"I think I begin to comprehend your reasoning, my lord," Sophy said. "You feel that the fact that I am not yet a proper wife in every sense of the word may be a handicap for me socially?"

"In a manner of speaking."

"What a dreadful notion. Rather like the idea of eating one's fish with the wrong fork, I imagine."

"A bit more serious than that, I assure you, Sophy. If you were unmarried your continued lack of knowledge about certain matters would be something of a safeguard. Any man who attempted to seduce you, would also know he would be expected to marry you. But as a married woman, you have no such protection. And if a certain sort of man happened to guess that you have not yet shared a bed with your husband, he would be relentless in his pursuit of you. He would see you as a very amusing conquest."

"In other words, this hypothetical male would see me as a fine prize, indeed?"

"Precisely." Julian put down the crystal swan and smiled approvingly at Sophy. "I'm glad you understand the situation."

"Oh, I do," she said, struggling to control her breathlessness. "You are telling me that you have finally decided to claim your husbandly rights."

He shrugged with apparent sangfroid. "It seems to me it would be in your best interests if I did so. For your sake, I have concluded it would be best to put matters on a normal footing."

Sophy's fingers clenched around the back of the dressing table chair. "Julian, I have made it clear that I desire to be a complete wife to you but I must request one favor before we proceed tonight."

His green eyes glittered, belying his outer calm. "What would that favor be, my dear?"

"It is that you cease explaining your logic for doing what you intend to do. Your assurance of how this is all for my own good is having the same effect on me as my special herb tea had on you at Eslington Park."

Julian stared at her, speechless for a moment. Then he stunned Sophy by giving a shout of laughter.

"In danger of going to sleep, are you?" He moved with a suddenness that took Sophy by surprise, sweeping her up into his arms and striding toward the wide bed. "I certainly cannot have that. Madam, I swear I shall do my best to engage your complete and full attention in this matter."

Sophy smiled tremulously up at him as she clung to his broad shoulders. A glorious thrill of excitement shot through her. "Believe me, my lord, you have my full attention now."

"That's just as it should be because you have certainly captured my complete concentration."

He settled her tenderly onto the bed, tugging her dressing gown from her as he did so. His sensual smile was full of masculine expectation.

As he stripped off his own dressing gown, revealing his hard, lean body in the candlelight, Sophy no longer had any doubt but that he was doing this because he felt genuine desire. Julian was fully aroused, taut, and heavy with his need. She stared at him for a long moment, a last, embarrassed flicker of uncertainty moving through her even as she felt her own body begin to respond.

"Do I frighten you, Sophy?" Julian came down onto the bed beside her, gathering her into his arms. His large hands moved over her hip, feeling the shape of her through the fabric of her nightdress. "I do not want to alarm you."

"Of course you do not frighten me. I have told you many times I am not some simple-minded chit fresh from the schoolroom." She shivered slightly as his palm warmed her hip.

"Ah, yes, I keep forgetting that my country-bred bride is well versed in matters of breeding and reproduction." He kissed her throat and smiled again when another tremor went through her. "I can see I have no reason to concern myself over the possibility of accidentally offending your delicate sensibilities."

"I believe you are teasing me, Julian."

"I believe you are right." He eased her onto her back. His fingers found the ribbons of her nightdress and he began to undo them with slow deliberation. His eyes never left her face as he freed her breasts to his touch.

"So soft and womanly you are, little one."

Sophy was mesmerized by Julian's intent gaze as he looked at her. Fascinated, she watched as the sensual laughter in his eyes converted swiftly into a dark desire.

She reached up to touch the side of his face and was surprised by his reaction to the gentle, questing caress.

He groaned thickly and his head lowered until his mouth captured hers. The kiss was hot, hungry, and demanding, revealing fully the depths of Julian's arousal. He caught her lower lip between his teeth and bit carefully. When Sophy moaned softly, he slid his tongue intimately into her mouth and simultaneously brushed his thumb across one rosy nipple.

Sophy reacted sharply to Julian's touch, covering his hand with her own as he stroked her breast. She felt her body stirring into throbbing awareness and knew she was rapidly losing control.

It was all right this time, she told herself as some small part of her called out a distant warning. Julian might not be in love with her but he was her husband. He had sworn to protect her and care for her and she trusted him to uphold his end of the marriage bargain. In return she would be a good wife, a proper wife.

It was not his fault that she was in love with him. It was not his fault that the risk she took tonight was far greater than the one he took.

"Sophy, Sophy, let yourself go. Give yourself over to me. You are so sweet. So soft. Julian broke off the passionate kiss and tugged the nightdress free. He tossed it carelessly onto the floor beside the bed, his eyes sweeping over Sophy's shadowed body. He put his hand on her bare calf and slowly stroked upward to her hip. When she trembled he leaned down to kiss her reassuringly.

The reassurance turned instantly back into demanding desire as Sophy laced her fingers in his hair and held him tightly to her. Her legs moved restlessly until he anchored one of them with one of his own. The action resulted in opening her more fully to his touch and he immediately began to explore the silken skin of her inner thigh.

Sophy's head tossed from side to side on the pillow. She heard her own small, whispering gasp of excitement as she felt Julian's fingers moving in small circles on her skin. His big hands felt so good on her body, strong and secure and knowing. She felt safe and cherished.

"Julian, Julian, I feel so strange."

"I know, sweetheart. Your body makes no secret of it. I'm glad. I want you to feel this way." He moved against her, letting her feel the shape of his manhood as it brushed her hip.

She flinched at the power she sensed in him but when he caught her fingers and guided them to his thrusting shaft, she did not resist. She touched him hesitantly at first, familiarizing herself with the size and shape of him.

"You see how much I want you, Sophy?" Julian's voice was husky. "But I swear I will not take you until you want me just as badly."

"How will you know when that time comes?" she asked, gazing up at him through half-closed lashes.

He smiled fleetingly and deliberately closed his palm over the soft mound between her legs. "You will tell me in your own way."

She felt the growing warmth between her thighs and moved impatiently once more, seeking an even more intimate touch. "I think that time is here," she whispered.

He slid one finger slowly into her softness. Sophy stiffened abruptly in reaction and then felt the moisture between her legs.

"Soon," Julian promised with deep satisfaction. His lips trailed over her breasts. "Very soon." He inserted his finger again and withdrew it only part way.

Hesitantly Sophy moved against his probing finger, her body instinctively tightening around it as if she would draw it deeper once more.

Julian obliged with a low exclamation of encouragement and desire. "You are so tight and warm," he muttered as his mouth closed over hers again. "And you want me. You truly want me, don't you sweetheart?" His tongue slid between her lips, imitating the provocative movements of his hand.