Free At the Earl's Convenience by Maggi Andersen Page A

hands squeezed her waist and pulled her back against him. He was all sinew and muscle, his hands like iron, despite his illness. But his fingers gentled when he cradled her face, and she stilled as he lowered his mouth to hers. He was experienced, damn him, and knew what he was about, just how to pleasure her as he angled his head to take her top lip. Her head swam as desire surged through her body, and her fingers curled into her palms to prevent her from grasping his hair to pull him down to her.
    “I have yet to enjoy my marital rights,” he said in an accusatory tone. As if it was her fault. “Remove your gown, lady wife.”
    She couldn’t fight him, but neither did she obey his command. She sensed he was acting more out of frustration than desire. And she’d heard the rattle in his chest. Concerned, she escaped from the bed and clambered to her feet. Hands on her hips, she shook her head.
    “Devereux, you are still ill.”
    He rolled his eyes and sank back onto the pillows. “If I was myself, you’d be naked, and I’d be between your thighs by now.”
    Hot and bothered, she batted away the image filling her mind. “Let’s talk.” She hoped her rapid breathing didn’t give her away.
    With a heavy sigh, he crossed his arms. “Very well. Begin.”
    She sat on the chair. “I didn’t finish telling you about my discussion with the gamekeeper yesterday. I gave him your orders to leave some of the fallen trees to afford the game protection from foxes. Scullen tells me there’s no need to restock, for game birds have bred in large numbers. There’s a glut of deer too, and there’ll be a shortage of food for winter, so they must be culled and provide venison for the table. There’s a good supply of salmon in the river.”
    “I’ll be well enough to do some fishing soon. Have Frobisher bring down the rods and equipment from the attics. I’ll fish while you’re away.”
    He still wanted her to go. “If the weather is fine. Take care not to get wet. We are coming into winter. It would be most unwise.”
    He plucked at the sheet with restless fingers. “How long will you be gone?”
    “It will be at least a month.” She tried to read his expression. “Anne and the children will want me to spend time with them.”
    He nodded. “Of course. They must miss you.”
    She hurtled back to earth as reality struck. She’d hoped he’d begun to care for her and had expected him to protest at her lengthy stay. “When I return, we must talk.”
    “Oh?” He folded his arms.
    “We have not yet discussed what happened on our wedding day. I feel it stands between us.”
    His eyes narrowed. “I may be in a weakened state, madam, but you can only push me so far. I will tell you what I choose when I choose to.”
    “As you wish, my lord.” Furious, Selina dropped into a curtsey fit for a king and walked to the door.
    “Selina?”
    She turned. “My lord?”
    “When you return from Bath, you and I shall begin life as man and wife. I require an heir.”
    Still no explanation or apology. He was so sure of her. “How do you know I will return?”
    He frowned. “If you’re not back here by the end of the month, I’ll come and get you.”
    “What? And drag me home by my hair?”
    He gave a thin smile. “If I have to.”
    Selina went to her chamber to organize the packing. She trembled with a surfeit of emotions: anger and disappointment that he didn’t love or trust her enough with the truth and, to her great annoyance, an overriding desire for him to beg her not to go or, at the very least, come to fetch her away from Bath and make passionate love to her.
    She was fighting to protect her heart. If only she didn’t love him, she could live with him in quiet contentment. Even endure the prospect of him seeing other women, a practice common amongst the ton . But she hadn’t been born an aristocrat and was cursed with the morals of the gentry. Such a betrayal would eat her up. Was she fighting a battle that was