“You surprise me, Dee.” He shook his head and smiled. “You do not believe that you are strong, but tonight you proved that theory wrong. Now, look at you. You are glowing.”
Deena felt her cheeks heat at his compliment.
“I do not see the point of you flattering me, Austin, but thank you.” She offered him a small smile, and he returned it with a wolfish grin.
He plans to ruin the moment.
Deena braced herself when Austin opened his mouth to speak.
“Of course, I will take credit for your glow and say it is ourwonderfulmarriage that caused it.” He stopped in his tracks and bowed.
Deena could not hold back her laughter; she let it out and felt the burden of her troubles briefly leave with it. When she recovered from the bout of laughter and wiped the tears from her eyes, she found Austin staring at her, awestruck.
“What is it now? Is there something on my face?” She wiped at her cheeks just in case.
Austin shook his head. “It’s nothing…it’s just…you have not laughed like that for a while. It was refreshing.”
Deena felt her skin prickle under his gaze. The hall was empty, and Austin and Deena stood alone, silently, facing each other.
Does he feel the sweet tension too?
She felt the ghost of his touch on her lower back and spine from their waltz, and on their way home, she imagined what he would do to her, but it was late, and they had yet to consummate their marriage.
“I shall retire to my chambers,” Deena said softly.
“I will walk you,” Austin offered.
“No, that is quite all right,” Deena said too quickly.
But Austin ignored her and offered her his arm without a word. Deena hesitated before she took it, and they climbed the grand staircase in mutual silence. The only sound was the faint tick of the long-case clock on the landing.
They stopped at the door to her bedchamber.
“Goodnight, Dee,” Austin said quietly.
He let go of her arm and turned to leave, but Deena’s fingers tightened on his sleeve. “Wait.”
He stilled, looking back at her.
She swallowed, but her mouth went suddenly dry. “I… I don’t want to wake the maid. And I need help with the laces of my dress. They’re impossible to untie alone.”
Austin’s gaze darkened a fraction. “You are sure you want me to help with that?”
She nodded. “I am.”
But she was not sure about anything anymore.
Austin pushed the door open, stepped aside for her to pass through, and hesitated before he followed her. Deena was always aware of how close he was, even without looking.
Her bed was turned down, and the smell of fresh linens permeated the air. Deena walked to the mirror slowly. Austin was unusually quiet as she presented her back to him.
“Are you sure, Dee? I can wake the maid?—”
“I am sure, Austin,” she said more confidently.
He searched her eyes in the reflection of the mirror. Deena’s pulse increased when she saw the darkness in his gaze.
His fingers found the tie at her lower back. “Breathe, Deena,” he murmured.
