His foot went completely through the sole. The bottom of his boot hit the floor with a loud thunk. He cursed and forced his foot into the other boot. Like the first, the boot had no sole.

When he opened the wardrobe, he realized someone had butchered every pair of shoes he owned. And he knew just who that someone was.

He strode barefoot down the hallway to his wife’s room. With a loud crash, he threw her door open.

“Good morning,” she muttered sleepily, yawning.

“What did you do to my shoes?” he demanded. “And you’ve ruined my best pair of riding boots!”

“Yes, I did. Now you won’t be leaving the house.” She yawned and rolled over. “Close the door. I’m going back to sleep.”

He obeyed but only to keep the servants from hearing their argument. “If you think such a childish trick will prevent me from leaving, you are wrong. I’ll simply borrow shoes from Farnsworth.” He sat down on the bed and threw back the covers. He’d not allow her to sleep through this disagreement.

“You don’t wear the same size.”

“I’ll leave whenever I damn well please, boots or not.”

“Do you truly wish to leave?” she asked softly. He saw suddenly that her nightgown was of the sheerest silken fabric, completely revealing every curve. “Or would you rather do as you please?”

His words caught in his mouth. “You don’t control me, Emily.”

“No?” Her hands stripped away his waistcoat and shirt until he sat bare-chested beside her. He didn’t know what her intentions were, but so long as she was removing clothing, he did not particularly care.

“We’re not finished arguing,” he informed her.

In response, she lowered the bodice of her nightgown and pressed her breasts against his skin. “No. We’re not finished. I can see how angry you are.”

Anger was the furthest thing from his mind at the moment. It took only moments to strip himself of the rest of his clothing. “I’m furious.”

He pushed her onto her back, pulling her hips against him. She wore nothing beneath the nightgown, and his body responded instantly.

Too fast. He needed to slow her down, to take control of the situation. He suspected she intended to seduce him. It was a blatant ploy to get her way. But he had more restraint than she knew.

He moved the tip of his manhood to hover at her slick entrance while his hand palmed her breast. She gasped, the nipple pebbling in his fingertips. Though she tried to bring him inside her, he kept her trapped in place. He moved his mouth against the soft curve above her ribs. Then with his thumb, he teased her womanhood.