Chapter Seventeen #2
Her mother shot her a knowing look and a blush flushed Marina’s neck and cheeks. A reaction that occurred much too frequently.
They all embraced and bussed each other’s cheeks before departing to their respective chambers.
Marina wondered how long Arthur would remain in the room he’d had since he was a boy.
As the earl, he was entitled to the best suite in the house, but it would mean moving their mother to another chamber.
Unless mother and son wished to occupy rooms with adjoining doors.
With Arthur attending university, he would likely allow their mother to keep her room until he was in residence full time.
Marina couldn’t help herself from meddling and would suggest as much to Arthur tomorrow.
She must ensure her mother would be all right after she moved into Evan’s residence.
Marina rang for Millie to help her dress for bed.
She removed her dress and undergarments and dressed in a night rail, then wrapped a dressing robe around herself.
Once the belt around her robe was tied in a loose bow, she sat at her vanity for Millie to tend to her hair.
Tapping her foot, she glanced every few moments at the window, wondering if Evan might appear.
“Is something amiss, my lady?” Millie gasped. “Forgive me. Your father passed just today. Of course you are anxious.”
“It’s not that, Millie. It is going to be an exciting couple of days. I’m to marry.”
Millie dropped the brush in her enthusiasm. “That is wonderful news! Is it that handsome viscount who was here today?” She picked up the brush and continued smoothing Marina’s hair.
Marina laughed. “The very one. We are hoping to be married the day after tomorrow. I hoped you might come with me to my new household.”
“I’d be delighted to come with you!”
Millie chattered on about the new dresses Marina would need as a viscountess.
She hoped there would be a marriage trip where she might learn even more styles and ways to dress Marina’s hair.
Thankfully, she didn’t require Marina’s participation in the conversation, since Marina’s gaze remained fixated on the window.
Her long, dark hair had been brushed and braided into a plait that cascaded down one of her shoulders. Millie turned the bedcovers back while a footman tended to the fire. Once it was going strong, roaring flames cast shadows across the room.
“That will be all for the evening, Millie. I am headed for my bed.”
Once Millie closed the door behind her, Marina crossed the room and locked it. Wishful thinking, she knew, but if her betrothed should appear in her chamber, she had every intention of seducing the man.
She told herself that she wouldn’t spend the entire night standing by the window, eagerly awaiting his arrival.
However, her body seemed to have its own agenda.
Before she knew it, she gazed out across the tranquil back garden, bathed in the ethereal glow of the moon.
She confirmed the window remained unlocked.
Suddenly, she gasped, her heart leaping with anticipation as she thought she caught a glimpse of movement. Yet, disappointment flooded her, realizing it was merely the whimsical dance of the wind and moonlight playing tricks on her hopeful heart.
“This is ridiculous,” she said aloud.
Moving away from the window, she settled herself in front of the crackling fire.
She wrapped her arms around herself and stared into the flames.
Each flickering flame that caressed the log brought back memories of the intense pleasure she had experienced with Evan.
Her crossed arms couldn’t ease the weight of her heavy breasts, and the heat between her thighs only added to her discomfort as she shifted in her seat.
She released a frustrated sigh.
“I hope that sigh wasn’t because of me.”
She jumped up as Evan’s torso was through the window. Rushing over to him, she helped him as he slid one of his legs in and then the other.
He closed the window behind him and faced her. Her dressing gown had shifted open, revealing a hint of her bare chest. She couldn’t help but notice his gaze drifting from her face to her exposed skin.
“You are perfect,” he said. “Please tell me you are still marrying me.”
Marina held up her hand to him, inspecting the ring he gave her. “I suppose so.”
She smirked before pulling him to her. She pressed her body against his and fervently kissed him.
Dipping her tongue into his mouth, she tasted brandy on his breath, and it drove her wild.
She kissed him with abandon. She smiled against his mouth when she felt his manhood hard and bulging between them.
She pulled away from their kiss, and her eyes locked onto his.
Bathed in the flickering glow of the fire, she could discern the intensity of his desire, his eyes smoldering with longing.
Now. Tell him now. She urged herself to express her feelings for him.
However, she found it difficult to surrender to her vulnerability and express the profound depths of her love for him.
“I want you, Evan.”