Love and Marriage Page 8

  Chapter Six

  The warm hands ran a restless path down her back, stroking her shivering skin, and sending a liquid fire through her veins. Addy arched closer to the delicious male form as hungry lips crushed her mouth.

  She was being consumed, but she did not care. Nothing mattered but that soon she would be released from the fierce ache that haunted her . . .

  Soon.

  “Addy. Are you finished? Addy?”

  With an abrupt jerk, Addy was wrenched from her delectable daydream. She gave a dazed blink to discover herself seated in the salon holding a forgotten drawing pad in her hand.

  A flustered heat stung her cheeks as she realized that the Vicar was regarding her with a searching gaze.

  Dear heavens, what was the matter with her? she wondered with a flare of panic. A lady did not sit in a salon with a respectable vicar and think of such things.

  Indeed, a lady did not think of such things at all.

  But no matter how many times she chastised herself for her traitorous thoughts, Addy simply could not dismiss the memories of the night before.

  Why had Adam never touched her with such passion before? Why had he not kissed her as if he were desperate for the mere taste of her? Why had he not swept aside her reserve and demanded her response?

  She gave a faint shake of her head at the futile longings.

  Now was certainly not the moment to brood upon Adam’s strange behavior. Not with Mr. Humbly regarding her with obvious curiosity.

  “I am sorry. What did you say?”

  The older man’s lips twitched as if he found something amusing in her distraction.

  “I inquired if we were finished for the day.”

  “Oh, yes. Forgive me.”

  Settling back in a more comfortable position, Humbly watched as she set aside her drawing pad.

  “I do not mean to intrude, my dear, but it does not seem as if your mind is upon your work today.”

  “I suppose I am rather distracted,” she conceded reluctantly, knowing that she could hardly deny the obvious.

  “Is there anything I can help you with?”

  Addy paused. She could hardly confess what was upon her mind, but perhaps the Vicar could ease the growing concern that had begun to plague her lately.

  “It is no doubt ridiculous, but I can not help but be worried about Adam.”

  “Oh? Is he still nursing a thick head?”

  She waved a dismissive hand. Her father had nursed a countless number of thick heads with no ill effects.

  “I do not refer to his head, which no doubt will heal with time.”

  The gray brows rose. “Then what is troubling you?”

  “It is very unlike him to overindulge in brandy.”

  Surprisingly Mr. Humbly merely smiled at her concern. “Ah well, every gentleman can be forgiven for an occasional lapse.”

  Every gentleman except Adam, she silently acknowledged. He did not have lapses of any sort. Never.

  “He did not seem angry or disturbed?”

  “Not at all,” the Vicar denied in firm tones. “He was in the finest spirits. I assure you it did my heart good to see him ease his guard and simply enjoy himself.”

  “Yes, I suppose,” she retorted in dubious tones.

  Humbly widened his eyes. “My dear, I thought you would be pleased.”

  “Pleased?”

  “Well, you did complain he was far too rigid. You even wished that he would be more like your father.”

  Addy shifted uneasily. Certainly she wished that Adam would not be so uncompromisingly proper. And that he would occasionally lower his guard enough to enjoy a bit of frivolity. But had she actually claimed that she wished him to be another Lord Morrow?

  “I suppose,” she reluctantly agreed.

  Humbly gave a sudden chuckle. “Do you recall when your father had been drinking at the local inn and he became lost on his way home and he spent the entire night in my rose bushes? Or the time he accepted the wager to hold up the mail coach and he was forced to hide from the magistrate for a fortnight? Ah yes, Lord Morrow is certainly a gentleman who knows how to drink freely from the cup of life.”

  Addy attempted to hide her wince at the unpleasant memories. For the past few weeks she had felt a nostalgic ache to return home and be among her joyous, unpredictable family. Humbly’s words, however, were an unwelcome reminder that the Morrow household was not without a few trials.

  “He does know how to enjoy himself,” she retorted in low tones.

