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Every part of her body was flooded with anticipation. Even the short carriage ride from her sister’s house had aroused her, for Alaric had kept her in his lap the entire time, kissing her thoroughly.

She had been worried about hurting him, with the cut on his face and his bruised eye, but he had dismissed her concerns. ‘You can tend to me later,’ he’d said. ‘I need you, Charlotte.’

Now that they were back in their own bedchamber, he brought her to stand by the fire and began unbuttoning her gown. ‘God above, but I’ve missed you.’

The room was filled with hothouse flowers of every colour and variety. She leaned back against her husband, admiring them. ‘You bought all these flowers for me?’

‘I tried to have them delivered to Rowland House, but your sister sent them back.’

He lowered his mouth to her neck as he bared her skin, and shivers broke out over her body. She wore stays, but her maid had kept them loose to allow for her changing body.

‘I’ve never seen someone so protective of you as Evelyn is,’ he said against the soft part of her throat. He reached for the hem of her chemise and slid it up her body. ‘But I intend to be even more protective. I won’t let anyone harm you. Not ever.’

When she was naked before the fire, he reached around to cup her breasts. ‘These are fuller than I remember,’ he said roughly, stroking her nipples until they grew erect.

‘And more sensitive,’ she finished, turning around to face him.

His hands moved over the firm swell of her abdomen, resting there for a moment. The look of wonder on his face made her place her own hands on top of his.

‘In the autumn?’ he ventured.

She nodded. Then she reached for his jacket and pushed it off. ‘It isn’t fair for me to be wearing nothing, while you are still fully clothed.’

‘I’m fairly certain I can find a way to amuse myself while you undress me,’ he teased as he kissed a path down her shoulder. She let out a shuddering cry when his mouth covered her nipple, his tongue swirling on the tip. Between her thighs, she grew wet, craving his touch.

Charlotte struggled with the buttons of his waistcoat, but her husband continued kissing her bare skin, keeping his earlier promise to kiss every part of her body. When Alaric reached her stomach, she stepped back and demanded, ‘You cannot kiss me again until I can touch you. I want to feel your bare skin against mine.’

Alaric removed his waistcoat and shirt, dropping them to the floor. She saw a few more bruises on his ribs, and she touched them gently. ‘Are you hurting?’

‘I’m absolutely aching for you,’ he said gruffly, pulling her hands to his chest. She splayed her palms over his skin, revelling in him.

‘I want you,’ she whispered.

‘Then lie down on the bed,’ he commanded. While she obeyed, he crossed the room to the larger vase on the far side of the room and withdrew a bouquet of daffodils, hothouse roses, and other assorted blooms.

Now what was he planning? The cool night air chilled her skin, but Charlotte obeyed. One by one, Alaric began arranging the flowers around her body on the coverlet.

With a smile, she teased, ‘Are you…decorating me?’

‘Maybe.’ He took one of the daffodils and slid it over her breasts, tantalizing her with the silken trumpet. ‘Do you like flowers, Charlotte?’

It reminded her of what he’d done with the mistletoe, and the memory made her body ache for more.

‘Yes,’ she breathed.

Alaric kissed each of her breasts, and then his hands slid back to her abdomen. It was only slightly swollen, but he traced the shape with fascination. ‘I’ve been wanting to see your body. To know what you would look like with my child growing inside you.’

‘It’s still early yet,’ she said, but then he lowered his mouth to her stomach.

‘It humbles me, Charlotte.’

His hands slid to her hips, and he lifted his head to look at her. ‘When you were hurt, and I learned you were pregnant, I’d never been so afraid. And I can’t deny that I’m still afraid of losing you.’

‘Come here,’ she murmured and embraced him tightly, skin to skin. His shoulders were tense, but as she held him, some of it seemed to ease. ‘I know that…childbirth won’t be easy. But the thought of holding our baby fills me with such love, such joy.’ She stroked his hair, letting her hands slide down his back. ‘I’m not afraid.’

He rested his weight on his elbows, looking at her. Then he reached for a bundle of winter jasmine and gently stroked her skin with the tiny blossoms. Her body tightened, growing more sensitive as he tantalised her.

He leaned down to capture her mouth, and she kissed him deeply. ‘I love you, Alaric. And I intend to make you happy each day for the rest of our lives.’