by Wolf, Bree
His mouth curled up teasingly while his eyes narrowed slightly. “Are you saying you are displeased?”
Christina chuckled; she could not help it. “I am not. I’m merely surprised.”
“You did not think me thoughtful?”
Christina tried to pull her hands from his, but he would not release her. “I know you can be thoughtful,” she admitted freely. “However, it is rare for husbands to be that thoughtful.”
Thorne leaned closer, his hands tightening upon hers and pulling her forward. “Husbands?” he asked in a throaty whisper. “Or gentlemen?”
Christina felt her breath quicken with every inch that was lost between them. “Are you saying there is an upside to not being a gentleman?”
He grinned at her. “I am pleased you grasped my meaning with such ease. That bodes well for us.” His hands finally released hers but only to slide up her arms and then settle upon her back, urging her even closer into his embrace.
Christina looked up at him, suddenly feeling bold and…yes, dauntless. Had he not used that word for her before? “Are you expecting a happy marriage, Sir?”
He lowered his head to hers. “Fully,” he whispered, and she could feel his breath against her lips.
Heat surged through her, and her knees once more began to feel unsteady as though no longer able to perform their task of holding her upright. “Are you planning on taking liberties, Sir?” she teased him, marveling at the ease with which the words left her lips.
Her husband chuckled as his gaze strayed to her mouth so temptingly close to his own. “Is it liberties if we are married?”
Christina longed for his kiss. Yet she could not help herself. “Is it your opinion then, that a wife has to submit to her husband’s wishes no matter how she feels?”
He rolled his eyes at her in a slightly exasperated way, and a chuckle drifted from his lips. “Are you determined to twist my words for the remainer of our marriage?”
Christina grinned at him. “I must admit it is a tempting suggestion.”
He returned her smile before the expression upon his face sobered. His eyes remained upon hers as his left hand once more slipped into her hair as it had the night before. “I would never take without consent.”
Sincerity shone in his eyes; and Christina longed to hear it again. “Never?”
“Never,” he vowed, holding her close. “You have my word.” He leaned his forehead against hers, his breath fanning over her lips. “Trust me, Chris. I will not hurt you. Never. I’m not the man you once thought me to be.”
Christina knew his words to be true. Indeed, she had robbed Sarah of a most wonderful husband. The thought was like a stab to her heart, and Christina almost groaned at the sudden sense of agony it brought. She felt herself being drawn into that dark place she had visited so often these past few days.
However, before she could succumb to it, something furious deep inside her roared loudly. No! Guilt and shame and regret had no place here! Not tonight!
Without thought, Christina pushed herself up onto her toes and claimed her first kiss as a wife.
As expected, her husband needed no persuasion. He responded to her kiss with the same passion that simmered in her own veins. She felt one of his hands in the back of her neck while the other remained on her lower back. His heart beat as fast as her own, a soft, yet powerful thud against her ribcage.
Thorne nibbled her lower lip, then deepened their kiss as his hands slid over her back. She felt a soft tug and then another and finally realized that he was undoing her laces.
Although curiosity shot through Christina’s veins, urging her to allow him, somewhere in the back of her head, she remembered the conversation she had had with her sisters about a fortnight ago.
According to the law, Mr. Sharpe will have every right to consummate your marriage on your wedding night.
He will not force me.
How do you know? Yours is not a love match, and only a husband who loves his wife can be trusted to treat her with the necessary consideration.
“Wait,” Christina whispered, pulling away. Her breath came fast as she looked up at him, then slowly shook her head. “I cannot.”
A slight frown came to his face, and she could see no small measure of disappointment in his gaze. “You cannot?” he asked as his hands pulled her back against him. “Are you certain?” His head dipped lower and brushed a quick kiss onto her lips.
Christina once more pulled away, realizing that doubt remained. She wanted to trust him, but the truth was that he had not yet earned her trust…and she needed him to.
She wanted him to.
Never would she feel truly at ease with him, safe with him if she did not know that he would respect her wishes even if they went against his own.
“Not tonight,” she told him, pushing his arms away. “I cannot.”
Thorne inhaled a deep breath. “Are you certain you’re not curious to experience those unspeakable things you’ve heard whispered for yourself?” He grinned at her.
“I am curious,” Christina admitted, all but holding her breath. “But not tonight. It’s too…too soon.”
For a moment, he simply looked at her, and she was not certain what went on in his head. Then he sighed and smiled at her. “As you wish, my dear.”
Christina felt her whole body relax as her husband took a step back, that inconveniently endearing smile still upon his face. Indeed, he could be a gentleman if he wanted to!
As though to prove her wrong, though, he winked at her then and asked, “Do you want me to help you with your laces? I suppose I could lend a hand.” A wide grin decorated his face as he lifted his hands as though to show that he was no threat. “It was merely an offer. Nothing more.”
Unable not to, Christina returned his grin. “You truly are a most irritating man.”
He chuckled. “So I have heard. Many, many times.” With his eyes on her, Thorne inched toward the door that separated their chambers. “Although I have to say, Wife, you do not seem to truly mind.”
