Love Me True by Heather Boyd Page A

decided that we must make love whenever we can. There should be at least as much pleasure as we can stand from the union for us both.”
      Clarry stifled a laugh. How serious he sounded. Making love to him had hardly been a chore so far. If anything, she craved more of his touch right now. Clarry let her fingers wander downward until they found the edge of his waistcoat. Justin’s breath hitched as she curled her arms around his waist, following the deliciously soft silk.
    “Perhaps we should sit.” Justin remarked but Clarry had another idea. She splayed her fingers wide and dropped her hands so they covered his bottom. When she squeezed, Justin claimed her lips again. His rough kiss and hard hands thrilled her. Gone was the polite gentleman of the morning. She’d found the rogue she would marry.
    She liked the rogue better.
    Justin groaned as she kneaded his rear, then with a frantic rush he hiked up her skirts and grabbed her leg. His fingers burned her bare skin so badly that Clarry wanted more. She slipped her fingers into the back of his trousers. The long tail of his linen shirt impeded her progress to touch his skin and she whimpered impatiently.
    “Damn it. Someone is coming.”
    As Clarry returned to the world, she caught sight of Lord Ramsbury and the man she thought might be Lord Roderick. Mortified by how they might appear to others, she buried her head in his cravat and prayed they didn’t join them.
    “Ho, Justin,” one called, “Don’t let us stop you enjoying the lass.” That didn’t sound like Lord Ramsbury at all. Justin uttered a curse harsh enough to curl Clarry’s hair. She peeked around him in time to see Justin’s brother fling an arm across the other man’s chest and halt their approach. The viscount appeared uneasy so Clarry moved away from Justin to offer him an encouraging smile. After all, they would be family soon.
    The viscount didn’t smile back. He glanced at Justin then turned his back, giving Clarry the cut direct. Tears filled her eyes as he stalked off in a rush and soon disappeared from sight. She glanced up at Justin to gauge his reaction to his brother’s fast leave taking, but he had stiffened and wouldn’t look at her either.
    After a more than a few painful moments, Clarry tugged his sleeve. “Justin?”
    The growl he uttered made her jump. “Perhaps you should return to the house. I have a matter to discuss with my friend, Miss Wheaton, before you are formally introduced to Lord Roderick. After today, an introduction may not be necessary at all.”
    Miss Wheaton? Clarry turned fully to face her future husband but he avoided meeting her gaze and hurried to his friend. Stung by the sudden dismissal, Clarry watched him conversing with Lord Roderick. Was she not good enough to meet his friend? Occasionally, Lord Justin’s head turned until their gazes almost connected but he turned back to the conversation without acknowledging her continued presence. The snub from Justin hurt more than the direct cut from his brother.
    Heart pounding in confusion, Clarry had no choice but to turn away to trudge up the long hill alone. She didn’t understand what she’d done to make Justin angrier than he may have already been. She’d only tried to be polite. A hard thing given the circumstances they’d been found in. Her with her skirts above her knees and behaving like a common whore.

CHAPTER NINE

    “I say, Justin, is everything all right there?” Roddy stepped into Justin’s line of vision, blocking Clarry’s rapid retreat from his sight.
    Justin leaned sideways and watched until she disappeared over the rise. Once she had gone he let out the breath he’d held. “Yes, of course. I’ll introduce you later.” Much, much later. Despite Clarry’s near swooning at the sight of his brother, Justin would do his best to protect her from Roddy.
    His friend’s eyes narrowed. “About the marriage. Do you love the girl?”
    Justin snorted. “Of course not. I’m not such a