“I always just wanted my hair out of my face. I didn’t much care for fashionable styles. My lady’s maid has been playing around with doing my hair in different ways, so I will looklike some of the other gentlewomen of London. And I suppose if I keep shopping at Madame Auguste’s, I shall compete with them.”
Hugh smiled. “You are so beautiful, Adele. You could set your own fashions if you wanted.”
Adele felt heat flood her face and looked down. “I am plain.”
“No. When I saw you coming down the aisle today, I thought that there has never been a more beautiful woman.”
“That is because I had on an expensive gown and the emeralds you gave me and Daisy did my hair.”
“No. I thought you were beautiful from the first moment we met. When I woke up in the Sweeneys’ house and didn’t know who I was, I thought it might be all right because you were taking care of me.”
“Beauty and ability to care for someone have no relation to each other. I could have been a monster.” Adele smiled.
“You aren’t, though.” Hugh ran his hands through Adele’s hair. “You know what else I realized today?”
“What?”
“That I am completely, irrevocably in love with you. I saw you walking down that aisle and I just knew.”
Adele’s heart felt like someone had reached into her chest and squeezed. “Oh, Hugh…”
“You don’t need to say it back right now. I just wanted you to know that in these last weeks, you’ve come to mean a lot to me. I truly treasure you. I didn’t even know how much until today.”
Adele stared at Hugh in disbelief. She’d been so focused all day on just getting through the day that she hadn’t stopped to look at him. He was still dressed from the wedding in a black formal coat and breeches, with a crisp white cravat at his neck, a white shirt, and a white waistcoat. He’d combed his brown hair forward, as was fashionable, and his blue eyes sparkled as he gazed at her. He looked exceedingly handsome. Why hadn’tshe taken the time to notice that today? In his formal clothes, he looked very much like the powerful, wealthy duke he was, but the expression on his face was earnest and… vulnerable.
He did love her. She’d wondered in the last few weeks. His reasons for marrying her had seemed at times like a way to help her out of a bad situation, but he’d repeated over and over that he wanted to marry her, that he couldn’t imagine spending his life with anyone else, and Adele had taken that to heart. She’d thought they might grow to love each other in time, as many couples did. She hadn’t expected him to make a declaration like that on their wedding night.
Did she love him? Yes, she did. She smiled and touched his hair, running her hand through its short strands. She couldn’t seem to make her voice work, though.
Hugh leaned forward and kissed her.
She’d had enough friends who had been married who had feared their wedding nights. Who’d been told by their mothers that “marital relations” were something to be endured, not enjoyed. But Adele had the advantage of knowledge. She’d already spent a blissful night with Hugh, who’d told her even then to never feel shame about herself or her body. So she knew this would be good, and as Hugh licked into her mouth, she felt heat spreading through her body.
She pulled Hugh back so that he was laying on top of her on the bed. She put her arms around him and kissed him.
He loved her. He’d proclaimed it plain as day. A thrill went through her.
Had she ever been this happy? She didn’t think so.
She reached for the lapels of Hugh’s jacket, and a thought occurred to her. “Will your valet be coming to help you undress?”
“No, I gave him the night off. Told him I could manage to take off my own clothes. I’m sure he will give me an earfultomorrow about proper care of my clothing, but I don’t care right now. My hands don’t seem to want to leave your body.” Indeed, Hugh had one hand on her hip and another near her shoulder.
“They may need to, but just for a brief moment.”
Adele pushed his jacket off his shoulders then started undoing the buttons on his shirt. He sat up, straddling her hips, and helped her with the rest. He tossed his cravat aside and she watched it flutter to the floor as she laughed. Ventnor definitely would have something to say about how Hugh dealt with his clothing.
Hugh took off his jacket, waistcoat, and shirt and threw them at a nearby chair. The shirt missed and landed on the floor, but Hugh waved his hand dismissively.
Adele ran her hands up Hugh’s chest and met his gaze. “Is this all right?”
“Yes. Please touch me. Touch as much as you want. I am yours to do with as you will.”
Adele felt powerful suddenly. She shimmied out from under Hugh and moved to take off her dressing gown. Hugh reached over and helped her.
“This was an excellent purchase,” Hugh said. “I love how the silk lays on your body. Doesn’t leave much to the imagination. But now I mean to toss it aside.”
Adele felt heat come to her face, but she felt gratified, too. Hugh thought she was beautiful, found her attractive, and as was plain from the front of his breeches, he wanted her badly. Adele hadn’t known she could have such power. As Hugh slipped her nightgown from her shoulders, she watched his face. The astonishment in his eyes as he revealed her breasts was like that of a child opening a Christmas present. She would have laughed if she hadn’t felt so aroused.
