His body relaxed, all tension draining from him, and taking his bones with it. Again, he felt like dropping to his knees.She loved him!He had never pushed her to say it but had hoped in time she would.
Taking her with him, he took the few steps to the bed and sank onto it, dragging her down beside him. But he ran his hand over his eyes, feeling overcome.
“Are you well?” she asked.
“I am, indeed. I am truly happy. I don’t think I have ever felt this way before.”
“That’s absurd,” she said, but she was grinning with pleasure.
“Naturally, I’ve been pleased, but usually because I was getting something I wanted, like fine brandy or a plum horse or ...” He trailed off.
“Or a woman.”
He sighed. “Yes. If I set my sights and got her, it was like winning. But this is different. This is utter, bone-deep contentment from loving you and finally knowing I have earned your love in return. And I predict this happiness will be long-lasting, don’t you?”
“I do.” She blinked and offered what he could only think of as a sensual smile. “You told Varley if we were alone — that is, you andthe goddess, as you called me — in this very room, then you would have me in a clench, which we did as soon as the door closed. But I believe we are meant to be rolling on the bed if I recall correctly.”
“How remiss of me.” He pressed her down upon the counterpane.
“My hat,” she said.
“I’m good with removing hats,” he promised and then froze.What an asinine thing to say!Her active mind would be reminded of other women whose hat he’d removed.
However, she merely sighed.
“That’s all right, then, my lord. I shall let you remove it for me.”
Quickly but gently, he did, dropping the pins to the floor and sending the pretty pink hat gliding across the room.
“And your hair?”
“I still have to go out in public,” she said. “Let’s risk leaving my hairpins. If one of us gets pricked, I shall be to blame.”
“I assure you, lady wife, you shall be pricked, but the blame will be mine.”
“A double entendre,” she said. “I am supposed to say I do not understand, but all I can think of is how glad I am that you are good with buttons, too.”
Deftly, he undid the buttons down the back of her pale blue-and-white striped day dress. Each layer, he removed until — at last — she was entirely bare.
“Youarea goddess!”
She shrugged slightly, which made her bounteous bosom rise and fall while a pretty flush spread up her chest and neck to her cheeks.
While she climbed onto the bed and drew her knees up to her chest to shield herself, giving him a delightful view of Carvel’s ring and her sweet buttocks, he shed his clothing with the greatest haste.
“I do admire your long powerful legs,” she said.
“I have something else that is long and powerful,” he pointed out, unable to keep his arousal from stiffening like an oar, ready to guide his boat to the dock.
She giggled, a strange, enchanting sound from his Purity Foxford.
“Another double entendre, my lord.”
He shrugged, joining her upon the bed. Utterly joyful, he wanted to laugh while making the most serious, ardent love at the same time.
All he could think to do, however, was kiss her. Rolling on top, settling himself between her thighs, which parted naturally for him, he took her face between his palms.
Her indigo-blue eyes stared up at him fearlessly. “How did you know I was here?”
