Everything and the Moon (The Lyndon Sisters #1)(83)

“And why is that?”

“It is well past noon. A proper marriage must take place in the morning.”

“A silly rule.”

“My father always abided by it,” she said. “I know, for I was always forced to pound away at the organ at every wedding at which he officiated.”

“I didn't know we had an organ at our village vicarage.”

“We didn't. This was in Leeds. And I believe you're changing the subject.”

“No,” he said, nuzzling her neck. “Merely a temporary digression. As for morning weddings, I believe that the early hour is required only for conventional marriages. With a special license we can do whatever we please.”

“I suppose I should be thankful that I am cleaving unto a man who is so supremely organized.”

Robert let out a happy sigh. “I shall take my compliments in any form you wish.”

“Do you really want to get married this evening?”

“I can think of nothing else as appealing. We've no playing cards, and I have already read most of the books in the library.”

She swatted him with a pillow. “I am serious.”

It took only a second for him to pin her down onto her back, his weight flattening her bare breasts, his eyes gleaming into hers. “So am I,” he said.

She caught her breath, then smiled. “I believe you.”

“Besides, if I do not marry you tonight, I shall have to ravish you again.”

“Is that so?”

“Indeed. But you are a good churchgoing woman, daughter of a vicar no less, so I know that you will want to keep your premarriage ravishments to a minimum.” His expression turned suddenly serious. “I always swore that when I made love to you, it would be as man and wife.”

She grinned and touched his cheek. “Well, we ruined that vow.”

“Once, I suppose, is not so very great a sin,” he said, turning his attention to her earlobe. “But I should like to get my ring on your finger before I am overcome with lust again.”

“You're not overcome now?” she asked with a disbelieving expression. It wasn't very difficult to feel the imprint of his desire on her hip.

Robert laughed against the underside of her chin. “I'm going to enjoy being married to you, Torie.”

“I-I suppose that is a good reason to propose,” she gasped, trying to ignore the spasms of pleasure he was stirring within her.

“Mmmm, yes.” He moved back to her mouth and kissed her deeply, teasing her until she was quivering beneath him. Then, abruptly, he rolled off her and onto his feet. “I'd better stop now,” he said with a wicked smile, “for in another moment I won't be able to.”

Victoria wanted to shout out that she didn't care, but she contented herself with tossing a pillow at him instead.

“I wouldn't want to compromise you any further,” Robert continued, easily dodging her attack. “And I wanted to remind you of”—he leaned down and dropped one last kiss on her mouth—”this. Just in case you were having second thoughts.”

“I'm having them now” she retorted, certain that she looked just as frustrated as she felt.

Robert laughed as he crossed the room. “I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that my little reminder has left me feeling every bit as uncomfortable and unfulfilled as you.”

“I'm perfectly fine,” she said, lifting her chin in the air.

“Yes, of course you are,” he teased as he reached into the traveling case he'd left carelessly on the desk. Victoria was about to let out a stinging retort when his countenance turned quite black and he let out a loud “Damn!”

“Is something amiss?” she asked.

His head whipped up to face her. “Have you been in this bag?”

“No, of course not, I wouldn't—” She colored as she remembered that she'd been looking through his things. “Well, actually I would snoop in your belongings, I admit, but I found the tub before I found your case.”

“I don't care if you want to pull up the floorboards,” he said distractedly. “What's mine is yours. But I had important papers in this case, and now they're gone.”

A unexpected bubble of mirth welled up in Victoria's chest. “What sort of papers?” she asked carefully.

Robert let out another low curse before replying, “The special license.”

Victoria had a feeling that it wasn't an appropriate time to burst into loud and raucous laughter, but she did so anyway.

Robert planted his hands on his hips as he turned to face her. “This is not funny.”

“I'm sorry,” she said, not sounding particularly apologetic. “It is simply that you— Oh, my!” Victoria collapsed into another round of giggles.

“It must be in my other case,” Robert said. “Damn.”

Victoria wiped her eyes. “Where is your other case?”

“London.”

“I see.”

“We'll have to leave within the hour.”

Her mouth fell open. “Leave for London? Right now?”

“I don't see any other option.”

“But how will we get there?”

“MacDougal stabled my carriage just a quarter mile away before leaving for London. The local squire has always been most accommodating. I'm sure he can spare a groom to drive us back.”