She placed her fingers in his.“We could have walked.”
“We could have,” he agreed as he helped her descend.“Btu then you would have guessed where we were going.”
She frowned.“Why are we at Colgrove House?”
“Because Lady C has planned you a birthday dinner.To which we are late.”He attempted to hustle her toward the entrance.
Unfortunately, she stopped dead and refused to move.“Lady C has planned a dinner?”
“Yes,” he said impatiently.“And we arelate.”
“Benedict.”Her eyes were shiny.“Your family is holding a birthday dinner for me?”
That stopped him as little else would.Taking her hands, he said gently, “They are your family now, El.”
She bit her lip.“This is…”
Wrapping his arms about her, he hugged her.“I know.”
Resting her forehead on his shoulder, she took a shaky breath.
He knew she had always secretly wanted a birthday organised by Lady C.She had on occasion attended one of his, and he had seen the wonder and bemusement in her eyes at his family’s loud celebrations.As they had grown older, he had less need for a birthday party, though Lady C still on occasion made a fuss, as she had last year.El, though, had never had the full Stapleton experience and so this year, he sought to rectify that.
Taking her hand, he used the thumb of his other to wipe at the wet on her cheeks.“Shall we?”
The smile she gave was luminous.“Yes.”
El spun into their bedchamber.“That was delightful, Benedict!”
Sitting on top of the covers of their bed, he looked up from the book he’d been reading while awaiting her.“Was it?”he said in amusement.
“The best.Lady C made me a frog cake!”Now dressed in her nightgown and with her hair in a braid, she hugged herself.
“You are still speaking of that?It was at least three hours ago,” he teased.
Sitting on the edge of their bed, she drew her knee up.“I was always envious of your frog cakes.”
“I am aware.”They had returned from Colgrove House after a very merry evening indeed.El had been elated, laughing and effusive and happy.So happy.His family had been as good as they could be, Lady C pulling out all stops and even the Earl cracking a smile or two.Now they were in their bedchamber, after El was finally ready for bed.They each had a dressing chamber attached to the master’s bedroom, which they shared.He had no desire to ever sleep apart from her, and he knew she felt the same.Matthews had raised his eyebrow, as had El’s maid, but again, he had no care for what others thought, only ever what was right for him and El.And this was right.
With a grin, she flopped back on to the bed.“Best birthday ever.”
His own grin tugged at him.It always made him happy, that he could make her happy.“Would you like the rest of your present?”
Her eyes lit.“More presents?”
He nodded.“This one is a little more…private.”
The gleam in her eye turned slumberous.Turning to her side, she braced her head in her hand.“Oh?”she said throatily.
“Yes.It is this.”He flipped back the covers.Beneath them, he was naked
Lazily, her gaze travelled over him.She touched her tongue to her upper lip.“I do so love that gift.”
Prowling toward her, he caged her with his body.She curled her hands around his forearms, braced either side of her.“I’m so glad you like your presents, El.”
Her fingers caressed his skin.“This one is my favourite.”
With a growl, he covered her mouth with his.She opened for him, her tongue twining with his.Christ, he loved kissing her.Everywhere.
