To Desire a Wicked Duke (Courtship Wars)

Tess lay back down and stared up at the canopy overhead, vaguely noting the flickering shadows made by the hearth fire’s flames. “How can you simply go to sleep?”

“It doesn’t seem I will be able to, with you flopping like a landed fish,” Rotham said dryly, rolling onto his back.

“I am sorry,” she apologized, without really meaning it. “But I cannot believe you are supposed to be a wicked rake and you are acting nothing like one.”

He laced his hands behind his head. “I cannot believe I am showing such remarkable restraint, having a beautiful woman in my bed and doing nothing but trying to sleep.”

It was some consolation that he thought her beautiful. But Tess doubted the suspense was as much of a hardship for him.

Why was he refusing to claim her virginity? she wondered. She had thought he was delaying out of consideration for her sensibilities. But he might be stalling simply to torment her. Or perhaps he wanted to make her plead with him to take her.

Well, she would not give him the satisfaction. Except that she would obviously suffer more than he would if she held stubbornly to her vow.…

Tess was deliberating what to say when Rotham spoke again. “I should think you would be curious to know what you are missing.”

“My friend Fanny told me what to expect tonight … how carnal relations are conducted.”

“Merely hearing a description of lovemaking is not the same as experiencing the real thing. You have to feel passion for yourself. I can give you great pleasure if you will allow me.”

“I don’t doubt it. Your reputation precedes you.”

He turned his head on the pillow to look at her. “Your friend Fanny cannot be your source. I have never been with her.”

“You have been with some of her colleagues.”

“What did Fanny say about me?”

“Just that you were a highly skilled lover. And that I should leave the seduction to you.”

“You should consider following her advice,” Rotham suggested. “You said you wanted to know about passion, remember? You may as well make use of this opportunity. As husband and wife, we can legitimately engage in carnal relations without inviting scandal.”

“I no longer fear scandal,” Tess replied. “That barn door is already wide open.”

Rolling onto his side, Rotham turned to face her. She could see his contemplative expression in the dim golden light. “True. So something else must be making you fret. Shall I guess? You worry that if you enjoy my lovemaking too much, it will give me the upper hand.”

How had he known her concern? Tess wondered.

Her surprise must have shown on her face, for he smiled. “I promise not to hold your enjoyment against you.”

“How gallant of you.”

“It would be more gallant if I overlooked my scruples and consummated our marriage whether you were eager or not.”

“You have scruples?” she rejoined.

“A few.”

“Imagine that.”

That glint of humor entered his eyes again. “Did anyone ever tell you that you have an insolent mouth?”

“No, never.”

“Well, you do.”

“That is because you bring out the worst in me.”

“I didn’t say your insolence was a bad thing. In fact I rather admire your sharp tongue. But I think you are purposely using it just now to keep me awake.”