Having Patience Read Online Free PDF Page A

affair. Every nerve in Patience’s body was as taut as a violin string.
    From the lust-filled looks James gave her, she had no doubts that he’d read the short passage she had underlined.
    Even now, as he sat blandly discussing the reconvening of Parliament and the upcoming season’s festivities with their neighbor, the Earl of Waverly, James cast sidelong glances at her.
    Patience clenched her fists in her lap, praying no one would ask her to play the pianoforte or God forbid, to sing. Given her current state, both would be impossible.
    Warring emotions vied for prominence. Patience couldn’t decide whether it was dread or anticipation.
    A servant placed a dessert in front of her. “Thank you,” Patience said softly and as the staff served the others at the table, she took the opportunity to observe her husband.
    What did he think of her? She had not agreed to do much. The passage was short. And yet, it was a step. One tiny step.
    But it was a step Patience felt she needed to take. Perhaps it would even dispel the fear she needed to overcome her hesitation about submitting to James. Doubt surged. She dragged her bottom lip between her teeth. There was no turning back. She had agreed. It was out of her hands now. Out of her control. She’d chosen her passage.
    After supper, she would have no choice except to act out the scene in the book.
    James’s gaze converged with hers and Patience’s heart skipped a beat. The muscles in her stomach and thighs tensed. That little pulse throbbed between her legs and she felt herself grow damp with her desire.
    Panic began to well. No! It was an act. Merely an act. She could do this much. He had promised her he would go no further than she permitted.
    But what if he did?
    She drew in a breath that sent desire spiraling through her body. What if this one act pushed him to the limit and he decided to simply take what he wanted?
    Images of him rearing above her with her wrists pinned to the bed above her head raced in her brain. What was this wild need she had for him to dominate her? Why?
    There had been so many paragraphs in that book Patience had wanted to underline, that she’d wanted to try. Still, something prevented her from underlining more than she had.
    Waverly blotted his wiry whiskers with his napkin, cleared his throat and began droning again about people and places Patience did not know. She wanted to scream. This waiting was utter torture.
    James reluctantly dragged his gaze from his jittery bride and feigned interest in Waverly’s conversation. There would be another hour of conversation, at least. Dessert would be followed by brandies in the parlor and even more bland stories about high seasons long past.
    While Waverly yammered on, James thought back over the passage Patience had underlined. Each and every word repeated in his mind. He had expected a kiss, a simple touch, maybe going so far as to fondle her through her dressing gown—but what she’d underlined had surprised him.
    No. It had intrigued him.
    And right now, he hated himself for inviting Waverly into his home this evening.
    As he suspected, the evening dragged torturously by. Every minute seemed to last for hours and Waverly was so full of himself, he could not see that the newlyweds wanted to be alone.
    When, finally, Waverly asked a servant to fetch his hat and coat, James resisted the urge to sigh his relief aloud.
    Patience practically jumped to her feet. Ever the elegant lady, she smiled and bade Waverly goodbye, reiterating how welcome he was in her new home and how delightful the evening had been.
    James stood behind Waverly, eyeing his wife and resisting the urge to smile. Oh, but how coolly she lied when James knew how anxious she must be inwardly. He admired her, now more than ever.
    The dimples deepened at the corners of Patience’s mouth and James did smile. When her gaze met his, a jolt passed through him that sparked a steady throbbing in his trousers.
    James patted Waverly on the back