“At the very next ball, we shall waltz together.”
“I haven’t seen a husband dancing with his wife,” she said. “Do they? Isn’t it badtonto show too much affection for your spouse?”
“It is my intention to waltz with you. I want them all to know how much I love you. And I want to tell you about my life when my mother was alive. Then you will understand why I have no intention of ever straying from your side.”
“I’d love to hear it. Although it will tug at my heart.”
“Then I shall tell you all of it. But later,” he said, passion in his eyes as he drew Maddie down on the bed and kissed her.
She nuzzled her face against his, then kissed his chin and his eyelids, her hand sliding into his hair and tugging it.
He laughed as he kissed her. She closed her eyes and for a while there were only the murmurs they made.
Hart stroked her hair. He pressed kisses over her neck, telling her how much he loved her, how essential she was to his happiness.
Maddie’s body was on fire with yearning for him. She undid the buttons on his breeches, and when his erection leaped free, she ran her hand over it, marveling at its strength and softness. Hart groaned and took her hand, guiding her, showing her how to pleasure him.
The longing to have him inside her became so urgent she hitched up her skirts and climbed on top of him on the bed. Hart groaned and helped her settle her thighs over his hips. Maddie sank down on him. She moaned at the intense pleasure as Hart pulled down her bodice to free her breasts and shaped them with his hands, thumbing her nipples.
Joining with him was so utterly perfect she could only gaze into his slumberous eyes as she moved until passion swept her away. Her movements quickened as she sought her release. With Hart’s loud moan, they came together.
As their breaths slowed, they lay with their arms and legs entangled, unwilling to part. “Do you think we were overheard?” she breathlessly asked Hart.
“If we were, they will only have expected it,” Hart said with a grin. “The innkeeper winked at me when you turned away to climb the stairs.”
“Oh!” Maddie giggled. “You beast!” She attempted to move away.
Hart held her in his arms. “You, my lady wife, are going nowhere.”
She smiled and rested her head against his chest. She closed her eyes. Then they flew open. She still had her shoes on. She sighed. She couldn’t fight sleep any longer.
Maddie had no notion of how long she slept. They had woken during the night to undress and climb between the sheets. As their naked bodies came together, Hart made exquisitely slow and gentle love to her before they slept again.
She gazed into the dark, aware of her body, which seemed light, as if her bones and flesh had little weight and barely pressed into the mattress. Amazingly free, she stretched out her spine, careful not to wake him, then prodded her mind like one might a sore tooth to be sure she had overlooked nothing. Did something dire lurk there she might have missed? But there was nothing, only an all-encompassing happiness which spread through her like a ray of sunshine. Hart loved her. The source of her happiness lay with his back to her. The blankets had fallen away, and she studied his naked back, his light olive-toned skin warm and smooth over his muscles, his ribs, his hip bones, his rounded backside. She curled her fingers, wanting to trace them down his spine, but resisted. Then, snuggling close to him, she nestled into his warmth and slept again.
Chapter Twenty-Four
The Sherringhams’ springball was the last of the Season before the heat of summer made London intolerable and sent thetonto their country retreats.
Hart thought Maddie looked especially lovely in a white gown with lavish pink embroidery on the hem and sleeves. A circlet of pink roses dressed her hair.
They made their way through the crowded ballroom. Guests greeted them, while others merely observed them, and Hart felt Maddie’s hand tense on his arm.
Hart met Vivian Spencer’s flirtatious smile with a cool nod. As they moved farther into the ballroom, their circle of friends closed around them, and Maddie relaxed. She danced the quadrille with Tate while Hart partnered Ianthe.
When the waltz was called, Hart escorted Maddie onto the floor. She lifted her head closer to his. “Are we about to shock theton?”
“Impossible. The scandals they’ve seen have made them inured to most things. A husband dancing with his wife? Not worthy of the scandal sheets.”
“I’m relieved. I never wanted to be seen as outrageous.”
“Are you sure? What about that red gown?”
“It was claret-colored.” Maddie laughed. “Well, perhaps a little.”
The music rose as Hayden’s exquisite music filled the ballroom. Hart swept her out onto the floor as their eyes met.
“I longed for this,” Maddie said. “The second time I met you.”
