Page 48 of Marriage with a Proper Stranger

“You may name her whatever you wish. Farmer Walsh tells me she is about four months old. Completely trained to use a box of sand for her doings, a house cat in all ways. His wife suffered a form of hay fever and the poor thing was banished to the barn—the kitten, not Mrs. Walsh.”

A small giggle escaped Sabrina.

“Ah. There. The beginnings of a laugh.” He kissed her, but kept it brief. Before he ended it, she actually kissed him in return. A soft pressing, a searching, and he was sorely tempted to take it deeper. Patience. The kiss ended on her sigh, and he pulled her close to his rapidly beating heart.

Sabrina slipped her arms about his waist and embraced him in return. They stood together for interminable minutes, until finally he said, “Shall we introduce Mittens to her new home? She may become distressed if we leave her in the basket for much longer.”

“Thank you again. Only I know next to nothing about having a pet,” she whispered.

He kissed the top of her head, and her enchanting citrus scent surrounded him. He was fully aroused—there was no hiding it, and he didn’t even bother to try. Daringly, he rolled his hips, and his erection pressed closer against her thigh. Sabrina gazed up at him, her expression questioning. “You do this to me every time you’re near, whenever I kiss you or hold you. I cannot control it, nor do I wish to,” he revealed.

“You want me?” Her tone was incredulous.

“Yes. Desperately. But I will abide by your boundaries.” To show that he meant what he said, he released her and took a couple of steps in reverse. It was one of the hardest things he’d ever done.

Her gaze rolled over him, lingering on his obvious hard shaft pressing against the fall of his trousers. Then, as her cheeks flushed a deeper crimson, she met his eyes. “In the past,” she began, her voice barely above a whisper, “a man in such a state filled me with abhorrence. With you? I feel…none of it.”

A spark of hope took root deep inside him. “Do you wish to discuss it?”

“Not tonight, but…soon. Perhaps later in the week.”

Riordan would not push her. Instead, he held out his hand. “Let us see your cat settled and find us a bite of supper.”

Another brief, slight smile. And perhaps an expression of relief. Sabrina took his hand and they headed for the parlor. Riordan picked up the basket. Opening it, Sabrina peered in. “She’s beautiful.”

“Take a seat and I’ll pass her to you.” Sabrina did as instructed. Taking great care not to spook the feline, Riordan lifted Mittens from her wicker imprisonment and held her close, speaking in soothing tones to calm the trembling animal. “She’s nervous, no doubt glad to be out of the barn, but not sure where she is and why. Don’t be alarmed if Mittens struggles or lashes out. Don’t take it personally.”

Riordan passed the kitten to Sabrina. The animal stared up at her with its large green eyes as if asking for her love and acceptance. “Go ahead and pet her, scratch under her chin,” he instructed. Sabrina did and was rewarded with loud purring. A brief giggle left her throat and the sound was glorious. “Where shall we set up her bed, here or in your room?”

Still petting the kitten, she gazed up at him. “Oh, my room. Next to the fireplace. What is the other container and the sand for?”

“As I stated earlier, Mittens is a house cat. She cannot be allowed outside on her own. She will be doing her business in the sandbox, and it will have to be cleaned daily. There is a lot of responsibility to having a pet. Are you willing to take it on? If not, I can find another home for Mittens.”

Sabrina hugged the kitten tighter. “No. I will take on the duty of caring for her.”

With a broad smile, Riordan motioned toward the kitten. “Allow her to explore and become acquainted with her new home.”

Sabrina seemed reluctant to let the kitten go, but when she did Mittens immediately moved about the parlor, taking in her surroundings.

“We should have supper.”

Jumping up from the chair, Sabrina clasped her hands together. “Allow me. You’ve had a long journey. Take a seat at the table.”

“Are you sure?”

She nodded and hurried toward the kitchen. To be honest, he was fatigued—but not enough to dissipate his arousal. Blast, how could he function in this condition for the next two months? Eventually they would have to talk about it. Her past. Their feelings. And their future. By God, he wanted one with her.

Sabrina hurried toward the table with a plate and utensils and set them before him. “Mrs. Ingersoll brought cold ham slices and salad, easy enough to prepare.” She was pleased with herself. No doubt the first time she had ever waited on someone. “I’ll slice the bread—Mary showed me this afternoon, along with how to cut and serve a pie. Would you care for a glass of cold water from the pump?” She gave him another small smile. “I’ve learned how to use it as well.”

“Thank you, I would.” This from the spoiled woman of the peerage. What strides she had made toward her independence! After a couple of trips to the kitchen area, Sabrina sat opposite. “You probably would have preferred a hot meal.”

Riordan cut into the thick slice of ham. “Not at all. I ate a hearty brunch before departing. This is perfect. Especially served by you.”

“Do you mind if I ask a question?’

“Of course not.”

“Does your father own a factory? Did you attend university? I know next to nothing about you. I would like to learn more.”