The Marquess's Year to Wed by Paulia Belgado

Author:Paulia Belgado
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2024-02-07T19:19:52+00:00

Chapter Nine

Ash could not remember the last time he’d been nervous entering a woman’s room. A meeting with a new lover typically brought excitement and thrill, and had him relishing the thought of the pleasures that awaited him. But this was different. This was his wedding night, and Violet was his wife.

Ridiculous, he sneered silently. She would be no different from any woman he’d bedded. Tonight was about conceiving his heir and saving his lands.

‘Come in,’ came Violet’s reply to his knock.

He slipped into the room, much as he had the last time he’d come. Violet sat on the edge of the bed, staring up at him. His breath caught at the sight of her, hair loose, sable waves tumbling down her back, eyes wide and luminous in the glow of the candlelight.

Two or three times, he reminded himself. Four at most.

‘I hope I’m not late?’

He hoped his jest would mask the feelings bubbling underneath his relaxed facade.

‘We didn’t set a time, so that means you can’t be late.’

Logical, lovely Violet. ‘Ah, but if we did, I would have set it for three minutes past seven.’

Her face scrunched up. ‘What is your fascination with imbalance? There is beauty in symmetry.’

‘Really, now?’ He crossed the room until he stood over her. ‘Hmm... I see what you mean.’ He cupped her chin with his thumb and forefinger, enjoying the fact that she didn’t flinch or seem surprised by his touch. ‘Your face is perfectly symmetrical. Even. One side is the precise mirror image of the other. But...’ his thumb ran over the beauty mark over her lip ‘...this mars the symmetry of your face.’

Disappointment crossed her features. ‘And makes me less beautiful?’

He shook his head, then leaned down to kiss the mark. ‘No, Violet. I think it makes you even more beautiful. And unique. And tempting. I’ve been wanting to do that since I met you.’

She inhaled a rapid breath. ‘You’ve already kissed me so many times.’

‘But not on your beauty mark.’

He pressed his lips to it again, then shifted to capture her mouth. She opened up to him, arms winding around his neck, hands raking into his hair to pull him closer. Did she have any idea how much that affected him? Just thinking of her fingers pulling at his hair made him hard.

He drew away, wanting this whole thing to be done.

And yet, not.

You’re doing this to save the estate.

Once Violet was with child he would never have to sleep with her again. Still, he wasn’t a monster. Despite her eagerness Violet was still a virgin, and she would not fully comprehend what happened during the sexual act until she had experienced it for herself.

‘Are you ready, Violet? Is there anything more I can do to prepare you?’

‘Will we do the same things we did the other night?’

‘Yes. And more.’

‘The sexual act?’

‘Yes. I will do my best to ensure you are comfortable and to reduce the pain.’

A vial of the oil he’d promised her was in the pocket of his robe.

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