Wicked Delights Of A Bridal Bed Read online

  “At only two years of age, I suspect he won’t be nearly as impressed with the new baby as all the rest of us.”

  “No, I don’t suppose he will be.” Linking her hands in front of her, she studied the pattern in the hall carpeting. “Adam, about this morning—”

  He halted her with a touch, her gaze lifting to meet his. “It’s been a long day, and you’re tired,” he said. “Let’s talk about everything tomorrow.”

  “But what did Edward say? And what about Jack? Earlier, it seemed as if the two of you were back on speaking terms, but he was so angry this morning.” Reaching out, her fingers closed over the fabric of his coat sleeve. “He has rescinded his challenge against you, has he not? The two of you aren’t going to duel—because if that’s how you’re resolving the matter, you can find some other way. I won’t have you fighting. I won’t stand aside and see you injured, either of you.”

  “Calm yourself,” he hushed. “There will be no duel and no fisticuffs either. I had a chat with Jack today, and we’ve reached an understanding.”

  “What kind of understanding?”

  “The kind that you and I will talk about tomorrow.” Covering her hand where it lay on his arm, he drew her into a walk, turning her in the direction of her bedchamber. “Now, I want you to go to your room, put all of this from your mind and sleep.”

  “But what if I can’t?” she asked, strolling at his side. “What if I lie awake or…” What if I have the nightmare? The cause of so much trouble.

  She swallowed sharply at the thought.

  “If you can’t sleep,” he said, “I want you to ring for Penny and have her make you a hot milk posset. And if that still doesn’t suffice, ask her to send for Jack and me, and we three shall sit in the drawing room and play a round of cards.”

  “But Adam—”

  “What have I said before about ‘buts’? Now, here we are,” he said, drawing them to a halt in front of her bedroom door. Turning, he faced her, reaching to skim a finger across her cheek.

  She trembled, her pulse hammering out an erratic beat. “What is it you’re not telling me?”

  Something flickered deep in his gaze before he leaned down and pressed his lips to her forehead. “Sleep well, Mallory. Promise you’ll call your maid and drink that posset if the need arises.”

  “All right, I promise.”

  He stepped away. “Good. I’m sure Penny’s inside waiting for you now. Until tomorrow.”

  “Good night.”

  He strode away.

  Resisting the urge to call him back, she forced herself to enter her room.

  Mallory awakened the next morning, surprised to discover that she’d not only slept, but that she had done so deeply and without dreams. She’d been so sure she wouldn’t be able to rest, but only moments after climbing beneath the sheets, she’d been out like one of the candles Penny had snuffed before departing for the evening.

  Obviously, I was exhausted, she mused, so much so that even the nightmare hadn’t possessed the power to intrude on her slumber.

  Tossing back the covers, she padded barefoot across the Aubusson carpet and rang for her maid. Dressed half an hour later in an ecru muslin day dress spotted with tiny green leaves, she took a seat at the small table in her sitting room. Sipping from a cup of tea, she opened the note that had arrived from Adam.

  Meet me in the music room at half past ten. I shall await you there.Your Servant,

  AdamA quick glance at the clock showed that only twenty minutes remained before the appointed time. Swallowing against the nerves that suddenly jangled in her stomach, she pushed aside her uneaten plate of toast and eggs. As she did, she found herself wondering exactly what Adam was going to have to say about his talk with Edward. She supposed she would find out soon enough.

  Adam plucked a string on the harp in the music room, listening to the ethereal note vibrate on the air as he waited for Mallory to arrive.

  She must have slept, he decided, since she hadn’t sent Penny to find him last night. For Mallory’s sake, he was glad. Then again, he wouldn’t have minded a late-night card game nor a reason to roust Jack out of his comfortable bed and his wife’s adoring arms.

  Under the circumstances, it would have served Jack right.

