Mysty McPartland by The Rake's Substitute Bride Page A

afterwards. I want you with me every step of the way when we come together. No hesitation, no second thoughts and especially no remorse.” He sucked in his breath at the sight of her big beautiful eyes going all soft and warm. Something tightened in his chest and he knew at that moment she was starting to care for him.
    He wanted to take her back in his arms and kiss her again. No, he wanted a lot more than a few passionate kisses. He wanted it all and though everything inside him screamed for him to just take her, he knew he couldn’t do it. She needed a little more time and though it was killing him, he would give it to her.
    Behind her husband’s bad reputation, his bossiness and superior male attitude, underneath it all he was such a sweet, kind man. And Sheldon silently admitted that he was starting to creep into her heart. She turned her head away and bit her lip, she knew it was a dangerous thing to care for this man. No matter how many times she shored up her defenses against him, his potent personality kept knocking them down.
    Not in the least surprised that she was fighting her feelings, Nathan decided he’d done enough for now. “Come along sweetheart it’s time we were up. We have a thousand and one things to do today if we are going to leave.” He sat up and reached for his robe at the end of the bed and slipping it on, swung his legs over the edge of the mattress, stood up and tied the sash around his waist.
    Thankful that Nathan wasn’t going to pursue the subject any longer, Sheldon wiggled up into a sitting position, making sure the top of her nightgown was covered by the bedding. She brushed the lose hair off her face and watched him walk behind the screen. “I gather you are planning that we leave soon?
    “Yes, hopefully we’ll be on our way by midday.” Came his reply.
    Sheldon frowned. “But Nathan I really should go to the hospitals and orphanages and let them know I will be away for a while.” She didn’t like the idea of just up and abandoning what she felt was her duty.
    Even though he was expecting she would find some excuse it still annoyed him. “I know how much helping out means to you Sheldon. I’m sure they’ll understand that we have only just been married. They know you would have to spend time with your husband. Just write a few notes explaining things and I’ll have someone deliver them for you.”
    Darn man always had a reasonable answer for everything, feeling a little miffed, Sheldon tossed the covers aside and slipping off the bed reached for her robe and hastily pulled it on. Biting her bottom lip, she admitted she was worried and nervous about going away with him, especially after what happened this morning.
    Heat seared her cheeks remembering she was the one who initiated the intimacy between them. Well, since he was considerate enough to give her time, she would just make sure she didn’t do it again. Until she was sure of what would happen to them in the future, she couldn’t afford to take any more risks with her heart. She didn’t want a loveless marriage or faithless husband, and if she couldn’t have his love or his fidelity she wasn’t going to accept anything else.

Chapter Fourteen

    Bethany stood on the side of the dance floor and scowled, she was absolutely livid, and she had to find a way to end her ex-fiancé’s and her sister’s marriage before it was too late. If Sheldon fell pregnant any hope of becoming a duchess was doomed. Surely, a man as handsome and sensual as the duke would be hesitant and appalled to make love to her older sister. Perhaps she could seduce him away.
    Surely a man such as the duke would never find any satisfaction with her sister. It was unbelievable that he would prefer Sheldon over someone like herself. She was beautiful, everyone told her so. No, he was only saying so because she humiliated him by running away just before the wedding ceremony. She was the one who was meant to be a duchess not her older silly