No, Timothy dismissed the thought. He could not risk leaving her with child while he went on his way to Middleton and left her in Willanton. She would hate him, especially since she only saw him as the perfect opportunity to get her from one place to another. He was a convenience, and nothing more.

  Yet, it would be nice to have her along for the trip. He would just need to remember they were not really married, at least not in his mind, and certainly not by a minister, so he would need to refrain from touching her in any manner, even if it killed him.

  “Very well.” His heart lurched as if he had just sealed his own fate, and not necessarily in a pleasant manner.

  “Thank you. I promise you will not be sorry.”

  There was a sly gleam in Miss Carrick’s eye.

  What was she thinking?

  At that moment, Timothy suspected he would most certainly be sorry for agreeing to the mad scheme.

  “When shall we be handfasted?” Miss Carrick directed the question to Mrs. McGree.

  Timothy chose to answer. “We will finish packing up the shop tomorrow if we can get started on it today. We will leave the day after and be handfasted right before we begin our trip.” He wanted to put this off until the last possible moment.

  Chapter 11

  Timothy shut the door to the Gentleman’s Room for privacy. Miss Carrick had finally gone to pack her personal belongings so that she was prepared to leave tomorrow. Until a few moments ago, she had worked diligently by his side for three hours on the main level of the book shop. He didn’t think she would ever leave so that he could retrieve and pack the secret books. Also, she was a distraction, and he would never be able to walk by a lilac bush in bloom again without thinking of her. Then there was her scooped neckline. Even if it was fashionable, that type of gown was meant to be worn while a lady was sitting or standing, not bent over packing books into crates. So many, too many times, he looked over and was given a full view of her breasts. The creamy globes strained to be released and he would like nothing better than to assist them and discover the dusky color of the nipple beneath, but he controlled himself.

  Timothy was surprised he did have so much control but was glad for it. It gave him hope that he could make this journey with Miss Carrick without seducing her.

  He marched across the room, removed the books on the shelf then stacked them on the table before he returned to the panel. Sliding it open, he reached in. Except, there was nothing there. He bent to look in and the shelf was empty.

  Timothy looked to the door. Had Miss Carrick known about these books? Had she already packed them up? He glanced around the room then sighed with relief. The bottles of brandy and whisky were near empty, and the glasses had been used. Yesterday afternoon, after word was relayed that they’d come to an agreement and that they’d begin crating the books, her father’s friends had come to the shop for a final visit and to toast to Mr. Carrick as they shared memories behind the closed door. They must have taken the books with them when they left. As there were only five, it would have been easy for each of them to slip one into their suitcoat before leaving.

  Timothy may be relieved that Miss Carrick had not discovered the books, but he was also disappointed. He had barely glanced through them before hiding them once again for fear of being caught by Miss Carrick. He had hoped to read the books more thoroughly once he was away. A man couldn’t have too much information when it came to the various ways to bring pleasure to a woman.

  Perhaps one day he would locate a collection for himself, and it was probably best he didn’t have them to read now. Timothy’s own imagination was more than enough for what he would like to do with and to Miss Carrick while they traveled. Reading of other ways would only increase his frustration.

  Katrina settled into the middle of her bed and began reading through the secret books. Tomorrow morning, she would be handfasted to Lord Timothy and begin their journey. What would she do if Lord and Lady Melcombe did not hire her? She couldn’t return here and there would be nowhere else to go, except to her cousin.

  She couldn’t think on that now. With positive thoughts and a confident attitude, she would be hired. She’d not been rejected from a position she wanted yet, and it wouldn’t happen this time.

  Lord Timothy knew nothing about the books spread out on her bed because they had not been for sale. She wondered what he would think of a proper lady reading such educational information or viewing such detailed drawings. No doubt he would be shocked, but she needed to learn everything she could about seduction. She had only three days to experience everything that could happen between a man and a woman and didn’t want to waste one precious moment of their travel time.

  Katrina picked up one of the books that contained nothing but drawings. The first pages showed a naked man and she studied it further. It looked rather odd. Never once had she ever suspected it would be that big and wondered if the drawings were exaggerated. If they were accurate, men’s trousers would have a bulged front and not be smooth, wouldn’t they?

  At least the drawing of the woman was more accurate except Katrina’s hips were not as round; at least she didn’t think so.

  Katrina rose from her bed and walked to the mirror. She placed the book open on the dressing table, pulled her gown over her head, followed by the chemise, and stood as naked as the lady in the drawing. Her breasts were just as large, but they didn’t hang as low. Did gentlemen prefer them lower or higher, or did they even have a preference? She placed her hands under each and lifted them up, turning one way and then the other. Katrina hadn’t really examined her body in such detail before and was surprised at the weight. The nipples of the woman in the picture were pointed whereas her own were almost flat. She knew they could become firmer because it happened often enough when she was cold after bathing or in the chill of her chamber during the winter. Perhaps the artist chose to draw the woman cold. Puckered nipples did seem more attractive than warm ones.

