“Vive la différence.” He kissed her. In his arms, her soft body stirred his passion. He deliberated on disturbing the intricate arrangement of her hair, but before he could act, Maddie, who might have suspected his intentions, climbed off his lap and went to sit on the sofa.
“I shall visit the Bond Street shops tomorrow after I’ve seen the modiste,” she declared.
Hart sighed. Rising, he walked to the drinks table. “A glass of wine?”
“Please.”
He poured two glasses from the carafe. “Are you pleased with your bedchamber?” he asked as he handed her the wineglass. He joined her on the sofa. “If you require anything, send for Mrs. Hatton.”
A footman knocked and brought in a plate of biscuits, placing it before them on the occasional table. Maddie reached over and took one. “The suite is perfect. Elegant yet comfortable. Your housekeeper has been meticulous.” She took a bite. “Mm. These are delicious. I must consult the cook about the menus.”
“And you might give them your recipe for beef and onion pie.”
She laughed and shook her head. “I think not.”
“You’ll wish to make changes here. The house has been empty since before my father fell ill. He preferred country life and never came here again.”
“Wasn’t this your home?”
“No. I had rooms in Piccadilly.”
“Surely this would have been more comfortable?”
Maddie’s practical nature, he thought, although she’d chosen her words carefully. She didn’t wish to pry, but was understandably curious. He didn’t wish to speak of the past. “My father thought it an unnecessary expense to keep the house open for me alone. He preferred to lease it.”
“I see.”
She didn’t, of course, but said no more. One more thing about her he was grateful for. Her sensitive nature. She would learn the family secrets eventually, some of which he was not proud of. He liked to think that he was a better man now and would have handled his father differently. When he thought back, he realized that despite his history of a string of mistresses, his father seemed unloved and alone in his declining years.
Somehow, in the past weeks, it had become important for Maddie to think well of him. He thought of the night ahead when they would be together. Just sitting close beside her on the sofa made him want her in his arms. This unruly passion surprised him. Ordinarily, it would worry him. He’d always kept a cool head where women were concerned. But since Maddie, his former life of excitement and change seemed to lose its hold on him. “You must be tired after the journey.”
She glanced up at him, a smile in her eyes. “My bath refreshed me.”
Hart wanted to kiss her, but never seemed able to stop at one. Fearing a kiss would lead to him taking his wife on the library desk, he returned to sort through the rest of the mail his secretary had left for him. Invitations he would decline until Maddie had the right clothes. He looked over at her. She had grown silent. “I’ll visit my bank for the engagement and wedding rings in the morning. They have been in the family for generations. But if you would prefer new rings, we can go to the family jewelers in Ludgate Hill. They will have a fine collection.”
“Oh, no. Were they your mother’s?”
“Yes, my mother’s and my grandmother’s before her, but it is your choice, Maddie.”
“Then I shall love them, Hart,” she said firmly.
“I’ll arrange an appointment with your solicitor.”
Her forehead creased. “I imagine he will advise my uncle of our marriage and our London address.” She sighed. “Uncle Arthur will be furious to learn you were involved, Hart. He will hate to be outwitted.”
Seeing how nervous she was about him, Hart left the desk and sat beside her. “That’s his prerogative.” He brushed a finger over her soft cheek. “I have plans for him he will hate more.”
“I wish you wouldn’t get involved,” she said with a worried frown. “My uncle is dangerous. He intended to kill me without a second thought.”
Hart raised his eyebrows. “I am not afraid of your uncle or his henchmen.”
“I remember how well you can handle yourself.” She smiled. “I saw what you did to his men when you rescued me. But you are an honorable man, and my uncle is not.”
“I hope to deal with him without breaking the law, Maddie.” He shrugged. “But if he sics his men onto me, they’ll get what they deserve.”
She opened her mouth to protest, but he framed her face with his hands and stopped her with a kiss, forgetting his intention not to. Fresh from her bath, her skin was warm and scented. He drank the last of his wine and put down his glass, wanting to hold her and reassure her, and make endless love to her. “We have an hour or two before dinner. Shall we go upstairs?”
“Let’s.” The smile in her eyes told him she’d expected this. He feared he was becoming predictable as Maddie took his hand and rose.
