Mysty McPartland (4 page)

Chapter Seven

His wife upstairs changing, Nathan sat in the family parlor sipping coffee with his friend. “I didn’t think it would be that easy Phillip, but you don’t know how relieved I am that she won’t be running around the brothels of London anymore.”

“Yes, well I can only agree with you there. Nat, she’s the oddest woman I have ever met. And yet I find her lovely to look at and strangest of all, I like her.” Phillip made the confession and watched his friend squirm in his chair.

“I hope your realize that you’re discussing my wife. Oh hell Phil, you’re right. She is lovely and definitely odd and like you, I like her too.” Nathan was uncomfortable speaking about such personal matters. However, he couldn’t deny the truth; his wife fascinated him and the power of his desire for her was growing in leaps and bounds.

“Do you think that she’s given up on the idea of you seeking an annulment?” Phillip chuckled.

Nathan grimaced. “I doubt it. Do you know the damn woman gave me permission to still see my mistress?” The very idea still irritated him.

He couldn’t help himself, Phillip laughed. “Well not many men are lucky enough to have such an accommodating wife.”

“Not accommodating, just trying to prevent me from bedding her. And I can assure, you even if she has the slightest hint that I’m unfaithful to her, she’d probably be out the door in a blink of an eye. She might say she doesn’t mind but you heard her earlier, she would never accept a cheating husband.” Nathan could feel his friend studying him and tried to act nonchalant and by the amused look on his friends face could tell he’d failed. He also knew exactly what his friend was going to say next.

“So you intend to remain faithful? I find it hard to believe Nate.”

“No more than I do. I tell you Phil I had my marriage all planned with Bethany. Now though, married to her sister, it isn’t going accordingly and believe it or not I find I don’t care. I have a feeling that my life with Sheldon will be anything but boring.” Nathan smiled at the thought. He didn’t have one doubt that the years ahead would be interesting and exciting. They most assuredly wouldn’t be dull.

“I’m happy for you Nate and speaking of Lady Bethany, have you found out why she ran away?” Phillip was more than pleased for his friend and hoped his marriage would be a happy one.

Nathan shook his head. “No, but I intend to call on her father this afternoon. I want to find out if he’s heard anything and I also want a word with the man for making a certain promise to my wife.”

“Oh I’d like to hear that as well sir.” Sheldon came forward and sat down on the sofa beside her husband.

A groan rumbling his chest, Nathan wondered how much of the conversation she had overheard. Seeing her sweet smile and that teasing little dimple, his crotch started to respond and he dragged his gaze away. “I take it you would like to join me?”

“I don’t see why not since I intended to call around there later today and have a few words with my father.” Sheldon wondered if he was going to refuse to let her. Well it didn’t matter if he did, she was definitely going to pay a visit to her father today.

“No need to get upset. Of course you can come with me.”

“You know at times you can be insufferable sir.” Irritated, Sheldon turned away from him and smiled at Lord Phillip. “It’s been quite an exciting morning. Do you not think so Lord Phillip?”

Phillip grinned back at her. “Yes it was rather um…stimulating as you say my lady.”

“I’m glad you were entertained. I did rather enjoy most of it until I found myself sprawled on the terribly gross man.” Sheldon turned and eyed her husband in indignation. “And I blame you for that.”

“Me! Why in the hell am I to blame?” Nathan growled and glared at her incredulously. He could not believe she was laying responsibility on his head.

“Well if you hadn’t interfered I wouldn’t have fallen on him.” She snapped at him, wondering why she should have to explain it to him.

Nathan could only shake his head in exasperation and spied Phillip trying not to laugh. “You have a very warped sense of logic wife.”

Sheldon gave a sniff of indignation and stood up. “Well I am off and I’ll see you this afternoon.”

Before she could walk away, Nathan reached out and grasped hold of her wrist. “And just where are you off to now wife?” No way was he letting her out of the house until he knew exactly where she was going. Be damned if he would.

Annoyed at having to explain herself, Sheldon tugged at her arm. “Not that it’s any of your business but I’m going to visit the orphanage.”

“And I assume you intend to go on your own?” When he saw her nod her head in confirmation, he uttered an oath. “I must insist you take either a maid or a footman with you and you will go in the carriage.” He raised his hand when she opened her mouth to argue. “It’s for your own protection and if you don’t agree you won’t be going anywhere. Is that understood?”

