Grayling scowled. “That was different.”

“You’re correct. The situations are as different as night and day. I will not rush Arabella with an offer of marriage when she is uncertain she wants more. When I do marry, I don’t want to feel my bride chose me because she must. Now, may we return to the house so I can say farewell properly to your charming wife and children? It will be dark soon and I want to deliver Arabella home to Winslette where she’s happiest.”

Gray pressed his lips together and then gestured toward the house. They returned without speaking. Merrick wasn’t unduly surprised about Grayling finding out he’d slept with Arabella. It was reasonable that she’d confide in him. He just didn’t like Grayling’s assertion that they had to wed or else.

They found the ladies in the conservatory, children running around them and squealing. Arabella smiled shyly, fingers twisting at her waist. “You’re back.”

He nodded. Although he ached to touch her, Merrick concluded that being too forward in front of friends might embarrass her, so he reluctantly kept his distance. “A small difficulty. I’ll explain in the carriage if I may.”

“Of course.” They chatted a bit longer and then it was Arabella who claimed it time to go. “I’ve been away so long and there is much to do.”

Lady Grayling took her arm and led her toward the entrance hall. “There always is. Remember what I told you to do tonight. Come back and see us soon. Bring Rothwell with you for a longer visit if you like.”

“I will.” Arabella kissed her cheek, her cheeks burning quite red. “Until next time.” She stole a glance at Merrick before rushing toward the carriage.

“Rosemary,” Grayling growled. “Now what did you tell her to do?”

His wife looked anything but contrite. “An additional lesson. Nothing you’ve not had experience with.”

Merrick glanced between them. “Have I missed something?”

Lady Grayling laughed as her husband followed Arabella out the door. “You did, but hopefully you won’t feel so neglected after tonight is over. Good night, Rothwell. Please don’t keep my friend waiting.”

Puzzled, he joined Arabella in the carriage. Holland and young Danny were already seated with her. He quickly performed the introductions and then turned to Arabella. “What lesson did Lady Grayling have to share?”

“Later.” Her face flamed. “Much later, in fact.”

As the carriage left Grayling’s estate, sniffling drew his attention. The boy was still upset, and Merrick was at a loss as to how to comfort him. Arabella suddenly leaned forward and took the child’s hand in hers. “Partings are always hard, Danny.”

The boy nodded, his weeping eyes locked on hers.

Arabella smiled. “When we get to Winslette, you must help me pick a room for you. You may have any unoccupied room for your own tonight as long as you are careful with my possessions.”

Danny’s eyes darted to Holland.

Arabella released him and sat back. “Even the one beside Holland’s. I believe it is unoccupied too, so you are in luck.”

The boy sat back as well and seemed much more at ease. Had he merely been worried he’d be left alone on his first night away from all he’d known? Merrick wouldn’t do that to the boy. He’d lost his mother to illness a few weeks past and it was clear he mourned her.

Arabella caught his eye and he smiled at her. She truly was good to comfort a boy she should never have paid notice to.

Holland cleared his throat. “Shall I inform the men we return to London tomorrow and have the carriage prepared for an early start?”

The return trip would take three days, and then he’d have nothing to look forward to but the boy’s care. Arabella made no protest and extended no invitation for him to stay. He studied her face, looking for signs she disagreed, and saw nothing to give him hope. He nodded but he wished he didn’t have to go. Arabella was all he could think about. He might very well need his brother’s stubborn nature to make him leave her and Winslette behind.

CHAPTER TWENTY TWO

Arabella slipped inside Merrick’s chamber and shut the door firmly behind her. She was confronted by his bare back, and her pulse raced as she discovered he was completely naked already. She licked her lips as her body reacted. “I had hoped to see you again.”

He tossed the shirt he’d been holding across the room and sat on the edge of the bed. “I considered visiting your room.”

She moved closer to see his face. He’d been silent and watchful at dinner and had only picked at his food. She hoped he wasn’t annoyed with her for telling Gray and Rosemary about them. “Then why didn’t you?”

He shook his head. “I wanted to.”

She stopped at his side and lifted her hand to his hair. When she touched his head, he leaned into her palm. “I wanted you to, as well.”

Finally, a smile. He caught her about her hips and drew her body between his knees. “I’m glad.”

Between them, his length thickened and grew while she watched in wonder. Discovering just how easily he became aroused and how comfortable with it he seemed brought a smile to her lips. She’d learned much about pleasure from him and intended to thank him in a very personal way.

Slowly he toppled backward, taking Arabella with him so they lay on the bed. The heat of his body beneath her scorched her through two layers of nightclothes. She wore his banyan again over her nightgown, but the material was not thick enough to prevent awareness of every inch of him. When she was comfortable atop him, his hands danced over her covered bottom. “You’re wearing my banyan again.”

“I like it. It feels lovely against my skin.”

He wriggled his hand between them and untied the belt. “I like you naked against me.”

“I did notice that.” She studied his face. “I wish you didn’t have to go tomorrow.”

He freed one of her arms from the robe and tugged the tie on her nightgown undone. “I wish I didn’t need to go, too.”

“I suppose you must have much to do for the boy?”

“I’m not going for that reason. The boy will live with me for a while before he eventually goes off to school.” He forced her nightgown over her shoulder and kissed her bare skin. His lips, their startling caress, forced a moan from her throat in response. He chuckled softly, then continued, “I don’t want to ruin your reputation. I’m not sure we’ll avoid gossips as it is, but staying here any longer will only make the tongues wag worse.”

Arabella at last understood how difficult it was to be good when you desperately wanted to touch someone. Doing without him today had been difficult. She was amazed at her restraint in not dragging him to a secluded corner every time he smiled her way since his return. “I know there is the risk of that, but I would not regret one moment spent in your arms.”

He kissed her fiercely, tangling his tongue with hers and setting her senses on fire. Before she knew it, she was beneath him on the bed, her nightgown at her waist, his hands everywhere at once.

Remembering what she’d set out to do, Arabella pushed against his chest. “Lie down for me. Please.”

He groaned and flipped to his back. “Woman, you’re not going to make me beg, are you?”

“No.” She rose onto her hands and knees as Rosemary had suggested and hovered at his side. Tonight she wanted to explore Rothwell with her lips and hands as he had done to her last night. Rosemary had explained as best she could, but the challenge she’d set herself was daunting. Merrick had likely had a lot of lovers, and they all might do this one thing better than she ever would. “I’d hate to make you beg for anything, but lie there and don’t move.”

She bent her head and kissed his shoulder, his chest, and then his flat nipple. He grunted as she licked it experimentally. When she attempted to draw the little bud into her mouth, he cursed. “Damn, now I know what Lady Grayling whispered to you.”