Isaac’s touch was at once softer and rougher than Lavinia could have imagined. For such a doted-on heir his hands were surprisingly calloused. He was not shy about his grip of the authoritative way he moved Lavinia. He easily shifted her, arranging her limbs to suit his fancy. Yet, he was also remarkably careful. Lavinia knew that with Isaac’s demeanor and strength he could easily hurt her, shatter her. And she almost wished he would.

Her loathing had not instantly ...