Page 99 of A Rogues & Gentlemen Christmas

He glanced at her and she waited for him to answer, sensing hesitation. “I… I wanted tonight to be special for ye so… I thought we’d go into Hastings.” He paused for a moment. “And because we’re not legally wed until….” He swallowed and rubbed the back of his neck.

“Until we have consummated the marriage,” Grace finished for him.

Ned cleared his throat and nodded. “I don’t want to risk returning to the farm until….” He reached and took her hand, and she looked into eyes as rich and dark as chocolate. “Until I have made ye mine, Gracie.”

She smiled at him, something hot and needy burning fretfully inside her as she wondered how long it would take to get to Hastings.

“Besides,” he added. “I’d like to buy ye something pretty to wear. The kind of thing ye ought to have married in, then we’ll have a good dinner at The Stag. I thought we’d spend the night there, too. They say the rooms are the best in Hastings.”

“Oh, Ned,” she said, leaning into him. “I don’t need you to spend your money on me.”

He stiffened at that and she cursed herself, aware she’d said the wrong thing. How stupid. She’d lived with men far different from Ned; vain, prideful men who would become violently angry if that pride was dented. She should have realised that even a man like Ned, as sweet-natured as he was, would be sensitive to such subjects such as his ability to provide for her.

“I’m not a rich man, Grace,” he said, and the words were stilted. “Not by the standards ye are used to, but I’ve blunt enough to see my wife well dressed.”

She nodded, cheeks burning. “I know that, I… I didn’t mean to imply…. Forgive me,” she said, feeling wretched for having ruined the perfection of the morning.

There was a taut silence and then Ned sighed and shook his head.

“Nowt to be sorry about,” he said, his tone gruff. “I’m all on my pride and I know it, only… only, I’d give ye the world, lass. I will, as far as I’m able.”

Grace blinked hard as her heart expanded in her chest. “I don’t need or want the world, Ned,” she said. “But I’m so very glad I married you.”