Are you well?
Her eyes widened at his heated tone. For a moment, she thought he might be angry with her, but then she saw that his anger was at her defense. It warmed her, though she could not be entirely comfortable in his presence.
Other than a surfeit of iced cakes, I am perfectly well. She made herself smile. I trust your ... meeting was successful.
Tolerably.
He seemed disinclined to say any more on the subject, and she was reluctant to press further. After all, their names were still drying on the parish register. She could not make demands of her husband so soon. According to her mother, at any rate. Throughout the day, Anne had received much advice from married women, most of it contradictory.
Be at all times silent and agreeable, else your husband will think you a termagant and shun your company.
Never allow your husband to dictate your actions or he will consider you weak and trifling, and shall not esteem you. Nothing ruins a marriage faster than lack of esteem between a man and his wife.
Which was it? Annes head spun with words, so many words, sly winks, and knowing smirks. Up to this day, she had passed her life in relative anonymity. Now it seemed the whole of her existence became the fodder for dozens of opinions, scores of eyes. She felt rather like a newborn vole forced out into the light, naked, blind, wriggling. Ideal prey.
From across the overheated chamber, Annes mother and several of her female relatives began walking toward her and Leo. The knowing smiles on their faces left little doubt as to their intention.
I believe it is time for them to put us to ... bed. Good Lord, she could barely get the word out, and she felt by turns hot and cold. The man standing beside her was about to join his body to hers in the most intimate way possibleand though she found him attractive, she barely knew him.
This distresses you.
She did not want him to think her unwilling to perform her marital responsibilities. After all, she had been taught that therein lay a womans primary function: the easing of a mans desires and the bearing of children.
Not at all, sir ... Leo. Only, there are certain aspects of a marriage that are ... private. And thisshe waved her hand toward the advancing womenmakes it all so very ... public.
Then Ill tell them to go to the Devil, he answered at once.
A shocked laugh escaped her. You can do no such thing.
He raised one brow. This is my house. You are my wife. Ill do anything I bloody well please. And if it makes you uncomfortable to have the whole damned household shoving us into bed together, then it wont happen.
She stared at him. Many things he said astonished her. Not merely his rough language in the presence of a woman, but his willingness to flout convention. Gazing up into his cool gray eyes, Anne could see how such a man not only blazed a path for himself through the old, ancient forest of entitlement, but also how he had earned the name Hellraiser. A man who cared little for others opinions, who did as he pleasedthe world was his to use or discard as he wanted. Without a backward glance for the smoldering devastation he left behind.
What a heady power that must be. And he was willing to exercise it on her behalf.
Truly, I do not mind.
As you like. He shrugged, the pull of velvet across his shoulders a testament not only to the tailors skill but the
physicality of the man beneath the fabric. Pure feminine appreciation tugged low in her belly. What must he look like without layers of clothing?
She realized in a mix of panic and anticipation that she would find out very soon.
Come, my child, Annes mother sang out, nearing. We must make you ready.
A chorus of cheers and some rather lewd suggestions resounded. Anne wondered if she might reduce to a pile of embarrassed ashes within the cage of her whalebone stays.
Head up, my lady wife. Leos whisper feathered warmly across her cheek, and edged excitement surged within her at the sensation. Show em your spirit.
She tilted her chin up, determined to prove herself as brave as she wanted to be. For Leos sakeand her own. This day marked her entry into true womanhood, and she was intent on crossing that threshold with a firm and unwavering step.
As she put her shoulders back, Leos gaze gleamed with admiration. He gave her a small nod, and she drew courage from it.
Anne allowed herself to be led away by her mother and her giggling kinswomen. The musicians sawed wildly on their instruments, filling the chamber with raucous sound, and the coarse laughter of men pushed Anne toward the door. Before she left, she sent one final glance over her shoulder, toward Leo. Men surrounded him, including the Hellraisers. A good thing Leo had a strong body, else he would have been on the floor from the force of the pounding on his back.
His darkened gaze met hers. Breath caught in her throat. Wickedly handsome. Her husband. Her body belonged to him now. Who is he?
And then she was pulled from the chamber. He disappeared from her sight. The next time she saw him, he would be there to take not just her maidenhead but the last vestiges of her innocence.