‘I never said I was yours. You have said it. Frequently.’
‘All right. You were right in that this is your life. And as I have some measure of control over it... Dammit. Beatrice, I like to see you happy. I did not like the idea that once we left here tonight the joy that I saw on your face here would end. And selfishly... The way you look in this dress...’
‘You like the dress?’
‘I am bewitched by it.’ It was nothing less than the truth. Except, perhaps it was. Because perhaps it had less to do with the dress and more to do with her.
‘Thank you,’ she said, restless.
‘Thank you,’ he said, feeling amused. ‘That’s your response?’
‘I am flattered,’ she said.
‘Beatrice...’
‘What now?’
‘Tonight? Tonight we will go back inside, and you will enjoy this ball all the way to the finish. We will go home. You will sleep. Tomorrow morning, I will have your favourite breakfast made.’
‘You would not ask what my favourite breakfast is?’
‘What is it?’
‘Eggs. Bacon. And I like pastries and jam.’
‘All of them will be delivered to your room. Where you will take it as a queen. Then you and I will talk. And I will explain to you what will happen. What we will do. What I enjoy. And what our limits must be. And then... Tomorrow night after supper, when William is settled... I will show you.’
‘Briggs...’
‘Do you want this?’ He could hear the intensity in his words, but this was the most important thing. That she was giving this freely. With no reservation.
For he would lay out his every desire. His very soul.
And he had to know she would accept.
‘Yes,’ she said.
‘You don’t even know what I offer you yet.’
‘Because I trust you, Your Grace.’
The words sent a surge of desire through him.
‘Wait until I tell you everything. And then you may agree to it. Or not.’
‘I want more of this.’
‘It will not all be this, little one.’
‘Will it be more of what we had in the garden at the town house?’
‘Yes. And more.’
‘I enjoyed that.’
‘Good.’
‘What if I wanted...? Tonight. What if I wanted more tonight?’ She leaned forward, placing her palm flat on his chest, and he nearly felt dizzy with desire. He felt nearly overcome by his need to have her, and that was... Unusual. Typically, he had much better control over himself than this. But she was doing something to him.