“Yes. Most definitely,” Isobel replied as primly as possible given her unclothed state. She tutted, and sighed as his eyes began to once more roam over her. Her fingers were firm on his chin as she tilted his head back upwards with a frown. “You must get rid of her. I will not share you.”
“Share me,” Dominic repeated blankly, amazed at her audacity. “A gentleman’s erm -” he shifted a little uncomfortably. He wasn’t sure he wanted to discuss such matters with his future wife. “- requirements are a gentleman’s matter. Not something to be discussed with the wife.” He wondered briefly where that had come from; now he sounded like his father!
“Don’t give me that guff,” Isobel snorted, refusing to be diverted by his pomposity. “A gentleman’s requirements, indeed!” She jumped to her feet ignoring her naked state, and glared down at him. “If you have any requirements, you should go to your wife, not travel to – wherever - and seek the arms and bed of another woman!”
Dominic rolled onto his back and folded his hands behind his head, a small smile of satisfaction on his face as his eyes wandered freely over her.
“What are you smiling at?” Hands on hips, Isobel peered haughtily down at him.
“Come here,” he demanded softly, holding his hand out.
“No, I won’t,” Isobel replied with a scowl. “I mean it. I won’t tolerate you keeping a mistress. You must get rid of her.” Isobel knew she was crossing the line demanding anything from him, after all he wasn’t her husband yet, but she really couldn’t bear the thought of him in another woman’s bed. She squeaked with surprise when he suddenly launched to his feet. Before she could move he was standing directly before her. Her nose was practically buried in his chest. She had to tip her head backwards to look up at him.
“I have had my fair share of lovers, it is fair to say,” he mused, placing his hands on his hips, mimicking her stance. “More than my fair share of lovers, if I am absolutely honest,” he admitted ruefully, and raised a finger as she tried to interrupt. “But I have never felt the need to take a mistress.” His fingers cupped the soft curve of her chin, tilting her face upwards for a quick kiss. “Nor do I intend to take one. Make no mistake, my darling -” his eyes were solemn as they met hers. “- I won’t share you either.”
Somewhat mollified, Isobel allowed him to pull her flush against his hardness.
“I don’t expect either of us to seek the arms and bed of any other,” Dominic said, capturing her lips in a silken caress.
“Sorry,” she offered huskily, several moments later, as her stomach rumbled loudly in the quiet of the room.
Dominic chuckle
d easing away from her. “Let us ring for dinner before you disappear on me. I am sure Peter will understand if we don’t dine with him this evening. Tonight it is just for us. We shall have a private celebration of our betrothal and make a few decisions on wedding arrangements. Tomorrow we shall make an announcement to Peter and the staff. I have a feeling the next couple of days will be extremely busy indeed.”
“A couple of days?” Isobel said weakly.
“We already have the special license. It arrived yesterday. There is no reason to delay,” Dominic’s voice was businesslike, Isobel thought with a small pang of discontent.
“You have already applied for a special license?”
She wasn’t sure if she should feel piqued at his arrogant expectancy that he could talk her around so easily.
“Don’t you want your family there?” She suddenly didn’t feel as at ease with her nakedness as she had a few moments ago, and quickly moved to gather a sheet from the bed, wrapping it securely around her with a shiver. He already seemed to have made significant plans and she wondered if he really needed her input.
“The roads are too bad to expect them to make the journey from Berkshire. My brothers will be here in a couple of days anyway as they are riding on horseback. My parents will be unable to get here for a couple of weeks,” Dominic said, sensing her disquiet. He carefully guided her back toward the bed, tucking them both between the cool sheets with a sigh. “I don’t want to wait another minute Isobel. I nearly lost you once. I won’t make the same mistake twice.”
It was far from the declaration of love she needed to banish her worries, but Isobel knew that for now it would have to suffice, although she couldn’t shake of the lingering disquiet. Placing a tender kiss upon his chest, she settled into sleep aware of the soft rumble of Dominic’s chest beneath her ear.
CHAPTER NINE
Two days later, Isobel was standing before the Vicar, watching Dominic slide a simple gold band on her finger.
“I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride.”
It felt as though she were watching from a great distance when Dominic swept her into his arms, and kissed her soundly amid the raucous cheers of the assembled family members and staff. Within minutes they had all returned to the house for a magnificent banquet.
It was late when Isobel found herself alone in the master suite awaiting the arrival of her new husband. She and Dominic were now wed, and she was the new Lady Havistock. The enormity of the day’s events hit her. She sat on the window seat and stared blindly into the night sky.
As promised, Dominic’s brothers arrived yesterday amid much jocularity and back slapping. Isobel couldn’t help but be charmed by both Edward and Sebastian who had spent most of the time since their arrival teasing their elder brother about his impatience to get Isobel up the aisle. All three brothers were very much alike; all were tall, exceptionally handsome and extremely good natured, with a charismatic charm that seemed effortless to them. It was hard not to like them all.
Despite the willing acceptance of the new branch of her family, questions and doubts swirled and whirled in her mind in a chaotic jumble. She could almost convince herself that the looming threat of Rupert had disappeared. Almost. But she knew he was out there. Waiting. With a shiver, she braced her arms upon her knees and exhausted by the speed of the last few days, fell asleep.
It was dark outside and with no moonlight, difficult to see even the outline of the trees in the garden. She failed to notice the thin shadow of a man separate from the solid bulk of a tree beneath the window, and disappear into the distance.
She awoke some time later when Dominic gently swept her into his arms. Dressed in his shirt sleeves, Isobel blinked sleepily up at him as he carefully placed her upon the sheets.
Isobel watched him as he moved. He looked at her steadily while he removed his clothing but there was no tender smile or gentle teasing. His face was solemn, stern even. A small muscle ticked in his jaw; something that only happened when he was angry or withholding something.