Perhaps she already carried the next MacNab heir. If she didn’t, it wasn’t for want of trying. Warmth flooded her, as she recalled Quentin’s passion and gentleness last night – not to mention twice this morning before they made a late appearance at the breakfast table. Then before they dressed for the ball, he’d done his husbandly duty once more.
“If you keep looking at me like that, you won’t be downstairs when the clock strikes midnight,” Quentin growled, sweeping her into his arms for a dizzying turn as the lilting music swelled. Around them, the dance floor was cro
wded with couples dressed in the height of fashion. The ladies sparkled with jewels, and the men were resplendent in their vivid plaids.
Kit had never had a season, although she’d had dancing lessons in preparation for one. Waltzing in Appin Castle’s ballroom with a stout dancing master, while her governess thumped out a tune on the pianoforte, couldn’t compare to swirling around amidst a glittering crowd, while the man she loved held her in his arms.
She gave him a saucy smile that she’d never have managed a day ago. “I don’t mind.”
“It would be a pity to miss out on marking the moment when you’re finally out of Neil’s control.”
“I’ve been out of Neil’s control since I married you.”
“Doubly free, then.”
“I’m almost grateful that Neil was such a swine,” she said, her voice bubbling with teasing humor.
“That can’t be true.” Quentin’s hands tightened on her waist, as he brought her too near for propriety. But most of the couples around them danced in close embrace, including Hamish and Emily. Kit said a silent prayer that her marriage to Quentin thrived like theirs.
Her smile broadened. She’d been grinning like a cat with the cream all night. So had Quentin. She’d caught frequent looks of indulgent amusement, as the other guests noticed her bedazzlement.
“Oh, it is,” she said solemnly, daring to slide her hand along his shoulder to caress his earlobe. “Unless Neil had tormented me into running away, I’d never have met you. That would be a crying shame.”
She watched his expression soften. Then she saw nothing but stars when he kissed her quickly. “In that case, we must call our first child Neil.”
She grimaced, hardly believing that she felt safe enough to joke about the man who had made her life such a misery. “That might be a step too far.” She paused, too elated to stew on past unhappiness. “Especially if our firstborn is a girl.”
Quentin laughed, drawing a few more of those knowing glances. “Fair point.” He surveyed her. “You made a very pretty stableboy, my Lady Appin. But you make a spectacular countess.”
Self-consciously, she released his shoulder to fiddle with her coiffure. “I still feel like a bit of a freak with such short hair.”
As he swept her into another breathtaking turn, Quentin’s smile was redolent with a tenderness that made her feel like the most cherished woman in the world. “It will grow again if you want it long, but I’ve heard quite a few of the ladies say they rather fancy a countess crop themselves. You’re setting the style.”
With a self-derisive huff, she curled her hand around his shoulder again. She so loved dancing with Quentin. It was the closest to flying she could come without growing wings.
Although tonight she was euphoric enough to feel like she could take off into the sky without the need of wings.
“Perhaps I should have worn my stableboy’s jacket. That would have really got them talking about a new fashion.”
Wry humor lengthened Quentin’s mouth. “Tonight’s gown is a definite improvement on that monstrosity.”
She glanced down at the gorgeous emerald silk dress with its elaborate gold braiding. “It’s another one courtesy of Emily. It will be nice to wear my own clothes again.”
“Once we settle things at Appin, we can do a honeymoon trip, if you like. I plan to take you to Cannich House, too, so you can meet my family.” He smiled at her. “Don’t look so bilious. They’ll love you.”
“I’m not a conventional daughter-in-law,” she said, knowing that was an understatement.
“No, you’re better than that. My grandmother in particular will adore you. She’s a famous political hostess in London. We’ll have to visit her as well. Which means you can go wild in the West End shops.”
“You…you seem to have it all worked out,” she said faintly, feeling overwhelmed.
“I’m proud of my new bride. I want to show her off.”
“It all sounds rather daunting.” Especially the bit about meeting his family. “I’ve lived a very quiet life, you know.”
He gave a snort. “Apart from your adventures as a stableboy.”
“Those aren’t likely to recommend me to a mother-in-law.”