Christina gritted her teeth to keep from laughing. “Is that so? Do you honestly believe you know me that well?”
Opening the door, her husband stopped on the threshold. “Every day with you teaches me a little something more. I cannot wait to see what tomorrow will bring. Good night, Chris.” Again, he smiled that utterly infuriating smile.
Deciding that it was best to simply ignore him, Christina made to turn away, but then stopped when she found him looking back at her over his shoulder. “May I ask?” he inquired, a slow smile stealing onto his face. “Did I pass your test?”
Christina wanted to slap him! “You truly are the most irritating man I’ve ever met!”
He laughed. “So you keep saying.”
“Because it is true. In fact, you seem to be becoming more irritating with each new day.”
Thorne grinned at her. “And you like it.”
“I hate it!” Christina insisted. Once more finding her hands settling upon her hips, she tried her absolute best to glare at her most impertinent husband.
“You just keep telling yourself that,” he chuckled and then closed the door behind him.
Christina remained standing where she was, staring at the closed door and wondering how on earth she had come to be here. Her life had changed so drastically in a matter of weeks, and although she had done little else but think about all its implications day after day, a part of her still felt a sense of disbelief.
She was married!
She was married to Mr. Thorne Sharpe!
She was married to a man…she was beginning to care for. As irritating as he could be, he also made her feel…
Was there a word that would truly, fittingly describe this feeling of magical detachment? That sense that somehow she was not quite here? That she was floating and drifting? As though on a cloud?
Heaving a deep breath, she sank down onto the stool in front of her new vanity, her gaze still fixed upon the door through which he had left.
Yes, he had honored her wishes although they had stood against his own. It was a reassuring feeling. Perhaps she was not wrong to trust him, to believe that when he said something he meant it.
Only a husband who loves his wife can be trusted to treat her with the necessary consideration.
Again, her sister’s words echoed in her mind, and although Christina tried, she could not prevent an awfully besotted smile from sneaking onto her face. Was it possible? Could it be that he had shown consideration because at least a part of him had come to care for her? Was this not merely a business transaction for him, but perhaps something more?
Christina knew that she wanted it to be more.
But only the coming days would tell.
She hoped with all her heart that they would be happy ones.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
A Tumultuous Farewell
The moment Thorne awoke the following morning, his gaze immediately moved to the door connecting his own chamber to that of his wife. He longed to see her and was halfway across the room, his hand lifted to knock, before he stopped himself. Perhaps he ought to give her more time to herself in order to settle in. He doubted she would appreciate it if he were to simply burst into her chambers early in the morning before she had any chance to dress herself.
Although he had to admit that the thought was appealing!
Yet in order to prove his dear wife wrong, Thorne refrained from acting upon that impulse and instead dressed himself and then headed downstairs for breakfast. A certain sense of unease lingered in his bones, and he found himself pacing the breakfast parlor until the door opened and Christina entered.
“Good morning, Chris,” he greeted her, finding utter delight in this simple way of communication between them. No matter what she might honestly think of him, the beauty of their union was that they were able to speak to each other. “How did you sleep?” He could not help but wink at her, knowing that it would upset her.
Not because she truly was upset though, but simply because it seemed that she wanted to be upset with him.
And he had no intention of disappointing her.
“Oh, I slept quite well,” she replied as she seated herself across from him. “You don’t sit at the head of the table?” She glanced from him to the empty seat that should have been his.
Pulling out his own chair, Thorne shook his head. “I decided against it. I thought it would be more pleasant if we sat…closer together.” He winked at her. “And I thought seating myself here would discourage you from choosing your own seat at the other end of the table. It would seem my predictions were correct.”
Accepting a cup of tea, she looked at him curiously. “Does this mean I now need to be on my guard? To be manipulated by my own husband?”
He offered her a mock frown. “Manipulated is such an ugly word. I prefer to think of it as evidence that I simply know you better than you like to admit.”
Instead of answering, Christina sipped her tea, a calculating look in her eyes as though she were adjusting her impression of him. “Do you have any plans for today?”
Thorne swallowed, hoping that today would not end in a disaster. “In fact, I do.” He reached for his own cup, savoring the hot liquid as it flowed over his tongue. “As I told you last night, I have purchased a new estate, and I would very much like for you to see it.”
Christina paused. “You wish to travel there today?” A slight frown came to her face, and he could see that she suspected that he was holding something back.
Which, of course, he was.
Thorne nodded. “Would you mind? Of course, if you like we can stop by at your parents’ house, bid everyone farewell and extend an invitation for them to visit us at their earliest convenience.”
Although her features had tensed at the thought of saying goodbye to her family, a small smile teased the corners of her mouth when he spoke of inviting them to their new home. “You would not mind?”
It seemed that perhaps he had not quite yet passed her test. “They are your family, and I hope that one day they will see me as family as well. Our home shall always be open to them.”
That small smile upon her face slowly grew as she looked at him, her blue eyes beginning to sparkle in a way that warmed his heart. “Perhaps you are not as bad as I thought after all,” she told him with a teasing look in her eyes.
