Free Prelude to a Scandal by Delilah Marvelle Page A

Bradford’s.
    Her heart pounded as she eyed the closed oak-paneled door. This was it. She was finally going to join the rest of the animal kingdom and glory in it.
    There was a curt knock. “Might I enter?” he asked in a cool, civil tone.
    At least he didn’t pounce in like a famished jackal. Though that might have actually been more exciting.
    “You may,” she called back.
    The door opened and the candles within the bedchamber wavered, shifting light and shadows across the length of the cream walls.
    Bradford’s large frame lingered in the doorway.
    She wet her lips, realizing the man wore only a long, green brocaded robe and hadn’t even bothered to place slippers on his bare feet. His chest, which was exposed by the open flap of the robe, displayed dark curling hairs.
    He stared at her with a raw intensity that made her stomach flutter and squeeze in marvelous anticipation.
    His dark eyes never left hers as he stepped into the room and banged the door shut behind him.
    She jumped and bit back a nervous little giggle. It was as if the man were making it known to every servant in the house that they were about to consummate their marriage. She sank deeper against the bed, her fingers fidgeting against the satin fabric of the coverlet. No more dreaming, no more wondering.
    Only doing.
    He approached slowly, the floorboards protesting beneath the weight of every movement he made. His continued silence, given what they were about to do, unnerved her a tad as she had no idea what he was feeling. Or thinking. The only thing she did know was that he wanted to do this. Just as she wanted to do this.
    He towered beside the bed. And lingered. “We don’t have to do this tonight.”
    She blinked and sat up. Was he daft? “I’ve waited two whole years for you to marry me and I am not about to wait another night to collect what is rightfully owed me.”
    Knowing there was no sense in letting him take the lead in this, as he clearly was reluctant, she decided to assume the one position she did know would please him. For if there was any man closer to a wild animal, it most certainly was Bradford.
    She lowered the coverlet down to her lap, painfully aware that her breasts were visible through the sheer fabric of her chemise, and scooted out from beneath the coverlet toward him. She tried to ignore his heated stare as she crawled to the edge of the bed where he stood.
    She turned, on all fours, and presented him promptly with her backside. She let out a shaky breath with a mix of anxiety and excitement. “Have at it.”
    There was a moment of complete silence.
    She paused and glanced over her shoulder.
    Bradford stood there quietly, his hands tightly fisted, and his eyes affixed to her backside. “Uh…” He winced as he cleared his throat. “I would prefer we not do it that way.”
    Embarrassed, she turned and plopped herself down onto her derrière. “I didn’t realize my backside was that unattractive,” she grumbled.
    He let out a strained laugh, his face flushing. “Far from it. I am the luckiest bastard alive.”
    Her cheeks grew unbearably hot. “Well, then, what is it?”
    His eyes captured hers. “With this being your first encounter, and my first in eight months, I recommend a different…position. I want this to be a pleasurable as well as memorable experience for both of us.” He moved even closer to where she sat.
    His eyes flicked over her breasts with blatant admiration as he gestured to the edge of the mattress before him, bidding her to come closer. “There is no need to be nervous. I can assure you, as of right now, I am far more nervous than you are. For this night will determine what we both can expect from here on out.”
    Oh, dear. She swallowed and hoped she didn’t disappoint him. Covering her breasts, she slid herself toward him, her chemise twisting and bundling up her bare legs. She settled before him and quickly shoved her chemise back down onto her legs which dangled off the edge of the