Chapter Three
S ara gripped the door handle as if her life depended on it. Her gaze darted around the suite, noticing the opulence. It was a far cry from her servant’s quarters. The Whethams had given her a decorated room near Mairi, but it didn’t hold the depth of their wealth as Somerville’s rooms. He didn’t have a simple bedchamber with a bed but multiple rooms to see to his needs. When he closed the door, it was to the sitting area, complete with chairs and a settee near the fireplace. A desk sat nestled in the corner with papers stacked in an orderly fashion.
Two other doors led to what she could only presume was a bathing area and his bedchamber. She gulped at the sight, and her imagination ran wild. What was his intention to ask her to accompany him? Did he pour them wine hoping to seduce her? The question she should ask was: should she flee? However, she already knew her answer by how she stayed rooted in place, waiting for his next move.
Somerville strode to her side with a glass of wine. “Would you mind joining me for a drink before we retire for the evening?”
Sara nodded, hypnotized by the dazzling smile he bestowed her. When he handed her the glass and their finger brushed, Sara had to bite back a sigh from his exquisite touch. She rushed past him to sit on the settee before her knees gave out from underneath her. She now understood how it was possible to swoon at a gentleman’s attention. She drank a gulp of wine to keep from embarrassing herself, only to choke on the potency of the flavored brew.
Somerville took the goblet from her hand. “’Tis best to sip the wine.”
Sara blushed. He must believe her to be a simpleminded village maiden and regretted tarnishing his reputation by marrying her. She bowed her head and folded her hands in her lap. It was best not to respond and allow him to lead the conversation, less she embarrassed herself more.
Somerville sighed as he placed the goblet on the table next to the settee. He took a seat next to her, because sitting across from her would defeat his intention. Also, he hoped to ease the tension between them by showing her they could be friends. However, when she stiffened next to him, he realized his every attempt today left her shyer than ever.
He lifted her chin with the soft brush of his fingers and offered her a reassuring smile. “I only thought to warn you about the wine because I noticed you do not engage in drinking spirits.”
Sara fought back her tears at his kindness. She felt so overwhelmed and wanted nothing more than his warm embrace to chase her worries away. “Thank you, Your Grace, for your sincere gesture.”
Somerville growled. “Ian.”
Somerville’s growl left Sara with little doubt that her reference to his status displeased him. “Tis not appropriate to address you with intimacy when we are still strangers to one another.”
Somerville chuckled and leaned back against the cushions, amused at his wife’s deference to keep a wall of unfamiliarity between them. “I believe our marriage vows today state differently.”
Sara sat up straighter. “Today was only a formality. I see no reason for a change in our relationship or the position you hired me for.”
“I disagree.”
His husky whisper caused Sara to whip her head around to state her disagreement, only to become entranced by his seductive smile. She shook her head to clear away her wanton thoughts. Was he flirting with her? What an absurd thought. Or was it? However, as she stared into his eyes, the midnight hue flickered into a darker shade filled with yearning for a moment before transforming back into determined patience.
Sara cleared her throat. “I am unclear what you want.”
Somerville groaned at her innocent statement. She held no clue how the words affected him and the hidden meaning behind them. He didn’t dare state his desires at that moment. Soon, but not now. He was the one to clear his throat this time. “I wish to make you happy by becoming the best husband for you. Also, for us to spend a lifetime making memories to cherish with one another.”
His answer left her speechless. Why would a gentleman of his standing want to make his governess happy? Somerville made no sense with his attention and ramblings. Perhaps he had overindulged too much today and would regret this conversation tomorrow. ‘Twas best if she placated him for now, then tomorrow they could resume their lives as normal.
“And you have, Your Grace.”
Somerville could blame it on the whiskey he indulged in. However, it would be a lie. Her uttering of another Your Grace set him on a path he would never regret.
Except for the part where he behaved as an obnoxious gentleman because of his need to kiss Sara with senseless abandonment.
He would ponder his behavior later, but for now, the sweet taste of her mouth under his left him powerless to the passion he had kept tamed since he met her.
He was a brute with how he drew her into his arms and pressed his lips against hers. Somerville fought against ravishing them with his unsuppressed need. Instead, he coaxed her mouth open with the gentle brushing of his tongue across her lips. At her sigh, she melted in his arms and clutched at his lapels as she parted her lips under his. Her reaction left him in no doubt about how his shy governess wanted to kiss him too. Nay. His wife accepted his kiss as he had always dreamed she would.
When Sara’s arms crept around his neck and she sank her fingers through his hair, he deepened the kiss to draw her sweetness into his lonely soul. Their tongues tangled in a dance of slow seduction, each of them drawing their sighs into the other. He leaned back, pulling Sara with him. He wanted to clutch her to his heart for an eternity. She was the other half of his soul, and he wanted to shower her with the love she so deserved.