  Even now, his friend’s attitude stung a bit, along with Jack’s instant assumption that he’d seduced Mallory and thoughtlessly stolen her innocence. The fact that he’d stopped just short of doing that very thing didn’t lessen the injury to his pride or his affront at knowing Jack thought him little more than an unscrupulous cad. He might have a wicked reputation, which was admittedly well deserved, but then so had Jack prior to his marriage.

  Still, Adam supposed that he might have reacted the same had he found his sister in bed with his best friend. He’d have done anything to protect Delia, when she was alive, just as Jack did now for Mallory. As all her brothers did, the whole lot of them, standing together in her defense like the Queen’s personal guard.

  He expected no less, of course, which was one of the main reasons he’d done his best to conceal his feelings for Mallory all these years. But those feelings were out in the open now, or enough of them at least that the Byron brothers had decided there was no need to tar and feather him or see him bloodied on the field of honour.

  Given Mallory’s alarm at even the mention of a physical confrontation, he was glad her brothers had been willing to listen to reason. All of them—even intellectually minded Drake—were formidable fighters, their skills impressive with all manner of weaponry, including fists, pistols and swords. He too was considered lethal and he wasn’t afraid to fight. When it came to defending himself, he knew he could hold his own against any man, even the Byrons.

  But emotionally he would be hard-pressed to battle his friends. Even more, Mallory would never forgive him if he harmed one of her brothers, leaving him doubly glad that words, rather than blows, had been sufficient to resolve the situation.

  He was running his fingertips over another harp string when the door opened with a soft click. Glancing up, he watched Mallory slip inside. His arm fell to his side. “Good morning.”

  She gave him a shy smile and moved a few steps farther into the room. “Good morning.”

  He took a moment to note how beautiful she looked despite the pale hue to her skin and the uncertain glitter in her aquamarine eyes. Approaching, he took her hand and brushed a kiss across the top. She gave him a quizzical look before he released her again and crossed to shut the door.

  “Are you sure you ought to do that?” she asked. “I don’t want Jack descending on us again, complaining we’re alone and challenging you to another duel.”

  He sent her a reassuring smile. “There’s little chance of that. Besides, we’re in the music room today—a far-less-incendiary location than your bedchamber.”

  “Very true.” She skimmed her fingers over her skirt in a nervous gesture. “So what did Ned have to say? Does he understand what happened and why you stayed with me the other night? Surely he doesn’t think…well, you know—”

  “Come,” he said, gesturing toward a comfortable pair of chairs that stood near a sunny window. “Let us sit over here and talk.”

  She paused at the delay before doing as he suggested. Only after she was settled did he seat himself in the chair opposite. “As you’re aware, His Grace and I met yesterday morning to discuss the events that transpired between you and me, and the uproar that followed. I explained why I came to your room, as well as the reason I remained.”

  “You told him about my nightmares?”

  “I did, and that you were too worried and frightened to be left alone.”

  “So he does understand,” she said, tension sliding from her shoulders with clear relief. “I shall have to talk to Ned myself, of course, but I’m glad he realizes that nothing of any real consequence occurred.”

  One of his eyebrows swept high. “I wouldn’t say that exactly.”

  Colour washed into her pale cheeks. “But s
urely you didn’t tell him about kissing me? That has nothing to do with our being found together, so there’s no reason why he needs to know.”

  His mouth twisted into a wry smile, amused by her elaborate rationalization.

  “Besides,” she went on, “I heard you tell Jack that what you and I did together was private and none of his business. I should think the same would apply to all my brothers, most especially Ned.”

  Adam laughed, unable to restrain the impulse. “Don’t worry. I didn’t tell him I kissed you—or indulged in any of the other very pleasurable things we did. Then again, I had no need to do so.”

  Her eyebrows drew close. “What do you mean?”

  “I mean that Edward isn’t stupid, nor is Jack, who saw you blush red as a Maharajah’s ruby when he asked if I’d touched you. But even if I hadn’t laid so much as a finger on you, it would make no difference.”

  “Any difference to what?”

