Reckless (The House of Rohan 2) - Page 83

"I know," he said ruefully. "I botched it completely. Do you want me down on one knee? I'll do it. "

She shook her head. "No. I won't marry you, Adrian. You don't need a wife you don't love. You're only twenty-eight, you have more than enough time to contract a respectable marriage and have heirs. This probably won't be your first by-blow. " She put a protective hand against her stomach.

”Don't call it that," he snapped. "In fact, it would be," he added more calmly. "If the child were going to be illegitimate. But it's not going to be. Remember, I came here with a wedding license before I knew you were pregnant. I already knew I wanted to marry you. "

She stared at him. "Why?"

"We would deal extremely well together. You're just being stubborn—you know you love me, you've admitted it. Why wouldn't you want to marry the man you love?"

"Because I deserve better. I deserve a good man who loves me. "

He reached out and brushed his long fingers against her cheek, and they came away wet with tears, when she hadn't known she was crying.

"I'm not a good man," he said. "But I do love you. And I can do better. " And without another word he climbed up onto the bed with her, pulling her into his arms.

And finally, finally she believed him.

By the time Adrian carried his new bride to the tiny church in the village it was already bedecked with flowers. Lina had worked on the preparations, a whirlwind of energy keeping her as far away from Simon Pagett as possible. They hadn't spoken a word since Monty's unexpected announcement, which was fine with her. She was never going to get married again, certainly not to a prosy old preacher who'd lied about his identity.

She was half tempted to put on her most outrageous ball dress with the shocking decolletage while she acted as Charlotte's attendant, but something stopped her. The ceremony was short, sweet, with Lady Haverstoke weeping happily and even the marquess looking pleased with the situation. She had suggested they wait a day or two, but Adrian had insisted he wasn't leaving Charlotte's side, and Simon had announced that he couldn't countenance cohabitation, and it suddenly seemed all for the best to just do it before Charlotte could change her mind.

They had left to go back to Hensley Court, where everyone would most likely retire to bed. Everyone but Lina, who'd waited in the shadows until they'd left. The last thing she wanted was a tete-a-tete with Monty's disapproving brother. She'd always known Monty had a malicious sense of humor, but she'd never realized that Simon might share it. Then again, everyone had failed to mention that they were half brothers.

She'd seen him climb into the carriage that held his frail brother, and she'd ducked back into the shadows. There was one small chaise left, and she moved out into the moonlight. She could sneak back into Hensley Court and no one would ever see her.

"I wondered when you were going to emerge. " His voice came from out of the shadows, and she whirled around.

"It's been a long day," she said, trying to hide her unaccustomed nervousness. "Don't start with me now. ”

Simon Pagett looked at her with wise, knowing eyes. "I believe we started weeks ago, whether you realized it or not. " He took her hand. She knew she should snatch it back, but he wasn't wearing gloves, and neither was she, and the night was cold and his hand was strong and warm.

"Lady Whitmore," he said in his rich, minister's voice, "would you do me the honor of becoming my wire?”

"A vicar's wife? Me?" she said in a sarcastic voice. "I believe you've taken leave of your senses. The parishioners will rise up in outrage. "

"The good thing about being the heir as well as the vicar is that I don't have to listen, and if the parishioners have a problem I'll give sermons about redemption and casting the first stone. "

"Even though you're marrying Mary Magdalene?"

His smile was warm. "Am I? I'm so glad you're being more sensible than your cousin. But I'm afraid you've got a long way to go before you can equal Mary Magdalene. She ended up a saint, you know. "

His thumb was rubbing back and forth against her fingers, a small caress that felt strangely erotic. Arousing. Why this man? she thought. Why did this man have to be the only man to move her?

"I don't want to get married again," she said in a small voice, trying to avoid temptation. Something she'd never been very good at.

"Because I don't enjoy the marriage bed. " There, the awful truth was out.

He looked confused. "Then why have you been so, shall we say, experimental?"

"'Because I was hoping I was wrong. But I'm not. A man's touch leaves me cold. So unless you're thinking of a celibate marriage, you definitely don't want me. ”

"My dear Lina, celibate marriages are a dead bore. And if you think you don't like making love then you simply have to trust me. My many years of practice are good for one thing after all. I can make you change your mind. "

She looked at him, long and hard. It was foolishness beyond hope. But then, she was a fool. "You can try," she said.

"Does that mean you'll marry me?"

She took a deep breath, and said the one thing she thought she'd never say again. "Yes. I'll marry you. "

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