Page 92 of Sir Hugo Seeks a Wife
Miles and Fogg had stood up with him.His sisters and their families had all attended, creating a celebratory atmosphere.Hugo had passed the entire day in a daze of joy, still barely able to believe that Athene took him as her husband.And with a wholehearted gladness that had turned every hour since to gold.
“Now I get to carry you home, as I’ve always wanted.”
“Yes, that’s very special.”
His brows drew together, as he reckoned up all the other wonderful moments they’d shared.He might be a heaving mess of sexual frustration, but he wasn’t fool enough to discount the closeness that he and Athene now enjoyed.“You know, after much thought, I’m demoting today to third place, proud as I am to convey my beautiful bride to the family domain.”
“The family domain?”she repeated in a dry tone.“Someone’s feeling very dynastic all of a sudden.”
He cast her a loving smile.Gently, he firmed his hold on her waist.“Be warned, Lady Brinsmead.”
“So what could be better than our wedding or today?”
“Why, the day you told me you loved me, of course.”His smile broadened.“What could make me prouder than that?”
Her deep brown eyes turned misty.There was a definite tremble to her lower lip when she smiled at him.“Hugo, I love you so much.”
He drew the carriage to a stop on the crest of the hill and leaned in for another kiss.Their lips clung in tender connection before he drew away.“What do you think?”
She made a moue of disappointment.“I think you should kiss me more often.”
A low chuckle greeted that suggestion.“Noted.But what do you think of the view?”
She blinked at him, as if she dragged herself back from some rapturous, faraway place.“The view.”
He knotted the reins over the rail at the front of the carriage.A wave of his hand indicated the scene before them.She turned to survey the valley, greener and lusher than the wild country that they’d traversed during the last hour.
“Hugo, it’s perfect.”
He’d been a happy man since she’d admitted that she loved him at the King’s Arms.But hearing Athene’s delight in this place where he hoped to create a family with her infused happiness deep in his bones.This was when their life together really started.
He, too, paused to take in the panorama.At the base of the hills, a fine Palladian mansion nestled into the bend of a river that flowed to form a large lake sparkling in the sunlight.Woods covered the gentle slopes rising behind the soft gray-stone buildings.Gardens showing the first green traces of spring surrounded the house.
“I always stop here to remind myself how lucky I am.That counts for double, now that I’ve got you with me.”
“I can see why.I don’t know how you can bear to leave it.”
“I don’t unless I have to.The longest trip I’ve ever made was my journey to London to find a bride.”
“Well, you did that.”
“And I’d do it again.Hell, I’d go to the far reaches of the earth if it meant I came back with you at my side.”
“You’re such a romantic, Hugo.”She wriggled closer.“I love that you wear your heart on your sleeve.”
“I don’t, you know.”Before she could argue, he went on.“You’ve had my heart in your keeping from the first.So whatever you see on my sleeve, it’s not my heart, because that’s in your possession, my love.”
She gave another sigh and stretched up to kiss him again.To his relief, she didn’t linger.“Take me home, my beloved.”
Chapter 24
A Yorkshireman for me!
Sir Hugo has my heart.
I’ll take what I can see.
We’ll never be apart.