“I will take that as a compliment,” Thorne told her, grateful for the deeper meaning of those few simple words.
His wife nodded. “You should. You definitely should.”
While Thorne’s staff busied themselves with packing their belongings that morning, Thorne escorted his new wife to her family’s townhouse. They had sent quick notes to Lord and Lady Barrington as well as Lord and Lady Pemberton asking them to meet them there as well.
Thus, the whole family was gathered when they arrived.
Thorne was well aware of the cautious looks her two married sisters cast in his direction, their eyes lingering upon their sister’s face before turning to him. He saw questions in their eyes that whispered of concern, and he hoped that Christina would put their minds at ease once they had a chance to speak to one another.
Lord Whickerton and his son proved equally curious about how Christina had fared these past few hours as his wife. They were less direct in their approach; however, Christina’s brother once more uttered a kindly phrased warning.
But a warning, nonetheless.
Knowing that their hostility toward him as well as their distrust stemmed from a place of deepest love for one of their own made it easier for Thorne not to feel offended. What he witnessed was loyalty and devotion, traits that were rare in the world and therefore, all the more precious. He knew it to be so because he could not recall ever having had anyone to stand by him the way Christina’s family stood by her.
“Before you leave,” the youngest Whickerton sister Harriet said to Christina, her green eyes slightly misted with tears, “I have something to give to you. I hope it will make you smile, and I hope it will make you remember me.” She quickly slipped out of the drawing room and into the hall, only to reappear a moment later, a cage in her hand and a slightly ruffled-looking parrot within.
“Oh, you cannot be serious!” Christina exclaimed the moment her eyes fell on the feathered animal. “You must be jesting!” Lifting her hands as though in defense, she backed away.
Thorne frowned, looking from his wife to her sister and then at the parrot. “You don’t like birds?” he inquired carefully, sensing a deeper meaning behind this rather unexpected gift.
Christina looked at him. “I don’t like that bird!”
“Why not?”
Her jaw dropped in utter disbelief as though the reason should be obvious. He could see that she was all but searching for words to explain but could not discover any that would do her objections justice.
“His name is King Arthur,” Harriet explained as she moved farther into the room holding the cage out to Christina. Her gaze moved to Thorne when she realized that Christina would not accept her gift. “He is a most loyal and watchful friend, and he will make you smile when you most need it.” With another glance at Christina, she turned to him and held out the cage. “Please, take it with you. I know you shall take good care of him until I come to visit.”
With another look at his fuming wife, Thorne finally took the cage, wondering if she would hold it against him. “Thank you for your…kindness, Lady Harriet.” He looked at the ruffled-looking parrot, its ruby-red feathers shimmering and its eyes wide as it seemed to consider all those crowded around it. “King Arthur,” Thorne mumbled incredulously. “What a...a fitting name.”
Lady Harriet clapped her hands. “Yes, I thought so too.”
Thorne was about to reply when the parrot suddenly stretched and turned its head. “Pretty bird. Pretty bird.”
Thorne almost dropped the cage. “It speaks?”
Lady Harriet nodded eagerly. “Yes, he does. He’s a most clever bird.”
Lo
oking around at his wife’s family, Thorne spied expressions of suppressed laughter on almost every face. It would seem that the bird and Lady Harriet’s devotion to it were a much-discussed topic. While she truly seemed to adore it, her family appeared to consider the bird a bit of a nuisance or at least a welcome source of amusement.
Thorne turned to look at his new sister-in-law. “Thank you, Lady Harriet, for such a wonderful gift. I can see that he means a lot to you, and I promise that we shall take good care of him.”
Fresh tears brimmed in Lady Harriet’s eyes, and she swallowed hard. “Thank you,” she choked out. “Thank you so much.”
Turning to look at his wife, Thorne could see that Christina had finally realized the meaning of her sister's gift. While Christina might not like the bird, Lady Harriet was clearly giving away a dear friend, thus stating clearly how much her sister meant to her and how deeply she would be missed.
The two sisters embraced, tears running down both their cheeks. “You know I can’t stand that bird,” Christina whispered before pulling away and brushing the tears off her little sister’s face. “However, I’m glad you’re not giving me the toad.”
Lady Harriet laughed, and then everyone else joined in. As though not wishing to be excluded, the parrot’s head snapped up. “The toad. The toad,” King Arthur squawked, a strangely serious expression upon his feathered face.
Thorne grinned. “I think I like him.” That statement unfortunately earned him a somewhat incredulous look from his wife.
After another half hour of tearful embraces and warmest well wishes, Thorne finally escorted his wife into the carriage. To her dismay, he seated the parrot beside him before they turned to wave to her family as the carriage began to rumble down the street.
After turning a corner, Christina finally sat back in her seat as her eyes fell on their traveling companion. “I cannot believe she made me take the bird.”
Thorne chuckled. “She clearly meant well. It is most obvious that she adores King Arthur.”
His wife rolled her eyes. “Must you call it that?”
