"Yes, but he would never have approached her while she was in mourning. Fortunately or not, her circumstances have shielded her from normal modes of courtship. In England she would have been much sought after for her rank if not her beauty, but her longstanding betrothal to Lord March kept any other suitors at bay, as did her father. I doubt Aurora is even aware of her effect on men…" Percy frowned. "Which reminds me, I feel I must speak up, Nick. My cousin is very much a lady. I hope you will go gently when you make her your bride."
Nicholas returned a cool glance. "I assure you, I have never mistreated a woman in my life."
"I don't believe you would intentionally harm her. I just meant… restrain your lust… keep your customary wildness under control. Aurora is nothing like your usual paramours. She's a complete innocent, with no experience in carnal matters."
"I will be considerate, I give you my word," Nicholas swore solemnly. "Now, perhaps we should discuss financial arrangements. The war will make it difficult for Lady Aurora to access my funds in any American banks, but I will write a letter for her to present to my cousin Wycliff in England. I'm certain Lucian will honor my wishes and provide her marriage settlement immediately. He can reconcile the amount with my estate once the war ends."
The two men spoke for a time about business matters – Aurora's jointure and what portion she would hold in trust for his sister and how the will should be written.
When Percy was satisfied the main contingencies had been accounted for, Nick changed the subject once again by saying gravely, "I would ask one more favor from you, my friend. Make certain Lady Aurora leaves St. Kitts before my sentence is carried out. I don't want my wife to see me die."
"That might be more difficult than all the rest," Percy replied slowly. "Aurora may very well refuse to leave you until the bitter end. She has a strong loyal streak, you see. She could feel obligated to stay until it is over."
"You cannot let her see me hang, Percy."
"No, I agree."
"Get her to Montserrat, by force if necessary. Wycliff's schooner should be docked there waiting to take my sister to England. They can embark directly from there."
"I shall see to it," Percy said earnestly. He met Nick's gaze. "I should be doing more to help you out of this damnable situation."
Nicholas grinned and reached out to shake his friend's hand. "You've already done more than I have any right to ask. Believe me, if I can see my sister safe, I will die at peace."
When Percy was gone, Nick lay down on the cot, his mind at ease for the first time since being taken prisoner. An odd sentiment, considering that tomorrow was to be his wedding day. Matrimony was an institution he had always ardently avoided, deploring any shackles that would restrict his much-cherished freedom. Ordinarily the prospect of taking a bride would have him rebelling, resisting with all his might. But his circumstances were anything but ordinary.
As was his bride.
Aurora Demming was a contradiction – surprisingly tough for a lady of her class and upbringing, with a stunning combination of regal elegance and allure.
Was he asking too much of her? She was the privileged, pampered daughter of a duke. Proper. Innocent. And enchanting enough to send blood rushing to his loins at the mere thought of touching her.
She was a beauty, the kind of woman to haunt a man's dreams, with pale gold hair and deep blue eyes and lush lips made for kissing.
When he remembered tasting those lips, another fierce stab of desire pierced him. Nicholas swore softly at himself. How would he manage to restrain himself? He'd had countless women. Passionate lovers who could wring a man dry. Bold, exciting ones who challenged his expertise and stressed the limits of his control. Tender ones who could satisfy his male hunger in a surfeit of pleasure. But he suspected making love to Aurora would be an experience unlike any he'd known. When he'd kissed her earlier, he'd glimpsed the fire of long-suppressed desire in her eyes.
He shut his own eyes, letting himself fantasize about his wedding night. He drew a sharp breath as he imagined having her cool beauty beneath him. The thought of rousing her to passion brought an ache to his body that had nothing to do with his injuries. A man could die happy after being in her arms.
Nicholas exhaled slowly, feeling his rigid muscles slacken.
Wedding her was no mistake. If tomorrow was to be his last night on earth, he wanted it to be in the arms of a siren whose hair glittered with sunlight.
Chapter Five
He took my body with surprising gentleness, treating my innocence as a precious gift .
The ceremony took place as planned in the fortress chapel, with Jane and Percy and Commander Madsen in attendance. Yet when Aurora first laid eyes on her intended husband, she felt an unexpected shock. He had recently bathed and shaved, and the clean, chiseled angles of his face revealed a stunning handsomeness that made her breath catch.
He was dressed as a gentleman of means rather than a condemned prisoner, in a bottle green coat and pristine white cravat that contrasted attractively with his golden skin, while his sun-streaked mane had been tamed to an almost fashionable style.
Both the fresh bandage wrapping his brow and his unsmiling face, however, emphasized the somber nature of the event. A wedding should have been a joyous occasion, but no one in the bridal party experienced any joy, including the bride and groom.
Aurora chiefly felt numb. This strange ritual was not what she'd envisioned when as a girl she had imagined her wedding day. The heavy gold ring Nicholas Sabine presented her – his own, engraved with the emblem of a masted ship – was too large for her slender finger. And the light brush of his lips on hers when he sealed their troth was almost cold. But it was the grimness in his eyes that made her heart sink.
The dinner given afterward by the commander in his quarters was slightly less solemn but still awkward, for no one could forget what was to happen the following day. There were no toasts to long life or happiness for the bridal couple, and Colonel Madsen made no secret of his anger about being forced to carry out such a distasteful duty. He took his leave shortly after the sweets had been cleared away, brushing off Aurora's attempts to thank him for his hospitality and merely wishing the company a good evening.
Percy and Jane lingered a while longer and embraced Aurora fondly when they said farewell. It had been arranged for Aurora's maid to attend her, but when Jane wanted to summon the girl, Nicholas intervened, saying he would see to his bride himself.
He ignored Jane's frown of disapproval and Aurora's questioning look, but in a few more moments her cousins were gone, leaving her alone with the man whose name she now shared.
"I trust you will forgive me if I'm not eager for company," he murmured, throwing the bolt on the door and securing them inside.
"Of course," Aurora answered unevenly, not quite certain how she should behave or what he expected of her.
"Would you like some wine? Or perhaps something stronger?"
She started to refuse, but then changed her mind, realizing wine might help ease the tension that had suddenly seized her. "Yes, thank you, I would."
The commander's quarters were neither large nor particularly sumptuous; the chamber they occupied was both a dining room and parlor. But they were the best the grim fortress had to offer.
Aurora had been surprised to learn the colonel had leant his rooms for their wedding night at Nick's request. Even in prison her new husband was not completely powerless at influencing his fate.
When Nicholas went to the sideboard, Aurora absently toyed with the overlarge ring on her finger.