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children out of duty but out of her own need to be the mother she d lost. Even if the law
wasn t on her side, stubborn will and providence were. I believe you would. Forgive me for
confusing you. I mixed fear, trust and our bedchamber play inappropriately. I should have
been clear.
Life is rarely clear. Your mother may have been so ill she could not leave once she was
at Bath. That s quite a trip itself. If her condition had worsened, it may have been beyond her
control. But I have my father and my brothers, family to stand by me even if I were that ill.
They d protect my interests and my children. I have no doubt of that. I was not raised to
value an heir like a prize pony. I ll coddle them until they leave home.
Still, she tried to comfort him and make excuses for his mother.
He pulled her tight to him. I don t hate my mother. I only wish she d have tried.
You re so strong and bold. I should never have doubted you.
If you truly wish to wait before we have children, I m sure you can obtain some of
those French Letters in London. We can wait for the children, but I won t wait for you.
He nodded. Or we could have two children young and use those items to avoid
additional. I will not lose you. He framed her face with his hands.
And the sex was not a test or trial of my strength?
Roaming his hands down her body, he discovered no undergarments. You are my
wife. The sex was amazing and nothing to do with our family situation. But your state of
dress is indiscreet. I wanted to see your will, your strength. It was the wrong way to do it.
But you responded to me. I couldn t stop.
She smiled. No one looks under my dress but you. I never asked you to stop. You
seemed to keep back at times. You never wanted to be inside of me. I didn t understand.
Chuckling, he lifted her skirt to expose her to the cool air. I wanted to. More than you
know, more than I knew. You broke me tonight.
A FIRM HAND Cheryl Dragon
73
You broke me before our wedding night. I was ruined for any other man. If you d
jilted me
James smacked her bottom. Never. Never any other man. You re mine. Say it.
You re mine. Her eyes glinted with mischief and love.
He slapped her bottom harder. Do not test me, wife.
I m yours. Perhaps I won t need a ride tonight after all. She released him and put her
mare back in its stall.
No, you ll ride, but it will not require a horse. First, I have a gift for you. He went into
the back where the stable master kept the expensive equipment. It d arrived yesterday, and
James had been waiting for the proper moment.
Carrying the box over to her, he set it on the ground. A small token.
Instead of rushing to open it, she kissed him hard. Thank you.
You haven t yet seen it. You might hate it.
But I ll still love you. She knelt down and opened it. Good heavens. It s exquisite.
He helped her lift the heavy saddle made of the finest leather up onto the stall so she
could properly admire it. He d ordered it personally.
It s perfect. So expensive. Her hand went slowly over her new married initials
engraved in the saddle. In a flurry, she turned and kissed him. Her arms curled around his
neck as she deepened the kiss, her eager tongue curling to him with determination.
There s more in the box.
She d missed the more intimate gift.
Mariah bent down and dug in the bottom of the large box. Standing slowly, she
inspected the flogger wrapped in the same rich leather from which the saddle was made.
What s this for exactly?
James inspected the work. Perfect. It had his initials carved in it and when he used it,
the mark would please them both.
It ll hurt less than a riding crop. You have a more tender hide than a horse. I have a
deerskin sheath to put over it to begin. In time, you ll want the harsher leather. He took it
from her and smacked it on his hand. He found the deerskin cover in the box and put it on.
Mariah flinched at the sound. So we re still playing at our intercourse?
Play is not the right word. It s simply what we enjoy. You obey.
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