Chapter 8

CHAPTER EIGHT

Luke's face hardened, his cheekbones even more prominent, and Caroline knew that he understood.

She'd hoped never to share what her husband had done, and she'd not really gone into detail with Luke, intentionally.

She'd had ribs that had been sore for weeks, cracked by the heavy blow of her husband's fist. Eyes that had been swollen shut.

She wasn't proud of her weakness, and deep in her heart, she might have always worried he was at least partly right. Maybe she wasn't a good wife. Maybe she'd inspired his anger.

"Caroline," Luke whispered his voice laced with pain. "I understand everything you just said. And soon, you will tell me more."

"No," she shook her head. "I've already said too much."

He slid a hand into her hair, lightly massaging her scalp. "Husbands are good for more than money. And honestly, the sexual chemistry that we share will surely dull into something more predictable."

She straightened up as she looked at him again, her curiosity over his words quelling her hurt. "You think so?"

That made a small smile tug at his lips. "As your husband, I would be your protector and your strength when you need it. Which would mean you let me carry some of the burden of your problems, love."

It sounded lovely. It really did. But what if, after he heard it all, he agreed? She should have been a better wife?

Or what if she didn't have the strength to stand up for herself and she ended up in another prison of a marriage?

She looked away. "I'll think on it, but I need time, Luke. It will be months before I'm even discernably pregnant."

He let out a long breath that was laced with a rumble. "Patience is not always my virtue."

"I noticed that." Caroline leaned her cheek on his shoulder, wishing that things were different.

This man would be any woman's dream come true. Why couldn't it be her? "What time did you wish to eat?"

"Why?" His arms tightened about her as he rose with her in his arms. "Are you hungry?"

She heard it again… that fierce need he had to protect her, care for her. It melted more of her worry away. "I could eat."

"I'll see to it at once." And then he kissed her, soft and tender and achingly sweet. Every other interaction of theirs had been fueled by lust, but this one made a promise of a different kind and her silly heart latched onto it.

Could it be different with Luke? Could he unburden her? Free her to give her affection away? To not feel trapped in a marriage?

His hands slid over her back as he lightly set her on her feet. "After we've eaten, I'd like to propose a compromise for your consideration."

She cocked her head to the side, watching the pained expression on his face. He was not a man who compromised often, and she truly appreciated the attempt. "All right."

His features relaxed and he led her to the chair at her vanity before he crossed the room and pulled the cord to summon a servant.

Their dinner was once again brought to the room and Caroline laughed as she popped a piece of quail into her mouth. "Do you think we'll dine in the dining room someday?"

He smiled at her words. "When the passion has cooled."

His words did little to cool her own feelings. In fact, they warmed her. "I don't believe it."

He chuckled. "Are we ready to begin our discussion?"

She ate a fig, grimacing. "If we must."

"As you said, we have plenty of time until the baby. And I have heard and understood your hesitation…"

She slowly chewed her fig, appreciating his words of acknowledgment. She swallowed down her bite. "Thank you."

"But I find myself wanting to be near you and our baby in case you need my aid."

Her tongue darted out to swipe across her bottom lip. How could a woman be upset that the man she lusted after wished to protect her? "All right."

"So we can leave the marriage discussion alone for now, but I'd prefer if we lived together. I want to be here in case you need me."

She'd started to reach for another piece of meat, but she stopped, considering his request.

It seemed sound. But once he was in her home, would she ever be able to remove him? Her hand dropped to her side. "I know that you moved your things here for my comfort but I'm not sure my home is large enough to accommodate them."

He stared at her, his gaze thoughtful. "What do you propose?"

"Perhaps I should spend a bit of time at your home? I would imagine I would be comfortable there as well."

Truth be told, this place held so many memories… a break might be nice.

"I imagine you would."

"Mrs. Banks would have to come, along with a few others…"

"That shouldn't be a problem."

She drew in a deep breath. Was she making a mistake? Opening a door that she ought to leave shut?

The baby was going to come, God willing. That could not be changed, and in this moment, real true pleasure settled like a blanket over her. A child of her own.

It was a wish her heart had never even dared to make.

But what that meant for her future with Luke… That was far more grey. Still, as she ate another bite of her food, she considered sleeping in the circle of his arms…

"All right, I'll come. But you have to promise that you'll understand if I need to retreat back to my home…"

"Fine," he gave her a rare, unguarded smile. "I'll have my things moved tomorrow and then we'll begin packing yours."

She nodded, already feeling uneasy about the choice. It was a compromise and one that moved her further into his world.

"And tonight?"

"I'll stay if you don't mind."