  “Surely you must realize?” he said in a gentle voice.

  But as she gazed at him, he knew she didn’t. Despite her knowledge of Society’s strictures that forbade an unwed young woman from being alone with a man, Mallory had obviously convinced herself there would be no lasting consequences to their having been discovered together.

  Part of him wished there weren’t any repercussions. Certainly, he hadn’t planned on getting caught in her bed, and were it not for the fact that he’d fallen asleep, he would have been in his own room long before Grace paid her unexpected early-morning visit.

  But he had fallen asleep.

  He had gotten caught.

  And there was no going back.

  His intention, of course, had been to court Mallory, slowly and with patience in order to give her the time she needed to recover from her loss and see him as far more than a friend. For in spite of her passionate response to his kisses, he knew she wasn’t ready yet to accept everything he wanted to give.

  But there was nothing for it now, and she would have to adapt to the reality of their situation. As for himself, he couldn’t feel entirely sorry.

  He wanted her.

  He loved her.

  And he would take her by any means possible.

  Meeting her interested gaze, he realized that she was waiting for him to explain. “What is it then that I’m supposed to know?” she asked.

  “The fact that there is only one possible solution to this situation.”

  Moving from his chair, he went down on one knee, then reached out and gathered her hand into his.

  “Mallory Byron, will you marry me?”

  CHAPTER 12

  Mallory stared, aware that her eyes must have grown large as a pair of planets. “D-did you say marry?”

  Adam fixed her with a steady gaze, his words low and firm. “I did.”

  “B-but Adam, surely you don’t want to marry me. Nor should you need to do so.”

  His eyebrows arched upward with a sardonic sweep.

  Her own brows arrowed down. “Is that what you and Ned talked about? And why my brothers aren’t trying to maim you any longer? Because you’ve agreed to wed me and do the honourable thing?”

  “I rather doubt I would be here with you now were it otherwise.”

  She huffed out a breath. “Oh, but this is terrible, ridiculous and completely unnecessary. Did you tell Edward that I am untouched? That I am still a maid and that nothing happened which requires the two of us to take such a drastic step?”

  “Your brother and I didn’t discuss any intimate details, remember? Besides, there was no need.”

  “No need!” she returned, nerves squeezing like a fist under her breastbone. “Of course there’s a need. Oh, and please do get up. How can I have a reasonable discussion with you while you’re kneeling in front of me?”

  “The same way you’re having an unreasonable discussion,” he said in a calm tone. Moments later, however, he stood and resumed his seat. “Mallory, marriage is the only option.”

  She sprang to her feet. “Not if we explain the situation to Ned and Jack and the rest of the family. They’ll see no harm has been done, and in a few days, everyone will have forgotten all about the matter.”

  “And what about the throng of inquisitive guests who stood in the hallway listening to every word that was spoken? Do you think they’ll forget about Jack’s calling me out after having accused me of ravishing you?”

  “But you didn’t ravish me.”

  “No, I only kissed you and touched you, then fell asleep in your bed. Admit it, Mal,” he said. “You’re good and compromised. There’s no getting around that fact.”

  She paced several steps. “But you said yourself once that we’re all friends here. Maybe if I explained it to them—”

  He shot her a pitying look.

  “Surely they would see reason and not say anything,” she argued.

  “Can you imagine Daphne Damson not saying anything? That woman couldn’t keep a secret if she knew her tongue would be cut out the moment she finished talking.” Standing once more, he crossed and took her hands inside his own. “We must wed, it’s the only way. If I don’t marry you, I’ll be branded an unprincipled scoundrel. Far worse, you’ll be ruined beyond redemption. I doubt even your lineage and dowry would be enough to gain you a respectable offer from another man.”

  But she didn’t want another man.

  She didn’t want any man.

  Not now at least.

  Staring at Adam’s cravat, she swallowed against the sinking feeling lodged in her stomach. Adam was right, of course. There was no other way, not unless she was willing to accept the shame of being a disgraced female, an outcast in Society. If she refused him, it was no exaggeration that she would indeed be ruined forever.

