Page 32 of A Lyon’s Lesson

Rick snarled. “Well, our marriage has been consummated! So, I repeat, stay away from my wife!”

Bidenden narrowed his eyes at Rick and said softly, “So she is a cracker. I knew it!”

Rick slapped the table and rose. “Enough! One more word and I swear—”

At that point, the door reopened and Berrisford and Cecey came back into the room. “My gardener shall deliver the cuttings to you tomorrow, Lady Kenrick.”

Bidenden rose, too, and Rick said, “Berrisford, we thank you for your hospitality, but it has been a long day.”

A few minutes later, Rick handed Cecey up into the curricle and tucked a rug around her legs. It had been a warm day, but with the sun sinking in the west, the temperature was dropping. It would be full dark in another hour, but he planned to have her home before then. For himself, he was unlikely to grow chilly. His blood was simmering with barely suppressed fury.

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As the curricle reached the end of the driveway and turned into the road to take them home, the tension Cecey had been unconsciously holding in her body released in a shudder, and she found herself unable to stop shaking. It wasn’t a cold night, yet she felt cold deep inside, like an ague had suddenly seized her. Clasping her hands tightly in her lap she fought to keep silent as a whimper clawed up her throat, seeking to escape.

She must have made some kind of noise or something, for Rick looked at her and said a shade of alarm in his voice, “Are you all right?”

She opened her mouth to say of course, and instead a sob escaped.

With a muttered curse, Rick maneuvered the horses off to the side of the road and looped the reins around the bar. Drawing her into his arms he said, “I knew I should have punched him and damn the consequences! You’re shaking! I’m so sorry, Cecey.”

His words undid the last dam in her defenses, and she burst into full sobs against his chest. He found the ribbon of her bonnet and pulled it free, tossing the bonnet aside and wrapping her close. Nestled in the protective shelter of his strong embrace, she gave in to the tears for a few moments of utter relief, while he stroked her back and muttered threats to Bidenden’s person.

The flood crested and passed, and groping for a handkerchief, she mopped her face and blew her nose. “I’m sorry,” she said at last. “It just brought it all back.”

Rick cupped her face and said gently, “Don’t. You were so brave and strong back there, I was proud of you. No one would have guessed how affected you were. I didn’t, until now.”

She blinked wet lashes and smiled a watery smile, her heart swelling with warmth at his words. “Thank you. I didn’t realize either until just now.” She bit her lip. “He frightens me,” she confessed.

He drew her close again and kissed her hair. “I won’t let him hurt you, I promise.”

She raised her head with a sigh. “Oh, Rick—” and he kissed her, cutting off any more words or thoughts with the press of his lips. Losing herself in the pleasure of the kiss, Cecey’s body let go of the last of the fear and relaxed into the comfort of her husband’s arms.

After a bit, Rick broke the kiss and said thickly, “I’m taking you home—to bed! Before I’m tempted to do something obscene to my wife on the side of the road!”

She giggled and straightened. “What did you do with my bonnet?”

“I don’t know,” he said looking around for it and finding it wedged behind the seat. Pulling it out, he handed the rather bent confection back to her. She laughed. “Rick, it’s ruined!”

“It’s just a bonnet—order a new one!” he said recklessly, unlooping the reins. “Are you all right now?” he asked, squeezing her hand.

“Yes,” she said sincerely.

“Good.” He kissed her hand and turned his attention to the horses.

Just over half an hour later, Rick drew the curricle to a halt before their stables and jumped down as Pagette appeared to take charge of the horses and vehicle. Coming around to her side, he forestalled her attempt to climb down by simply lifting her down. Then, before she could catch her breath, he scooped her up into his arms and set off for the front entrance.

She laughed. “Rick, what are you doing?”

“Taking you to bed,” he said with one of his devilish grins. “If you’ve no objection?”

“No,” she said softly, laying a hand on his chest and her head on his shoulder.

“Good,” he said again.

Five minutes later, he set her gently on her feet in the bedchamber they had shared since their arrival at the manor and kissed her with a thoroughness that left her breathless.

“Cecey, I want you,” he murmured urgently, his lips tracing kisses over her ear and down her neck.