them. Her breasts heaved up against his chest; her hand wrapped around his side and rested against his scars.
âMight I suggest we test the water before we eat?â Amelia kissed his chin.
Sweeping her right off her feet, Nick set her in the water, stripped out of his clothes, and followed her in. And as promised, they indulged in every sense imaginable.
C HAPTER F OUR
N ick took Ameliaâs arm and led her down to the dining room. It seemed odd that her nerves would strike her at such a time as this and that she felt panicked at the prospect of seeing his friends now. They hadnât attended their own wedding dinner, her feigning tiredness, which was the same excuse that had kept her from spending time with anyone for the past week, one she felt less guilty about using as the days passed. It seemed easier to hide in her room. It was easier to avoid everyoneâs questioning glances and speculating expressions altogether, but that was no longer an option.
She would hold her head up high.
She would be brave in the face of their missing adversary, Shauley. And she would thank everyone for the help theyâd provided over the past week.
âDo you think your friends will be upset we didnât join them last night?â
Nick patted her hand like one might do with an aging grandmother. âNot at all.â
He was pulling away from her emotionally. Putting a rift between them that she stupidly thought would be fixed once they married. How wrong she had been. Intimacy aside, it felt like they were growing farther apart. She needed to fix this. Now, all she needed to figure out was how. Hot, sultry nights didnât seem to be the end-all and be-all solution.
Amelia placed her gloved hand against her cheek. She was hot and positive she still blushed. A combination she was sure Lady Burleyâs cosmetiques could not fully mask.
âWhat is it?â Nick asked, his hand squeezing hers.
âIâm worried about what your friends will think of me. Of our actions,â she whispered, not wanting anyone milling about the inn to hear what she had to say. Even though she was putting on a brave face, she still hated that anyone would think less of her.
âI can assure you that they have likely done the same.â
âThat doesnât help cool my embarrassment at being caught in your bed at all,â she responded and was stopped from saying more when they opened the stained-glass double doors to a private dining room. The round table was almost as large as the room and covered in a cream-colored tablecloth. Dark wood paneling marched three quarters of the way up the walls, while the vaulted ceiling was painted hunter green. It was a cozy room that could be sectioned off for private functions.
Lord Burley stood on their arrival and came forward to take her hand. He kissed the back of it.
âA pleasure to see you both,â Lord Burley said. Not a hint of censure in his tone.
âI have already arranged for tea and coffee to be brought in,â Lady Burley said.
âI apologize for our tardiness,â Amelia said shyly, though she forced herself to look Lady Burley in the eye without flinching in discomfort.
âIâd have been worried if you were more punctual.â Lord Burley said this to Nick with a wink. Amelia could feel her face flushing anew.
âWhat are your plans today?â Lady Burley asked the men, obviously trying to change the topic.
âHuxley will be arriving later this afternoon,â Nick responded. Huxley was Nickâs right-hand man and once filled the role of secretary. Huxley took over some of Nickâs business interests when Amelia had moved into the house and agreed to work as Nickâs secretary.
âHas your sister already left?â Amelia asked Nick. Sheâd only had a glimpse of Sera at the wedding and had regretted not being able to spend time with her the day before.
âThe school keeps her busy during the week.
âMight I suggest we test the water before we eat?â Amelia kissed his chin.
Sweeping her right off her feet, Nick set her in the water, stripped out of his clothes, and followed her in. And as promised, they indulged in every sense imaginable.
C HAPTER F OUR
N ick took Ameliaâs arm and led her down to the dining room. It seemed odd that her nerves would strike her at such a time as this and that she felt panicked at the prospect of seeing his friends now. They hadnât attended their own wedding dinner, her feigning tiredness, which was the same excuse that had kept her from spending time with anyone for the past week, one she felt less guilty about using as the days passed. It seemed easier to hide in her room. It was easier to avoid everyoneâs questioning glances and speculating expressions altogether, but that was no longer an option.
She would hold her head up high.
She would be brave in the face of their missing adversary, Shauley. And she would thank everyone for the help theyâd provided over the past week.
âDo you think your friends will be upset we didnât join them last night?â
Nick patted her hand like one might do with an aging grandmother. âNot at all.â
He was pulling away from her emotionally. Putting a rift between them that she stupidly thought would be fixed once they married. How wrong she had been. Intimacy aside, it felt like they were growing farther apart. She needed to fix this. Now, all she needed to figure out was how. Hot, sultry nights didnât seem to be the end-all and be-all solution.
Amelia placed her gloved hand against her cheek. She was hot and positive she still blushed. A combination she was sure Lady Burleyâs cosmetiques could not fully mask.
âWhat is it?â Nick asked, his hand squeezing hers.
âIâm worried about what your friends will think of me. Of our actions,â she whispered, not wanting anyone milling about the inn to hear what she had to say. Even though she was putting on a brave face, she still hated that anyone would think less of her.
âI can assure you that they have likely done the same.â
âThat doesnât help cool my embarrassment at being caught in your bed at all,â she responded and was stopped from saying more when they opened the stained-glass double doors to a private dining room. The round table was almost as large as the room and covered in a cream-colored tablecloth. Dark wood paneling marched three quarters of the way up the walls, while the vaulted ceiling was painted hunter green. It was a cozy room that could be sectioned off for private functions.
Lord Burley stood on their arrival and came forward to take her hand. He kissed the back of it.
âA pleasure to see you both,â Lord Burley said. Not a hint of censure in his tone.
âI have already arranged for tea and coffee to be brought in,â Lady Burley said.
âI apologize for our tardiness,â Amelia said shyly, though she forced herself to look Lady Burley in the eye without flinching in discomfort.
âIâd have been worried if you were more punctual.â Lord Burley said this to Nick with a wink. Amelia could feel her face flushing anew.
âWhat are your plans today?â Lady Burley asked the men, obviously trying to change the topic.
âHuxley will be arriving later this afternoon,â Nick responded. Huxley was Nickâs right-hand man and once filled the role of secretary. Huxley took over some of Nickâs business interests when Amelia had moved into the house and agreed to work as Nickâs secretary.
âHas your sister already left?â Amelia asked Nick. Sheâd only had a glimpse of Sera at the wedding and had regretted not being able to spend time with her the day before.
âThe school keeps her busy during the week.
Similar Books