  “Is the idea of marrying me really so dreadful?” Adam asked. “I’ve been told of late that I’m not such a bad catch.”

  Glancing up, she met his gaze and caught a glimmer of raw emotion lurking deep in his dark brown eyes. She paused. Surely she hadn’t hurt him? Then he blinked, and the expression was gone.

  No, she decided, I am only imagining things. Adam’s skin is as tough as oxhide. He must realize this has naught to do with him personally.

  Still, when she spoke again, it was with care and complete honesty. “Of course marrying you wouldn’t be dreadful. It’s not that, it’s just…”

  “Just what?”

  Her lashes swept down, her voice a near whisper. “I’m just not ready to marry anyone. Not now. Perhaps never.”

  He slid a finger beneath her chin, lifting her face so she had no choice but to meet his gaze. “But you forget. I’m not just anyone. I’m Adam. Your friend, who knows you and will always be there to protect you and to make you smile.”

  “But it isn’t right. For me or for you. You deserve better than a forced union. You ought to have the right to find a woman you love and be free to marry her. I don’t want to take that from you because of a single, impetuous act that happened one night.”

  Trembling, she drew an unsteady breath. “If only I hadn’t asked you to stay, none of this would have happened. If only I hadn’t been afraid after my nightmare, we wouldn’t be standing here talking about having to wed.”

  “If you want to talk about if-onlys,” he said, “then we ought to mention the biggest one of all. If only I hadn’t come to your bedchamber the other night. But I did, and it was my decision and mine alone. Just as it was my decision to remain when you asked me to. I did nothing that wasn’t of my own accord, and I am more than ready to accept the consequences of my actions.”

  Letting go of her hands, he set his palms at her waist. “As for your wish not to bind me in marriage, it is a sweet gesture, but truly, I have no desire to be set free. To be honest, it’s time I married. Now that I am restoring Gresham Park and making it liveable again, it needs a mistress. Even more, the house needs a family. It deserves a bit of laughter ringing through the hallways again and inside all those rooms that have stood silent for far too long. You thi
nk I’m trapped, but I’m not. This situation isn’t ideal, I agree, but I know you will make me an excellent bride.”

  “You say that now, but what if you come to regret your decision? What if you meet someone else and wish you were able to be with her?”

  “I won’t,” he said, his eyelids sweeping down, concealing his expression. “Believe me, I’ve had plenty of time to become acquainted with all the eligible ladies of the Ton, and I have no interest in any of them. Nor would I want some chit just out of the schoolroom who would make me feel as if I’m already halfway to my dotage.” Glancing up again, he met her gaze. “Trust me, Mallory, marrying you will be no sacrifice, not on my part at least.”

  She said nothing, too conflicted to speak.

  “I know you’re still healing, and this isn’t what you wish right now, but think of the benefits. We’ve known each other for ages, and I am confident that we shall suit.”

  Yes, she realized, they would suit. How could they not when they knew so much about each other? When they’d shared so many things together over the years? Living day to day with Adam would be pleasant, even easy.

  “Then too is the freedom you would enjoy,” he continued. “As my countess, you would have your own house and be able to establish your own rules and ways of doing things. I would give you free rein to redecorate and refurbish the house however you like, the choices would be entirely up to you. And frankly, I think a change of scenery might be exactly what you need.”

  “In what way?” she asked.

  “You are comfortable here at Braebourne. Maybe too comfortable, with a lifetime of memories, including a few that I suspect still bring you pain.”

  A lump settled in her throat as she thought of Michael and the misery of the past fifteen months.

  “A new place, a new home, would give you an entirely clean slate,” Adam said. “There would be no past there, only a future, the one that you and I choose to make. Which leads me to another benefit.”

  She tipped her head. “Oh? What might that be?”

  “Children.”

  A new knot formed, this time in her chest.