“My lord, Viscount Huxley is fairing much better and on his way home as we speak.” He tipped his head in Daphne’s direction, who’d had a enough sense to leap away from Camden as soon as she realized he was present. “Shall I have her coach summoned so Lady Pomeroy may return to her residence?”
“I think that sounds like a fine idea.” Camden sent her a wry grin and grabbed her hand, pulling her close. “We must remain respectable, my future marchioness.”
She returned his grin. Her cheeks hurt from smiling so much. That he’d proclaimed his feelings for her, blatantly hinted at a future together, it filled her heart to bursting. “I cannot wait to prove all of those rumor-mongers wrong.”
His brows crinkled. “What do you mean?”
“You are certainly no ‘Black Hart.’ Our love for each other will squash that particularly nasty nickname.”
He sobered. “Are you falling in love with me as well, Daphne? Really?”
She nodded, her entire body softening when she saw the sensual heat smoldering in his eyes. “I believe I am. I think I started to fall in love with you from the moment I first saw you, foolish as that sounds.”
“It doesn’t sound foolish to me,” he whispered just before he kissed her. In front of his manservant and without a care.
She thrilled at the realization. “Me neither,” she whispered against his lips, then reached up to cradle his cheek.
It would take her no time to fall completely for this man. And soon—soon, they would be married. She knew it with every fiber of her being.
She couldn’t wait.
Chapter Eleven
“Oh, Lady Hartwell! Don’t you look lovely tonight?”
Daphne turned to see the Countess of Bedingfield approaching, a smile on her pretty face. She couldn’t stop herself from drawing her new friend into a quick but crushing embrace when she came near. “Did you invite all of London to attend? Your ball is a smashing success.”
“Oh, this is all Bedingfield’s doing.” Julia leaned in close to speak more privately. “Garrett loves to host a party. I’d much rather spend our evenings alone.”
The Bedingfield union had caused quite a scandal, what with the way the earl proposed to the beautiful widow. They’d married soon after—far too fast for many, but Daphne found their story romantic.
Almost as romantic as hers and Camden’s.
“Where is that handsome husband of yours, hmm?” The countess looked around the crowded ballroom, busily scanning the many people clustered about. “We would love to have you over for supper, and soon. My husband has taken quite a liking to yours.”
Daphne beamed with pleasure. Her new husband had finally started coming out of his shell. He’d discovered a confidence within him he never knew he had before. And he claimed it was all because of her.
“He’s right there,” Daphne said when she finally spotted him. “He’s speaking with your handsome husband, as a matter of fact.”
“Why, yes he is,” Julia drawled when she spotted the two men standing together, deep in conversation on the opposite side of the room. “What a sight they make. I’m sure every lady in attendance tonight is jealous.”
Daphne laughed. “Julia. That’s not very kind of you.”
“Well, it’s the truth.” Julia shrugged her slim, bared shoulders. “No one believed we would suit as a married couple. I told him myself I was beneath him.”
“Foolish.” Daphne shook her head, thinking of Camden. He’d said the very same to her, though she’d admonished him promptly. “You are the kindest people I know.”
Julia grabbed her hand and tugged her closer so she could whisper in her ear. “I just told him this morning, but I must confess to someone else before I burst…I am with child.”
“Oh, congratulations.” They embraced, the countess dashing a stray tear from her cheek. “That is such wonderful news,” Daphne said, beaming at her friend.
“Garrett is pleased and proud.” Julia watched her husband, her expression dreamy, eyes gone hazy. “He will make a most excellent father.”
“Indeed, I’m sure he will.” Daphne allowed her gaze to drift in Camden’s direction, admiring the striking image he made. Darkly handsome in his evening attire, the stark white of his cravat enhanced the swarthiness of his skin. During their honeymoon at his country estate he’d spent much time outdoors, darkening his skin to a warm golden hue that made him even more handsomely rugged in her eyes.
“Do you plan on having children soon?”
“We haven’t discussed it yet.” She’d love to be blessed with a child. One with dark hair and dark eyes and a sweet, shy smile. She wanted a little boy who looked exactly like his father.
His gaze met hers in that very moment, a slow smile spreading across his face. It was warm, intimate, as if they were the only two people in the room, and her cheeks heated. She couldn’t tear her gaze away, could only watch helplessly as he excused himself from the earl and started toward them. His stride was purposeful as he moved through the crowd, his gaze on her and no one else.