“You are the most irritating, bossy man I have had the displeasure in meeting. Fine. I agree to you stupid command. Now if you don’t mind letting go of me I would like to leave.” When her wrist was free, she spun around and hurried out of the room mumbling about domineering egotistical men.

Phillip chuckled as soon as Lady Sheldon disappeared through the doorway. “I don’t think I have heard of or met a woman that hasn’t thrown herself at you or thought so badly of you.”

“I’m pretty certain she doesn’t abhor me anymore. She hasn’t made one remark or confronted me about finding me in her bed this morning. I’m sure if she was upset or angry about it she would have mentioned something by now.” Nathan contemplated his wife’s lack of reaction. It just didn’t make sense to him since she was so adamant they wouldn’t share a bed.

“I thought you said…”

Nathan cut Phillip off before he could complete the sentence. “I did say it but I never said I wouldn’t sleep with her. I slipped into her bed once was asleep and I intend that we are going to share a bed every night from now on.”

“Good grief Nate, you’re certainly committing yourself to this marriage.”

A shrug of his shoulders, he grinned back. “Like I said Phil, my wife has me rethinking everything I planned.” He stood up and waited for his friend to do the same. “I’ll see you later. I hate rushing you out the door but I have certain matters to see to before my wife returns. No doubt when she finds out what I’ve done she’ll want to argue.”

“I must say you’ve had most unquestionably remarkable change in your attitude in the last twenty-four hours Nate. Don’t get me wrong I’m happy for you and yes I’ll see you later.” Phillip bid his friend good bye and exited the house, he could only shake his head over the phenomenal change in his friend.

Once Phillip left, Nathan turned to his butler. “Wallace did my wife take a maid or footman with her when she left the house?”

“Oh yes my lord. She said if it will keep the insufferable brute off her back she’d take both of them.” Wallace didn’t know what to make of his lordships wife.

Nathan grimaced however, he wasn’t at all surprised by her remark. “Yes, well she wasn’t exactly happy with the order. Now though Wallace I would like you to shift my wife’s clothing and other paraphilia into the master suite. My wife will be sharing a room with me from now on.” He could tell that the man was surprised with the request, and with a shrug of his shoulders turned away and headed for his study.

He knew it was unusual, in most cases a husband and wife never shared a bedroom. However, he didn’t care what anyone thought. He wanted his little wife tucked up in his bed every night and curled up around him. He never abided by society rules anyway, so why should he bother to start now. Even if his wife was disagreeable, he wasn’t going to change his mind. In the end, he was sure he could convince her to share his bed.

Chuckling, he was even looking forward to the confrontation that would take place between them. Hell, he couldn’t believe just how good he was feeling, he could not even remember the last time he felt like this. Excitement and anticipation thrummed through his blood stream. The battle over seducing his wife into his arms was a lusty turn on which kept him in constant state of arousal. His little bride brought a thrill of expectation to his life that he never experienced with any other woman before.

She might be the oddest woman he’d ever come across, but he admitted he was damn glad he married her instead of her sister. He now shuddered to think what his life would be like if he’d married Bethany. It would have been certainly dull, uninteresting and bedding her would have only been a duty. He now came to see marrying Bethany would have been the worst mistake he would have made in his life. Thank God the foolish woman ran away and saved him from a life of misery.

Chapter Eight

Nearly breathless from rushing inside the house, Sheldon stopped and raised a curious brow when she spotted her husband waiting for her. “Oh good you’re ready to leave. If you give me a few minutes to change we can be on our way.”

Nathan eyed his wife with displeasure. “For your information I’ve been ready for over an hour. You are an hour late.”

Unconcerned at his irritation, Sheldon shrugged her shoulders. “Well, not everyone can be on time sir.”

“Of course they can. Most people make a habit of being on time.” He cut back in aggravation.

“Well if we’re going to stand here arguing the matter we’ll never leave.” Sheldon informed him and moved past him. When she noticed he started following her, she stopped walking and glanced over her shoulder at him. “Is there something else you wish to say?”

“Yes there is and I prefer we do it somewhere private.”

“Oh we’re going to have one of those conversations where you command for me to obey and I refuse.” She arched a brow and bit back her smile when she saw the annoyance light up his eyes.

“Let’s just go upstairs shall we?” Not giving her a chance to argue further, Nathan grasped her elbow and headed up the staircase. Damn infuriating woman, she had a mouth too smart for her own good.