Sara lost herself in Somerville’s kiss. She should push out of his arms, but his warmth enveloped her in a romantic cocoon she never wanted to leave. The gentle brush of his lips held a hint of untamed passion she wished he would unleash on her. She never expected the duke to show her any affection since their marriage was a farce to protect her. Another reason she should step away from his embrace because he obviously never meant to kiss her.
She savored the exotic flavor of the whiskey he drank and became light-headed at the sheer intensity of his passion. Her fingers sank into his golden tresses, and his kiss became more demanding. Because of her inexperience, she followed his lead and mimicked his actions, stroking her tongue along his and running it across his lips. His moans only encouraged her to match him kiss for kiss. When his grip tightened around her, a heady power overtook her with how she pleased the duke with her passion.
“Sara,” Somerville moaned.
His husky drawl of her name brought Sara to her senses at how wanton she behaved toward Somerville. What had possessed her to lose herself in their kiss? How did the duke perceive her actions? Would he believe the rumors about her previous employment with Lord Baldridge?
She shoved against his chest for him to release her. Somerville loosened his hold, and Sara leapt to her feet, rushing behind the armchair. She tugged on her skirts and pressed her hands against her cheeks to cool them. However, they flamed with the heat overtaking her. Whether from mortification or the passion they shared coursing through her veins, she would never know. Nor did she want to ponder the answer.
“Somerville. Your Grace,” Sara stumbled to explain.
Somerville folded his arms across his chest to keep from reaching for Sara. “Ian.”
Sara’s hand fluttered in the air. “I apologize for my forwardness.”
Somerville’s lips lifted in amusement, and he fought back a chuckle. “No need to on my account, my love. I quite enjoyed your response. Also, I have no intention of offering you an apology when I instigated it.”
Sara’s lips pinched. “An act you will regret on the morrow once you come to your senses.”
“I am in complete control of my senses, sweet Sara.” He rose off the settee and brushed his thumb across her lips, wanting to ease her discomfort. “I will regret nothing pertaining to you.”
Sara brushed Somerville’s hand away. She couldn’t articulate an argument with him standing so close. She opened her mouth to make him see reason, but he lowered his head to kiss her again. Her eyelids fluttered at his intoxicating kiss. However, before he enticed her with the promise of seduction, he stepped back. Her soft moan of disappointment echoed around them.
Somerville rocked on his heels with a smile of satisfaction. Who was this gentleman impersonating the duke? This wasn’t the patient employer who showed her kindness by offering her protection with a marriage of convenience. She had never seen him behave in a mischievous mood, not even with his own daughter. He always held a seriousness about him, leaving no one in doubt of his rank and power. Obviously, his overindulgence in the potent whiskey and wine he drank throughout the day had taken control of his common sense.
It was dire for her sanity to leave him for the evening. If not, she would allow him to sweep her off her feet, straight to his bed. Then they would live their married days with regret they could never disregard. That wouldn’t be fair to Mairi. She must consider Mairi before she lost herself in Somerville’s kisses again. No matter how much they shook her very foundation. She mustn’t risk Somerville’s displeasure. Two people who should’ve loved her had abandoned her at her most vulnerable. She couldn’t handle Somerville’s abandonment too.
Sara rushed to the door but stopped when Somerville spoke his next demand.
“I wish for you to call me Ian.”
If he had stated that he expected her to call him Ian, she would have defied him with a list of reasons for the inappropriateness. However, now she could never deny him since he stated it was his wish.
Her heart already called him Ian.
SOMERVILLE STRODE INTO the breakfast room the next morning with a spring in his step he hadn’t felt for quite some time. The kiss he’d shared with Sara had overshadowed every one of his worries, as if they didn’t exist. Most would assume his wedding night brought forth a smile to his lips. However, he’d spent the hours alone in his bed. His bride had slept in the spare cot in his daughter’s bedchamber. He could only assume once she learned the servants had moved her belongings into his suite, she’d resigned herself to sleeping with his daughter as her protector.
She didn’t fear him but her own emotions. He’d watched the fire in her eyes when desire consumed her and then when shame overcame her at her reaction to his kiss. His prim and proper governess was only a front for the passionate woman Sara kept hidden. And he eagerly waited to unwrap the layers and watch her blossom when she accepted the passion and love between them.
“You appear pleased with yourself this morning for a groom whose bride slept in a different bedchamber.” Lord Whetham cackled.
Referring to Sara as his bride only widened Somerville’s grin. “Aye.”
He settled in his chair and waited while the footman poured his tea and another placed a plate in front of him. Somerville shook the napkin out across his lap and began to eat. He would’ve explained more to his in-laws if it weren’t for the servants standing nearby, waiting to serve them at a moment’s notice. While the gossip of them sleeping in separate beds last night had already spread amongst the servants, he refused to supply them with any further prattle to add to the false rumors already circulating about Sara.
