“Glad you waited for—” She stopped. “For your wife.”
He knew that hesitation. He’d hesitated in the same place himself.
Dare he hope she might love him, too?
She sighed deeply, then, shifted and lifted her head. A slow, mischievous smile spread over her lips.
He raised a brow. “Dare I ask what you are thinking?”
She shrugged. “I was thinking I’ve always wanted my own stallion.”
He threw his arm over his eyes and groaned.
“Isn’t that a good thing?” she asked, her tone teasingly innocent.
He shook his head. “Please don’t.”
She tried to move his elbow. “I’m teasing.”
“Iknow. And I will get used to your teasing. But tonight, have mercy, please.”
He was already thoroughly conquered. Wasn’t that enough?
She abandoned trying to move him and then trailed light fingers over his lips. “That was…perfect.”
He threw his arm to the side, fearing she still teased. But there was nothing in her eyes but sincerity.
He smiled a lazy, appreciative smile. “Yes.”
She grinned back at him. “Shall we get under the covers?”
“Would you like to put your shift back on first?”
She looked down, then back at him. “I don’t see why.”
He groaned a groan of sheer delight. “Neither do I.”
The work of a few moments had them warmly snuggled together, her head tucked against his shoulder. He wouldn’t mind falling asleep this way every night.
The only thing that marred the moment’s perfection was that she hadn’t mentioned love.
Then again, the linking of their lives, then of their bodies, had been quite enough for one day. Perhaps it was better that such an important declaration had not been lost in the confusion of everything else.
“Sleep,” she ordered.
He pressed his cheek to her hair. “Yes, ma’am,” he replied.
Chapter Fourteen
Neville stirred shortlybefore first light. The contours of Harbury’s spare chamber were only dimly lit from the coal fire’s dying embers. But he didn’t need to see clearly to be aware of Millie by his side, wrapped up in her own body, arm curled beneath her cheek, legs pulled in close.
At least she was facing him.
One of her knees was resting lightly against his thigh, too. That contact, so simple, carried so much weight.
Yesterday, he’d experienced the full spectrum of emotion. Of course, he’d felt anger at Willard. And hope they’d thwarted his plans. But guilt had bedeviled him for so long; the sudden release felt dizzying. Heights of unimaginable bliss filled him with profound gratitude.
What he hadn’t anticipated, however, was the depth of responsibility attached to this burgeoning love. Marriage had not only bound Millie to him but renewed and deepened his sense of purpose. Dozens of considerations raced through his mind.