“And who will thank you for it?” he asked grimly.
Who indeed?
Still, it did not matter. Every moment she lingered was one of heightened danger.
She shook her head. “I do not require thanks. The interruption was most fortuitous, and I dare not remain here alone with you a minute longer.”
Stricken, she turned away from him and fled.
Blade Winter did not follow, and as she plunged back into the wintry chill, she told herself it was for the best.
“You and yoursisters are up to something.”
Pru cast a glance in the direction of her handsome husband as they walked through the maze in the gardens of Abingdon Hall. Lord Ashley Rawdon cut a debonair figure, and though they had been married for nearly a year, she still looked at him—her beautiful, golden god—and could not believe he was hers.
“Why would you say such a thing?” she asked, trying not to smile.
“You do not think gentlemen notice when their wives are plotting?” he teased, his voice lighthearted.
“Hmm.” She clutched his arm, enjoying the brightness of the sun, reflecting off the snow, the crisp cold of the day. “Mary and Jane are walking now. Can you believe it?”
Their twin daughters had begun their young lives in a foundling hospital, but Pru and Ash had taken them in shortly after they married. The girls were thriving, and Ash was a wonderful father.
“They are determined and brave, much like their mama,” Ash told her tenderly.
“Imagine what it shall be like when Edmond is walking too,” she said, smiling.
“All three of them.” Ash laughed, the sound low and deep, sending a trill down her spine. “I cannot wait to see it. But do cease your attempts to distract me from my course. You are plotting something, are you not?”
“Plotting is a strong word,” she hedged. “I prefermatchmaking.”
“Between Blade and Lady Felicity?”
“What if we are?”
Ash turned to her and caught her around the waist, pulling her against his lean frame. “You are utter lunatics, every last one of you.”
“I am insulted on behalf of my sisters.” She twined her arms around his neck, tipping her head back for his kiss.
“How can I soothe your indignation, my love?” He kissed her cheek, then one corner of her lips.
“I have a few ideas,” she said, breathless already.
He chuckled again. “I have no doubt you do, sweet.”
“You do not think Blade and Lady Felicity would make an excellent match?” she asked as he kissed her throat.
“He is a hardened fellow. Does not seem the sort to marry for love.” Ash sucked gently on her tender flesh.
“Mmm,” she said. “I think you are wrong about him. He has a good heart. He merely needs the right woman.”
And that was why she had made certain to tell him Lady Felicity was going to the false ruins this morning. She and Ash had made some memories there that she would always recall with tender fondness.
“You smell so damned good,” Ash told her, rubbing his cheek along her throat. “Do you remember when we had a snowball fight here last year?”
“How could I forget?” She kissed his ear, his cheek. Heavens, she loved this man.
“What do you say we indulge in another?” He worked his way back to her mouth, kissing her deeply. “And then afterward, we can warm ourselves inside.”
“Why, Lord Ashley, however do you propose we might warm ourselves?” She fluttered her lashes as she posed the teasing question.
“I have a notion or two.”
She pulled his lips back to hers. “Excellent,” she said against his mouth.
