Catherine’s cheeks heated with a mild warmth as she followed his line of thought. She had nearly accosted him in his study earlier. She had an ink stain on her wrist, just covered by her glove, from when he’d lifted her onto the desk. Her wrist had pressed into a freshly signed document, leaving her with Quin’s name on her skin.
“You said you had something for me?” Catherine changed the subject. Her body was hungry for his, and they didn’t have the time to spare at the moment.
But anticipation never hurt either.
“You have a one-track mind,” Quin goaded.
“Are you complaining?” she asked, feigning a pout.
“Not at all. I find it exceedingly pleasant.”
Catherine giggled. “That’s what I thought.”
Quin pecked her on the cheek as if anything more would be too tempting, but he couldn’t resist touching her either. “Here.” He held out a hand and then opened it, palm down, dropping a pendant on a gold chain.
The candlelight reflected in the sapphire and diamond oval, delicate and lovely. “Allow me,” Quin whispered reverently.
Catherine turned, facing the mirror as Quin stood behind her and fastened the circle of alternating stones around her neck. “It was my grandmother’s and has always been passed down to the Duchess of Wesley. It was yours to wear the moment you married me, but I wanted to wait to give it to you tonight. I hope you don’t mind.”
“It’s lovely.” Catherine admired it, then met his eyes in the reflection. “Thank you.”
He kissed her shoulder, and her eyes fluttered closed. Another knock sounded on the door. “Ducky?”
Catherine chuckled and gave an apologetic smirk when Quin opened the door.
Lady Greatheart faltered as she saw Quin’s face rather than her granddaughter’s. “I swear, it’s a bloody miracle you’re not in confinement already.”
“It’s been one month.” Catherine all but rolled her eyes.
Her grandmother speared her with a look. “Since you’ve been married, I know. But you two, the way you carry on. It’s…impressive.” She gave a low titter. “I’m not worried about great-grandchildren, that’s for sure. I’ll have more than I can count.”
Catherine gave a wry chuckle to Quin.
“I’m doing my best, Lady Greatheart.”
“I’m painfully aware, young man. Now, we’re all waiting for you, so if you don’t mind joining your company…” she badgered.
“Of course.” Quin offered her his arm.
“Good for you, at least you can take your eyes off your wife long enough to see to your duty.” She snickered as she took his arm. “However, please don’t lead me into a wall or something. Newlyweds can be easily distracted.” She gestured to the door and smiled unapologetically.
They walked down the hall and descended the stairway to the main floor and the foyer from where they’d enter the ballroom to meet their waiting guests.
Lady Greatheart paused and turned to Catherine, touching her face lightly. Then she gave an approving smile and walked into the room.
“‘I beg you, take courage. The brave soul can mend even disaster,’” Catherine murmured.
Quin paused and regarded her. “Catherine the Great.”
“Well, since you’ve compared me to her, I thought I should know who she was…and I thought the quote was fitting.”
Quin nodded approvingly. “A brave soul can not only mend disaster but make it into something beautiful. And that, dear Catherine, is what we’ve done. What started as disaster has become something that will bring life. And it took a brave soul. Yours.”
What can I say? We saved each other.” Catherine answered.
“Isn’t that how it should be?”
“In all the best stories, it is.” She agreed.
“Ah, sweet Catherine…I can say with definite honesty that in all of my study of history, my favorite story is ours.”
“It is a bit romantic, isn’t it?”
“It’s more than romantic, it’s great.”
“Like me?” Catherine asked with an impish grin.
“Exactly like you. My personal Catherine the Great. Long live the empress of my heart.”