She gave a tentative nod before she rose, stretching as she started toward the fire.

Behind her, she heard the rustling of clothing. "Are you readying for bed already? It's early yet."

But as she glanced over her shoulder, her mouth went dry at the rippling muscles of his back.

There were certain advantages to having him here…

* * *

Luke had a plan.

He was not a man who accepted defeat, nor did he compromise very often.

There was little he could do about the second. Compromise had been necessary, he could accept that.

He'd made up his mind about Caroline and once he'd chosen a path…

He would not be deterred. This was his first strategic move in a multi-stepped plan to make Caroline his wife.

He wasn't quite certain when he'd become so entrenched.

He'd been dreading the idea of marriage and children. He'd always preferred his autonomy.

And in theory, he could have made Caroline an offer that resembled his own parent's marriage.

Marry me, have my baby, do as you please . We'll live as though we're not married at all. It would allow him the freedom he'd prized all his adult life.

But the idea of it galled him. His parents had lived that way, each of them visiting him separately. He'd mostly been raised by an army of nannies and tutors.

He'd hated it.

And even thinking of his own child feeling as though he were second to his parents' social schedules made his teeth grind together.

He'd be there to lift up his child when he or she fell down, he'd be the one to rock them when they were sick. And he'd do it all with Caroline at his side. She'd already confessed she wasn't much for society. She'd fit beautifully into the life he pictured.

But Caroline needed time.

He should have realized how terrible her marriage had been. He'd seen the fear in her eyes, noted her marriage hadn't been a fulfilling one when she'd admitted to being a virgin.

And he'd give her as much as he could muster emotionally, while making sure to move them in the right direction.

Which started with his plan for the evening.

He sat on the edge of the bed, shucking off his boots and then pulling down his breeches.

He'd just hold her if that's what Caroline wished, but he had another idea… one where he kept his back on the mattress and she rose above him.

What she needed was power in this match and he knew one way to give it to her…

Laying on the bed, he threaded his hands behind his head, his legs stretching out down the length of the mattress, completely comfortable in his nudity.

He looked over at Caroline, her back still to him as she unpinned her hair at her vanity. He watched the waves of thick brown hair fall. He knew that she doubted her own beauty. He'd been with all manner of women, but none had impacted him the way she did. It was that perfect mix of vulnerability, sensuality, and innocence.

In most marriages, they'd have their own rooms, their maid and valet attending to their bedtime routine, but a grimace pulled at Luke's mouth. He liked watching her, liked being in the same room with her as her delicate fingers slipped through the strands of her hair.

No wonder she was concerned. He was nearing obsession. In his entire life, he'd never been this infatuated with a woman. No time was enough, no space required…

Her gaze caught his in the mirror, her fingers stilling as another section of her hair fell down her back. "My, my…"

He quirked a half smile, remaining perfectly still as her gaze slid down him. Then, when she couldn't see any more in the mirror, she half turned in her chair to take in his legs. "You are so…"

"Masculine?"

"Bold."

"Same thing," he said, flexing the muscles of his stomach. "But as it stands, I thought I'd allow you to take the lead this evening."

"The lead?"

He pulled one arm out from under his head, gesturing down his body. "Do you only need a heat source? Would you like more?" His brows wiggled. "I'm here to fulfill whatever you desire."

She reached into her hair, not turning back to the mirror, as she pulled out several more pins, allowing her halo of silky brown hair to cascade over one shoulder.

"My buttons," she murmured, rising from the chair and pointing to the back of her dress.

He rose, quickly undoing the row of tiny pearls. When he found her corset underneath, he grimaced. "You should stop wearing that thing."

She looked back at him. "Surely, that's not necessary yet."

He was eager to see her belly expand, to watch the growth of their child. "Why not? Why be uncomfortable?"

She studied him over her shoulder. "What will you be like after the baby is born?"

He paused, considering. He knew his protection would extend to the baby. Would he stop being so protective of Caroline?

He frowned as he considered. He seriously doubted it. Fragile and sensual, she was the perfect combination of independent and yet still needing so much. He enjoyed her immensely.

He slid a hand up her arm, brushing her hair to the side as he kissed the back of her neck. "I'll care for you for as long as you'll let me."

She looked back at him again. "Really? You mean that?"

He did. Every word.

And a great deal he hadn't said yet. But those were words she wasn't ready to hear. He was going to have to be extremely careful with how and when he doled out information…

His entire life, he'd been avoiding commitment.

He'd met the one woman who was more skittish than himself.

"Sit down and let me take off your boots. Then I can show you just how much I care."