  Seemingly unaware of her discomfort the Vicar smiled brightly. “As does your mother. Such a beautiful, spirited woman. She has never been bound by the stuffy rules of society.”

  Addy’s own smile was wan. Her mother was beyond spirited, she ruefully acknowledged. She was reckless, impulsive and wholly enchanted with gentlemen young enough to be her own sons.

  “No, she does not concern herself with rules.”

  “So you see, I thought you would be happy to think that Adam is willing to put aside his conventional manner upon occasion.”

  Addy gave a restless shake of her head. The older man was beginning to tangle her thoughts.

  “I just do not comprehend why he would do so now,” she complained.

  “Who can say?” With a valiant struggle, the Vicar rose to his feet. “If you will excuse me, I believe I shall have a brief rest before dinner.”

  “Of course.”

  Addy watched her guest slowly make his way from the room. If she had hoped that Mr. Humbly would ease her concern, she had been sorely mistaken, she sighed.

  It was ridiculous to presume that Adam was somehow attempting to please her. He was not the sort of gentleman to alter his lifestyle to please anyone.

  There had to be something else disturbing him.

  But what?

  She was no closer to an answer when the housekeeper bustled into the room and plucked the empty tea tray from the table.

  “I see the Vicar enjoyed his lemon tarts,” Mrs. Hall said with a sniff.

  Addy smiled wryly at the memory of Humbly gobbling the tarts with open relish.

  “Yes, he does possess a fondness for them.”

  Surprisingly the servant’s countenance remained set in lines of disapproval.

  “May I ask how long Mr. Humbly will be staying?”

  “I am uncertain,” Addy admitted with a frown. “Does it matter?”

  “For a man of God he has not been a good influence upon this household,” Mrs. Hall readily spoke her mind. “First by encouraging Mr. Drake to remain out all hours of the night, and now dragging him to the Bates’s soiree.”

  Addy regarded the servant with a curious gaze. “Is there something wrong with Mr. Bates?”

  “Not him. A very decent gentleman who has been a friend to Mr. Drake for years. I am referring to his sister.”

  “His sister?”

  Mrs. Hall gave a click of her tongue. “Not that it is my place to speak ill of my betters, but she has always made a pest of herself when Mr. Drake is in London. Sending him notes, following him about town, and even attempting to compromise him into marriage. At last Mr. Drake was forced to stop attending any function she might be at.”

  Addy could not disguise her shock.

  “Good heavens.”

  “And she wasn’t the only maiden to make a fool of herself over Mr. Drake,” the housekeeper continued in a warning voice. “He has always been a great favorite among the fairer sex.”

  Adam?

  Adam was a great favorite among women?

  He had been pursued and nearly compromised?

  “Oh,” she at last murmured.

  Mrs. Hall wagged a finger of doom. “I would suggest that you keep a close eye on that Miss Bates. She is a vixen, make no mistake.”

  Having heard quite enough, Addy firmly cleared her throat. For some reason the thought of Adam being pursued by determined young maidens left a sour taste in her mouth.

  “That will be all, Mrs. Hall.”
/>   * * *

  Adam was a man of purpose.

  After gathering all the pertinent facts and careful consideration he chose his course of action and moved forward with confident assurance.

  It was the only means of accomplishing a goal, he had always told himself. To hesitate or endlessly debate a decision left one floundering in incompetency.

  Tonight, however, he discovered himself pausing several long moments before at last pushing open the connecting door to Addy’s room.

  It was not that he was nervous, he was swift to reassure himself. It was merely a matter of caution. Unlike himself, Addy was a woman very much prey to her emotions, although she sternly attempted to pretend a cool demeanor. It made it difficult to predict how she would react at any given moment.

  A rather unnerving realization for a gentleman of logic.

  Moving further into the room Adam caught sight of Addy seated at her dressing table.

