Baron of Blasphemy (Lords of Scandal 12)

She wanted to. But she didn’t.

She’d caught a glimpse of his manhood the night before. It was…as large as the rest of him. Certainly, she’d been a bit afraid but also excitement had made her ache when she’d looked at him.

Abigail didn’t need that now. She had to face the day as a…well…a virgin bride.

She let out a small sigh as she twisted the next piece of hair. “Good morning.”

He didn’t answer and instead crossed over to her in the chair. With quick nimble fingers he stopped her hand from pinning the lock and with his other hand, pulled out the pin she’d already put into place.

She opened her mouth to ask what he was doing when he dropped his face to her hair, his cheek landing on the top of her head even as his fingers buried in her long tresses. “Your hair is beautiful.”

“Thank you,” she said, pleasure zipping through her at his touch even as he moved the hair, making it tickle her back.

He slid the scruff on his jaw down her head and then he swept the hair to the side, kissing the shell of her ear. A shiver slid down her body despite the heat of the room. He kissed lower, his lips brushing down the back of her neck.

Her night rail was sleeveless, and he trailed his fingers down the skin of her arm, raising goose pimples all along the flesh. When his hand reached hers, he laced his fingers into hers . “How did you sleep?”

That made her smile. “Very well. I was the warmest I’ve been in months.”

He chuckled at that, the sound vibrating against her skin as he kissed the place where her neck and shoulders met.

“I’m going to go downstairs to secure our breakfast. I’ll give you a few minutes of privacy?”

She gave a quick nod and with a last kiss, he straightened again.

She turned to look back at him, catching his grimace before he turned back to his clothing.

Why did he look upset? Was he disappointed about how their wedding night had gone?

She was disappointed, he must be. He actually knew what they’d missed. Or did he not care that he hadn’t bed her?

He finished dressing and started for the door. “I’ll be right back.”

She nodded as she began pinning her hair again. What if he didn’t care? Did he already have a paramour? Theirs was not a match of love or even affection. She was a means to an end. What if he never planned to bed her?

But surely he must want an heir?

Swallowing, she tried to calm her spinning thoughts. She meant to teach him about love, and these doubts weren’t helping.

Quickly, she pinned her hair, washed and dressed in the new gown.

She’d debated for a moment, donning the brown dress. She understood insecurity. Better than many. It was difficult to be shown up by people one loved the most.

But she wanted to make a good first impression today and she wished for her husband to find her attractive.

She pulled the covers back over the bed and then sat down, folding her hands to wait. It didn’t take long before Chad returned with a tray.

They ate in relative silence, but Abigail gave her husband several long glances. Surely he did want her, didn’t he? Why else would he touch her as he had this morning?

What a long day it was going to be in the carriage. She tried to hide a sigh. Was consummating a marriage always this complicated?

* * *

Chad loaded Abigail into the carriage, snapping the door closed as he stood outside.

“What are you doing?” Vanity asked behind him.

He pivoted, glaring at his friend. “Don’t sneak up on me like that.”