had little enthusiasm for traveling all that distance to Cornwall in the pursuit of a dubious love for individuals he didn’t even know. But he wouldn’t spoil his first married evening together with Tess by refusing her request out of hand.
And she did have a point. There might be some advantages to removing themselves from London society for a time—most importantly, to a more intimate setting in which to become better acquainted with hisbride. Cornwall would have fewer outside influences to interfere if he attempted to establish a new relationship with Tess.
Ian felt the stir of wry amusement as he wondered if their marriage would always be a series of negotiations.
He was not so amused, however, when after the footmen had served a dessert of fruit and cheese and were dismissed for the final time, Tess began eating even more slowly, obviously delaying the end of dinner.
“What are your plans for your next charity benefit?” he asked, on the theory that encouraging her to talk about her philanthropic endeavors might take her mind off their forthcoming wedding night.
Yet she seemed wise to his strategy. “If you mean to distract me, it will not help.”
She relaxed a little when he changed the subject to discuss the servant staff at Bellacourt and her expected role as mistress here, but Tess visibly stiffened when he eventually announced that it was time to retire.
“Must we?” she asked, her tension returning.
“We are newlyweds and should act the part. Couples in love would not tarry at the dining table.”
When she fidgeted with her wineglass, Ian decided he’d had enough of her trepidation.
“For appearance’s sake, Tess, we must share the same bedchamber tonight, but we needn’t consummate our union just yet. If it will ease your mind, I won’t make any connubial demands until you are ready.”
She searched his face, looking cautiously hopefulfor a moment … then nodded in relief, as if she believed his offer to postpone carnal relations. “I would much prefer to wait.”
Taking a fortifying swallow of wine then, she added more firmly, “It may be a long while until I am ready. And you should know that after the consummation, I don’t intend to share a marital bed with you. You said we could live separate lives, and I mean to hold you to your promise.”
“If that is what you want.”
“I do.”
Ian watched Tess over his own wineglass. He could easily take her declaration as a challenge. Her reticence both annoyed him and pricked his vanity, inspiring a fundamental male instinct to prove his worth as a lover.
His rational side, however, debated with his natural impulses. There was no question that he wanted Tess in his bed—tonight and every night—but it would be far easier to keep his distance from her if he treated their marriage strictly as a legal contract, just as she wished to do.
On the other hand, arousing Tess might be the quickest means of overcoming her fear of him. He was confident he could change her mind about sharing a nuptial bed once she understood the kind of pleasure he could give her.
Ian took a swallow of his own wine. It was ironic that he would have to woo his own bride. He’d never had to exert himself to win any lover he wanted. Women never refused him; indeed, they practically threw themselves at him. And to his knowledge, he had never instilled sexual fear in any of them.
Then again, Tess was utterly unique, he reminded himself. And provoking her was still the most effective means of arming himself against her.
“I am prepared to be patient for a time,” he deliberately drawled in that lazy tone that never failed to rile her. “But I trust you realize such forbearance reflects estimable gallantry on my part.”
Her gaze narrowed on him.
“I should also point out that you will miss out on an exceptional experience if we don’t become lovers.”
Her chin lifting, she stared at him. “It amazes me,” she finally said, “that entire minutes
And she did have a point. There might be some advantages to removing themselves from London society for a time—most importantly, to a more intimate setting in which to become better acquainted with hisbride. Cornwall would have fewer outside influences to interfere if he attempted to establish a new relationship with Tess.
Ian felt the stir of wry amusement as he wondered if their marriage would always be a series of negotiations.
He was not so amused, however, when after the footmen had served a dessert of fruit and cheese and were dismissed for the final time, Tess began eating even more slowly, obviously delaying the end of dinner.
“What are your plans for your next charity benefit?” he asked, on the theory that encouraging her to talk about her philanthropic endeavors might take her mind off their forthcoming wedding night.
Yet she seemed wise to his strategy. “If you mean to distract me, it will not help.”
She relaxed a little when he changed the subject to discuss the servant staff at Bellacourt and her expected role as mistress here, but Tess visibly stiffened when he eventually announced that it was time to retire.
“Must we?” she asked, her tension returning.
“We are newlyweds and should act the part. Couples in love would not tarry at the dining table.”
When she fidgeted with her wineglass, Ian decided he’d had enough of her trepidation.
“For appearance’s sake, Tess, we must share the same bedchamber tonight, but we needn’t consummate our union just yet. If it will ease your mind, I won’t make any connubial demands until you are ready.”
She searched his face, looking cautiously hopefulfor a moment … then nodded in relief, as if she believed his offer to postpone carnal relations. “I would much prefer to wait.”
Taking a fortifying swallow of wine then, she added more firmly, “It may be a long while until I am ready. And you should know that after the consummation, I don’t intend to share a marital bed with you. You said we could live separate lives, and I mean to hold you to your promise.”
“If that is what you want.”
“I do.”
Ian watched Tess over his own wineglass. He could easily take her declaration as a challenge. Her reticence both annoyed him and pricked his vanity, inspiring a fundamental male instinct to prove his worth as a lover.
His rational side, however, debated with his natural impulses. There was no question that he wanted Tess in his bed—tonight and every night—but it would be far easier to keep his distance from her if he treated their marriage strictly as a legal contract, just as she wished to do.
On the other hand, arousing Tess might be the quickest means of overcoming her fear of him. He was confident he could change her mind about sharing a nuptial bed once she understood the kind of pleasure he could give her.
Ian took a swallow of his own wine. It was ironic that he would have to woo his own bride. He’d never had to exert himself to win any lover he wanted. Women never refused him; indeed, they practically threw themselves at him. And to his knowledge, he had never instilled sexual fear in any of them.
Then again, Tess was utterly unique, he reminded himself. And provoking her was still the most effective means of arming himself against her.
“I am prepared to be patient for a time,” he deliberately drawled in that lazy tone that never failed to rile her. “But I trust you realize such forbearance reflects estimable gallantry on my part.”
Her gaze narrowed on him.
“I should also point out that you will miss out on an exceptional experience if we don’t become lovers.”
Her chin lifting, she stared at him. “It amazes me,” she finally said, “that entire minutes
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