Richard grinned, finally taking his gaze off her lips. “It appears I was not as subtle as I thought.”
“Dear husband, you are never subtle,” Nancy teased, giving him a chaste kiss. “Not when it comes to me. And that is why I cannot teach you chess. We would never get around finishing a game with your wandering hands and eyes.”
“Fair point,” he agreed with a cheeky grin.
Nancy smiled back at him, her heart full to bursting with love and adoration for the man before her.
“Richard?”
He turned to her. “Yes, darling?”
“I love you.”
The smile she was rewarded with was soft and sweet, and it set her skin aflame.
“I love you too.”
Richard said it as a fact, a promise, and a declaration. And she loved him all the more because of it.
ChapterTwenty-Seven
“We should throw another ball.”
Nancy’s eyebrows shot up in surprise, and she lowered her teacup, nearly losing her train of thought as her husband suddenly leaned in and kissed her cheek. He settled down in his chair again and waited patiently for her response, turning some of his attention to his breakfast.
“A-Another ball? Why? We didn’t quite enjoy the last one. And it had only served as a means for the ton to observe and criticize our marriage.”
“That’s because we held their opinions in high regard last time. This time around, we’ll invite them, leave the decision on whether to enjoy themselves or gossip for them to make, and enjoy ourselves regardless. And… I’d like to dance with you, all night long.”
His admission made her blush, and she reached for his hand, gently squeezing it once their fingers were entwined.
“I would love that. So much. A do-over ball sounds like an excellent idea. When would you like to host it?” she asked with a smile.
“Whenever suits you, my love. It would be nice if it is soon. I’m quite eager to make up for all the moments I’ve missed out on with you,” he replied casually.
She could tell he meant it, seeing as he had been very unwilling to leave her side for even a moment. As soon as they’d woken up, he had given the order to have her things moved into this room, stating that there was no need for them to have separate rooms anymore.
He had then reluctantly let her go to prepare for breakfast, and as soon as she was in his line of sight again, he had held her close and kissed her as though he hadn’t seen her in years. Everything he did filled her heart with warmth and weakened her knees considerably.
His touch, his taste, and his manly smell filled her senses, making her crave him constantly, the yearning increasing with every moment they spent together.
Nancy had thought she had attained the highest form of happiness she could get the morning after their first night together. But the past hours with him had proven that there was room for more, and if he continued to uphold his promise and she kept on sticking to his side, then they would certainly obtain even more.
Then, Richard approached her with a huge grin on his face.
“What?” she asked.
Suddenly, he pulled her close and kissed her passionately. Once he pulled away, Nancy was certain she was seeing stars.
“What was that about?”
“What? Can’t I enjoy my wife?”
“You most certainly can.”
Then, he grinned again, tracing the seam of her lower lip with his tongue. “I have been thinking. About us. And our future. I think… I think I would want nothing more than to have a family with you, eventually. The thought of our love giving life to someone else makes me hopeful and happy.”
“Oh, Richard,” Nancy sighed, tugging him closer by the collar of his shirt for another kiss.
