“… oh look, they’ve left us a bottle of champagne… by Golly, you ought to see the bathing tub, it’s enormous… butter and jam, the bed is the largest I’veeverseen…”
Her last comment got his attention. Grabbing the bottle of champagne and two flutes, he went into the bedchamber… and stopped short at the sight of Violet on her back on the cream-colored counterpane. Her arms and legs were stretched out as if she were lying on a bed of snow, making a snow angel. She was grinning up at the canopy.
Joy punctured his chest. Standing in the doorway watching his wife at play, he vowed to protect her youthful exuberance for as long as he lived. Then she leaned up on her elbows, and the flirtatious warmth in her tawny eyes turned his thoughts from her adorable qualities to her womanly ones. Her lithe form and gorgeous face made his blood thrum, beckoning him like a fever dream.
But he didn’t want to rush things. This was their wedding night; he wanted to make it special for her. And if the fact that she was a virgin made him just the slightest bit uneasy, he reasoned that it was only natural. For tonight was to be a first for him as well: he’d never taken a lady’s innocence before.
Popping the cork of the champagne (and trying to push a related image out of his mind), he poured two flutes of the bubbly golden liquid and brought them over to the bed. He handed Violet one and sat next to her on the mattress.
He tapped his glass to hers. “Cheers, lass.”
“Cheers.” Her eyes out-sparkled the champagne.
For a few moments, they drank in companionable silence.
“Did you enjoy the wedding?” he said.
As McLeod had predicted, they’d wed by special license, the small ceremony taking place at the Strathavens’ townhouse. It hadn’t been a big to-do; they’d only invited her family, Wick, and a few close friends to share in the special occasion. Since all Richard had wanted was to make Violet his, he was well satisfied with the wedding. But was she similarly so?
“It was first-rate,” she said happily. “Everything from the ceremony to luncheon to the tossing of the bouquet.”
“Tell me the truth: were you aiming for Miss Billings?” he asked.
“It was the least that I could do.” Violet’s eyes grew shadowed. “But I’m worried about her… and Wick, too.”
Richard shared her concerns. Three days ago, Wick had brought news that he’d negotiated a new arrangement with Garrity: he would beworkingoff his debt to the usurer. He’d refused to elaborate further, and to Richard’s protests he’d replied firmly, “For once in my life, I’m going to take responsibility for my actions. I have a chance to start afresh, and I’m taking it. I hope you’ll support me, brother.”
What could Richard say to that? His younger brother was finally growing up. He had to trust Wick to find his own way.
As for Miss Billings…
“Do you really think that she persuaded Garrity to give Wick a job?” he said.
Because as surprised as he was at Wick’s newfound maturity, he was even more surprised that Garrity had agreed to new terms. The moneylender wasn’t known for having changes of heart—if indeed the man even possessed that particular organ.
“I don’t know. Gabby’s being a clam about it.” Vi nibbled on her lip. “And when Gabby doesn’t talk, then one truly has cause for worry.”
Richard got rid of their glasses and pulled her into his lap. “We’ll be there for Wick and Miss Billings if they need us,” he said simply. “In the interim, we’ll have to trust that they will find their own happiness. As we have.”
“Yes.” The shadows lifted; she smiled at him. “What did you think of Harry?”
Richard had got on with Harry Kent immediately. The lad knew a thing or two about sports… even if he tended to view everything through the lens of science. During the wedding luncheon, Harry had expounded upon the importance of considering force, acceleration, and momentum in improving one’s punch in the boxing ring. It had been fascinating, a conversation unlike any Richard had had before.
“I like Harry. And your entire family.” Richard cleared his throat. “They are very generous.”
In truth, their generosity had astonished and humbled him. The dowry put together by her family had been far more than he’d anticipated, enough for him to get his estate truly back on its feet. What was more, Strathaven had offered to stake Richard’s breeding program for a share of future profits.
Richard wasn’t used to getting help. As much as he appreciated it, he also felt… uncomfortable.
“It’s not charity, you know.” As ever, Violet was able to read his thoughts. “Think of it as an investment. My family knows, as I do, that you’re going to make a smashing success of things.”
God, her faith in him… he’d never known anything sweeter.
“What did I do to deserve you?” he marveled.
She looped her arms around his neck. “You didn’t let a trifle like a dip in a fountain dissuade you from courting me?”
“Minx.”
