“With you and Dal in residence, Doireann Vale will continue to function effectively, I know. Now that the Tisdale twins are pretty much living with Mrs. Trimmer’s cousin, and all but next door to their farmers, I do need someone here to keep the fires burning, so to speak.”
“They’ll be wed before Christmas, I’ll wager,” said Augusta.
“Huh?” Finn blinked at her. “Who?
“The Tisdale girls. Digby and Harvey. I’m not sure who’ll end up with which twin, but I’d lay a pony on the outcome.” Augusta raised an eyebrow at him. “Any takers?”
He grinned at her. “Besides not having sixpence to my name, I never bet on a sure thing.”
*~~*~~*
Hecate readied herself for bed, trying not to be aware of her heart beating rapidly. Would he come tonight? And what would happen if he did?
She’d promised to marry him. Did that mean he’d be sleeping with her from now on?
So many questions. She didn’t realise she’d been pacing the length of her chamber until Bub, who was sprawled on the bed observing her, made his opinion of the whole business known.
He gave a cat groan, and yawned, then stretched, his rump high, his front legs gripping the quilt.
“Am I boring you?” asked Hecate. “I do apologise.”
She sat down on the bed next to him, smiling as he moved to her side and rested his chin on her leg. Stroking his silky fur always calmed her and within a few moments he was purring, a deep rumble that she could feel vibrating against her skin.
She felt like purring as well.
And when the door opened and Finn peered around it, she beckoned him without a second thought.
“I wondered if you wanted company tonight,” he said, with an inquiring look.
“I think…” she chose her words carefully. “I think I will always want your company, Finn. Especially at night.”
Bub opened an eye, took Finn’s measure, and closed it again.
“I’m glad you feel that way.” Finn sat on the other side of Bub, as if hesitant to disturb him. “I don’t want to spend another night of my life without you next to me, Hecate. I know that’s unreasonable, since we have to maintain the proprieties until we’re wed, but having your warmth beside me…well, somehow it’s just right.”
“Come then.” She stood and slipped out of her robe, moving up the bed and pushing back the quilt.
He did the same thing on the other side.
Together, they eased themselves onto the bed, trying not to disturb the heavy, warm and purring lump of fur that now took up at least a third of Hecate’s side.
“I’ll have to wiggle around him a bit,” she sighed, moving into Finn’s arms.
He stroked her, much as she’d stroked Bub, a gentle petting that soothed and comforted. “Any second thoughts, sweetheart?”
“About what?”
“Marrying a penniless Irishman…”
She sighed. “I know it will take you some time, Finn, but I do wish you would stop worrying about that. I would never marry anyone for money. I know it is important…I’m not a fool. But it does not measure your worth as a man. And as a man—I have no second thoughts about marrying you.”
His arms tightened and he pulled her on top of him. “You are an extraordinary woman, Hecate Ridlington. In more ways than I have yet discovered…” His hands slid down and he began to tug her nightgown up and over her backside. “Also, to return your compliment, you have an amazing bottom as well.”
She giggled and slithered around, managing to extricate herself completely from her nightgown. “I’m so glad you think so, sir. May I say I believe you to have some amazing parts of your own…one of which deserves more attention, I’m thinking…”
A few minutes later, Bub uncoiled himself, glanced at the moving figures that were disturbing his rest, and jumped down to the floor, stalking off to find a more peaceful place to sleep.