“Oh, he’s coming your way. I’ll leave the two of you alone.” The countess touched her sleeve briefly before she moved into the crowd. Headed toward her husband, no doubt.
“Have I told you that you take my breath away every time I look at you?” Her husband murmured the seductive words when he finally stopped in front of her. He took her hands in his and brought them up to his mouth, raining kisses upon her gloved knuckles.
“Cam.” She glanced about the room, both embarrassed and thrilled at his attention. “People are watching.”
“I could give a hang what they think.” He pulled her close and whispered in her ear. “Let’s go home. I want to be alone with you.”
And just like that, he whisked her out of the Bedingfield ballroom, out of the grand, filled-to-the-brim house and into the dark, warm night. He practically pushed her into their carriage, eagerly shutting the door behind him and shutting out the busy world so that they were cocooned together in the small space, his arm slung around her shoulders and drawing her close, she practically toppled into his lap.
“Eager to get me alone?” she teased, her fingers creeping up the front of his waistcoat. She felt the warmth of his skin beneath her fingertips, her entire body tightening with need. He was insatiable; the both of them were. It was a wonder she wasn’t with child already, and they’d only been wed a month.
“Always.” He kissed her, languid and sweet, his tongue doing a slow, sure sweep of the interior of her mouth. She answered in kind, her tongue tangling with his and soon she found herself dragged onto his lap, his insistent erection brushing against her skirts.
“Lady Bedingfield told me she’s expecting,” she said moments after they ended their kiss.
His hands wandered along the curve of her waist. “I know. Bedingfield told me.”
“I think it’s wonderful. She confessed to me the last time we saw them she’s had difficulty conceiving.”
“Mmm.” He cupped her breasts with both hands, testing their weight in his palms, his thumbs brushing across the front of her gown.
Her nipples immediately peaked in response and she released a thready little sigh. “You’re not even paying attention to a word I say,” she admonished, emitting a sharp gasp when he tugged the bodice of her gown down so the tops of her breasts became more exposed.
“I am terribly distracted, I must agree.” His fingers teased along the edge of her bodice, skimming the sensitive skin of her breasts and she shivered at his touch. “But I heard what you said. And I imagine you’ll make a most beautiful mother. Your breasts full, your belly ripe with my child.”
His words, the image they conjured up, took her breath away. She touched him, pushed the hair away from his face tenderly, her fingers tangling in the silky strands. “I cannot wait to give you a child.”
“Then let’s go home and work on making one.” His smile was slow, assured, and she leaned in to kiss him. He’d changed so much. Was a
completely different man than the one she was introduced to only a short time ago. He’d come a long way, as had she.
And she was most eager to continue this journey with her new and delightful husband. Forever.
* * * * *
For further adventures with the most wanton of widows, check out the first two titles in Karen Erickson’s Merry Widows series. Available now.
Lessons in Indiscretion
Widowed Lady Julia Renwick is still young enough to crave a man’s touch; but she’s too old to think that the Earl of Bedingfield could see her as anything more than a family friend. Garrett Walker is handsome, charming and only 26 years old—the perfect catch for any one of this year’s debutantes. But
Garrett has no interest in the maidens vying for his attentions. He wants only Julia…
Her Christmas Pleasure
Damien Morton is madly in love. Unfortunately, it’s with his best friend’s widow, Lady Danver. Damien is not worthy of Celia. Or so he thinks. Celia treats him as a family friend and nothing more—until they share a heated kiss beneath the mistletoe and Celia is shocked by the passions that surge within her…
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About the Author
Karen has always loved the written word. From being one of the best readers in her kindergarten class to penning romantic tales that never ended about her favorite band members (Duran Duran) in high school, she always had a feeling she wanted to be a published author. It just took her a while to seriously pursue it.
With the birth of her third child came a realization—it’s one thing to talk about writing a book, another thing entirely to actually do it. She decided to go for it in 2005 and began her pursuit in writing toward publication. After finishing a few clunkers that should and never will see the light of day, her first erotic romance novella was e-published in August of 2006. She’s since published more than thirty titles with a handful of e-publishers.
On a more personal note, she’s a native Californian who lives in the foothills below the gates of Yosemite with her husband and three children. Oh, and the dog, the cats, the rooster and his harem including two turkeys...
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ISBN: 978-14268-9414-5
Copyright © 2012 by Karen Dindia
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