the women. She’d talk to Aidan about the issue later.
But first, she had to dress. She chose a periwinkle sprigged muslin that made her feel like spring had arrived. It was her best dress of those left from the wreck. Wisely, she threw on a yellow Kashmir shawl because the air was damp, especially this time of year.
Her hair was another problem. She grew tired of the braid and so tied it with a scarf. She was too old for such a style, but without pins there was nothing she could do.
Slipping on her shoes, she left the room.
In the hallway, she noticed the door to the guest room she’d been using was slightly ajar. Curiosity urged her to tiptoe quietly and take a peek to see if Aidan was home.
He was. The misty dawn light through the narrow window highlighted his body; he lay sprawled out on his back. His large frame took up the whole bed.
He was naked—or at least, she thought he was. His chest was bare and his long legs hung out beneath sheets that covered him enough across the middle to keep him decent.
She couldn’t help but admire him. Her husband was a handsome man, but it was the strength and grace in his hands and feet that captured her attention. She’d always been attracted to men with strong hands…but the feet. A shiver went through her. Bare feet were intimate. No one save your lover saw your feet.
The word “lover” sent a wave of heat down to the pit of her stomach.
Anne hoped they would consummate the marriage soon. What she had once considered with grave reservations, she now daydreamed about with a combined sense of curiosity and anticipation.
She was about to close the door and let him sleep when some imp of mischief caught hold of her mind. The idea was so vivid, she couldn’t shake it, even knowing there would be repercussions.
But he deserved it.
Anne eased into the room. Aidan didn’t even move.
On silent cat feet, she walked to the bed, grabbed hold of the mattress, and yanked it up with the intention of toppling him over onto the floor as he’d done to her the day before.
But her plan didn’t work as she’d expected. For one reason, he was heavy and her muscles were sore. She could barely get the mattress to budge.
For the second, once roused, he could move with lightning speed. His hand grabbed her by the bodice of her dress and threw her down on the bed. He pinned her in place with his body, his forearm pressing her chest, his hands around her throat.
Anne couldn’t breathe. She stared up at her husband, fearing the madman he’d become.
Slowly, he focused on who she was. “Anne?”
She nodded, unable to speak. Frowning, he lifted his arm. “What are you doing here?”
Her lungs filled with fresh air. She went to rise, but his hand came down on the other side of her, barring an escape.
“You were going to dump me out of the bed,” he accused, answering his own question.
“What if I was? I owe you a dump,” she said sulkily, all too aware of his legs alongside hers and the warmth of his body heat. The man was a furnace. A woman would never be chilled sleeping by his side.
He chuckled at the thought of a dump on the floor, before pronouncing her a “little minx.” She started to retort, but he was climbing out of bed, and giving her a very good view of a well-formed male bum. She’d been right: he had been sleeping naked.
Words died in Anne’s throat.
He reached for his breeches and with an economy of movement pulled them on before facing her. “I didn’t hurt you, did I?” he asked, fastening the buttons. “You should know better than to sneak up on a man in his sleep.”
She rubbed her throat, sitting up. “Don’t you think you are carrying your medieval fascination a bit too far?”
He laughed. “It isn’t my medievalism that made me respond. Man is a natural protector. Any man would have reacted as I did.”
“No, not any man. Most would be sleeping soundly.”
“And end up dumped on the floor.” He squatted in front of her. “Here, let me have a look at you.”
His hair was sleep mussed. An overnight growth of beard shadowed his jaw. The effect on her senses was a bit overwhelming…especially when he tilted her chin so he could see better. He ran his fingers lightly ran over the pulse