‘I’m sorry.’
‘Don’t be. That was...’ She shook her head as if she were at a loss for words though her eyes were glowing. They looked blue again, as if the storm clouds had passed, leaving a clear cerulean sky.
‘Good?’ Not that he wanted to put words in her mouth, but the answer was more than a little important to him.
‘Better than that.’ She rolled on to her side and propped herself up on one elbow. ‘Wonderful.’
‘I’m glad you enjoyed it.’ Remorse subsided, turning to relief as he propped himself up, too, mirroring her position. ‘I didn’t hurt you?’
‘Only a little, but it passed quickly.’
‘It won’t be painful next time.’
‘Then I’ll look forward to it even more.’
‘As will I.’ He slid one arm behind her head, pulling her into the crook of his shoulder.
‘It wasn’t what I expected.’
‘What do you mean?’ He tensed again. ‘What did you expect?’
‘My aunt said it was something to be endured.’
‘I thought you said your aunt had a happy marriage?’
‘She does—and five children. Maybe she only meant at the start of a marriage.’
‘Well then, I hope we’ve started as we mean to go on.’
‘So do I.’ She turned over, rolling on to her stomach and propping her chin on his chest. ‘Did I do it right?’
‘Right?’ he growled and dropped a kiss on to her nose. ‘I think you may be a natural. Didn’t I convince you how right it was?’
‘Maybe you ought to show me again so I can be sure.’
‘I will. Soon. Only you’ll probably be sore for a while. We ought to wait.’
‘For how long?’
‘Not long.’ He laughed at her indignant tone, lifting a few strands of hair and twisting them around his fingers. ‘I don’t think I’ll be able to last more than a few hours, to be honest.’
‘Good.’
‘Although there are other things we could do...’
‘Such as?’
‘All in good time.’ He laughed at the open curiosity in her voice. ‘As much as I’d like to spend the day in bed, there’s something important I need to talk to Alan about. Believe me, I wish it were otherwise.’
‘You mean about Adelaide?’
He dropped her hair again in surprise. ‘How did you...?’
‘Because it’s obvious he’s in love with her. Everyone must know.’
‘Hopefully not everyone.’ He drew his brows together, worried. ‘You know, she was the one who asked me to stay longer at Wintercott for his sake. I think perhaps she cares for him, too.’
‘It’s possible.’ Constance pursed her lips thoughtfully. ‘But I don’t know if it’s the same. She’s obviously unhappy, but it’s as though she’s withdrawn inside herself so that she can’t feel too much. I feel sorry for her. And when I think it could have been me...’