Page 55 of Maid for the Marquess

“Yes, but I also have a new wife.” He brushed a tendril of hair from my forehead, making me realize that in our haste, I hadn’t unbound my hair.

The lock must have slipped out during our frenzied lovemaking.

“Not so new any longer,” I teased, turning to kiss his palm as he had done to mine earlier in the music room.

He chuckled. “Nor so old, yet. I’ve been remiss, Maddie mine. We haven’t even had a honeymoon.”

He was always thinking of me, looking after my happiness.

“I don’t require a honeymoon. I’m happy here at Wheaton.”

He caressed my cheek. “I am well pleased that you have found your footing at Wheaton and that you’ve made it your home. Mrs. Dougall tells me that you have taken to being the mistress here with a natural aplomb that is a credit to you, and I heartily concur. You are, as ever, a source of wonder to me.”

Warmth crept over my cheeks. I wasn’t sure I deserved Alexander’s praise.

“Mrs. Dougall has been helping me,” I said. “I’m grateful to her tutelage. Being belowstairs for so many years at Cliffwood hardly prepared me for such a responsibility.”

The moment the words left me, I regretted them. Alexander’s face darkened with anger toward my father.

“You were born to this,” he told me fervently, “and you never should have been made to suffer. Your father deserves to rot in Hades for eternity for what he did to you.”

“Let’s not speak of him,” I suggested, for I didn’t like for my thoughts to linger on the wretchedness of that part of my life.

My dreams were plagued by my father with far less frequency these days, and I had no wish for that to change.

“Agreed.” He kissed the tip of my nose. “Let’s speak of happier things. I want to take you to London.”

My eyebrows rose. “London? Whatever for?”

“To spoil you. To show you off. To give you a hint of what you deserve.”

“To show me off? Why would you wish to do so?”

“Because I am proud of you, Maddie mine.”

“And spoil me? My goodness, Alexander, you have already spoiled me richly.”

“Not nearly enough.” He kissed me softly, lingeringly. “It is time you had the honeymoon you deserve. We leave tomorrow for a few days in Town.”

“But what of Wheaton? You’ve been so busy with your tenants.”

“Edward will take over in my absence. While the weather is yet good for travel, I’m going to take my beautiful wife to London. What say you?”

I had not been shopping in years, and I had to admit that the idea held appeal.

“I say that sounds lovely.”

“Then it’s settled,” he proclaimed, grinning at me like a boy who had a secret he could scarcely contain.

He kissed me again, and I felt him stirring within me. I held him tighter, giving him my tongue, and he rolled me onto my back once more.

CHAPTER 16

MADELEINE

LONDON

“Another book of poetry,” I exclaimed, staring in delight at the small bound leather volume in my gloved hands.