After, she fell asleep in his arms, knowing she had truly come home.
* * *
When Anthony woke, he quietly rose to replenish the fire and feed the appreciative cat. Then he slid back into the bed beside Diana’s delicious warmth. He loved studying her face in the pearly light, seeing the faint lines of maturity, lessons learned, wisdom acquired the hard way.
Beautiful. Beloved. She would always be beautiful, no matter how many years passed, and he prayed they’d have decades together.
Her eyes opened sleepily when he brushed a kiss on her forehead. “You haven’t changed your mind about marrying me, have you?” he murmured. “If so, I’ll have to demonstrate again the advantages of marriage.”
She smiled with sweet mischief. “I’ve wanted to marry you since we first met, my one and only love, so I won’t be changing my mind. Though I wouldn’t mind another demonstration of why we should wed as soon as possible!”
“I shall be happy to provide that.” He combed his fingertips through her silky golden hair, loving the texture and the intimacy of how it cascaded freely. “The storm is diminishing, but we’re snowed in for today and travel will be difficult tomorrow. The next day will be Christmas Eve. In the morning I can run up the flag and we can reenter the world. Where would you like to spend Christmas?”
Diverted, she asked, “Run up the flag?”
“There’s a flagpole behind the stables,” he explained. “When I’m ready to emerge from my retreat, I run up a signal flag. Someone in the household will notice, and since I’m here without transportation, a carriage will soon appear.” Seeing her expression, he said with amusement, “There are some advantages to being a duke, you know.”
“Indeed!” she said with a peal of laughter. “But how very strange that I’m going to be a duchess! I never really thought about that until now.”
“Is it easier to imagine being my wife?” he asked softly.
“Until now, that was only a dream.” She laid a warm palm against his cheek. “Shall we spend Christmas with your family? You were planning on that, and the Masterson estate isn’t far, is it?”
He nodded. “Even with bad roads, we should reach Hayden Hall before dark. I want to show you off to my sisters, who bullied me into going to the masquerade. I owe them a considerable debt.”
“So do I.” She snuggled even closer. “I want to meet them and their husbands, but I’m glad we’ll have these days to ourselves. It’s such wicked bliss to just lie here in bed with you, skin to skin. No other people, no obligations. Just us.”
He couldn’t agree more. His hand began wandering over smooth, warm curves. “Then onward to the Lawrence family gathering to celebrate the New Year?”
“I’d like that, but I warn you, there are a lot more Lawrences than members of your family!” she said. “Expect a great deal of squealing, hugs, and some smug satisfaction.”
“Where would the smugness come from?” he asked, puzzled.
“On the night of the ball, my sister-in-law Sylvia said she’d have liked you for one of her girls,” Diana explained. “But you and Rory weren’t interested in each other so she assumed you were lost to the Lawrence clan. She’ll be pleased to learn that the Lawrence family spinster has won the greatest prize in the marriage mart.”
He made a face. “I’ve always loathed that phrase!”
“Then it’s good that you are now safely off the marriage mart.” She patted his chest, then began stroking downward. “Mine.Mine!”
He sucked in his breath sharply. “I believe it’s time for that demonstration I mentioned earlier.”
She made a purring sound as her hand inched ever lower. He kissed her then, knowing that she was right. The wedding would be soon, but this was their honeymoon. Sweet days of tenderness and fire and discovery.You are mine and I am yours ...
Chapter 13
Christmas Eve morning dawned with brilliant sunshine and a sky as intensely blue as Anthony’s eyes. Diana left the lodge with some reluctance, but one couldn’t live in a bubble of enchanted solitude forever. They’d be back. Oh, yes, they’d be back. She envisioned many years of their regularly retreating here to rejoice in each other’s company in peaceful solitude.
As Anthony had promised, not long after he hoisted his flag a Castleton travel coach rumbled up the forest lane and collected man, woman, and cat. Their first stop was at the inn where Diana had left her entourage. There, they returned her hired horse and she sent her carriage and servants on to the Lawrence family estate with the message that she’d join the house party before the New Year.
She retrieved her baggage and gratefully packed away thesalwar kameezand riding boots that had proved so useful when she rode out to the lodge. Since she was about to meet her future in-laws, she changed into a demure gown of a soft dark green and covered that with her fur-trimmed burgundy velvet cloak. She didn’t think the Raines sisters would actually believe she was demure, not when she was emerging with their brother after several scandalous days and nights, but Diana wanted to show willing.
The roads were predictably dreadful, but the coach was comfortable and the snow-covered countryside shimmered gloriously in the sunshine. She and Anthony spent the hours holding hands and talking endlessly about their lives and hopes for the future.
The short winter day passed swiftly and it was dusk when they pulled up in front of Hayden House. The windows of the rambling Tudor manor glowed with welcoming candlelight.
Anthony alighted and gave orders to take the coach around to the stables. A light snow was falling and flakes drifted over his dark cloak and hat in a drift of white stars. She would never get tired of admiring him.
He lifted the Panda’s carrier from the coach, then offered his other hand to Diana. She stepped out feeling tight with nerves.
