How had she gotten so lucky?
For one, Deerhurst was rich all on his own, so he could have no designs on her dowry. She’d never have to worry whether he’d used her or not. Not about that. Secondly, he protected her from awful men. And he helped orphans. Despite his past, he was an honorable and trustworthy man. A great father.
Even Puck approved of him.
The man beside her stirred and pulled her still closer against him, draping one heavy leg over her. A thrill shot through her.
“Hello, love.” Sleepy eyes roamed over her face. His voice sounded hoarse. Phaedra loved it. “Did you sleep well?”
“Marvelously.”
“Me too.”
Phaedra traced little circles on his chest with a finger. “I love how warm you are, like a volcano.”
“A volcano?” He chuckled. “You ignite the fire in me.”
She laughed and pinched him. “Such a smooth tongue in the mornings.”
He rubbed his face against hers. “Must be a scoundrel, don’t you know.”
“Oh, I know.” She continued dragging her fingers over his body. “I’ve never woken beside a man before. It’s quite nice.”
“A man?” His gaze narrowed. “You mean me.”
She laughed. “Oh, very well. I have never woken beside you before. It’s quite nice.”
“Better.”
She gave a light snort. “As if I can imagine waking up with anyone but you.”
“Muchbetter.” He traced his fingers up along her spine. “I refuse to share you with others.” A pause. “Imaginary or not.”
“What about Puck?”
“Animals not included. Just humans.”
Phaedra laughed. “I may have a wild imagination, Deerhurst, but not that wild.”
He kissed her hair. “I know this is stating the obvious, but just so that there is no misunderstanding between us,” he lifted her chin to stare into her eyes, “our fake courtship has turned very real.”
She nipped the stubble on his neck. “And for that matter, so that there is no misunderstanding between us, I’m quite happy that it has.”
“You’re going to make an outstanding countess.”
“Like my mother.” Phaedra found that endlessly amusing. “Do you think Abigail will be excited?”
He nodded. “She will love you.”
Such a wonderful man she found. “You’re very brave, you know. I don’t know how many men would have retrieved their child as you did. They would just have washed their hands of the infant.”
“Can I tell you a secret?” He pulled her close. “It’s not very nice.”
She pulled away from him to catch his gaze. “Tell me anyway.” When he hesitated, she went on, “I know it hurt all those years ago, but it all worked out for the better, didn’t it? You have a daughter, no matter how she came to be here. In fact, I’m quite glad for her. If she hadn’t been born, you might be married to someone else right now and I wouldn’t have you.”
He scrunched his brows.
“Does that makemea bad person?” Phaedra asked.