  In the glow of the candlelight she appeared breathtakingly lovely. The pale rose of her satin gown skimmed the lush curves and gave a tantalizing glimpse of the swell of her bosom. The raven curls had been loosened into ringlets atop her head with a few wispy strands brushing her ivory cheeks.

  A stunning, nearly overwhelming surge of desire slammed into him at the sight of her elegant form.

  He vividly remembered how she felt, trembling in his arms. The satin of her skin. The sound of her rasping breath filling the air.

  It would be so easy to pluck her from the chair and take the few steps to her wide bed. His entire body ached to do so.

  But the realization he had no notion if she would melt with warmth or stiffen with resignation made him savagely stifle his instinctive impulse.

  Patience, he sternly cautioned himself.

  Only time would tell if he and Addy could overcome the barriers between them. To rush her now would surely spell disaster.

  Once again in control of himself, Adam firmly crossed the delicate floral carpet to halt at her side.

  “Good evening, Addy.”

  Intent on choosing the proper pair of gloves, Addy gave a small jump of surprise as she glanced upward.

  “Adam.”

  His gaze drifted over her pale countenance. In the flickering light her skin glowed with the rich luster of pearls while her eyes darkened to mysterious pools of ebony. He halted as he reached the tempting softness of her lips.

  “You look lovely.”

  As if sensing his restless passion she dropped her heavy lashes over her eyes in a flustered manner.

  “Thank you. Is there something you need?”

  He stifled his instinctive groan.

  He knew precisely what he needed. Unfortunately he was not certain she needed, nor desired the same thing.

  “Not at all,” he forced himself to lie.

  “I am not late, am I?”

  “No, I am early.”

  “Oh.”

  Taking a deep breath Adam forced himself to plunge into his reason for intruding into her chamber.

  “It occurred to me that I have been very remiss,” he said, his clipped tones covering his vague embarrassment.

  Her gaze flew upward in surprise.

  “Remiss?”

  “I should have realized that every woman enjoys wearing a bauble or two. Especially when they are mingling with society.”

  Pressing the box he had brought with him into her hands, he watched as she slowly lifted the lid to reveal the delicate diamond necklace and matching earrings. A smile curved his lips as she gasped in delight.

  He had chosen well.

  “Adam,” she breathed.

  “Do you like them?”

  “They are lovely.” She lifted a puzzled gaze. “But it is too much.”

  “Nonsense,” he denied. “Of course if there is something else you prefer we could always exchange them.”

  “No. They are perfect.”

  He rewarded her with a warm smile. “Good. May I help you?” He reached down to pluck the earrings from the box and attached them to her earlobes. Then with great care he draped the necklace about her throat and clasped the tiny lock. Of their own volition his fingers stroked the fiery diamonds that lay on her pale skin. “They look very good on you.”

  Her breath caught as she met his shimmering gaze. “I do not know what to say.”

  “There is nothing you need say. I only want you to enjoy them.” Unable to resist, Adam bent slowly downward to lightly brush her mouth with his own. Her lips parted in silent invitation, but he pulled sharply back. He did not trust his precarious control. Not with that damnable bed looming so tantalizingly near. “I shall see you downstairs.”

  Not daring to linger to hear her response Adam turned and swiftly made his way out of her chamber. Even when he reached the hallway he kept his reluctant feet moving toward the staircase and down to the front salon.

  For a gentleman of unshakable control he was suddenly finding it absurdly difficult to keep his hands off his own wife.

  Entering the room it was a relief to discover Humbly already settled upon a sofa. He was in desperate need of a distraction from his fantasies.

  “Good evening, Humbly,” he murmured, moving to lean against the mantel.

  “Ah, Adam. You are feeling better I trust?”

  “I am recovering.” He glanced pointedly at the glass of brandy in his guest’s hand. “You will understand, however, if I do not join you in a drink?”

  “Certainly.” The Vicar regarded him with a steady gaze. “I do hope that you have not given up on our notion, Adam?”

