Page 26 of Maid for the Marquess

She intrigued me—more than any other woman I had ever met. There was an intelligence hidden under her fear. I found her charming, and when she forgot to be afraid, I could see a slight glint of mischief in her eyes. I liked her laughter and her sweet smile.

What I didn’t like was the exhaustion etched into her skin. The apprehension she carried with her. The timidness she showed to the world. Her belief that she was nothing. Her worth was far greater than she realized, and I planned on proving it to her if she allowed me to do so.

A soft rustle made me turn to see Madeleine hesitating in the doorway. I smiled widely at the vision she presented. The dress she wore was simple, a soft pink color that looked pretty against her pale skin and dark hair. Gathered under her ample bosom, it showed off her figure far more than the dowdy gray hand-me-down frocks she had been forced to wear. Her hair was up, revealing her delicate neck. The only thing missing was some jewels to set off her eyes and skin, but I planned on changing that soon enough. For now, she looked sweet, lovely, and I realized, with a small smirk, decidedly nervous.

I held out my hand to her, and she entered the room. I lifted her gloved fingers to my mouth, kissing the soft leather that covered her skin. “How lovely you are, Madeleine.”

She curtsied, a light pink flooding her cheeks. “I cannot thank you enough, my lord. I have not worn such a pretty gown since I was a child. I’m not sure I am worthy of such gifts.”

“Nonsense. You are worth that and more. Now, come sit with me, and our dinner will be served shortly.”

I escorted her to the table, inhaling her familiar scent. Lilacs, one of my favorite flowers, filled my nose. I had to stop myself from burying my nose into the juncture of her neck and inhaling. The knowledge the scent would be strongest there was tempting. The urge to hold her close surprised me.

Instead, I waited until she had sat down and seated myself across from her. She looked around in wonder at the shelves of books, craning her neck to peer at the items I had purchased on travels that sat on shelves and tabletops.

“You may explore to your heart’s content,” I assured her.

“It is so vast,” she murmured. “Such treasures to be discovered!”

I met her eyes. “There is more than one treasure,” I agreed, my stare frank.

She bit her bottom lip, bringing attention to her full mouth. I was drawn to it. To her. How, I wondered, would she taste under my lips? Would she be as sweet as I thought? Would she gasp softly as I slid my tongue in to taste her? Whimper as I dragged my mouth down her neck?

How silky would her skin be under my tongue?

Dinner arriving interrupted my passion-filled thoughts. I had to shake my head and shift in my chair to ease the growing ache in my cock. It seemed he was as on board with my ideas about Madeleine as my thoughts were.

But he and my brain needed to be patient. Madeleine was not only fearful of the world, she was innocent. It would take patience and time for her to trust me and for our physical relations to begin.

But I had a feeling she would be worth the wait.

We supped on my favorite—roasted beef with fresh vegetables. A rich sauce accompanied the meal, and I ate heartily, grateful to be home and eating from my own kitchen. My cook, Mrs. Dodd, was excellent and could as easily prepare a feast for twenty as a simple meal for two. Madeleine ate slowly, her portions far too small for my liking, but I knew she was nervous. She would relax eventually. She enjoyed her dessert, though, the rich bread pudding with a brown-sugar sauce sweet and indulgent. I would have to ask Mrs. Dodd to regularly make more desserts for Madeleine to enjoy.

After dinner, we strolled in the garden, and I was amazed at her knowledge of the various plants and flowers, once again surprising me with her intelligence. I had kept our conversation at dinner light and easy, answering her questions about the estate and the village.

I looked down at her, her small hand tucked into the crook of my arm. We paused, and she looked out at the well-laid property, inhaling the scent of the flowers and grass.

“Your estate is so lovely,” she mused.

I turned to her. “I would like it to be our estate, Madeleine. I meant what I said in the carriage. I wish to marry you.”

Her eyes were huge in her face, and her one-word response was shocked. “Why?”

I smiled and dared to tuck a lock of hair behind her ear, enjoying the feel of the silky curl against my skin.

“I require a wife. You require protection. I find you fascinating. Intriguing. Beautiful. I wish to give you the life I think you deserve. I believe we would suit.”

She didn’t respond, and I kept speaking.

“I am not a man of emotion, Madeleine. But I promise to be a good husband. I will care for you and make sure you want for nothing. We can have a family and reside here at Wheaton. Is that not your wish? A husband and children? A home in the country?”

“Yes,” she whispered.

“But you are hesitating.”

“I am in shock.”

I laughed lightly. “I am as well, if I am being frank. I went to Cliffwood to best your father and win back a piece of land I coveted for years. I did not expect to return with a fiancée.”