Lady Whetham signaled to the butler to clear the room. Once the door closed behind the servants, she confronted Somerville. “Why did Sara sleep in Mairi’s bedchamber?”
Somerville spread jam across his bread and took a bite before responding. “I assume Sara became confused about where to sleep when she noticed the removal of her belongings from her bedchamber.”
Lord Whetham flipped a page of the newspaper. “Most brides sleep with their grooms the evening of their wedding.”
“Stuart,” Lady Whetham reprimanded.
“I am only stating the obvious, my dear. Either the boy is out of practice or he finds fault with this bride.” Whetham lowered the paper. “Which is it?”
Somerville chuckled. “None of your affair and far from the truth. I only chose not to force myself upon my wife. She suffered enough with the stress of our wedding yesterday, and I did not want to overwhelm her.”
“While that was a kind gesture, I fear it only gave the servants room to gossip that your union is not genuine,” Lady Whetham stated.
Somerville cocked his eyebrow. “I dare any of them to speak unwell about my wife.”
Lady Whetham reached across to pat Somerville’s hand. “I do not believe they will out of spite. However, you are well aware how someone can misconstrue an innocent comment they may overhear.”
Somerville nodded that he understood how Sara, sleeping in Mairi’s bedchamber, sent a message that their marriage might be a sham. He’d married Sara to prevent any more false rumors from spreading and to protect her virtue. He needed to speak with Sara and explain the delicacy of their situation and how they must share a suite while residing with his in-laws. After they return to Scotland, if she chose not to give their marriage a chance, then they could have separate bedchambers. However, while they stayed in London, they must present a united front of affection in front of others.
“I will speak with Sara this morning.”
Lady Whetham smiled. “Excellent.”
Lord Whetham harrumphed. “Hopefully, you do more than speak with her.”
Lady Whetham swatted at her husband. “Incorrigible as ever.”
Somerville laughed at how his in-laws teased each other. He had shared a similar marriage with Claudia. He had known Claudia since they were children. Theirs was a marriage arranged before birth. Their families had visited one another often, and as a result, they’d grown to be best friends before they married. They were each other’s first, from their first kiss to their marital bed. Their love was a companionable deep affection they would’ve shared forever. When Claudia died, he’d suffered a loss so profound he believed he would never find love again. Nor had he wanted to. Claudia’s love had been enough for him. He’d lost not only his wife but his best friend too.
However, ever since Sara entered his life, he had awakened from his misery to see the brightness of a new beginning for him and Mairi. Sara brought new emotions to the surface, making him eager to see what their future might hold for them. Last night’s kiss showed him the passion simmering between them wasn’t one-sided. He couldn’t wait to explore the desire he felt for her. Now, only to woo her into seeing how worthy she was for him. He wouldn’t allow the differences in their stations separate them. By the time they returned to Scotland, he would prove to Sara that their bond was unbreakable. And no threat or rumors would keep them apart.
Somerville patted his lips with the napkin. “If you will excuse me, I need to speak with my wife.”
Lady Whetham waved to him to stay seated. “Allow me. I want to invite her to take tea with me this afternoon at Lady Radwell’s and then visit the shops.”
Somerville frowned. “Perhaps outings are too soon.”
Lady Whetham smiled with patience. “Trust me. I would never place Sara in an uncomfortable situation. I will protect her as if she were my daughter.”
“Very well. But only if she wants to,” Somerville conceded.
Somerville leaned back as Lady Whetham strolled out of the breakfast room. He didn’t want Sara to feel pressured to venture into society yet if it made her uncomfortable. Also, he worried whoever threatened her would confront her if he weren’t there to protect her.
“I think I will join them on their outing,” Somerville murmured.
Lord Whetham folded the paper next to his plate. “You cannot follow the girl every second of her life. It will only draw forth another set of rumors about how you do not trust her.”
“I care less about anyone’s opinion. I only care about Sara’s safety.”
“Then trust Marian to see after Sara’s welfare.”
Somerville blew out a frustrated breath. He understood his in-laws’ intention, but couldn’t they see how delicate of a flower Sara was? She hadn’t been born into their society and didn’t understand how to navigate her way through difficult situations. The vultures would be out and waiting to catch her alone. He wondered if he should send word for Lady Courtland to accompany them. Then he remembered the Courtlands would be preparing for their return to Scotland.
He sighed with defeat. “I will trust her in this one excursion. But if anyone dares to insult my wife today, they will feel my wrath.”
Lord Whetham shook the newspaper out again. “Then let us pray for a quiet outing.”
Somerville didn’t believe any prayer would keep Sara from getting hurt today. His mother-in-law held the best of intentions, but he had seen firsthand the cruelty of the ton. They were a vindictive lot who set out to destroy anyone in their path. However, they would discover Sara wouldn’t be their latest victim. Not with the consequences he would deal if anyone dared to step out of line.
His wrath would destroy all.