  Katrina turned the page. The man from the first drawing was now with the woman from the second. His manhood pointed straight out from his body. She flipped the page back to the woman and studied her a bit more. Katrina’s stomach was flat and her waist narrower. The woman in the picture was rounded and looked as if she would be soft, pillowy.

  Is that what men liked? Would Lord Timothy not find her attractive?

  Maybe she should eat more but doubted she could put on the necessary pounds by the time they reached Willanton. At least her womanhood was shielded by the same type of curls though her thighs weren’t as thick. Katrina could only hope the woman in the picture was not the ideal woman for Lord Timothy.

  Katrina turned more pages and stopped when she came to the one where the man had his mouth on the woman’s breast and a hand on the other. What would it be like if Lord Timothy kissed her there?

  A few more pages in showed the man leaning over the woman, who reclined on a settee. His mouth was still on her breast, but his fingers were in the woman’s curls. Katrina had looked at the pictures before, but not really studied them in this manner. She slid her hand down her stomach and continued until her own fingers were within her curls. Now what? She knew that the joining took place with his member somewhere between her thighs but why were the man’s fingers and hands there? She quickly glanced around the room to make sure nobody could see her. The curtains were already drawn against the dark night and her bedroom door was closed. Not that anyone else was staying within her living quarters above the shop.

  Her exploration didn’t help to answer any questions and she removed her hand. Maybe it was different if a man touched there, or maybe the man in the picture had to search for the place where he would join with the woman. That made more sense than anything.

  Katrina pulled her nightshift over her head. She knew her own body well enough. She needed to research about a gentleman so she could seduce Lord Timothy good and proper.

  Chapter 12

  He had lost his mind! Timothy could not believe he was getting handfasted to Miss Katrina Carrick.

  It seemed like the entire village had turned out for the event and formed a circle around the couple. It was a simple ceremony presided over by a minister, no less, and the words were not very different from a marriage ceremony, though Mrs. McGree assure Timothy that it was a handfasting and not a marriage. He trusted her because he’d attended very few weddings in the past and truthfully, hadn’t given so much attention to the words uttered by the minister. However, one would think a minister would insist on things being done right and proper. Instead, he knotted the ribbons around their wrists, binding them together. Though this was also a country where couples were married by blacksmiths, so maybe their ministers were also more lenient as to protocol.

  After the minister was done tying the knot, several ladies came forward and also tied ribbons around their wrists for good luck. When the women finally parted, he and Miss Carrick, though he supposed she was now Lady Timothy, made their way toward the carriage. There they were stopped just before entering by having to jump over a broom.

  “Normally this would be placed before the door of your house,” Mrs. McGree explained. “But as you two are leaving town, we thought it best to place it in front of the carriage.”

  “Why the broom?” Timothy asked.

  “You just jump it to begin your life together.” She shrugged and Timothy suspected they may know what was supposed to happen during a handfasting ceremony but had no idea as to the reasons. Besides, he wasn’t beginning a life with Katrina, he was beginning a year and a day.

  Katrina hiked her skirts and when she was ready, they both jumped to the cheers of those surrounding them.

  He helped her up into the carriage and followed immediately behind. There wasn’t much slack in the ribbons and until they were untied, he would not be able to move very far from his current and temporary wife.

  Someone closed the carriage door and the coach lurched forward.

  What had he just done?

  Katrina turned toward him, and she rested her tied hand on his leg. “Thank you for agreeing to this. I promise not to be difficult on this journey.”

  She already was a problem. Her hand burned an imprint onto his thigh. Most well-bred women would not touch a gentleman in such a manner, and it only went to prove how innocent she was and that she thought of him as nothing more than a friend or traveling companion. Certainly not as a man.

  “It is my pleasure, Miss Carrick.” He shifted, hoping she took her hand away.

  “Miss Carrick?” She laughed. “Given the circumstances, you really should call me Katrina.”

  “Very well, Katrina.” He wished she would move her blasted hand.

  She watched him expectantly.

  “Is something on your mind?”

  “Do I have leave to address you by your first name?”

  “Yes, of course.” His throat tightened. He needed her on the opposite side of the carriage and began working at the knots of the ribbons.

  A smile burst on her lips. “Did you know that your name means God’s honor? Mine means pure.” She made a face as if she didn’t approve.

  Timothy latched onto the meaning. If he kept in mind that his temporary wife was pure, he would be able to avoid touching and ruining her. Or so he hoped.

  His fingers worked harder at trying to undo the knots, but it was difficult with only one hand.

  “We aren’t supposed to remove them.”

  “Ever?” Surely, she jested. If not, no wonder the handfasting was no longer in practice.

  “Not until we retire for the night.” A blush formed across her cheeks.

  Since he had no intention of retiring with her, Timothy saw no need in keeping them tied for the remainder of the day. They were simply a symbol and nothing else. “We have hours of travel ahead of us and if we walk into the inn in Edinburgh like this, they will assume this to be a real wedding ni. . .” He didn’t want to use the word night because of what it implied. “That, well, that we are married.”

