The Lady's Disgrace Read Online Free PDF Page B

fleeting moments they’d been able to spend together since their betrothal, she’d questioned him relentlessly on his plans for the school. Her enthusiasm for the project stunned him, as did her suggestions. He found in his future wife a vital and energetic partner with ideas to make the design of the school much more efficient. In fact, he’d sat speechless as she’d slid paper after paper under his nose with her ideas.
    But in all the times they discussed the plans and talked about various programs for the children, he’d found it hard to concentrate on her words. He’d watched her plump lips move, wanting to cover them with his own. His hands itched to feel the softness of her breasts that rose and fell with each breath. He ached to pull her onto his lap, feel her rounded bottom against his hardness.
    Thinking of those conversations now had him hard, forcing him to shift in the seat to ease the discomfort.
    Abigail jerked as the carriage hit a bump in the road. She blinked a few times as if confused, then her brows furrowed as she looked out the small window. She swung her gaze to him and a combination of confusion and mirth slid across her face as she clutched the strap in the carriage. “Bumpy ride.”
    “If you prefer, you can sit alongside me, and I’ll hold onto you.”
    She shook her head. “I’m fine over here. How long was I asleep?”
    “Not long. Only about fifteen minutes.”
    She stretched her muscles. “Do you mind if I read?”
    “Not at all. I’ve a book myself.” With dusk encroaching, he reached up and lit the lantern hanging alongside him, casting the space into a cozy niche.
    She reached into a small bag at her feet and withdrew a book. Opening to a page marked with a small card, she began to read.
    Joseph opened his book, but instead of reading, he watched her from under half-closed eyelids, observing her staring at the same page for over five minutes. Then he grinned at the fact that she held the book upside down.
    Suddenly the carriage hit a large hole in the road. “Oh!” Abigail’s book flew from her hands, and she landed on the floor, her skirts up around her knees. She glanced up at him, her face a bright red as she shoved her skirts down.
    Joseph reached for her and pulled her up alongside him. Abigail swatted at his hands when he tried to right her jacket. “I’m fine.” She smoothed her hair back, and scooted once more to the other side of the carriage, her forgotten tome still at her feet. “Do you suppose we might stop for tea?”
    “Of course.” He didn’t know whether to be amused or hurt that she was so quick to bat his hand away. Did she expect that he would never touch her?
    He tapped on the ceiling of the carriage as a signal to the driver to stop at the next posting inn.
    As it turned out, it was the inn where Joseph had planned to stop for the evening. He checked his timepiece. “It seems we will be partaking of dinner instead of tea.”
    “Goodness. Is it that late already?”
    “Almost seven.”
    “It will be good to be free of the coach and ease my muscles.”
    The footman opened the door, and Joseph jumped out, turning to assist Abigail. The warmth of her hand in his once more brought his attention to what lay ahead of them. His wedding night.
    “Mr. Fox, how nice to see you again.” The innkeeper greeted them as they entered the main room.
    “And you as well, Weston.” Joseph pulled Abigail forward. “I’m pleased to inform you I’ve recently married, and this is my wife, Lady Abigail Fox.”
    The man immediately bowed and pulled on his forelock. “Milady.”
    Abigail smiled in return before the innkeeper nodded to Joseph. “May I congratulate you on your marriage and your lovely bride?”
    “Thank you. May we have a private dining room?”
    “Of course. My wife will be happy to assist your lady to refresh herself.” He led them through the common dining area to a small room at the back. Even though it was early summer, a fire burned,