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Chapter 26
Prior to getting married, Jo had no idea that the most difficult part of her day would be leaving her warm bed—and even warmer husband—in the early mornings.
Usually, she rushed to her work before the break of dawn, because she loved acting. She might not have loved everything about the theater, but the idea of playing on stage lured her. That was her life’s passion.
Now her life’s passion lay cozily in bed, snoring softly, and silently imploring her to cuddle up beside him. His breathing was even, his features relaxed, his hair covered one side of his face. She couldn’t help but reach out and brush his hair back with her fingers. He didn’t even twitch in reaction. The lucky rogue. In his relaxed state, his lips—which usually were pressed into a thin line during the day—looked plump and inviting. His thick lashes threw a shadow over his cheeks.
He looked so innocent, her formidable husband. So pure.
My husband.
She still wasn’t used to the notion. She didn’t even truly understand what it meant. Now that they were not welcome among theton, would her life truly change that much?
They wouldn’t frequent the balls and other social functions. The guests wouldn’t be lining up at their door. Perhaps, except for changing her residence from a tiny room to a huge townhouse, her life would remain the same.
Was it a good thing, or was it the contrary?
She didn’t have the time to contemplate it. One thing was for certain. If she continued watching Richard like this every morning, with envy and reluctance to leave him, she would never be on time for her rehearsals again.
She leaned in and placed a soft kiss on his cheek. His morning stubble pricked her lips, and she nuzzled against it.
Suddenly, Richard’s arms wound around her and pulled her into his embrace. He groaned and stretched, one arm still holding her close to his warm, hard body. Jo laughed and kissed his neck before scrambling to get up.
“No,” Richard croaked, tightening his arms around her. “Don’t leave.”
Jo looked down at him. “I can’t be late to work again. I have to go.” She couldn’t resist a brief kiss on his lips before finally scurrying from the bed.
She walked to their adjoining room door with a skipping step. Waking up beside Richard was definitely the best part of her day, even if leaving him there was the worst.
She performed her morning ablutions, and then her lady’s maid helped her dress. Richard had assigned a young maid for the job and although Jo didn’t need help dressing in her theater clothing, the girl was so happy about her new position that Jo didn’t have the heart to protest.
Richard walked into her chamber just as her lady’s maid was finishing up pinning Jo’s hair. He was already dressed for the day in his elegant attire, all except for the hat, coat, and gloves.
“I asked Mrs. Whiston to order us an early breakfast,” he said.
Jo turned toward him. “I don’t have time. I don’t want to be late again.”
“Then next time you should get up earlier,” he said dryly.
Jo gasped in outrage and narrowed her eyes at him. As if he wasn’t the reason that kept her in bed until it was too late! Not that he was aware.
She turned toward her maid and smiled. “Thank you, Lilian.”
Lilian curtsied and rushed away.
“I am not going to let you leave this house without a meal,” Richard continued casually. “You might refuse an early morning roll between the sheets, and I’ll allow it. I am a reasonable man. I can wait until evening. But how can I, in good conscience, allow my wife to skip meals?”
Jo opened her mouth to retort and then closed it. His argument was so ludicrous that she was shocked into silence.
Richard smiled, then walked up to her and extended his arms. Jo put her hands in his and he pulled her up. “Did I render you speechless? Quite a rare feat, wouldn’t you say?”
Jo smacked him on his chest playfully. “I am just flabbergasted by your use of the word ‘allow.’ It insinuates that I need your permission.”
“You do.” He raised his arrogant brow.
“For eating and making love?”
“For refusing to eat and make love,” he clarified with a straight face.
