eyes.
There was no doubt in her mind that he was going to make them pay dearly for what they had done to her. She just hoped when he did retaliate that there would be no bloodshed. Though dueling was frowned upon, the very last thing she wanted him to do was fight one on her account.
Cupid's Arrow Book One Bewitching The Earl Page 6