  Adam briefly closed his eyes as he recalled the humiliating end to his evening. Bad enough to have entertained half of London with his bawdy songs, to collapse at the feet of his wife was outside enough.

  “Gads, Humbly, I have accomplished nothing more than to make a fool of myself with your ridiculous notion.”

  Humbly abruptly leaned forward. “On the contrary. Addy is very disturbed by your night of revelry. She questioned me quite sharply on what could be disturbing you. It is obvious she is beginning to question her desire for a more exciting marriage.”

  Adam grimaced. “It still seems absurd.”

  “You must give it time,” Humbly chided. “As the good book says, ‘Be strong and let your heart take courage.’ ”

  “I would take far more courage if I did not feel like a lobcock,” he said dryly.

  “You do wish to improve your relationship with your wife, do you not?”

  Adam felt a flare of impatience. “Of course I do.”

  There was a small silence as the Vicar studied him with a discomforting intensity.

  “Tell me, Adam, just what is it that you do desire from Addy?”

  Adam frowned at the unexpected question. “I wish to see her more content in our marriage.”

  “Nothing else?” Humbly prodded.

  “What do you mean?”

  “Do you desire love?”

  Adam abruptly straightened. Love? What did that have to do with marriage? Respect, honor, and loyalty were the ingredients for a satisfying relationship. Love was for those silly enough to be a victim of their unpredictable emotions.

  “We did not wed for love,” he said stiffly.

  “That does not make us not long for it in our lives. Did you know that I was once engaged?”

  Adam blinked at the mere thought of Humbly with a maiden. Surely he was a born bachelor?

  “No.”

  “Sally Falton.” Humbly heaved a reminiscent sigh. “A bewitching maiden who was as sweet as she was beautiful. I met her the year before I traveled to Surrey. Ah, what a lovely summer we had.”

  “Why did you not wed?”

  “Her father was ambitious and not about to allow his daughter to throw herself away upon a lowly vicar.” Humbly shrugged. “Like Addy, poor Sally was expected to save the family from financial ruin.”

  Adam felt a sharp pang. He did not like to recall that Addy had been forced into marriage.

>   “A bad break,” he murmured.

  “Yes. At the time I thought I should never recover from my disappointment.”

  Adam tried and failed to imagine this gentleman pining with unrequited love.

  “Obviously you did recover.”

  “Not until far too late, I fear,” he mourned.

  “What?”

  “At the time I considered myself a martyr on the altar of love.” Humbly dropped his gaze to study the brandy in his glass. “Sally was my true partner and if I could not have her then I would live a life of tragic solitude. When one is young everything is very dramatic and excessively uncompromising.”

  Adam studied his guest with growing curiosity. He sensed that Humbly had a very specific point to his seemingly random reminiscences.

  “I suppose that is true enough.”

  “The years passed and while I learned that Sally had wed and was happily producing a brood of children, I still clung to my bittersweet memories. I swore that my heart would never be touched again.”

  Adam’s curiosity deepened to suspicion. What was the wily old fox up to now?

  “I am sorry.”

  “So am I.” Humbly slowly raised his gaze, his expression unnaturally somber. “I was a fool. Rather than allowing Sally to become a sweet memory I continued to cling to my disappointment. I failed to realize that there were beautiful, wonderful women all about me. The next thing I knew I was an old man all alone.”

  Adam lifted a dark brow, thinking on the endless guests that crowded into the Vicarage.

  “You are hardly alone, Humbly.”

  The Vicar allowed a whimsical smile to touch his lips. “Certainly I have many friends whom I hold dear to my heart. But there is nothing that can replace the love of a wife and children to fill your house. Had I not been so stubborn I would have sought a love that was possible rather than long for the unobtainable. There is nothing romantic about turning your back on the promise of happiness directly before you.”

  Abruptly realizing what the old fool was suggesting Adam gave a sharp shake of his head.

  It was ludicrous.

  “I assure you, Humbly, that Addy will never offer her heart, even if I were to desire it.”