Now that her heart didn’t drum in her ears any longer, a distant rustle and bustle of servants could be detected. “Do you think anyone heard us?”
“Even if they did, they wouldn’t dare say anything.”
Harriet shut her eyes. “Should I be embarrassed? I don’t know how to feel now. I’m still in a daze.”
“You don’t need to feel embarrassed about anything, love. This is your home.”
He sat up and gathered her into his arms. Harriet squirmed to find the most comfortable position, allowing his warmth to envelope her. Her gaze fell on the flowers, and she smirked. What patience?
“You had better not stop sending me flowers or notes now that we have entered a real marriage.” Harriet peeked at Leeds.
The corner of his lips inched upward. “I didn’t woo you just to get you into my bed.”
“Oh? Then why did you woo me?”
His finger poked her cheek gently. “For these blushes.”
Her cheeks grew hotter, and he chuckled. “Rogue,” she muttered.
“Shouldn’t we retire to our chamber to freshen up?”
“Give me a moment.” He placed a soft kiss on her shoulder. “I’m not ready to let you go.”
She wasn’t ready to let him go either. She could feel his heart still pounding against her back. The rhythm was most comforting. “I can feel the beat of your heart.”
“Would you mock me if I said it’s beating for you?”
“I wouldn’t mock you.” She glanced at him. “Or would you prefer that I tease you until the day you breathe your last breath?”
“God, yes. Words to give a man eternal hope.” He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “How are you feeling?”
“Are you asking about the state of my body or the state of my mind?”
“Both.”
“My body feels all tingly,”awakened, “and my mind still feels like it’s gone,”numb, “into slumber. Yours?”
He smiled. “About the same.”
She leaned back into him. “I could stay like this forever. Let’s never move.”
He chuckled and hugged her tightly. “I can think of a more comfortable place to settle.”
“The bed?” Harriet tossed out a guess.
“It’s comfortable,” he drawled with his lips pressed against her ear, causing an onslaught of shivers to spiral down her spine.
“I have a better place still,” she countered. “The tub. I can lather your entire body with soap.”
“That sounds nothing like comfort but very like torture.”
“Rogue.”
But a charming one.
*
“Are you sureyou don’t want to join me?
