Catching Captain Nash (Dashing Widows #6)(18)

“By God, you deserved better than that,” he muttered.

He felt as much as heard her choked laugh. “I doubt I’d survive anything that was better than that.”

Their titanic encounter had held no tenderness. It had been all hunger and demand. Twice he’d taken her like a man starving to death. And he couldn’t swear that he’d be any more restrained in future. He wanted her too much. But this gentle massaging of his skull made him feel like melting into a puddle at her feet.

“Nonetheless I should have been kinder.”

“Next time.”

“Goddammit, I can’t keep my hands off you.”

“I know.” Her smugness soothed the lingering turbulence in his soul.

Finally, he dredged the shameful confession out. “I hated telling them about what happened to me.”

“I know you did. I’m sorry.” She paused, and when she spoke next, humor warmed her tone. “But, my love, if you’re going to feel an uncontrollable urge to swive your wife every time you describe what you’ve been through, I’m going to be awfully busy.”

My love? Did she mean it? She hadn’t yet declared her affection, and while what they’d just done proved that she wanted him, he needed more than her desire.

But he was achingly conscious that he’d been here less than a day. They were still finding their way back to each other. It was too early to insist on vows and promises. Good Lord, last night, she’d been frightened of him.

“I want you so much. All the time. It’s like a fever in my blood.”

“I want you, too.” Before he could respond to that, she went on. “Aren’t you going to the Admiralty today?”

Blast, he’d managed to forget the world outside this room, and he didn’t welcome the reminder. “Yes,” he mumbled, pressing closer.

He wasn’t yet ready to face his responsibilities. Home only made sense when he had his hands on Morwenna, so he was in no rush to return to the everyday. She felt like the one real thing in the midst of swirling chaos. God forgive him, in this place that should be familiar, but felt as strange as landing on the moon, even his family were like beings of another species.

“Would you like me to come with you? I could remain in the carriage.” Still she stroked his hair. Every touch seemed to whisper, “Welcome home.”

“I’ll be hours, I suspect.”

“I can wait.” Then in a lower voice, “And I’ll have something nice to look forward to on the way back. You’ll be ready for me again, once you’ve had to explain yourself to the Admiralty.”

He raised his head, curiosity getting the better of his urge to sink into her and never come up for another breath. “You really don’t mind?”

Wide dark blue eyes, shadowed with lingering passion, met his. “That you turn to me to ease your troubles? Of course I don’t mind.”

His lips twisted in self-derision. “Some women might feel that I’m not showing proper respect.”

That somber gaze didn’t shift from his face. “Don’t you respect me, Robert?”

“I honor you with every second of my life,” he said, his voice gruff with sincerity.

Astonishment lit her eyes, although surely she must already know that was true.

“Oh, my dear,” she said in a broken rush and rose on her toes to kiss his lips. Odd that this kiss, totally devoid of passion, should lay waste to every defense in a way those extravagantly passionate kisses hadn’t.

He cleared his throat to shift an inconvenient lump and made himself straighten, although his hands remained at her waist. He couldn’t bear not to touch her.

“Now, my wife...” His voice sounded impressively steady, although he had to work like the devil to keep it that way. “It’s time to tell me about Kerenza.”





Chapter Seven





* * *



Morwenna straightened her yellow dress, although she suspected anyone who saw her must guess just what she’d been doing in the breakfast room. She took Robert’s hand. Odd to think that last night, she’d been afraid to touch him. Now it seemed as natural as breathing. More natural, in fact, than it had when they’d been together after their marriage. Then she’d been so young and uncertain. Not uncertain of her love, but uncertain that she was a worthy wife to such a superior creature as Robert Nash, naval hero, London gentleman, and brother to a lord.

Now none of those worldly things mattered. What mattered was that she loved him, and he’d suffered so much, and her presence calmed the devils she saw in his eyes when he thought she wasn’t watching.

“Come with me.”

He followed with alacrity. “Are you taking me upstairs to have your wicked way with me?”

She regarded him in surprise. Not at the suggestion. Despite that shuddering encounter that left her weak-kneed and breathless, hunger still hummed about him. If she set out to seduce him, she knew he’d cooperate.

No, she was surprised because what he said almost sounded like the teasing, laughing man she’d married. He wasn’t smiling, but the fraught air was absent. While not exactly at ease, he no longer seemed likely to shatter into a million pieces at the first provocation.

“You have to go to the Admiralty. And I need to tell you about Kerenza.” She crossed to unlock the door, feeling the pull on well-used muscles with every step. “But when you have time, I’m at your disposal.”