CHAPTER 9

HANNAH RACED BACK HOME to the security of her bedchamber. But her maid was there, and she had to endure the process of changing from her riding habit into her morning dress. All she wanted was to be left alone. Alone to ponder everything that had happened and what was still to come.

At last, she was alone, and she looked at herself in the mirror. She looked normal. The same as always. There was no exterior sign of the riotous hot emotions coursing through her. She thought her lips should be red. They still throbbed from the sensation of that kiss. But they were their normal dusky-rose hue. She touched her hand to her mouth, remembering the feeling of his lips on her. Oh God, it was amazing!

If she went forward with this plan, she would never survive it unscathed. With only one kiss, he had destroyed all her defenses and rendered her captive. Maybe she was primed and ready to be seduced. She had been sexually neglected for so long... But she suspected it was more than that.

Since the first time she met him five years ago, she had felt an affinity for him. Talking to him, dancing sometimes at balls, even flirting a little, was exhilarating. She had reveled in the sensations he aroused in her, the excitement, the joy. He made her laugh; he made her feel alive. It was as if everything was brighter, more interesting, more fun when he was around. She had missed those feelings all her life, and she had indulged in them with the earl, thinking them innocuous. After all, she was in control of her emotions, and so was he. They both knew their place in life. There was nothing to worry about.

Except now they would have to interact on a deeper level. Their places would shift, the lines would blur, and it would be impossible to resist him. She had suspected it before. Now she knew. The infatuation she felt for the earl could turn into something much deeper. For her, at least. She knew men could have sex without their emotions being involved.

Dare she go forward with the plan and meet him tomorrow? This was insanity. It was too soon. But he was right. If they were to do this, what was the point of waiting? And wasn't it better to get the deed done here?

Even in that regard, he was disarming her with his consideration. He wanted her to feel comfortable. To have the chance to turn back and change her mind with a minimum amount of fuss. But she knew she wouldn't. If his lovemaking was anything like his kiss, she would never have the strength to refuse him. She would become enslaved. Craving him for eternity.

She would meet him tomorrow. But maybe the question was not whether she could go through with it, but whether she could do it without damage to her heart. How could she do that? She would be lost if she had to endure a slow, thorough seduction.

Maybe if she curtailed the amount of interaction needed. Expedite things, so to speak. She could have some enjoyment, but she didn't need to revel and bask in it. That would be indecent, anyway. She had to remember the purpose of this was to conceive an heir to the dukedom, not for her to have an affair.

In fact, the act needed to procreate was simple enough. He just needed to insert his...rod in her, then deposit his seed. A kiss was much more involved. But they didn't need to complicate the act. Just limit themselves to the penetration part...

A slight tremor went through her at that, and her core clenched in anticipation. But she forcefully dismissed the reaction. After all the sawing required for him to expel his seed, she would probably be ready to be done with him.

Yes, that was it. She would be friendly, warm, and welcoming. Let him know she accepted him in all ways and facilitate his job so that he could finish in an expedient manner and without deeper involvement needed.