She blinked as he brought his mouth crashing down on hers.
It was a hard kiss and without gentleness. Ellicott backed her into the nearest wall and pressed his body against hers. His tongue prodded her lips and she parted them, too surprised to refuse.
He thrust his tongue into her mouth a few times, mimicking the act of lovemaking. This kiss had purpose, a definite intent to claim her body despite his suggestion she would take another man to her bed. He cupped her face and deepened the kiss, revealing a hunger she had not known he possessed. He stroked his tongue into the depths of her mouth again until she squirmed. He drew back but grasped one of her wrists to hold it against the wall. “Sweet Sally, you can stop pretending to be modest now.”
He slid one hand down her side and grasped her gown, his intent clear to lift it. Did he mean to have her here and now? Against a wall? Sally stopped him. “I am not pretending. I am modest.”
“Come now. We have avoided the topic for months, but I have known for some time that you are not as you would have others believe.” He raised a brow, challenging her to deny his accusation. Arousal heated his eyes. “I happen to like adventurous women. That is why I think you and I suit for marriage very well. What do you say we visit a bedchamber and practice at being man and wife in earnest?”
Sally was astonished he would suggest it. He had never given any hint he was less than a proper gentleman. “We should not.”
“Why not? You are not as other women are, and believe me, I do not hold that against you. In fact, I wholeheartedly approve of a lady developing a broad palate.” His brow lifted. “A woman of your beauty and intelligence attracts attention, and you have all of mine for the present.” He licked his top lip, staring at hers so hard she could not possibly misunderstand that his thoughts had turned lascivious. He leaned into her a little, and she felt the hardness of his erection pressing against her stomach. “You would make me the happiest of men if you agree.”
“Not now. Not here,” she whispered softly, overwhelmed by his proposition and his recognition of her scandalous past. “Why would you ask me to marry you if I am unlike other women?”
“The better question to ask is why would I not.” He drew back and cupped her cheek. “You know things about men and have realistic expectations. You have experienced a man’s desire before, and I like that about you. You are open-minded and not as prudish as many spinsters who failed to make a match in their first four seasons. Many things you have said and done over the past year convinced me we are of the same mind on many subjects. Pleasure does not need to be contained neatly into a marriage.” He smiled suddenly. “I am glad we had this little talk. Now we can be honest with each other and our expectations of married life.”
Her heart ba
ttered her ribs wildly. She did not agree with his assessment of her character, but she could not deny it. “What are your expectations?”
“Our marriage accomplishes two important goals—a secure future for you and an heir and spare for me at the very least. I desire you but do not expect fidelity, nor do I think you expect it from me. Marriage is a delicate trade of allowances.” Ellicott blew out a breath. “I had hoped you would seek me out so many times in the past week. I would have you now if I could sway your mind to mutual exploration.”
The blunt discussion about intimacy was something very new from Ellicott and startling. Up till now he had only ever been witty and charming. She had thought she knew everything about him, but he had hidden his rakish streak well. In addition, he had seen through her charade to the wickedness of her soul. She thought about intimacy a lot more than she could ever admit to anyone. Sally drew back from him. She needed time to process what he had said to her and decide how much to confirm. “My sister is outside at this very moment,” she reminded him, with an anxious glance at the door. What if Louisa had overheard this conversation? What if she had come into the cottage?
“I can be quiet, but are you the type to scream the house down?” He grinned when she did not immediately deny it. “How decadent of you. I once bedded a woman who screamed out in Russian. To this day I have no clue whether she was calling out for her husband or me.”
Sally blinked. “That must have been troubling.”
He laughed suddenly. “Then there was this charming little maid we had once. She made me chase her round and round the bed and then giggled through the entire event, the saucy minx.”
Sally gulped, thinking hard of ways to delay any more discussion of his former conquests. She had no desire to be compared to other women or know he had bedded a servant in the past. “What sort of example do I set if I am suspected of allowing you liberties merely a day after you ask for my hand?”
Clearly she needed time to prepare for her marriage to Ellicott. It would be a little more complicated than she had imagined.
He shrugged. “A wicked one. But I suppose you are wise to be cautious. A girl of Louisa’s nature would be shocked and never recover. But my door will be unlocked upon my return if you are able to get away from your family for a romp.”
She smiled carefully and blushed, trying not to seem as relieved as she felt that she had time apart from him. In London there had not been a chance of dalliance or such frank talk, but here at Newberry Park there would be many more opportunities to be alone with him before they wed. “We should go back. My grandfather expects me at eleven.”
Ellicott glanced at his pocket watch. “Eleven o’clock has come and gone while we were kissing. I must be going too. The horses will be restless by now. Have you ever made love in a carriage?”
“We should go.” She seized on the opportunity to end the discussion and fled the house, assuming he would follow along behind her. She gathered Louisa from the neglected gardens where she had been collecting wildflowers and hurried toward the distant mansion.
“Why are you rushing?” Louisa whispered as she struggled to securely hold her basket of scented flowers that she had picked at Torre Cottage.
“Later,” Sally promised, casting a glance over her shoulder at her grinning betrothed.
Later? What was she thinking? Try never! Louisa was an innocent, incredibly ignorant about men and desire, and she could not be confided in without humiliating them both. The only woman she could talk to about Ellicott was Lady Duckworth, and she was a very long walk away.
Sally normally enjoyed the stroll from Torre to Newberry, but at a fast walk it left her out of breath.
When they reached the curved garden walks of home and spotted her mother waiting at the drawing room door, she kissed her sister’s cheek. “I have to go. Would you please make sure Ellicott’s departure goes smoothly?”
Louisa smiled somewhat ruefully at the request and then nodded. She offered a smile toward Lord Ellicott as he drew near. “Say good morning to Grandfather for me.”
“I will.” To Ellicott she said, “Journey safely, my lord, and I will count the days till your return.”
“As will I, my dear. As will I.” His voice dropped to a seductive pitch as he leaned close to kiss her cheek. Louisa thankfully missed his intent completely and led him toward her mother.