“That is so much better, my little wren.”
“What is?” She angled herself more comfortably into the corner of the cushions, leaning back and filling his imagination with visions of his stretching over her and possibly siring the first of their many children right here in the parlor.
She cleared her throat. “My lord?”
He reminded himself to stay focused on winning this battle so he might soon enjoy the spoils of this war. “This day has you tensed tauter than a bowstring. When you laugh, you relax.”
Her gaze dropped, and she plucked at the folds of her skirt. “This new life will take some adjustment.”
“Yes, it will.” Perhaps if he showed her the second surprise he’d planned for her arrival? He rose from the settee and held out his hand. “Come. There is something else you must see.”
“What?” She remained seated, appearing not to trust him, but mischievously so.
“Come, little wren. I honestly believe you will be pleased.”
“What about our tea?”
“I assure you that Mrs. Greer will find us when our tea is ready. Nothing in this household escapes that woman.” He wiggled the fingers of his outstretched hand. “Give over now. You know you wish to see what it is.”
With a roll of her eyes, she took his hand and rose from her seat. “I thinkyouwish me to see what it is.”
“Well, of course I do,” he said as he tugged her into the curve of his arm. “Surprising you with presents gives me great joy. Although…”
“Although?”
“The cats are regrettable.”
“They are not. I think they are delightful.”
What was delightful was the way she fit so perfectly against his side with his arm wrapped around her, but he was wise enough to remain quiet about that. Instead, he basked in her warmth and breathed in the sweetness of her lilac scent. “This way, dearest. The front room beside the library.”
“In Broadmere House, that is our smaller parlor for when unannounced guests come calling.”
“It was once the same here, but no longer.” He pushed the door open with a flourish and stepped back. “Your personal office, my lady. After all, a writer needs space in which to disappear into her worlds and put them to the page.”
She stood at the threshold, her lips barely parted as her gaze darted all around the room. “Oh, Matthew,” she said with a satisfying breathlessness. “This is… This is…”
“Yes?”
“So wonderfully thoughtful of you.” She slowly entered the room, as if afraid it would disappear.
“I know this is not the writing desk you brought with you. I instructed George and Anne to place that one in your dressing room. But I hope you find this one suitable.” He stepped around her and went to the decidedly feminine desk that was just as large as his desk in the library, but this one had curved lines and rounded edges. It was softer, like a woman’s form compared to the hard, muscular lines of a man. He pulled out the leather wingback chair that was also smaller and would fit her much better than the usual desk chairs.
“Oh, Matthew,” she repeated with the same breathlessness as before. “It is absolutely perfect.” She sat in the chair and smoothed her hands along the rich, reddish-hued wood of the desktop. “This is not mahogany. Is this rosewood?”
“It is,” he said. “Rosewood symbolizes romance and love. I thought it perfect for the desk of a romance author.”
She surprised him by leaning forward and resting her cheek on the satiny surface while continuing to run her hand across it. “The desk is gorgeous, but your speaking about my life’s dream as if you believe in it too is the greatest gift you could ever give me.”
“I do believe in you, Fortuity.” He wanted so badly to touch her, stroke her cheek, or kiss her hand, but he remained strong. If he attempted to convince her of his feelings too quickly, she would never believe him. “Your stories are as lovely as you are.”
“Thank you so very much, Matthew. This means the world to me.”
“I am glad.”
A knock at the door interrupted the moment and made him grit his teeth in irritation. “Yes?”
“The proper tea ordered by Mrs. Greer is set up in the parlor, my lord,” Thebson told him. “And a messenger just arrived with a letter he says the sender informed him was quite urgent.”
