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last luscious ripple, relishing her climax, lost in the feel of her.
Levering his body over hers, he pushed her thighs wide and lowered himself between them.
Before
her sated flesh had begun to close, he centered himself where she was wet and ready for him. He
stopped thinking altogether. He pushed into the resisting ring, finding it even more difficult than
he d expected despite the abundant moisture.
Poppy whimpered in pained surprise, her body stiffening.
 Hold onto me, Harry said hoarsely. She obeyed, her arms coming around his neck. He reached
down and pulled her hips upward, trying to make it easier for her as he pressed deeper, harder,
her
flesh unbelievably tight and hot and sweet, and he gave her more, unable to help himself, until he
was fully buried in the soft heat of her.
 Oh, God, he whispered, shaking with the effort to hold still, to let her adjust around him.
Every nerve clamored for movement, for the sliding, teasing friction that would bring him
release.
He nudged gently. But Poppy grimaced, her legs straining on either side of his. He waited longer,
caressing her with his hands.
 Don t stop, she choked.  It s all right.
But it wasn t. He pushed again, and a pained sound escaped her. Again, and she braced and
clenched her teeth. Every time he moved, it caused her agony.
Resisting her tight grip on his neck, Harry drew back far enough to look at her face. Poppy was
white with distress, her lips bloodless. Holy hell, was it this painful for all virgins?
 I ll wait, he said raggedly.  It will be easier in a moment.
She nodded, her mouth stiff, her eyes tightly shut.
And they both held still and fast, while he tried to soothe her. But nothing changed. Despite
Poppy s
compliance, this was sheer misery for her.
Harry buried his face in her hair and cursed. And he withdrew, despite the vicious protest of his
loins, when every impulse screamed for him to hammer into her.
She couldn t stifle a gasp of relief as the painful intrusion was removed. Hearing the sound,
Harry
nearly exploded with murderous frustration.
He heard her murmur his name, her voice questioning.
Ignoring her, Harry left the bed and staggered toward the bathing room. He braced his hands on
the
tiled wall and closed his eyes, struggling for self-control. After a few minutes, he drew water and
washed himself. He found smears of blood... Poppy s blood. That was only to be expected. But
the
sight of it made him want to howl.
Because the last thing he wanted on earth was to cause his wife even a moment s pain. He would
die before hurting her, no matter what the consequences to himself.
Dear God, what had happened to him? He had never wanted to feel this way about anyone, never
even imagined it possible.
He had to make it stop.
Sore and bewildered, Poppy lay on her side and listened to the sounds of Harry washing. It
burned
where he had taken her. The residue of blood was sticky between her thighs. She wanted to leave
the bed and wash as well, but the thought of performing such an intimate task in front of Harry...
no,
she wasn t ready for that yet. And she was unsure, because even in her innocence, she knew that
he
had not finished making love to her.
But why?
Had there been something she should have done?
Had she made some kind of mistake? Perhaps she should have been more stoic. She had tried her
best, but it had hurt dreadfully, even though Harry had been gentle. Surely he knew that it was
painful for a virgin the first time. Why, then, had he seemed angry with her?
Feeling inadequate and defensive, Poppy crept from the bed and found her nightgown. She put it
on
and hastily retreated beneath the covers as Harry came back into the room. Without a word, he
picked up his discarded clothes and began to dress.
 You re going out? she heard herself ask.
Harry didn t look at her.  Yes.
 Stay with me, she blurted out.
Harry shook his head.  I can t. We ll talk later. But right now I  He broke off as if words
failed
him.
Poppy curled on her side, gripping the edges of the bedclothes. Something was terribly wrong
she
couldn t fathom what it was, and she was too afraid to ask.
Pulling on his coat, Harry started for the doorway.
 Where are you going? Poppy asked unsteadily.
He sounded distant.  I don t know.
 When will you 
 I don t know that, either.
She waited until he had left before she let a few tears slip out, and she blotted them with the
sheet.
Was Harry going to another woman?
Miserably, she reflected that her sister Win s advice about marital relations had been insufficient.
There should have been a bit less about roses and moonlight and a bit more practical
information.
She wanted to see her sisters, especially Amelia. She wanted her family, who would pet and
praise
and make much of her, and offer the reassurance she badly needed. It was more than a little
disheartening to have failed at marriage after a mere three weeks.
Most of all, she needed advice about husbands.
Yes, it was time to retreat and consider what to do. She would go to Hampshire.
A hot bath soothed her smarting flesh and eased the strained muscles on the insides of her thighs.
After drying and powdering herself, she dressed in a wine-colored traveling gown. She packed a
few
belongings in a small valise, including undergarments and stockings, a silver-backed brush, a
novel,
and an automaton that Harry had made a little woodpecker on a tree trunk which she usually
kept on her dressing table. However, she left the diamond necklace that Harry had given her,
setting
the velvet-lined case in a drawer.
When she was ready to depart, she rang the bellpull and sent a maid to fetch Jake Valentine.
The tall, brown-eyed young man appeared in an instant, making no effort to mask his concern.
His
gaze skimmed quickly over her traveling clothes.  May I be of service, Mrs. Rutledge?
 Mr. Valentine, has my husband left the hotel?
He nodded, a frown puckering his forehead.
 Did he tell you when he would return?
 No, ma am.
Poppy wondered if she could trust him. His loyalty to Harry was well-known. However, she had
no
choice but to ask for his help.  I must ask a favor of you, Mr. Valentine. However, I fear it may
put
you in a difficult position.
His brown eyes warmed with rueful amusement.  Mrs. Rutledge, I m nearly always in a difficult
position. Please don t hesitate to ask me for anything.
She squared her shoulders.  I need a carriage. I m going to visit my brother at his terrace in
Mayfair.
The smile vanished from his eyes. He glanced at the valise by her feet.  I see.
 I am very sorry to ask you to ignore your obligations to my husband but... I would prefer you
didn t
let him know where I ve gone until morning. I will be perfectly safe in my brother s company.
He is
going to convey me to my family in Hampshire.
 I understand. Of course I will help you. Valentine paused, appearing to choose his words
carefully.  I hope you will be returning soon.
 So do I.
 Mrs. Rutledge... he started, and cleared his throat uncomfortably.  I shouldn t overstep my
bounds. But I feel it necessary to say  He hesitated.
 Go on, Poppy said gently.
 I ve worked for Mr. Rutledge for more than five years. I daresay I know him as well as anyone.
He s a complicated man... too smart for his own good, and he doesn t have much in the way of [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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