I have my weaknesses.”
Then that meant… “Does that mean you think I’m pretty?” she asked.
He seemed surprised by the question but answered, “Yes, I think you’re pretty. Very much so in fact. I thought so from the moment I met you.”
“You thought that even though you didn’t want to get married?”
“Wanting to be married had nothing to do with my attraction to you. I’m not blind. I can see what you look like.”
In the past, she had trouble understanding why her friends went to such lengths to pretty themselves up for their husbands, but now it made sense. It was a thrill to know Aaron was attracted to her.
“Now that I explained what a gentleman thinks when he’s in a bedchamber with a lady, do you mind if I sit in the chair while we talk about other things?” he asked.
She bit her lower lip. She had already pushed her luck. He had finally satisfied her curiosity. But there was a part of her she didn’t know existed that prompted her to push her luck further. “What would happen if you sat on the bed with me?”
“This can’t be happening,” he muttered to himself as he shook his head.
“Maybe I want you to show me these other things you referred to. I know what holding and kissing are, but no one’s ever taken the time to explain what ‘other things’ are.”
“I’m trying to act honorably toward you. I know you’re a virgin. The last thing I want to do is take advantage of the situation. I brought you up here to comfort you.”
“I feel much better now.”
“Yes, I think the sherry has done its job.”
She couldn’t argue that. Ever since drinking it, she’d stopped trembling. But she also felt better because he had stayed with her to make sure she was all right. “What harm would it be if we went to the bed?”
His gaze went to the sherry. “You’re not used to drinking that, are you?”
“I know most ladies have some kind of wine at dinner, but I prefer water. Water doesn’t leave me feeling thirsty. The sherry isn’t making me act in ways I otherwise wouldn’t, though. I don’t feel lightheaded like I did with the brandy.”
“I remember you drinking brandy and the ridiculous things you said because of it.”
“I was in full control of myself then, and I’m in control of myself now,” she insisted. “Show me what husbands do to their wives in bed. I assume it results in a child. I don’t mind trying for an heir.” When he hesitated, she added, “I’m being sincere. After learning that you told Willard the dowry belonged to me and watching you release your fury on him, I’m attracted to you more than I’ve ever been attracted to anyone.”
Though she caught a hint of a smile on his face, he said, “I wouldn’t say I released my fury on him. I just struck him before he could strike me.”
“But you did that to defend me. You never would have gone on that veranda if it hadn’t been for me.”
“Well, I couldn’t let him abduct you.”
“You came to my aid like a warrior going into battle.”
“It wasn’t a battle.”
“It was to me. I wasn’t able to stop him.” She had never flirted with anyone before. Up to now, she’d had no reason to. But she found herself wanting to do so with him. Thinking over the ways Lilly had encouraged her suitors to ask her to dance in the past, Kitty tilted her head to the side and gave him a smile. “You didn’t know how things would go. You risked getting hurt, and you did it for me. I’ve never seen anyone show more courage.”
He gave the same flattered expression she used to see on other gentlemen’s faces when Lilly complimented them. “You’re my wife. I couldn’t let someone harm you. I only did what was prudent.”
“You don’t have to be so modest. You were wonderful.” On impulse, she kissed his cheek. “You don’t have to be so shy about admitting it.”
Before she could blink, he slipped his arm around her waist and brought his mouth to hers. The action happened so suddenly that it took her a moment to respond, but when she did, he pulled her closer to him.
She didn’t know if kissing was supposed to produce a strange tingling sensation through her. At first, it alarmed her, but when she realized the sensation was a pleasant one, she leaned into him. He cupped the side