Page 51 of Marriage with a Proper Stranger

Other voices joined in encouraging Riordan. “Very well,” he said. “I’m not sure I will do it justice.” He cleared his throat, then sang: “Alas my love, you do me wrong, to cast me off discourteously. And I have loved you oh so long, delighting in your company….”

Riordan’s voice was clear, pristine, and harmonious. His deep tone gave the tune vibrancy and, to her, a decided sensual cadence. Tears formed in her eyes. He could sing. In her mind, he was close to perfection. However, no one was perfect. If he harbored any dark secrets or serious flaws, she’d yet to discover them. There must be one, for that nagging sensation he was keeping secrets had never left her.

But any man who could stand before a room full of children and encourage them to learn and envision the world around them and inspire and shape their minds…she could not imagine a nobler calling, nor a more honorable man. How she admired and respected Riordan. And here, outside his classroom window, listening to his voice as it rose in song, she fell irrevocably in love with him.

* * * *

It was not ideal to teach a class of students when aroused. Thankfully, Riordan had managed to dismiss his desire before his students returned. The teasing minx, showing up in his schoolroom with pie and devastating kisses. What had come over her? Whatever it was, he liked it. And when he sang “Greensleeves,” the lyrics held a deeper meaning to him personally.

Riordan did not waste any time packing up his papers and hurrying home after ringing the dismissal bell. No lingering about the schoolroom to correct tests tonight—he wanted to know what Sabrina wished to talk about. Once he entered the cottage and ensured Mrs. Ingersoll was not lurking about the kitchen, he pulled Sabrina into his arms and kissed her fiercely, not only because he yearned for it, but to see if she would kiss him in return as passionately as she had earlier.

Riordan was not disappointed. They broke apart after several searing moments. “We should eat,” Sabrina said breathlessly.

Food? Who could think of food? “Yes. Roast chicken, you said?”

“Mrs. Ingersoll departed not ten minutes before you arrived. Allow me to serve you before the food cools off any further.” Sabrina scurried to the kitchen area.

Hell. He was hard again. Taking his seat, he winced and adjusted himself. Being in a perpetual state of arousal was damned uncomfortable, and embarrassing. So much for his self-control in most situations. It had certainly abandoned him here.

Sabrina reentered the parlor and set a hearty meal before him. Mittens meowed loudly, no doubt smelling the food. Riordan reached down and scratched the kitten on the head. “How is Mittens fitting into your routine?”

“We’re managing well. You were correct.”

“About?”

“Nothing like having a pet curled up beside you as you read. It is how we passed part of the afternoon.”

“Were you reading Wuthering Heights?” he asked.

“No. It’s a book Mary gave me, The Bold Seduction of Miss Featherstone. Perhaps we can read from it when we’ve finished our meal.”

Bold seduction? Sabrina was full of surprises.

“Excuse me, Mittens is insisting I serve her next.” Sabrina disappeared, and when she returned she carried her own plate, then lowered a smaller one to the floor, which the kitten immediately ran for.

Sabrina chuckled at the feline’s enthusiasm. Taking her seat, Riordan took in her flushed, happy face. He’d never seen her like this. Relaxed. Content. “I cut up a little chicken, mixed with potatoes I mashed with a fork, a little squash, and water. Look how she is devouring it.”

Riordan took a bite of his own food. “I agree with Mittens. Delicious.”

During most of the meal, they exchanged small talk. He told her of his afternoon as a little smile curled about her lips.

Pushing his empty plate away, he said, “You wished to talk? May I ask about what? Or would you rather we read first?”

Sabrina dabbed her mouth with a napkin and laid it on top of her plate. “Talk first. Last night, I mentioned that I used to find a man in an aroused state abhorrent. I’m ready to tell you why, because I want you to understand about my past, and perhaps then you will be willing to discuss yours.” He winced inwardly at the direct hit.

“The marriage to Pepperdon was arranged. I was eighteen, innocent beyond measure, with no mother or female relative to give me any instruction on what to expect on the wedding night.” Sabrina sighed. “Who could I turn to? Not my father, though he barked I must submit to my husband in all things. I was not given a season, and as a result, my experience with men was nonexistent. The marriage took place within ten days of my first meeting Pepperdon.”

“Good God,” Riordan said. He didn’t like the direction of this, for he had an inkling of what would come next.

“Imagine my disappointment at finding a gray-haired man of fifty-five years waiting to greet me. The earl had a pleasing enough face, along with a slight paunch and hair thinning on the top. My father wished me to marry this peer; how could I say no? If he was kind, we might tumble along well enough. Or so I thought.” Sabrina snorted, her expression darkened. “Charles Lakeside, Earl of Pepperdon, was the furthest thing from kind. After an elaborate church wedding and a brief breakfast reception, he dismissed the guests, dragged me to his bedroom, ripped my wedding gown from my trembling body and brutally raped me.”

Riordan banged the table with his fist, the fury building in him dangerous and potent. Blast her father and Pepperdon to hell!

“He left me crying hysterically and all alone. No one came to my aid. Mary was not yet my maid, not until a couple of days after. Pepperdon returned twice more. I’ll not go into details, as you can well imagine them. The first few months were horrible. He wanted an heir, and spent his free time, when he was able to perform, trying to accomplish it.”

“Jesus. Sabrina…”

She held up her hand. “No pity, please.”