Wondering what he wanted to discuss with her, Sheldon let him have his way, but she became suspicious when he led her into his bedroom instead of her own. “So here we are. Tell me what you want now.”

Nathan let go of her arm but didn’t move away. “I made a decision since you didn’t voice any objections about my sharing your bed last night. I’ve thought the matter over and had your things moved in here and wanted to inform you that we’ll be sharing the same bed every night from now on.” He didn’t have long to wait for her reaction to his news, and knew that he was going to enjoy it.

For just a mere second, Sheldon wondered if she heard right but seeing the smug smirk on his face reassured her that she certainly did hear correctly. “What possibly would have given you the idea that I would be agreeable to such an arrangement? You forget. I’m only your substitute bride and nothing more. And as for not mentioning the horror of finding you in my bed this morning, when have we had a moment alone to discuss it?”

He gritted his teeth when she called herself that ridiculous name. “Would you stop calling yourself by that ludicrous title? You are not my substitute wife. You are, in fact, my wife.” God she could be annoying at times, and her calling herself that aggravated the hell out of him.

“Well it’s true. However, I’m not going to argue the point with you. What I am going to do is refuse to share your blasted bed.” Sheldon shot back, even though she started to wonder if she could win this argument with her husband. He looked so determined and filled with assurance.

Not in the least surprised she continued to fight him, Nathan let her see she didn’t have a chance in hell of changing his mind. “Oh you’re going to share that bed with me wife no matter how much you object. Besides, didn’t I prove to you that we can share a bed without me attacking you?”

“You didn’t prove anything except showing me that you most assuredly can be underhanded and definitely can’t be trusted.”

“Ah, now you’re going to have to let me prove to you that I can.” He replied smugly and noticed her frowning, she was slowly losing ground and he knew that she knew it too.

“You are a despicable, sneaky man. Do you know that? Fine I’ll share your blasted bed, but let me warn you, if you so much as lay a finger on me, the deal is off.” Sheldon knew when to give up even if she hated doing so.

Well damn me that was a lot easier than he thought it would be and he wondered for a moment what she was up to. Mistrustful now, he eyed her suspiciously. “It’s not me wife you have to worry about but yourself. For most of the night you were wrapped around me like a clinging vine.”

Her face growing hot, Sheldon moved away. “Oh just go away and let me change my gown.”

One up for me, he thought, grinning smugly and with a swagger in his step left the room.

With the help of a maid, Sheldon didn’t take long in changing her dress and met her husband down stairs. When she noticed the butler staring at her with a peculiar look on his face wondered what was the matter with the man. Once they were seated in the coach, she settled herself and glanced at her husband from beneath her lashes. “Do you have any idea why your butler was staring at me strangely?”

Nathan let out a sigh. “He thinks you’re very odd and doesn’t know what to make of you.”

Insulted, Sheldon shot her husband an irritated glare. “Well he’s a stuffed shirt.”

“I suppose you could be right, Wallace like things orderly and doesn’t like the unusual.” Nathan replied trying to hide his amusement over the look of indignation on his bride’s face.

“Oh that’s right, stick up for your butler and let the insult to your wife go unremarked upon.” Sheldon huffed back, disappointed that he wasn’t annoyed over the insult to her.

Nathan managed to hold back his laughter knowing it would only upset her even more. “Perhaps because I didn’t think you’d been insulted.”

“You call being thought of odd not insulting?” She snapped at him.

Good God, she was certainly worked up over being called peculiar and he couldn’t help smile no matter how hard he tried not to. “Well you have to admit wife you are very different from the other ladies of the ton. Before you get offended, let me tell you I find it very refreshing and quite pleased that you are.”

His remark took her completely by surprise and Sheldon couldn’t help the warmth spreading through her. “Thank you, I think.”

He did chuckle then. “You’re welcome sweetheart.”

“You know Nathan, you’re very different from what I thought you would be. Oh you are annoying and bossy, but I’m beginning to think that you can be considerate as well.”

Pleased that he was making some headway with his bride, Nathan relaxed back in his seat and stretched out his long legs. “Do you think your sister might have returned home by now?”

Relieved to have the conversation turned to another subject, Sheldon shrugged her shoulders. “I really couldn’t say. You know Nathan I’ve been giving the matter some thought. Bethany definitely had an agenda for running away but for the life of me, I just can’t imagine what it might be.”

