Gabriel’s hands gripped her upper arms with almost painful strength, holding her aloft. The sudden motion of being jerked to her feet was startling. Mostly because for some bizarre reason, she’d enjoyed kneeling before him. Relished the idea she’d given him pleasure instead of receiving it. She’d liked being under his control.

But why had he stopped her? Had she done it wrong? Disappointed him with her inexperience? Did he think simply because she was no longer a virgin that she was proficient when it came to lovemaking?

A frisson of unease swept through Celia at the reminder of her lost innocence.

No matter her reputation and what Gabriel might conclude after watching her over the past year, she was hardly an expert. Her encounters with the men in her social circle were limited to kisses and nothing more. At least until Gabriel Rose entered her world and gave her glimpses of what the shadows truly held.

Even after what she’d been through, Celia could not explain why she sought the danger of this man’s attention. There was always the potential for tragedy. To be hurt as she’d been hurt in that darkened horse stall so many years before. That night she turned sixteen and learned that what felt amazing could not always be trusted.

“Lesson over,” Gabriel said gruffly, staring at her with an expression blended from disbelief and unadulterated lust. His erection pressed into her as evidence of his arousal. His shallow breaths matched her own. “And lesson learned. You, my darling, are the perfect wife for me. I cannot wait to show you what it means to be completely mine.”

CHAPTER 20

The mission was completed with relative ease.

Within a week of his father’s death, Gabriel’s petition was granted. He was officially recognized as the new Marquess of Rosenthorne.

And that came with all the perks and problems entailed by a title. With the stroke of a pen and royal signature, Gabriel was now responsible for nearly two hundred souls in his employ and the production of several crops cultivated at Rosenthorne Park.

Gabriel also procured a special license from the Archbishop of Canterbury. Once a minister was procured, he could marry Celia immediately.

“You did not hesitate in securing one of the most eligible women in all of England, did you, Lord Rosenthorne?” the queen remarked with detached curiosity when he was ushered before her. “It is well that we would have approved the match had you bothered following the required steps.”

“An enviable union,” Carraway, his father’s barrister, declared jovially upon learning the news. “Quite fortunate to have captured a lady from such a well-connected family.”

“An excellent match, I’m sure of it,” an assistant to the archbishop said when handing over the special license. “Congratulations, Your Lordship. I wish you years of happiness.”

Yes. Apparently, everyone considered it an exceptional match with the exception of the bride.

Gabriel still found himself disturbed by Celia’s revelation of her secret. Not because of her previous relationships, but because he suspected there was much more to her past than she was admitting. Was this why she’d never entertained the many marriage proposals over the years? Could she be under the mistaken idea that her worth was diminished simply because she was no longer a virgin?