A Comfortable Wife

always floor him with her honesty. He drew in another deep breath-and recalled his purpose-his one and only purpose in engineering this meeting, in coming to Ticehurst Place. 'Before I deal with your criteria-your demands of a prospective husband-there's one pertinent point I wish to make crystal clear.'

His features hardening, he caught Antonia's gaze. 'Lady Ardale's performance was no fault of mine. I did not encourage her in any way, by any look, word or gesture.'

A frown slowly formed in her eyes. 'She was in your arms.'

'No.' Philip held her gaze steadily. 'She pressed herself against me-I had to take hold of her to set her away.'

A slow blush stained Antonia's cheeks. She looked away. 'Your hand was on her breast.'

Fleetingly, Philip grimaced. “Not by inclination, I assure you.'

His tone held sufficient disgust to have her glancing his way again. Her shocked expression tried his control.

'She…?' Confounded, Antonia gestured.

'Indeed.' Philip's lips thinned. 'Strange to tell, some ladies are exceedingly forward-and not a little predatory. If you'd remained a moment longer, you would have witnessed her come-uppance.'

Antonia's eyes widened. 'What happened?'

'She landed on the chaise.'

Philip saw her lips twitch, saw the beguiling glint of laughter in her eyes. The stiffness that had, until then, afflicted him, eased; he held out his hand. 'And now, if you'll come here, I'll endeavour to address the criteria you enumerated so clearly.'

Antonia studied his face, uncertain of the undertone in his voice. Slowly, she shook her head-and stepped closer to the fountain. 'I would much prefer that we discussed this matter in a business-like way.'

Philip opened his eyes at her-and took a strolling step forward. 'I intend to be exceedingly business-like. In this case, by my reckoning, that requires having you in my arms.'

'There's no sense in that-I can't think while in your arms-as you very well know!' Frowning as disapprovingly as she could, Antonia circled to put the fountain between them; his intent apparent in every graceful stride, Philip followed. Antonia could not miss the devilish gleam in his eyes. Despite her irritation, she still felt a thrill all the way to her toes. 'This is ridiculous,' she muttered, feeling her heartbeat accelerate, feeling breathlessness slowly claim her. 'Philip-stop!' Imperiously, she halted and held up a hand.

Philip took no notice. In two strides he had rounded the fountain.

Antonia's eyes widened. With a smothered squeal, she grabbed up her skirts and ran.

Unfortunately, she was on the wrong side of the fountain to escape the maze.

And Philip was far too fast. He caught her halfway to the hedge, easily lifting her from her feet. He juggled her in his arms, then carried her, struggling furiously in a froth of muslin, to a weathered stone seat with an ample thyme cushion.

He was grateful for that last when he half-sat, half-fell onto it, Antonia squirming on his lap. He could hear her muttering a string of curses; he was so gripped by the urge to laugh triumphantly that he didn't dare try to speak. Instead, he caught her chin in one hand and turned her face to his.

Her eyes met his, green spitting golden chips. In that instant, awareness struck-he saw it catch, felt the sudden hitch in her breathing, saw her eyes widen, her lips soften and part. She stilled, her breasts rising and falling, her gaze trapped in his. The same awareness reached for him, effortlessly drawing him under its spell, even while some remnant of sanity frantically fought to remind him where they were, who they were, and how inappropriate was the spectacle they were about to create. As his head slowly lowered, Philip groaned. 'God-I must be as besotted as Amberly.'

The realization did not stop him from kissing her, from parting her lips and drinking in her sweetness. Like a man parched, he filled his senses with the taste of her, the feel of her, the heady, dizzying scent of her. Experience stopped him from releasing her curls, from running his hands through her hair. But nothing could stop him from laying her breasts bare, from experiencing again the thrill of her reaction as he caressed her.

Trapped in his arms, caught up in the tide, it took all Antonia's remaining strength to complain, 'You haven't told me your response to my criteria.'

“Do you still need telling?''

His fingers shifted; her mind melted. It was some moments before she could muster enough breath to explain, 'I did intend to be a comfortable wife for you but I don't think-' Her breathing suspended wholly; weakly, she rushed on, 'That I can manage it.'

She arched gently in his arms; Philip groaned again. His lips sought hers, then he drew back enough to murmur against their soft fullness, 'I never wanted you as a 'comfortable' wife-that was your idea.' The words focused his attention on what he was trying very hard to overlook. 'As God is my witness, the word 'comfortable' is the very last word I would associate with you. I've been wretchedly uncomfortable ever since I walked into the hall at the Manor and saw you come floating down the stairs, the embodiment of my need, the answer to my prayers.'

She was, Antonia decided, adapting to his lovemaking; she could actually think enough to take in his words. 'Why uncomfortable?''

Philip gave up groaning; he took her hand and showed her.

'Oh.' Antonia considered, then glanced at his face. 'Is that really uncomfortable?''

'Yes!' Gritting his teeth, Philip caught her hand. 'Now shut up and let me kiss you.' He did, delighting in her response, setting aside his rehearsed periods until he had recouped all he had missed through the past week of enforced abstinence.

'I saw them go in-they must be at the centre.'

Geoffrey's voice came clearly over the hedges.

Philip raised his head, blinking dazedly. Antonia's eyes opened, then flew wide as she took in her state.

Her “Great heavens!'' was weak with shock.

Philip wasted no time in curses; with practised speed, he stood, setting Antonia on her feet, steadying her when she swayed. When her hands fluttered over the halves of her open bodice, he swatted them away. 'No time- let me. They're only three turns away.'

Her head still spinning, Antonia watched in bemused fascination as he did up her buttons with a speed that would have left Nell stunned, then straightened her skirts and settled the lace about her neckline.

Philip barely had time to settle his coat before Catriona rushed into the square, Geoffrey and Ambrose on her heels.

'He was there! Henry told me of your suggestion-Aunt Copely will help, I know she will.' Eyes gleaming, smile beaming, Catriona was again the stunning beauty of the early weeks of their acquaintance. 'It's so wonderful, I could cry!' With that unnerving declaration, she flung her arms about Antonia and hugged her wildly.

'At the risk of appearing a wet blanket, I suggest you restrain your transports, my child.' Suavely, Philip settled his cuffs. 'If you float into the house at your present elevation, the Countess is likely to puncture your hopes.'

'Oh, don't worry.' Exuberant, Catriona let go of Antonia to clutch Philip's hand and press it between her own. 'I can take care of her-when we go back to the house, I'll be so down in the mouth she'll never suspect we're hatching a plot.'

Smiling, pleased to see Catriona so restored, Antonia glanced at Geoffrey, only to discover a quizzical, somewhat speculative look in his eye. As she watched, a slow, oddly knowing smile curved his lips.

To her intense mortification, Antonia felt a blush steal into her cheeks. She shifted her gaze to Catriona. 'So, is Mr Fortescue off to plead your case to Lady Copely?'

'Yes!' Catriona beamed delightedly. 'And-?'

'All's right and tight,' Geoffrey remarked. 'But we shouldn't discuss anything here-one of the gardeners might overhear. And it's getting on for tea-time. If we don't want to be caught conspiring by one of those odious footmen, we'd better get back to the house.'

'Indeed.' There was enough frustrated resignation in Philip's tone to draw a glance from both Mannerings. Philip offered Antonia his arm. 'I greatly fear your brother is right.' As they all turned towards the exit from the maze, Catriona going ahead with Ambrose, practising her die-away airs, Philip murmured for Antonia's ears alone, 'We'll continue our interrupted discussion later.'