upholstery of the sofa.

“Then there's nothing more to be said, is there? Let's go.” She tugged on his

hand.

“Kat, you don't know what you're asking,” Christopher protested.

“You're right. You promised to explain it to me.” She regarded him with an

unruffled expression that demonstrated her powerful innocence.

“Do you have any idea what is involved in consummating a marriage?” he

demanded.

“My mother died when I was nine. I have no idea.”

“Oh, Lord.” He sighed, steeled himself, and proceeded “Very well. This is going to be a difficult conversation. Are you ready?”

She nodded.

“All right, you know your woman's time?”

“Yes.” She was already blushing.

“There's an opening there… between your legs.”

“Yes.” The pink in her cheeks darkened.

“I have to fill it,” he said. He swallowed hard. Making love is so much easier

to do than to explain.

She blanched and then looked at him, bewildered. “With what?”

“With my… my… let me show you.” He took her hand and guided it to the

front of his trousers. Her eyes widened.

“Do you feel that?” he asked.

“Yes. Of course.” But her eyes still asked so many questions.

“It fits right in. And then, well, there's… a substance that comes out. I put it

inside you, and, if the timing is right, and the Lord wills it, a baby is created.”

“That's the consummation?” He was pleased to note she appeared curious

rather than revolted.

“Yes.”

“And it causes bleeding?” she asked.

Now you look worried, do you, love? Well rightly so. It's not a joke. “The first time,” he replied. There's a little… blockage inside you. Your maidenhead. I

break it when I enter you.”

“The first time?” Her delicately arched brows drew together. “How many

times do we do this?”

“Often,” he replied. “It's quite… pleasurable.”

She raised one eyebrow.

“You see, love?” he told her gently, “You're not ready. I married you to save

you, but now you're my wife. It's for life, you know? Adultery disgusts me.

Therefore, from now on, you're my only source of sexual satisfaction. I don't want you to become… unwilling because we were intimate before we gave

desire time to develop.”

Though confused and embarrassed, she still pressed. “There's no choice. We

have to. I won't be safe until we do it.”

“I know,” he replied, trying to explain his vague discomfort, “but it's also our

first time making love together. You're giving me your virginity. All of that matters. I want it to be good for you, so you'll like it.”

She considered his words. “Even if this time is… difficult, I promise I'll let

you keep doing it until we get it right. I'm a wreck right now, but I don't want to

stay this way forever. I want to be a good wife.”

Christopher grasped her hand and squeezed it. “Thank you, my dear. That

might make the difference.”

“Shall we proceed then?”

She was right, and despite his grave doubts, he knew it. “Very well.”

He helped her onto her feet and led her into his bedroom. Like the rest of the