“No. I am the experienced one and as such I’m also the one responsible for what might happen between us if we’re not careful. Make no mistake about it, Ada, I crave you with every fiber of my being and nothing would please me more than…”
Giving you pleasure.
Joining my body with yours.
Watching you come undone in my arms.
He cleared his throat and adjusted his posture, then scrubbed one hand across his jaw while trying to decide how best to proceed. Because now that he’d had a taste, there could be no going back. One way or the other, he would make her his.
“Yes?” she queried.
He took a deep breath and attempted to think of something that might cool his ardor enough for him to return indoors without making a scene. Squandering his inheritance came to mind and quickly did the trick.
“Sorry,” he muttered. “I just needed a moment to gather my wits.”
“Oh. I see.”
Did she? Anthony seriously doubted it. He caught her hand and raised it to his lips for a swift and, in his opinion, necessary display of affection. “We ought to return to the ballroom now, but I’ll call on you Ada. Tomorrow. I promise.”
“I look forward to that,” she said, her voice conveying a shyness her kiss had decidedly lacked.
He smiled at her fondly though it was unlikely she saw the expression. No matter, he decided, taking her by the arm and escorting her back the way they’d come. There would be plenty of time for him to show her just how much he cared in the coming days, weeks, months, and if all went as he hoped…years.
13
Nothing could ruin Anthony’s excellent mood later that evening after seeing Ada and Mr. Quinn safely home. He grinned while relaxing against the squabs of his carriage and allowed himself to reflect on how well everything had turned out. He’d taken a risk in declaring himself, but the prize had been glorious.
He could scarcely wait for dawn to arrive so he could head off to the nearest hothouse. A stop at the jewelers might be in order as well, considering what he had planned.
While he couldn’t afford much, he wanted the ring he gave Ada to be hers alone. Unused by anyone else. Not previously worn by one of his ancestors.
A smile teased his lips.
It was odd how easy it was to make a decision once he knew she returned his affection. How silly of him to worry what others might think of his marrying her when he was a duke who could bloody well do as he pleased. He’d show her off too, force the world to respect and welcome her as his duchess.
As for his financial woes, they would be much improved once he sold off a few more possessions. A couple of additional paintings he’d never liked and that ugly seventeenth century gilded clock that stood in the music room would serve well for starters. Hopefully, the book he’d written would grant him a steadier income once it got published.
The only minor problem might be Miss Starling. By marrying Ada, he’d surely lose her assistance with his sisters’ debuts. They’d need to be sponsored by someone who’d had her own presentation at court, which he knew Ada hadn’t. But maybe her friend, Lady Emily, could help.
An excellent plan.
It would work. It had to.
Because he could no longer think of a future in which Ada wasn’t his wife. He needed her by his side. With her, anything was possible.
But first, a little romance. She was after all an avid reader of such books, and he was man enough to admit he quite liked such stories himself. Hell, he’d written one. Time to put some of the lessons he’d learned from Ada and her favorite book to good use.
She’d not yet tried an ice so he’d start with that. Then a trip to the theatre perhaps, and an outing to Vauxhall might suit, with a follow-up visit to an art gallery. They could even take a boat out on the Serpentine. Oh yes, she’d love that.
He drummed his fingers against his thighs while willing the carriage to get him home faster. Perhaps he should tell his sisters. They’d be delighted to know he was planning to marry and would without doubt want to help with the wedding. Which would of course have to be small, he reflected.
Ada wouldn’t mind. She’d probably prefer a more intimate affair with only the closest family and friends present. Yet another thing he loved about her.
He wondered if he’d be able to sleep tonight. Probably not with all of this energy coursing through his veins. It would be impossible for his mind to find peace since he’d so much to think of. There were an endless amount of arrangements to make in the coming weeks.
Ah, the carriage was finally pulling up in front of his home. It came to a swaying halt and one of the footmen who’d ridden outside came to open the door. He set the step down and Anthony, in his eagerness, bounded onto the metal plate.
The high-pitched moan of rusty iron snapping accompanied Anthony’s fall. He pitched forward but managed to recover his balance by grabbing hold of the footman’s shoulder, only to catch the edge of the pavement with the tip of his shoe. His foot slipped sideways just as the weight of his body came down on his ankle.
