discussing certain matters, not I."
"I give you fair warning, this is not a matter you will care to discuss."
"Nonsense. If you are having difficulty sleeping, I am certain there is a better
cure than port."
"On that we agree. The question, my dear, is whether you are willing to provide
the cure."
The lazy, taunting quality of his voice brought her head up swiftly. She found
herself looking straight into his glittering green gaze. And suddenly she
understood.
"I see," she managed to say calmly. "I had not realized our agreement would
cause you such physical discomfort, my lord."
"Now that you are aware of it, would you care to consider releasing me from my
bond?"
A length of embroidery floss snapped in her hand. Sophy glanced down at the
dangling threads. "I thought everything was going rather well, my lord," she
said distantly.
"I know you did. You have been enjoying yourself here at Eslington Park, haven't
you, Sophy?"
"Very much, my lord."
"Well, so have I. In certain respects. But in other respects, I am finding this
honeymoon extremely tiresome." He tossed off the remainder of the port. "Damned
tiresome. The fact is, our situation is unnatural, Sophy."
She sighed with deep regret. "I suppose this means you would prefer that we cut
short our honeymoon?"
The empty crystal glass snapped between his fingers. Julian swore and dusted the
delicate shards from his hands. "It means," he stated grimly, "that I would like
to make this a normal marriage. It is my duty as well as my pleasure to insist
that we do so."
"Are you so very anxious to get on with producing your heir?"
"I am not thinking about my future heir at the moment. I am thinking about the
current Earl of Ravenwood. I am also thinking about the present Countess of
Ravenwood. The chief reason you are not suffering as I am, Sophy, is because you
do not yet know what you are missing."
Sophy's temper flared. "You need not be so odiously condescending, my lord. I am
a country girl, remember? I have been raised around animals all my life and I
have been called in to help with the birthing of a babe or two in my time. I am
well aware of what goes on between husband and wife and, to be truthful, I do
not believe I am missing anything terribly elevating."
"It is not intended to be an intellectual exercise, madam. It is a physical
pursuit."
"Like riding a horse? If you don't mind my saying so, it sounds rather less
rewarding. At least when one rides a horse, one accomplishes something useful
such as arriving at a given destination."
"Perhaps it is time you learned what sort of destination awaits you in the
bedchamber, my dear."
Julian was on his feet, reaching for her before Sophy quite realized what was
happening. He snatched her embroidery from her fingers and tossed it aside. Then
his arms went around her and he dragged her close against him. She knew when she
looked up into his intent face that this would not be just one more of the
coaxing, persuasive good-night kisses she had been receiving lately.
Alarmed, Sophy pushed at his shoulders. "Stop it, Julian. I have told you I do
not wish to be seduced."
"I'm beginning to think it's my duty to seduce you. This damned agreement of
yours is too hard on me, little one. Have pity on your poor husband. I shall
undoubtedly expire from sheer frustration if I am obliged to wait out the three
months. Sophy, stop fighting me.'
"Julian, please—"
"Hush, my sweet." His thumb moved along the edge of her soft mouth, tracing the
contours. "I gave you my word I would not force you and I will keep my oath even
if it kills me. But I have a right to try to change your mind and that, by God,
is exactly what I intend to do. I've given you ten days to get used to the idea
of being married to me. That is nine days longer than any other man would have
allowed in this situation.'
His mouth came down on hers with sudden, fierce demand. Sophy had been right.
This was not another of the
"I give you fair warning, this is not a matter you will care to discuss."
"Nonsense. If you are having difficulty sleeping, I am certain there is a better
cure than port."
"On that we agree. The question, my dear, is whether you are willing to provide
the cure."
The lazy, taunting quality of his voice brought her head up swiftly. She found
herself looking straight into his glittering green gaze. And suddenly she
understood.
"I see," she managed to say calmly. "I had not realized our agreement would
cause you such physical discomfort, my lord."
"Now that you are aware of it, would you care to consider releasing me from my
bond?"
A length of embroidery floss snapped in her hand. Sophy glanced down at the
dangling threads. "I thought everything was going rather well, my lord," she
said distantly.
"I know you did. You have been enjoying yourself here at Eslington Park, haven't
you, Sophy?"
"Very much, my lord."
"Well, so have I. In certain respects. But in other respects, I am finding this
honeymoon extremely tiresome." He tossed off the remainder of the port. "Damned
tiresome. The fact is, our situation is unnatural, Sophy."
She sighed with deep regret. "I suppose this means you would prefer that we cut
short our honeymoon?"
The empty crystal glass snapped between his fingers. Julian swore and dusted the
delicate shards from his hands. "It means," he stated grimly, "that I would like
to make this a normal marriage. It is my duty as well as my pleasure to insist
that we do so."
"Are you so very anxious to get on with producing your heir?"
"I am not thinking about my future heir at the moment. I am thinking about the
current Earl of Ravenwood. I am also thinking about the present Countess of
Ravenwood. The chief reason you are not suffering as I am, Sophy, is because you
do not yet know what you are missing."
Sophy's temper flared. "You need not be so odiously condescending, my lord. I am
a country girl, remember? I have been raised around animals all my life and I
have been called in to help with the birthing of a babe or two in my time. I am
well aware of what goes on between husband and wife and, to be truthful, I do
not believe I am missing anything terribly elevating."
"It is not intended to be an intellectual exercise, madam. It is a physical
pursuit."
"Like riding a horse? If you don't mind my saying so, it sounds rather less
rewarding. At least when one rides a horse, one accomplishes something useful
such as arriving at a given destination."
"Perhaps it is time you learned what sort of destination awaits you in the
bedchamber, my dear."
Julian was on his feet, reaching for her before Sophy quite realized what was
happening. He snatched her embroidery from her fingers and tossed it aside. Then
his arms went around her and he dragged her close against him. She knew when she
looked up into his intent face that this would not be just one more of the
coaxing, persuasive good-night kisses she had been receiving lately.
Alarmed, Sophy pushed at his shoulders. "Stop it, Julian. I have told you I do
not wish to be seduced."
"I'm beginning to think it's my duty to seduce you. This damned agreement of
yours is too hard on me, little one. Have pity on your poor husband. I shall
undoubtedly expire from sheer frustration if I am obliged to wait out the three
months. Sophy, stop fighting me.'
"Julian, please—"
"Hush, my sweet." His thumb moved along the edge of her soft mouth, tracing the
contours. "I gave you my word I would not force you and I will keep my oath even
if it kills me. But I have a right to try to change your mind and that, by God,
is exactly what I intend to do. I've given you ten days to get used to the idea
of being married to me. That is nine days longer than any other man would have
allowed in this situation.'
His mouth came down on hers with sudden, fierce demand. Sophy had been right.
This was not another of the
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