  “We are.”

  “Yes, but only for a year and a day so that we can travel together. It isn’t as if we plan to, well...let me see...it is kind of like a marriage of convenience.”

  “In other words, you don’t plan on consummating the marriage.”

  His face burned, which was most disconcerting. He couldn’t believe she came right out and asked such a question. Timothy would like nothing better than to consummate the marriage. If it were a real marriage, he would stop this carriage at the next inn they came across. “I think it is best if we keep to our own rooms.”

  Katrina frowned and settled back in her seat, yet she made no effort to help him untie the blasted knots that kept them together. There had to be at least a dozen different ribbons.

  She toyed with one of the loose ribbons at her wrist while he worked on the others, her face turned toward the opposite window. What was she thinking? Had she intended on them becoming husband and wife in truth? Certainly, she realized that was a mistake. One day she may marry, and it was best if she remained innocent, as if this temporary marriage had never occurred. It was for her own good.

  The man was impossible. The longer Timothy had to work at the ribbons, the longer she could remain next to him, so she was not about to help.

  She had put her hand on his thigh, something no proper young lady would ever do, yet he didn’t even notice. The way he was working at those knots indicated he wanted to be as far away from her as possible. If he were far away, how could she seduce him and why was he against consummating the marriage anyway? She was more than willing.

  Why didn’t he want her? She had assumed for most gentlemen that almost any willing lady would do, but apparently Timothy was different.

  Yet, she’d already known that. He was a proper scholar. Maybe he’d never even had a lustful thought. Maybe he was as innocent as she was? Could he be without desire? Or did he simply not desire her?

  Katrina reminded herself that this was only the first day of travel and they would arrive and remain the night in Edinburgh. She assumed they’d head south tomorrow and spend the night at inns at least two more times. That gave her three nights to accomplish her goal. It wasn’t much, especially when he refused to cooperate.

  Katrina frowned. The routes that she’d reviewed for travel to Willanton didn’t go near Edinburgh. “Why are we going to Edinburgh?

  He didn’t look up or stop working at the knots. “I have a friend that I promised to visit and more books that I purchased before I traveled to Blackrig. I need to add them to the wagon.”

  “Did you buy out another shop?”

  “No. A professor passed away and his son decided to sell the man’s collection. It is very impressive.”

  “And you intend to turn around and sell them in Middleton, much like you plan to do with my father’s books.” She knew they were no longer her father’s, but she still couldn’t help thinking of the crates of books as just that.

  Timothy paused in his work and peered up at her. “Actually, I’ve considered opening a circulation library instead. As you’ve realized, few residents in smaller towns have the funds to purchase books but can buy subscriptions. And some of the books I purchased in Edinburgh, I have not had an opportunity to read. I would hate to let them go permanently before I had the opportunity. It may be best this way.”

  “Why Middleton? Are you from there?” Perhaps if she could keep him talking long enough, he would forget about those ribbons and thus, be unable to move away from her.

  “An uncle left me his estate, though it is small. I thought to settle there.”

  “What if Middleton already has a lending library?”

  “They don’t. I already checked.”

  Drat, he went back to working at the knots. “If you inherited an estate, why do you need a lending library?”

  He paused again and looked up at her. “It does not support itself so I will need funds to get by on.”

  “That was very generous of your uncle.”

  “He didn’t have any children of his own and since I am the youngest son in my family, he thought I would benefit most.”

  “How many children are in your family?”

  “That is one ribbon gone.” He tossed a pale pink ribbon to the opposite seat and began working on another. “I am the youngest of four sons and I have a younger sister.”

  Katrina sat back. “Three brothers and a sister, how lucky you are.”

  “I understand you were an only child?”

  Katrina sighed. “Yes. My mother died when I was young, and father never remarried.”

  A yellow ribbon came loose next, and Timothy tossed it onto the seat with the pink one. At this rate, he would be free of her within the hour.

  “Why a lending library or bookstore? Is this something you’ve always wanted to do?”

  Timothy dropped the ribbons for a moment, stretched out his fingers, made a fist, and stretched them out again. They must be getting cramped from having to work with such small ties. However, that didn’t mean that she was going to assist him.

  “My father expected me to become a fellow at Oxford, if I didn’t join the church.”

  “Not the military? I thought fourth sons went into the military or is that the third?”

  He laughed and sat back, letting the ribbons go for the time being. “Neither I nor my older brothers were suited for the military, which pleased my mother greatly. I am more a lover than a fighter.”

  His face flushed the moment the words were said. She hoped he was a lover, or this trip would be a complete waste, except for a means to travel to Willanton.

  “What I meant was . . . well, I am not a violent person and believe more good can be accomplished with open conversation than with guns. I didn’t mean lover in the true sense of the word. . . not that I have anything against . . . I just mean. . .” He stopped talking and turned his attention to the ties once again. Katrina bit her lip to keep from laughing.