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released. She stood there unable to move; her eyes closed her mouth open. His deep sigh, like an ancient wind rustling over the crown of an oak tree, penetrated her skin and sank into her bones. She was pulled into closer embrace as her lips were reclaimed with unrestrained delight. Her lower lip held prisoner, it seemed only right that she capture his upper lip and restrain it before exploring his offered warmth. Euphoria filled her veins as she realised she was making the Hervey creature tremble. Reluctantly set free, she watched him open his eyes and smile as he licked his lips. He silently held her gaze, caressing her with the close rise and fall of his chest. “I like your eyes.”
    “They’re brown, my second favourite colour.”
    “What’s your favourite colour?”
    “Copper red, like living flames.”
    Juliana scowled as her stomach knotted, “Are you making fun of my hair?”
    “Sweetheart, your hair is a treasure. I know wigmakers who’d pay good money for your hair.”
    “Isn’t five thousand pounds enough? Will I wake up to find myself shorn like a dumb sheep?”
    “I’d rather fall on my sword than cut off your hair Sweetheart. I love your hair. I hope you’ll let me comb it for you one day. I used to comb my mother’s hair when she was ill. She said I was very gentle.”
    “I’m not letting you near my hair with a comb.”
    “You’re shivering...” Juliana shivered harder as warm hands ran up and down her bare arms.
    “I’m freezing. I need to change out of this stupid dress. I should have worn thick wool. It’s not as if anyone cares what I wear.”
    “I care.”
    She felt suddenly self-conscious, but he didn’t offer any compliments. Did he think she looked frumpy? “Mother uses the master suite; you’re three doors down from me.”
    “Do I have to sleep three doors down?”
    “Yes.”
    “I think you’d be warmer with a Hervey creature in your bed. I promise not to bite.”
    She scowled at his hopeful wink. “You’ll do your duty and go away. I’m not sharing my room or my bedding.”
    “As you wish...” Juliana’s fears of the evening ahead were forgotten as he took hold of her face with both hands and warmed her lips with a long kiss that sent a heat all the way to her toes. She felt an awful panic as he pulled away his lips, but then he pressed his nose to her cheek causing blissful peace. After an eternal moment he sighed, kissed her nose and stepped back. “I need to go out, but I’ll return later.” He turned and walked towards the door, but this time he stopped and looked back as if he wanted to say something, but he blew her a kiss and was gone. Feeling oddly disappointed she blindly made her way to her room where she waited up for her husband, until her teary eyes closed themselves and pulled her into nightmares of being financially dependent on a penniless husband.
Chapter 5
    After dining with his brothers, Hervey had an uncharacteristic urge to play dice. His brothers, fearful that their meal ticket would be murdered by his bride, encouraged him to visit a gaming hall where their seven orange heads drew eyes and sneers. Hervey’s run of luck continued as he mentally stewed his situation. His body demanded he run home and climb into his wife’s bed, but his heart had been given a taste of what he’d feel if his wife surrendered with love. The thought made him sigh with longing. The miracle of being Juliana’s husband was starting to pale against the prospect of winning her heart. Her kisses had tied his insides into the sweetest knot. He could no longer believe that making love to the woman he loved would quench his longing. He suddenly faced the prospect of feeling as unfulfilled bedding his beloved bride as he had pleasuring other men’s wives. He enjoyed making love, but it had always left him feeling hollow after the glow of pleasure faded. He wanted it to mean something; he wanted his beloved to crawl into his arms and make love to him with her heart