by Anne Herries
Her eyes twinkled with mischief and Nicolas laughed. ‘You have my word, Lottie. You are right. I am not my father. I have my mother’s spirit and she was brave like you. I promise that I shall always love our children—and now, my dearest, should you go up and rest?’
‘Not yet, Nicolas. I shall change my gown for the evening, but it will be months before I shall need a nap in the afternoons. First thing in the morning, I intend to inspect the village hall and make sure that a part of it will do for my school.’
‘And if it will not?’
‘Then I shall expect you to build me a little school of my own, Nicolas,’ she replied. ‘I already have a very good master in mind and the sooner it is ready for the children the better…’
Lottie was brushing her hair before the mirror when the connecting door opened and her husband entered. She smiled and laid down her brush, standing up to receive him.
‘Are you too tired, my love?’
‘No, indeed I am not, Nicolas. Please do not imagine that I shall break if you touch me. I may be in a certain condition, but I am not delicate, and I do not think that making love will harm our child at this early stage. Perhaps later we may need to be more careful, but for the moment I am perfectly well and not in the least tired.’
He came to put his arms about her, gazing down at her face for several moments, before bending his head to kiss her. His lips were soft, tender, yet with an underlying passion that spoke of his hunger.
‘How did I become so very fortunate?’ he asked huskily. ‘I was so careless in the way I chose my bride—and I found myself untold treasure in you.’
‘Had you chosen more carefully I think we should never have met.’ Lottie frowned. ‘I am sorry about the things Clarice said and did. I hope she will stay in France and not trouble us again, Nicolas.’
‘I have her receipt, and she knows that if she breaks the terms of our agreement she could find herself in prison. I believe she will stay away, but if she comes again, just tell me, Lottie. You must not feel sorry and give her money. Let me deal with her. Your sister is an adventuress. I regret to say it, for it must pain you, but you should face the truth.’
‘I have,’ Lottie said and sighed. ‘I did not wish to believe you when you told me what she did in Paris, but I should have known. I shall not be foolish enough to give her money again. She must manage with her allowance or fend for herself.’
‘We do not need to talk about her, my love.’ Nicolas’s hand stroked her hair, then her cheek. ‘Come to bed, my darling. I want to show you how very much I love and worship you.’
Lottie gave him her hand, letting him lead her to the bed. Her heart was beating wildly as she lay down and drew him to her. Their kisses were sweeter than ever before, because for the first time both gave everything. All the barriers had been swept away, and Nicolas’s eyes were free of shadows.
As Lottie surrendered to the tumultuous feeling of desire that overwhelmed her, she loved and knew that she was loved. Her nails raked his shoulders, her mewing cries of pleasure mixing with the rasp of his breath as he cried out and shuddered at the end. They lay together, flesh to flesh, lost in the wonder of the new happiness they had found, and then they slept.
IMPRINT: Regency Series eBooks
ISBN: 9781460884157
Title: REGENCY MISCHIEF: SECRET HEIRESS/BARTERED BRIDE
First Australian Publication 2012
Copyright © 2012 by Anne Herries
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