* * *
Charles carried a sleepy Sally across to a large armchair beside the unlit hearth. Her declaration of love still echoed in his ears. The whole world glowed, now he knew that she loved him. He’d waited so long to hear those words, he couldn’t yet take them for granted. If fate allowed him the privilege, he hoped to hear her say she loved him every day for the rest of their long life together.
Happy beyond his dearest hopes, gloriously satisfied, he settled in the chair and arranged her in his lap. She looked thoroughly ravished. Her bodice sagged over her lovely breasts,
offering him a glimpse of sweet strawberry nipples. Her gilt hair cascaded about her. Her lips were red and swollen after his kisses, and her pale skin showed pink where his whiskers had chafed her.
“That was lovely,” she murmured, resting her ruffled head on his bare shoulder.
“It was. Although I promise next time we’ll be in a bed.” He paused. “And I’ll take the time to undress you. In fact, I’ll just take my time.”
She gave a soft laugh and nestled closer. “That will be nice.”
“I’ll get a special license today. I don’t want next time to be too far away.” Nor did he place too much reliance on her claims to barrenness. He wanted no sidelong looks if she bore a child nine months from now. And after the last, difficult days, he intended to claim her as quickly and as permanently as he could.
“I don’t either.” When she sighed, her breath was warm on his chest. “I wish I could stay tonight.”
His hold tightened. “I do, too, but you have to set an example to Meg.”
“I know.” She met his eyes. “If we’re getting married in a few days, I suppose I’ll have to let her stay in London after all.”
His lips twitched. “And forgive her for interfering.”
“She’s a minx.”
“Undoubtedly.”
She gave a gurgle of laughter. “Oh, my goodness, everyone is going to be so surprised when they find out we’re getting married.”
Charles hid a secret smile. He had a suspicion the only person surprised at this particular outcome was Sally herself. Most of their friends knew where his interest tended.
Sally sat up and kissed him with leisurely enjoyment. “We have so much to do,” she said. “And you have to cancel your trip to Italy.”
He felt so elated, he was ready to take wing and fly to Venice. As long as she flew with him. “Not necessarily.”
“Charles?”
“We could go there for our honeymoon. It only means delaying my journey a week or so.”
Her eyes turned brilliant green. “Italy? Oh, Charles.”
He smiled down at her, pleased with her reaction to his suggestion. “I’d much rather have you for company than a broken heart.”
The light in her eyes faded, and she placed her hand on the side of his face in a gesture of apology. “Oh, my dear, I’ve hurt you so badly, and all because I was too stupid to know what I wanted.”
“What changed your mind? You sounded so certain that you wanted nothing to do with me when we left Sans Souci.”
When he saw the shadows come back into her eyes, he was sorry he asked. “I was such a fool. I should have believed you when you told me you loved me.”
“Didn’t you?”
“Yes, I did.” Remorse turned her voluptuous lips downward. “I just didn’t trust that your love would last.”
“But now you do.” It wasn’t a question.
When she smiled at him with a return of rapturous happiness, his heart crashed hard against his ribs. He realized that she’d at last left past sorrows behind and looked forward to their glorious future.
So did he, by God. She was everything he wanted. What a life they were going to have together.