Page 37 of The Highlander’s Improper Wife

Something flickered in her eyes. Taran’s mind snapped to attention.

Lord Cambrooke patted her arm. “Where are you off to?”

“Strathmore,” Taran answered. “Our home.”

Surprise reflected in the man’s eyes. “Surely, you do not mean to keep Caroline from London?”

Taran regarded him. “Viscountess Blackhall may visit London whenever she pleases. We will reside at Strathmore.”

“But of course,” he put in quickly. “No offence intended.”

Taran inclined his head. “Of course not.”

“What are you doing here?” Caroline asked. “This is not hunting season.”

“True. But I seldom take part in the hunt any more. Too old.”

Taran thought the man looked fitter than many men his own age, but kept silent.

“I am returning from a week in Melrose.” Cambrooke grimaced. “A wasted week. But I must be going, I wish to make Newcastle today. So good to see you, my dear.” He faced Taran and gave a slight bow. “Sir.”

Taran nodded and took the last bite of eggs. He wiped his mouth with a napkin and tossed it on his plate. “Our carriage awaits.” He rose and stepped aside in invitation for Caroline to precede him.

Frustration sparked in her gaze. He forced back a laugh and lifted an enquiring brow.

She rose and started past him, but Taran grasped her elbow and stopped her.

“Is something amiss?” he asked.

She gave an almost imperceptible shake of her head. “Marriage is exactly as I imagined.”

He trailed fingers higher on her arm. “Is it too much to hope you refer to last night’s activities?”

She drew in a thready breath. Desire skittered down his spine.

“How would I have had any preconceptions on that matter, sir?” she asked in a sweet voice that didn’t fool him for an instant. “I refer to your determination to bring me to heel. What say have I in decisions that affect me? Before yesterday, I did as I chose.”

He paused, gaze locked with hers. “Indeed? I had no idea your uncle was so indulgent.” Taran inclined his head. “Never fear, I will give you choices, my lady, while I have you undressed and in my bed.” He lifted a brow. “Unless, you have a preference to my lovemaking?”

Her mouth dropped open, and he steeled himself for a barrage of womanly recriminations, but she clamped her mouth shut.

“No preference and no complaints.” He nodded. “Good.”

“I have a complaint. I loathe another day spent in a hot carriage.”

“Indeed?” He gritted his teeth against the feel of his cock hardening at the thought of another day in the carriage. “Then I shall be forced to entertain you. There are many activities, besides travel, that can be done in a carriage.” As Aphrodite knew.

* * * *

Caroline sat stiffly in the carriage. They had ridden but an hour. The five hours that still lay ahead stretched out before her like a prison sentence. She shifted her attention out of the window to Taran riding alongside the horses that drew the coach. He swayed with each easy stride of the beast as if they were one. Powerful thighs flanked the mammoth animal. The man was master of all he touched—including a lust-consumed wife.

She shivered. As her master, he had already begun spending her money. It was ridiculous that it should bother her. He was right, no creditor should wait a day longer than necessary, but it pricked her because doing so boiled their marriage down to the transaction it was.

She was now Viscountess Blackhall and he was lord of twenty thousand pounds a year. Warmth tinged her cheeks with recollection of the accusation that he would allow his father to rule their finances. She leaned against the cushion. Given a choice, Taran would have married Aphrodite…or would he? He spoke of an affair, but marriage had never been mentioned. And why would it have been? They might desire each other, but both knew duty came before lust.

Memory of his buttocks hard as stone beneath her fingers as he thrust his cock deep inside her last night brought a flush to her skin. As if sensing the illicit thought, he glanced over his shoulder at her. Her breath caught. Had he read her mind or, mayhap, the look on her face? Taran wheeled his horse around and she startled as he urged the animal towards her.

A moment later, he came up alongside the window. “You are well, madam?”