Page 111 of A Momentary Marriage

He nodded. “Either. Both.”

“I love you.” Laura placed her hands on either side of his head and said firmly, “Not Graeme. I love only you. I will always love only you. And if you ever run from me again, I will track you down and make you rue it.”

“Good. For if I ever left you, it would mean I had lost my mind.” He lifted her up, kissing his way down her throat, repeating, “I love you. I love you. God help me, Laura, I love you.”

Laura laughed in a throaty way that made every nerve in his body sizzle. “Perhaps you could show me how much.” She sank her fingers into his hair.

His lips had made it down to the tops of her breasts. “I plan to.”

“Wait.” Laura wriggled out of his grasp.

“Laura . . .” he protested as he let her go. “You said—”

“I said . . .” Laura stopped his words, placing her finger over his lips. “I want you to make love to me.”

“Then—”

“But not here. I mean to make a long, slow time of it.” Her other hand trailed down his chest, fingers teasing at the waistband of his trousers. “I want to see you, to touch you everywhere,” she whispered into his ear. “I want you to undress me and kiss me and give me your complete attention.”

“You have that, believe me.” James bent and swept her up into his arms, starting for the door.

“James! There are people out there. You can’t carry me off in front of everyone.”

“Can’t I?” He cocked an eyebrow. “I’ll just tell them my delicate wife fainted from all the frightful events.”

“And what about that mess you made?” She waved vaguely toward the fireplace. “You ruined your mother’s china dogs, you know.”

“For which everyone should thank me.”

Laughing, Laura reached down to open the door, then laid her head upon his shoulder and let him carry her away.

chapter 44

Their lovemaking was everything Laura had asked for, and more. They undressed each other, coming together in slow, delicious kisses in between removing this article of clothing and that. When at last they lay naked on the bed, James made a long, languorous exploration of her body, kissing, caressing, awakening every nerve, including some Laura wasn’t aware she possessed.

She reveled in his touch, in the way his mouth traveled over her skin, teasing and awakening. He murmured endearments as he kissed her, as if now that the dam had broken, they could not be contained. “Beloved,” he termed her, and “my love.” “My heart.”

And those words from this contained man were as wonderful, as pleasurable as his caresses. She returned his passion, stroking his arms, his back, his chest, emboldened by his love. This, she thought, was heaven—to have him, hold him, kiss him without the concern that she would violate some unknown barrier.

James was open to her and she to him, and whatever happened in the future, whatever disagreement or irritation or pain and loss, they would have this shining perfection at the heart of their marriage. And so, when at long last he came into her, Laura cried out at the intensity of the sweetness, the complete union of their selves.

He moved within her, slow and sure, stoking their pleasure and anticipation, extending the shimmering glory, until at last they reached the pinnacle they sought, shattering in a storm of pleasure that left them drained and utterly content.

James gathered Laura in his arms then, holding her close, and before they drifted into sleep, he murmured in her ear, “I have no home without you.”

Laura awakened to James’s kisses in the pale light of dawn, their lovemaking gentle and drowsy, and afterward she snuggled into his embrace, falling asleep. When next she awoke, it was much later, and James was gone.

She lay for a moment, smiling to herself, her hand idly smoothing over the sheet beside her where he had lain. Laura was almost reluctant to leave the sanctuary of her room. There was no unpleasantness here. She suspected that could not be said of the rest of the house.

She could not delay forever, though. However much she might dread dealing with Tessa’s tears and everyone’s questions and speculations, she had to do it. There was also the prospect of spending time with James. He would probably be embroiled in matters concerning Mr. Netherly a good part of the day, but perhaps she could persuade him to take a stroll through the gardens with her this afternoon.

Laura went down to breakfast, Demosthenes padding along beside her. She was disappointed not to find James there, but Tessa greeted her eagerly, and Claude even rose to pull out her chair. Surprisingly, Tessa was not in tears, Claude was almost affable, and even Patricia and Archie were so enthralled with the mystery of Mr. Netherly’s motives that they greeted Laura with delight and began to bombard her with questions.

“I have no idea why he would do it,” Laura told them candidly. “I’m not sure even James does.”

“He doesn’t,” Claude assured her. “The magistrate and constable were just here. They said Netherly’s refused to answer any questions.” A faint smile tugged at his lips. “Apparently he just quotes poetry.”

“He would,” Tessa said darkly.