hold her tightly against him.
She fell asleep not long after he adjusted their position so she was nestled against him, his front to her back, the soft weight of her breasts on his encircling arm. The lamp glowed, but it was going out, the waver of the light fickle in the darkness. If he could spend each night this way, he thought as he lay there sleepless and mentally restless even if his body was satisfied, he would be content for the entirety of his life.
This woman, a bed at night for them to share, her smile across the breakfast table, the sound of their children laughing . . .
He loved his work. He understood drive, passion, and the quest for excellence in form and artistic beauty. Structures lasted often for centuries and he’d put his mark on this world.
Love was just as enduring, he thought as he listened to her breathe softly. Their children would have children and the generations would go on, much like his beloved buildings, standing against the encroachment of time . . .
It wasn’t to be wasted, not a single moment.
Whatever her reservations, he was determined they should marry as soon as possible.
Chapter 10
H e was losing the battle.
Damnation
.
Even as Ben opened his mouth to speak, it occurred to him that he rarely won in a contest with his wife, and he wasn’t sure if it was because he indulged her, or if Alicia just outmaneuvered him.
He said in a reasonable tone, “Just for two weeks.”
A vision in a peach-colored gown made of some gauzy material that gathered under her breasts, with short fluttery sleeves that bared her slender arms, she looked fresh and pretty on this fine fall morning, especially with her shining hair tied back with a matching ribbon. “You do realize your logic is somewhat flawed, my lord.”
He brought the horses drawing the sleek phaeton to a walk, sending his wife a sidelong glance. “I would ask how so, but you are going to tell me anyway.”
She gazed at him from under the brim of her fashionable hat. “Do you honestly think your enemy, as you call him, would not be able to find me easily enough? Your country estate is not a secret, and if I am there, and you are here, how could you protect me?”
“That has occurred to me. I am naturally going to send someone with you.”
“A guard? No thank you, my lord. What will he do, pour my bath and stand over me while I take it?”
He found it immensely irritating when she tilted her shapely chin at that stubborn angle and he wasn’t pleased with the mental image of another man watching her bathe either. “I am not at all certain you have a choice, madam.”
“I can help you here.”
“I have already specifically said—”
“I’m quite worried about Lady DeBrooke.” She folded her hands in her lap and frowned. “Though I witnessed what happened to my cousin when she rejoined society after her abduction, it was nothing like what she has endured. Lord Andrews married Elena almost immediately, so it was more fairy tale than a wretched gothic story, and the scandal was essentially averted. Quite the opposite of what has happened to Angelina.”
He had to agree, though he was well aware the discussion of her removal to the countryside had just been neatly deflected on to the new topic. Unfortunately, she had a point and he’d been wavering over it himself. He wanted her in London, with him, but her safety was paramount. If he sent her to Heathton Hall, he wouldn’t be able to keep an eye on her himself, and even though he had several contacts who could secure a reliable guard, Alicia had a certain determination that required adequate supervision.
No doubt their children would be hellions, he thought with resignation, sliding the ribbons expertly through his fingers to turn the horses.
Then there was the irrefutable fact that if he sent her away, she would sleep alone, and so would he. Purely self-serving to think of it in those terms, but then again, she didn’t wish to go, he
She fell asleep not long after he adjusted their position so she was nestled against him, his front to her back, the soft weight of her breasts on his encircling arm. The lamp glowed, but it was going out, the waver of the light fickle in the darkness. If he could spend each night this way, he thought as he lay there sleepless and mentally restless even if his body was satisfied, he would be content for the entirety of his life.
This woman, a bed at night for them to share, her smile across the breakfast table, the sound of their children laughing . . .
He loved his work. He understood drive, passion, and the quest for excellence in form and artistic beauty. Structures lasted often for centuries and he’d put his mark on this world.
Love was just as enduring, he thought as he listened to her breathe softly. Their children would have children and the generations would go on, much like his beloved buildings, standing against the encroachment of time . . .
It wasn’t to be wasted, not a single moment.
Whatever her reservations, he was determined they should marry as soon as possible.
Chapter 10
H e was losing the battle.
Damnation
.
Even as Ben opened his mouth to speak, it occurred to him that he rarely won in a contest with his wife, and he wasn’t sure if it was because he indulged her, or if Alicia just outmaneuvered him.
He said in a reasonable tone, “Just for two weeks.”
A vision in a peach-colored gown made of some gauzy material that gathered under her breasts, with short fluttery sleeves that bared her slender arms, she looked fresh and pretty on this fine fall morning, especially with her shining hair tied back with a matching ribbon. “You do realize your logic is somewhat flawed, my lord.”
He brought the horses drawing the sleek phaeton to a walk, sending his wife a sidelong glance. “I would ask how so, but you are going to tell me anyway.”
She gazed at him from under the brim of her fashionable hat. “Do you honestly think your enemy, as you call him, would not be able to find me easily enough? Your country estate is not a secret, and if I am there, and you are here, how could you protect me?”
“That has occurred to me. I am naturally going to send someone with you.”
“A guard? No thank you, my lord. What will he do, pour my bath and stand over me while I take it?”
He found it immensely irritating when she tilted her shapely chin at that stubborn angle and he wasn’t pleased with the mental image of another man watching her bathe either. “I am not at all certain you have a choice, madam.”
“I can help you here.”
“I have already specifically said—”
“I’m quite worried about Lady DeBrooke.” She folded her hands in her lap and frowned. “Though I witnessed what happened to my cousin when she rejoined society after her abduction, it was nothing like what she has endured. Lord Andrews married Elena almost immediately, so it was more fairy tale than a wretched gothic story, and the scandal was essentially averted. Quite the opposite of what has happened to Angelina.”
He had to agree, though he was well aware the discussion of her removal to the countryside had just been neatly deflected on to the new topic. Unfortunately, she had a point and he’d been wavering over it himself. He wanted her in London, with him, but her safety was paramount. If he sent her to Heathton Hall, he wouldn’t be able to keep an eye on her himself, and even though he had several contacts who could secure a reliable guard, Alicia had a certain determination that required adequate supervision.
No doubt their children would be hellions, he thought with resignation, sliding the ribbons expertly through his fingers to turn the horses.
Then there was the irrefutable fact that if he sent her away, she would sleep alone, and so would he. Purely self-serving to think of it in those terms, but then again, she didn’t wish to go, he
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