“My plan had no date affixed to it.” He smiled. “My half sister is an agreeable creature and will understand the delay was for a good cause.”

“You have a sister?”

“Several. The one I am to meet runs the Castle Inn at Fox Hill with her husband. I often break my journey there when I come to Wiltshire. She had a babe recently and Holland wants to see the lad and another one residing close by before we return to Town. They can wait a day more.”

Her gaze turned to the building storm clouds. “If you’re sure it’s not a bother I’d appreciate it if you would stay for the night. There is ample room for everyone and I should not like your brothers to get soaked before half a mile is passed.”

Merrick threw his head back and laughed. “Now that is a first. Most women invite me to stay for anything but my ugly brother’s benefit.”

A brilliant blush stained her cheeks and he caught her arm and steered her toward the fast approach of Holland and Jimmy. Did she blush when men shared her bed? He frowned at that idea. Arabella had been a widow for some time, yet he’d never heard of her taking a lover. She cast no lures that he could detect. He pushed the idea from his mind firmly. It was better to be friends than lovers. Friendship lasted far longer than the sudden rush of lust.

“Jimmy, we seem to be staying the night. Have the carriage and team put away and the men dispersed where they will fit. Make sure they help out where they can. No sense being idle if there is work begging to be done.”

Holland glanced between himself and Arabella, his expression curious and wary. “My lord, this is unexpected. What about your plans?”

“It is unexpected, isn’t it? Ease your mind, Holland. My plans can wait. Lady Farnsworth would feel more secure if Lord Farnsworth found the place still occupied by my servants and myself should he return tonight. I would not like to disappoint her by refusing her hospitality.”

Holland didn’t appear happy about it but eventually nodded. “Of course. I would not be easy to have him return either.”

When Holland hurried back to the house, Arabella swatted Merrick’s arm. “You beast. You enjoyed tormenting him.”

He studied his brother’s fast retreat. “I’ll be suitably lectured for it later.”

“What could he have to say about the matter?”

“He’s concerned for you.”

“I’m in no danger with you.”

“Quite the contrary.” He faced her so he could judge her reaction. “Have you even thought your invitation through properly? While we were in London, I was confident I could remove you from my house undetected, but here in the country our togetherness will not be so easily overlooked. People will assume there is something between us if I stay. We have already been too long alone together as it is.”

Her tongue darted out and licked her lips. A distinctly nervous gesture that made his pulse race. “You’ve never…” She waved her free hand about as she sought the right word to describe his lack of seduction.

“Oh, I’ve been interested, but you would surely be the poorer for it.” Merrick was glad they had some distance to walk before they reached the house again and he curled her arm about his and drew her in that direction. “After your recent set of troubles, I wouldn’t be surprised that you’d want nothing to do with men again. You’ve been very clear that you oppose marriage.”

“I don’t exactly oppose marriage. I just never want to have to make another because I’ve no choice.” Her free hand clenched at her waist. “I’d always thought of Farnsworth as a brother. Not a particularly close one, though, so I was shocked that he thought to sell me like he would cattle.” She tightened her grip on his arm. “Can we talk of something else?”

“Anything you like.”

Yet silence fell between them. As they drew closer to the house, Arabella’s steps slowed. She kept sneaking glances at him until he couldn’t stand it. “What?”

She paused beneath a tall tree and faced him. “I have a favor to ask.”

“Name it.”

“When I close my eyes, I see Farnsworth’s face right before he would have hit me again. I would like not to see that image anymore.”

“I don’t imagine that’s very pleasant.”

“Will you kiss me again?”

Merrick held himself very, very still as his pulse bolted. “Ah, I don’t think that’s such a good idea.”

“Please. I would like something pleasant to think about at night.”

The plea in her eyes broke him. Perhaps a kiss would take her terror away quicker than time and distance would. A glance around them confirmed they were alone and could not be seen from the house. He could kiss her and no one would be any the wiser.

He didn’t want to say no, so before he reasoned out the whys of not doing so, he leaned toward her and brushed his lips across hers. He drew back quickly when Arabella froze in place. “I’m sorry.”

 Her brow furrowed. “For what?”

“I startled you.”

Her cheeks brightened with hot color. “No. It was not that at all.”

“What then?”

“I don’t know.” Her lips pressed together briefly. “Would you kiss me again and I will try to remain still?”

“Arabella, another kiss may not change anything.”

“Perhaps not, but please, Merrick. I’d rather think of you.”

She gave so much more than she realized. Merrick tried again, more slowly this time. The first brush of lips was gentle and soft. A temptation to ease her mind. The second kiss was firmer. He cupped her head, eagerly ready to tangle tongues with her. However, her lips remained closed as if she were not used to kisses at all.

Slowly, Merrick sought her waist with his free hand and drew her against him. She sighed as a third kiss began and finally kissed him back the way he wanted. Her hands touched his chest as he tasted her with his tongue. The sweet suction of their lips sent his pulse out of control, and his cock thickened and strained immediately against the placket of his trousers. There was more, so much more, passion to come between them, but in everything to do with Arabella, he hesitated. He wanted her so badly and did not want to make a mistake. He drew back reluctantly with one last soft kiss and waited for her reaction.

Arabella opened her eyes slowly. Her cheeks flamed to a vivid pink, so bright he had to run his fingertip across the smooth surface to test how warm they were.

“Oh my.” She slapped her hands over her blushing cheeks and a throaty laugh burst from her lips. “I see now why every woman who’s ever spoken of you was mad for your company.”

There was his reputation, come to remind her of his debauched past. He bit back his disappointment that she listened to gossip and looked away. “I have my uses.”

After a moment, her arm slid back through his and they continued their walk toward the house with her holding to him firmly. Her eyes fluttered shut as she walked, an unwise decision on uneven ground, and her lips pressed together tightly.

Although intrigued by her reaction to such a simple kiss, he waited till she opened her eyes again before asking what he most wanted to know. “Is Farnsworth gone from your memory?”

“Who?” She faced him and her smile was sweet and intimate. “After such a kiss I am capable of very little recall. It’s a wonder my legs can hold me up. Do you kiss all women like that?”

He’d used no more skill with Arabella than anyone else, but it was different kissing her. Unique and undeniably tender. An idea formed in his mind, but he pushed it away as a foolish wish brought on by an even more foolish desire that she might never belong to anyone but him and only smiled.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Arabella rolled her face into the pillow as frustration grew. Kissing Rothwell had ruined everything. Now instead of the memory of Farnsworth’s red, angry face filling her with terror, she saw Rothwell, and not just in that moment before he’d touched his lips to hers and ripped her contentment apart. Every kind and gentle moment between them flickered through her mind, adding fuel to her memories of kissing him.