“You could be right. It does seem rather strange to me since she seemed so keen on the idea of becoming my wife.” He gave a dismissive wave of his hand, he couldn’t care less what the woman had up her sleeve, he was only grateful that she’d fled before he married her and doomed himself to a life of hell.

“Oh yes, she was very eager and that’s what puzzles me. What exactly did her note say to you?” Her brow drew together as she contemplated all the reason her sister could have for waiting till the very last minute to flee.

“I only read the first two lines. Didn’t need to read the rest and tossed it away.” Nathan shrugged.

“Drat. If you’d read all of it I might have some idea what she’s planning.” It didn’t surprise her though that he never finished reading the missive. He’d been in such a rage at the time.

“I can’t understand why you’re so upset over it. Myself I’m relieved that she ran away. From what you have told me so far about your sister she sounds very unpleasant.” He was astounded to see how remorseful his bride was looking and couldn’t fathom the reason why.

Guilt washed through her, Sheldon realized she was being most dishonorable towards a member of her family. Even though she wasn’t close to her sister, she should keep her opinions to herself. “Oh Bethany isn’t that terrible.” She muttered knowing that she was lying and she could see that her husband knew it to when he raised a brow in disbelief.

“Your faith in her is to be commended even if it is misguided, and we both know the truth.” When he saw her open her mouth reply, he beat her to it. “I know I am insufferable and annoying.”

Sheldon couldn’t help herself she laughed. “Well at least we agree on something.”

His half aroused flesh between his thighs started to swell even more when she laughed, and he mumbled a curse when he caught sight of that delectable teasing dimple. He shifted uncomfortable in his seat, hoping to kill the passion stirring within him. “I’m not sure I like you finding amusement at my expense sweetheart.”

Her laughter dying to a trickle, Sheldon couldn’t help but enjoy her husband’s company, she also knew it was dangerous. Yet, she was unable to help herself, she forced herself to turn away and gaze out the window.

Knowing his wife was shoring up her resistance to him, Nathan didn’t bother to speak to her again. She wasn’t going to find it easy to dismiss him or her growing feelings towards him. Every moment they spent together, he was going to wear away her resolve to keep him at a distance. She might be stubborn, but he was more determined and that he thought with confidence would have his wife melting in his arms in a very short time.

While she was occupied staring out the window he let his gaze leisurely trace over her lovely features. Her exotic beauty was breathtaking at times and always caught him un-expectantly in surprise. His eyes dropped lower to the swell of her breasts, last evening he’d had a clear view of those two tempting mounds. They were full and plump, her nipples a pale pink and wondered how dark they would become when he had them in his mouth. She had a slim waist and slight rounded hips.

Though her legs were short they were well shaped and he could imagine them wrapped around him in the throes of passion. Her pert little bottom was something he couldn’t wait to hold in his hands. Usually he was a leg man but after catching sight of his bride naked he was finding a woman’s backside more alluring and it wasn’t just any rear end he was fancying. He let out a heavy sigh and wondered why he was putting himself through this torture. If he didn’t stop thinking about her glorious nakedness he was liable to attack her.

He was beginning to believe that he wasn’t up to putting himself through this torment to much longer. So that left only one thing he could do and that was up the game. He was going to have to be more relentless in seducing her into his bed. He knew she found him attractive and every now and then he caught a flicker of desire in her eyes before she could hide it. So all he would have to do was use that attraction against her. Dirty tactics it might be however, he wanted her naked in his arms and thrashing beneath him while he made passionate love to her. Because his gut told him that once he was buried inside her she would be like a wildfire, blazing out of control. She would give him the most incredible fiery journey he’d ever go on.

Yes, it was definitely time to speed things up, and if he didn’t do it soon he would go stark raving made with wanting her. He grimaced as the bulge in his pants increased until it was excruciatingly painful. He shifted in his seat trying to ease the ache of his erection, damn it he had to get his mind of sex. He made himself turn his contemplation to his cousin, he wondered where the little weasel was hiding, he’d expect Andrew to have attended the wedding ceremony, but the scoundrel never showed his face.

There was no doubt in his mind that the man would try and find another way to claim his inheritance. And damn it if he didn’t bed his bride soon he just might lose everything to his cousin anyway. He shook his head, knowing that his thoughts had gone full circle and once again it was back on bedding his bride.