The Reluctant Marquess Read Online Free PDF

sliding across hers. His arm tightened around her. She felt engulfed by him and had to admit she liked it. Her breath caught and her whole body felt odd. How extraordinary it was, how natural and intimate. She enjoyed the smell of him, musk, leather and male. She’d never been clasped in a man’s arms. It was not a peck like her father might have given her, but a deeply probing kiss which stirred in her body unfamiliar and very pleasant feelings, a yearning low in her stomach and a strange tension in her thighs; even her nipples tingled. When he pulled away, she almost staggered and reached out to him. Dropping her hands to her sides, she tried to gain some measure of calm acceptance, as if this was an everyday occurrence, while hoping he would kiss her again.
    Apparently he didn’t feel the need for it, or the desire, for he merely smiled and turned away to untie the horses. She glanced shyly at him from under the brim of her hat as he gave her a leg up into the saddle. He seemed absorbed in his own thoughts as he mounted and reined in alongside her. They rode back to the castle, with Charity reliving the feeling of his arms around her and his mouth on hers. She had wanted to gain his respect, to make him understand that he could not take everything he wanted from her, but she already regretted making such a demand. If she’d known how much she’d enjoyed him kissing her, she might not have said it.
    But to take it back now would not only make her seem foolish, it would give him carte blanche to do with her what he wanted. And while that caused her to suffer a shiver of anticipation, it might not be wise.
    “We’ll have to arrange for a new wardrobe of clothes for you,” he said glancing over at her attire. “A marchioness cannot appear in society looking poverty-stricken. I would be viewed poorly by the ton.”
    “Not to mention my embarrassment, my lord,” Charity said, stinging tears forming in her eyes. She was right. He was angry with her. Well, now she was angry with him. She was glad she’d refused him his rights.
    He turned to look at her. “I don’t mean to offend you, Charity. Surely you must agree.”
    “Yes, of course I do.”
    “Exactly. Let’s give these horses a gallop.”
    The gallop was exactly what they both needed. He rode ahead on his strong stallion and she was left to admire how well he appeared in the saddle. His seat was truly admirable. She wondered in how many things did he excel. Random thoughts wandered from the playing of an instrument to his prowess in the bedchamber and heated her face. She was glad of the fresh cooling sea breeze as she approached the bridge where Robert waited for her.
    A gabble rose from the ducks and swans crowding beneath the willow fronds on the river. When she joined him again, she said, “Where will home be?”
    He tipped back his hat with a finger. “Do you know I haven’t given it much thought? I don’t wish to live here, do you?”
    Delighted to be asked, she said, “I don’t mind where I live.”
    But not alone. “I love it here, are the other choices as charming?”
    He looked relieved. “You may choose between here and Hertfordshire if you wish. The house there is far more comfortable. I shall spend most of my time in London. You are welcome to enjoy the Season there as I’ve said.”
    He had said it as an afterthought and he’d rather she didn’t.
    Charity clenched her jaw, longing to give him a crushing set-down. “Perhaps I’ll live in Italy,” she said, tossing her head, and was pleased when he swivelled to stare at her.
    “Italy?” he queried, drawing his mount alongside hers.
    “If I’m to spend most of my time alone, I fancy Italy shall suit my needs splendidly. I believe it has a pleasant climate, and the people are warm. The men especially.” She urged her horse ahead of him and left him to mull over what she had said, relishing the surprised glance he had cast her.
    The next day, Robert departed for Doctors Commons,