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Augustus grinned. “Splendid.”
“Are you all right?” William asked her.
“I will be. And you?” she asked him in return.
“With you, I will be. What about you, Augustus?”
His brother rolled his shoulders. “I haven’t a Bea, have I? But I shall be as all right as I was before today. Or I will be, after I expend some energy. Forgive me, but it’s best if I don’t join you in the nursery. Some riding is what this cavalry man needs at the moment.”
After he left, Bea and William began climbing the stairs. “I can’t apologize for my forwardness in handling your mother. But I would like to apologize about the hound business. I should have spoken to you first.”
Pausing on the landing, William drew her close and kissed her forehead. “Think nothing of it, my lady. It was quick thinking on your part.” After they chuckled together, she would have continued up the stairs, but he took her arms gently. “You’ve always known what to say to everyone. At dinner parties. To the children today.”
“I do my best.”
“To my mother. Including that bit at the end.”
A rush of heat filled her cheeks, and her eyebrows lifted dramatically.He couldn’t have heard me!
“Augustus’s hearing has no doubt been damaged by artillery practice. I, however, have always had keen ears. How do you think I hear those tiny kitten purrs of yours at night all the way from my chamber? I believe I made out your every word just now.”
“Oh, William, I…” Bea grasped but could find no excuses for her shocking words…for she wasn’t sorry in the slightest. To her relief, her husband gazed upon her not just with understanding, but with affection. With pride. And…desire.
“You know you can count on me to be the man you described by day. And as to your wish for how we spend our nights, Lady Candleton?” His hands claimed her waist. “I accept.”
