“I don’t know about that. I’ve never heard you say something cruel to anyone. You shouldn’t be so quick to dismiss my actions. I should have been more polite to you.”
“As you watched your life’s work slipping away? Don’t be too hard on yourself, Adela. Your feelings were honest and have always been so. I liked that you did not turn into a fawning toady when you realized who I was. I fell in love with you because you took me to task and did not indulge me when you learned I was a duke. Well, it did not hurt that your breasts were exquisite, too.”
She gasped. “Ambrose!”
He arched an eyebrow. “What? Is it so awful that I liked the entire package?”
“I suppose not. I was gawking at you to the point of embarrassment. I’d never met a handsomer man. I loved your bone structure.”
“Gad, no mention of bones tonight,” he said with a groaning laugh. “We’ll be digging them up soon enough in Devonshire. Speaking of which, we had better get some sleep if we mean to get an early start in the morning.”
“Do you know why else I am in love with you?”
“Why, love?”
“Because my hopes and dreams mean something to you. I thought I would have to give them up or somehow negotiate a role for myself beyond being your wife. But you are supporting me, indulging me. This is so exciting, Ambrose. Within a few days we’ll be digging in those caves. I’m so grateful to you whether or not we ever turn up a single bone. Oh, but I am talking too much and you wish to sleep. Will you stay with me the entire night?”
“Yes, unless you prefer that I go.”
“Good heavens, no. I want you and your big, warm body beside me always.”
“Then here is where I’ll stay.” With that assurance, Adela snuggled cozily against him and soon fell asleep in his arms.
Ambrose lay awake longer, realizing this was a first for him as well. He had never made it a habit to spend an entire night with any of his conquests. Waking up to a woman in his bed was something he had not experienced before…well, they were in Adela’s bed in her duchess quarters, to be precise. He did not care where they slept once they returned from their honeymoon, whether in his ducal chamber or here. The point was, they would always sleep together and wake to each other each morning.
He expected he was going to like opening his eyes to find Adela smiling at him, her exquisite, slate blue eyes bright and filled with love.
They awoke shortly before dawn and made love again.
Her body was soft and delectable.
He could not keep his hands off her.
They were both grinning and breathing heavily as they soared together and eventually calmed. Ambrose held her in his arms and caressed her as she fell back to sleep since it was still early and the sky was yet dark. He had no intention of nudging her out of bed before they needed to start their day.
But it was not long after daybreak that his valet arrived at his bedchamber to assist him in preparing for their journey. He had assigned a maid for Adela, but knew he would shock the girl if she walked in to find him naked in Adela’s bed.
They would have to work out a sensible schedule on their return because he wanted her to share his bedchamber and not keep separate quarters. For now, they simply needed to cover themselves, for there was certain to be confusion on this first day of their married lives.
He nuzzled her neck, careful not to scratch her with the rough stubble of his beard. “Do you wish to sleep longer, love?”
She yawned and stretched like a kitten, then turned toward him and placed her open palm against his cheek, apparently fascinated by those rough bristles. “I’ll get up with you. I can always sleep in the carriage later if I’m tired.”
“I left instructions last night for baths to be sent up for each of us. I’ll return to my own bedchamber now since I hear my valet marching back and forth, impatient to attend me. Your maid should be knocking on your door in a few minutes. I had better go, but I didn’t want to slip out of bed without telling you. Just come into my chamber whenever you are ready.”
She nodded. “I won’t take long.”
“No rush, sweetheart. We’ll leave for Devonshire after breakfast and that won’t be for several hours yet. My brothers will join us this morning, but the meal won’t be anything elaborate. Just a bite to hold us until we stop at midday for a more solid repast at one of the coaching inns. We’ll need to rest the horses anyway.”
Adela drew the sheet over her body and stared at him as he rose and began to gather his clothes. He winked at her as she ogled him. “Like what you see?”
“Yes, immensely. You are not bashful, are you?”
“No. But I know you are.” He picked up her nightgown and robe and set them close to her on the bed. “I’ll shut the door between our chambers to lend you privacy as you dress, but I’ll never lock it unless you prefer I do.”
She shook her head. “No, I hope we never lock the door to each other. Oh, but you’ll have your valet and other servants to attend you. Would they ever open this door?”
“I would behead them if they ever did.”
