But perhaps this was not the night he should insist on such matters. Select your battles carefully now. And plunder the rewards later.

After pulling on a thin pair of muslin sleeping pants, he padded back over to the bed, and for a moment, stood looking at Celia. She faced away from him, her hair streaming over the pillows in a gorgeous, ebony-hued banner of silky waves. He could just make out the linear curve of her body beneath the coverlet, and her position was such that he could see the shell-like crescent of her ear and the softness of her rounded shoulder. Her hand was curled upon the pillow, her palm open, her breathing measured and relaxed.

Moving as quietly as possible, he pulled the covers back and then reached to turn the lamp down.

“Please don’t extinguish the lamp.”

A thread of concern laced through Celia’s softly spoken request. She remained lying as she was, the words directed from over her shoulder. Gabriel was puzzled by the directive, but he did as she asked.

“All right.” He hesitated for a moment, then slid into the bed, settling himself beneath the sheets and propping his pillows just so behind his head. Lying there beside her, he breathed deep of her unique perfume and waited to see what she might say next. In all honesty, he wasn’t quite sure what to do with a woman in his bed with whom he had no intention of making love.

“Thank you,” Celia breathed. The words came out only slightly slurred, but Gabriel caught the subtleness of how the brandy affected her.

“Celia,” he murmured, placing a hand on her shoulder and pulling her until she lay on her back, staring up at him. The flickering light cast by the lamp illuminated her features, and he was shocked to see fear dancing in the dark depths of her eyes. “How much did you drink?”

Her giggle ended in a half-sob. “Enough? Maybe more?” She flinched when his hand cradled her jaw and slid into her hair.

“You were only to have one glass, sugarplum,” he admonished. Why was she suddenly behaving as if she were frightened of him? Did she think his demeanor toward her would change simply because they were wed now? Yes, it was true he would spank her on occasion, and punishments would certainly be a part of her life due to her naturally defiant nature, but never would he intentionally harm her.

Indeed, he had a gut feeling Celia would enjoy the punishments he crafted with her in mind. She’d already exhibited a shy willingness when it came to exploring the darker aspect of sexual relationships. But he certainly had no desire of terrorizing his beautiful little wife.

“You cannot tell me how much I shall drink or not drink, Gabriel,” she mumbled with false bravado. “You don’t own me, you know. And besides, I needed it to get through this night.”

“Silly girl. Of course, I will tell you what you can and cannot do. You are my responsibility now and one I do not take lightly. My instructions, my rules, are always intended to keep you safe. Even if you believe they are capricious and unfair.”