Page 29 of Marriage with a Proper Stranger

He cast a quick glance. “How did that come about?”

“I left behind a trunk full of expensive gowns when I departed. I assume my father sold them. It cannot be for the money. It leads me to conclude he wished to erase every last trace of my existence from his home.”

“I meant what I said, Sabrina: don’t ever look back. No regrets. He is not worth your consideration in any way.” He patted her gloved hand with his own and the gesture made her want to cry. “I did bring the wagon; we could have brought the trunk with us.”

“No, they meant nothing. Remnants of my life with Pepperdon. I wish to start fresh, and that includes my wardrobe. Besides, many of the gowns are inappropriate for the sedate life I plan to live going forward.” In all her eleven years with Pepperdon they did not speak this freely—they hardly spoke at all. Sabrina decided to keep the conversation going. “I sold two of the pieces of jewelry I’d been gifted from Pepperdon. I wish to pay you with some of the proceeds. For the inn, the mail coach, any upcoming expenses.”

With a quick turn, Riordan led her into a darkened alley. Swinging her around, her back touched the wood clapboards of the building. He stood close, staring down at her. “Do not feel beholden to me. I’m happy to help. I do not expect payment.” Riordan’s voice was tender, but firm.

“I know, but paying you for these expenses means a great deal to me. It is the first act of my newfound independence. My new life. I’m already under obligation to you. This small recompense will lessen it, and ease my conscience.”

He arched an eyebrow. “It’s important to you?”

“Yes. I wish to do my share, pay my way. Will five pounds suffice?” He nodded. “Excellent. I’m relieved. You ask for so little, I’m glad to give a bit in return for once. In the future, if you wish anything of me, you merely have to give voice to it.”

“There is something I wish from you.” His voice was husky, sensual in its cadence. “I long to see you laugh. Throw back your head, laughing for the pure joy of it.” His gloved finger traced her bottom lip. “Even a smile, a genuine one, reflecting happiness and contentment.”

“I cannot remember the last time I did,” she whispered.

“It will give me a goal these next months,” he murmured. “Meanwhile, I will settle for a kiss.”

Sabrina blinked, not believing what she’d heard. Surely, he cannot be serious.

“A sweet, brief kiss, a gentle meshing of our lips. Nothing predatory or untoward, I promise.” He continued to caress her lower lip, causing her legs to turn to jelly.

“Why do you wish to kiss me?” Her voice shook, her tone incredulous, for she truly could not understand why he would ask for such intimacy.

“I have wanted to kiss you from the beginning, even though you annoyed me with your supercilious ways.” She sputtered in protest, but he ignored her and continued on. “Besides, you have eminently kissable lips. You appeal to me, Sabrina. You should know it now, in case you have second thoughts on our temporary arrangement.” He pulled his hand away. “I am going to touch your cheek, will you allow it?”

Her response dried up in her throat. How to explain that she’d never received a proper kiss from a man? Pepperdon had never bothered. The few she’d received from the old earl during the beginning of their marriage consisted of polite busses on the cheek. There was no affection in them, and when he came to her bedroom, there was no preamble before he roughly rutted her. Sabrina cleared her throat. “We are out in public.”

“The sun is setting; no one can observe us here in the alley. May I…touch you?”

Against her better judgment, she gave him a brisk nod. He removed his glove with his teeth, letting it drop to the ground. The warmth from his hand caused her eyelids to blink rapidly. “Soft, as I imagined. Like the finest silk. Your skin is glorious to the touch.” Riordan caressed her cheek with the pad of his thumb. Slowly, he leaned in, angling his head for the kiss. As soon as his lips brushed hers, she could not keep the gasp from escaping her throat, for the contact was electric.

Riordan hesitated. Then he kissed her again, the barest touch. She had no idea what to do. How to react. This was the last thing she expected to occur between them. Perhaps she should follow his lead and return in kind. She moved her mouth across his, and now he was the one who gasped, though it sounded more like a moan. His lips were surprisingly supple. His scent was subtle, masculine, a mixture of lime and bergamot, no doubt from his shaving soap.

In slow increments, Riordan ended the kiss. Exhaling, he smiled. “Better than I imagined. Thank you.”

Her heart banged furiously against her ribcage. One innocent kiss had upended her world. Made it spin out of control. Blast, she should have never allowed it! Feigning indifference, she pushed away from the wall. “Shall we continue on our journey?” Her tone was aloof, the exact feeling she wished to convey.

Riordan’s mouth twisted into a half smile as he bent to retrieve his glove. “As you wish.”

They did not speak the rest of the way, and on the stoop of the inn, she opened her reticule and passed him five one-pound notes. “Thank you again…Riordan.”

He touched the brim of his hat as he stuffed the notes into his coat pocket. “Until Friday at noon. We will drop most of your luggage at the cottage before we depart. Pack only what you need for overnight. Relay the same to Mary.” She must have been frowning, for he added, “It was only a kiss, Sabrina. Tell me now: did it disturb or disgust you to such a degree that you wish for it to never happen again?”

Here lay the opportunity to dismiss this mutual attraction in no uncertain terms. To inform him in as cool a tone as she could muster that he was not to touch her ever again. Explain they were better off ignoring what sparked between them, and in three months they could depart and live their own lives, stay polite strangers and never think of each other at all.

She could not do it.

However, there must be parameters set between them. “No, it did not disturb me in the way you think. But you must see that this cannot happen again. There must be boundaries we cannot cross if this agreement is to work.”

Clasping her gloved hand, he brought it to his lips. With lids half hooded, he glanced up at her. “I will respect certain boundaries. But, in all honesty, I cannot promise it will not happen again.” He paused, his eyes alive with blue fire. “For there is nothing I wish to do more at this moment than to pull you into my arms and kiss you again. Deeply. Thoroughly.” He let go of her hand. “Good evening.”

He turned and walked away, leaving her trembling by the front entrance. Oh, she was hopeless. For there was nothing she wanted more than for him to pull her into his arms and kiss her. And there lay certain trouble. Or paradise.

Or both.