“If we’re married by noon and Mama is able to restrain herself to three dishes for the wedding breakfast’s menu, then we ought to arrive at our destination by six. Seven at the latest. All in all, I like the suggestion a lot.”
Robert couldn’t agree more. In fact, the idea appealed tremendously. He was more than ready to make Athena his and could scarcely wait to get her home so they could begin their life together. It pleased him, knowing they were of like minds. It also pleased him to know that she’d never once doubted his love or devotion. When Charles had come to call on him a couple of days ago, he’d told Robert that he’d imagined the worst when Robert had failed to appear at the church, but that Athena’s belief in him had never wavered – that she’d been convinced something must have happened to keep him from her. And so it had.
“My sister has matured significantly since you came back into her life,” Charles had said. “You have somehow managed to calm her tempestuous nature, which is something I would have sworn wasn’t possible.”
“I suspect I gave her a dreadful fright. In truth, I’ve never been so ill before in my life and hope I never shall be again. Athena cared for me with diligence. She’s not as irresponsible as you and the rest of your family think.”
“No. I’m beginning to gather she’s not.” Charles’s gaze had grown pensive. “I believe she’s as lucky to have you as you are to have her. I’m glad the two of you found your way to each other. And I wish you both an endless amount of happiness.”
#
MUCH TO ATHENA’S SATISFACTION, the ceremony was completed one week later in under ten minutes. It was followed by a wedding breakfast consisting of exactly three dishes, of which one was the cake, so the meal was over in record time. And since it was a sunny day, the journey to Darlington House took only a little over two hours. They arrived by six in the evening.
“Although I stand by the apology I gave you when I first came here,” Athena said once she’d greeted the servants and Robert had shown her upstairs, “I’m not sorry I prevented you from marrying Bethany. Can you imagine if you had? It would have been awful for me to grow up and fall in love with you only to have you married to someone else while Bethany and Charles loved each other and—.”
“I fell in love with you,” he murmured to complete her sentence. She occupied the chair adjacent to his near the fireplace in the bedchamber they would now share. The glass of port he’d offered her when they’d entered the room was cradled between her hands. The drink had already produced a pleasant swirl of heat in her stomach.
“Yes. What a tangle it would have been.”
“It’s a good thing we avoided it then.”
“I like to think so.”
“And I’m inclined to agree.” Reaching out, he took the glass from her and set it aside. With a tug on her hand he pulled her from her chair and toward him, until she landed in his lap. His eyes gleamed in appreciation of her nearness, causing her own body to hum with pleasure. “Everything turned out as it was meant to. They have each other and I have you.”
She didn’t wait for him to initiate the inevitable kiss. Bold and eager, she closed the distance herself and captured his mouth with her own. Robert’s arms tightened around her, drawing her closer until she was pressed against him.
“I could do this forever,” she murmured against his skin while trailing soft kisses along his jawline.
“And I would readily allow it.”
He sucked in a breath when she pushed her hands under his jacket, and again when her fingers began untying his cravat with deft tugs. Air hissed from between his teeth as he expelled it, prompting her to still.
She leaned back slightly and looked him squarely in the eye. “I know I can be unruly but maybe that’s the wrong approach to this? If you’d rather I show more restraint, please say so and I shall strive to—”
“God no.” He cupped her cheek. “I love your unruliness, Athena, and frankly, there is no better place for it than here in our bedchamber. If you wish to rip off my clothes, then by all means proceed. I can assure you I will approve.”
She grinned, then gasped when he tore the back of her traveling gown wide open – it was the sleeveless one intended to be worn with a shirt underneath. “Robert!”
“I’m only trying to follow your lead,” he purred, his gaze so dark and wicked it reached inside and filled her with heat.
Resuming her movements she tugged and pulled while he did the same until he suddenly grinned. “Lord help me. You’re once again wearing breeches.”
She smirked at him. “Of course. The last time you saw me in them you seemed to like the way they looked.”
“God yes.” He helped her stand so her gown could be properly removed. His gaze swept her body, which was now clad in creamy buckskin, satin stays, and a perfectly tailored lawn shirt. A grin widened his mouth as he went to work on the laces and buttons. “I do believe we shall have to order several more such outfits for you. To wear in private, of course.”
She met his gaze and smiled. “Of course.”
Pulling her into his arms, he kissed her while linen and satin floated around them, until they were both completely undressed. A squeal of surprise shot from her throat when he suddenly lifted her into the air and carried her to the bed. His kisses devoured, matching her hunger as he tumbled them onto the mattress. A giggle erupted from within her breast, becoming a sigh of pure pleasure when the palm of his hand swept up over her hip.
“Christ, you’re perfect,” he whispered while fitting himself between her thighs. “Men really ought to hold hoydens in higher regard.”
“We’re a very enthusiastic bunch.” As if to prove it, she wrapped her legs around him and rolled them over so she was on top. “And I for one am eager to learn. Will you teach me how to be your ideal lover?”
“Yes,” he promised in a gravelly tone. His fingertips travelled the length of her spine. She relaxed into his touch and he took advantage, flipping her onto her back when she least expected. A wolfish grin curled his lips, and then he bowed his head to kiss her. “But first, it is my duty to show you the stars.”
And so he did, loving her with every kiss and each touch until her soul melded with his.
