Page 106 of Escaping His Grace

“No. It’s much better that way.”

Samantha gave an answering smile, one that was full of wonder and delight. “I never thought of it that way.” She tipped her chin.

“Oh?” he asked, growing rather distracted by the way her shoulders curved up to her neck, which led to an intense examination of her perfect lips, which only reminded him of how sweet they tasted.

“Yes.” She touched his chin, pulling his gaze upward to hers. “I always assumed I was the one without control. It was how I was raised, and I laid the same sin at your feet as well. But in the end, if it’s as you say, I chose you. It’s fairly profound to discover that after thinking the opposite. Maybe . . .” She paused, her expression thoughtful. “You know, I always wanted to be more, to have the determination and drive of my sister, to plan my future without fear, or without force from another’s power over me. And I think,” a smile started at her lips, then reflected in her eyes, “I think the person who underestimated me, was me. How wonderful to realize that all along, I was already something more. I just wasn’t willing to see it.”

He kissed her then, savoring the truth of her revelation on her lips. When he withdrew, he murmured his reply softly, blowing the words across her waiting lips. “You always were more, more than I dared dream. And I think I shall prove it to myself once more.”

“Prove what?” she asked, her smile seducing him all over again.

“That you’re mine.” And without delay, he kissed her into silence, and went about taking advantage of that silence by moving their escapades to the very lovely chaise longue just beyond.

It was a lovely thing to be in love.

It was an even lovelier thing to be in love with one’s wife.

All because she was willing to escape from His Grace.