Dangerous Liaison (Lords of Whitehall Book 2)

regarded himself as a simple man. Happiest in the country, riding his horses, visiting friends he had known since he’d worn short pants. That life he’d had before the Corsican turned his sights on England. The war changed everything.
Gillian liked the country. She said so. If he proved Whitney innocent or guilty of a lesser offense, then perhaps his wife would not hate him. Mayhap, they would be able to salvage their affection for each other. They could retire to the country together. He could keep a finger in the Home Office’s dealings when required. Couriers could ferry his correspondence to London for Cross and others to implement. Feeling much better at his new plan, Moreham made another decision.
He was going to seduce his wife!
Gillian made certain she said goodnight to Timmie as she headed above stairs. It would not do for the butler to see how upset she was by her husband’s behavior. She had never been exposed to such a fickle temper.
In the barely one week since they had joined forces, Moreham had fired her anger one minute only to charm her into wanting more the next. When he looked at her with those silver-gray eyes filled with mischief and his lips quirked up to one side, she wanted to throw herself at him and beg him to make love her. They were married after all.
She bade the cupids in the ceiling dome a good night and entered their sitting room. She had lied to Moreham to save herself from humiliation. She was not tired in the least. After watching him all during dinner, she felt more alive than she ever had in her life.
Before she met the man, she had thought her life with her aunt and uncle was what she wanted. Now, she knew better. She wanted what the matrons whispered about behind their fans. She wanted Moreham to join her in her bed and teach her what all the fuss was about.
“My lady, do you wish to dress for bed?” Maisy’s voice broke through her ruminations.
At least one part of her old life was the same. Maisy had been her maid since her first season. The pair had got along well together from the beginning.
“Yes, Maisy, perhaps we should look at Lady Sylvia’s exquisite nightrails.”
She followed Maisy through the door into her bedchamber. The maid showed her a virginal white linen nightrail with lace sleeves. The garment’s fabric was so thin she could see her hand through the cloth.
Gillian laughed out loud. “However, will I face my mother-in-law if I wear that?”
“My lady, I think the true question is how will you face the earl wearing such?” Maisy asked with a naughty grin.
She bit her tongue to keep from directing Maisy to dig out her old nightrail of heavy linen. She trusted Maisy and knew the maid would keep her secrets to herself, but she realized she didn’t want the woman to think Moreham did not love her. Maisy believed in romantic love and Gillian did not want to shatter her dreams of a happily ever after.
“Well, Maisy, I think we should get me undressed and into that sinful excuse of a nightgown and I will find out.”
Gillian gave herself over to Maisy’s care. When the maid curtsied and bade her good night, Gillian stood in the middle of her bedchamber wearing the wispy confection with her hair trailing down her back. Once she was alone, Gillian, closed her eyes and swayed in a slow circle. The silky fabric slid over her bare skin. Gillian wished Moreham would come to her. She wanted to feel his hands on her. No wonder her aunt had closeted her away in the country. She possessed the lusty nature of a tavern wench.
Gillian gave the flimsy confection one last look. She was such a fool. Another reason her aunt kept her sequestered. Gillian was a dreamer. Best to dig out her old nightrail. Her old flannel gown would keep her warm which was more than her husband intended to do that night.
She rooted through the armoire and found her nightrail then changed from the frothy bit of nothing into the flannel gown. Gillian satisfied with herself, climbed into her bed. Moreham had said nothing of them sharing a bed. May as well get used to sleeping alone.
With her decision made to soldier on, Gillian settled back into her pillows and tried to read. The ticking of the mantel clock grew louder and louder robbing her of all concentration. Where was Moreham? Had he gone to bed without a word to her? Mayhap he was in the library plotting his strategy for their time at Whitings.
Lost in her thoughts, Gillian jumped when her door opened. Moreham stood in the doorway. His gaze slid from her head to the foot of the bed. A tremor stole through her body as the intensity in his eyes. For an instant, she wanted to flee to her dressing room. No, she would not cower from this man. She would give as good as he took.
“My dear, I thought we were going to share my bed as man and wife.”
Gillian laid her book aside. “I thought your departure earlier was an indication that you were no longer interested in our time together. I’m not some dewy-eyed miss who will wait for you to make all the decisions regarding our relationship. After all, our marriage is most unusual. The rules of others do not apply to us.”
Moreham watched her for several moments before speaking. “Nothing has to happen tonight that you do not want to have happen. While many newly wedded couples in our society marry for reasons other than mutual love, we do have the distinction of having the question of Whitney’s possible treasonous activities. I will understand if you ask me to retire to my bedchamber to leave you in peace.”
Part of her felt at sea with this man who exuded charm and charisma like no other gentleman she’d ever met. His