Page 127 of The Earl's Bluestocking Bride
“His name was George,” Andrew murmured.
“You have his smile.” It sounded trite, but he really did.
Lady Drake snorted. “He inherited a lot more than that from his father. Drake men are born charmers. They’reexcellent at getting themselves into trouble but just as good at getting themselves out of it.” Her tone was fond. She turned to Harden. “Shall we show the countess her bedchamber? I’m sure she would like a chance to rest before dinner.”
“Yes, my lady.”
They headed upstairs, bypassing the guest rooms in favor of going straight to the family wing. Harden indicated the door behind which each member of the family resided, but she and Lady Drake left once they’d unlocked the door to the countess’s chambers.
Amelia’s new bedchamber was undeniably feminine, with cream-colored walls, powder-pink carpet, and a white four-poster bed draped with gold hangings.
Andrew closed the door behind them, a wicked glint in his eyes. She went into his arms, leaning against his chest and kissing him.
“Let me welcome you home properly,” he murmured, easing her sleeve down to expose her shoulder.
She closed her eyes and smiled. One thing was for certain, she’d never be locking the adjoining door between their bedchambers again.
Norfolk,
December 1820
A couple of weeks later,Andrew woke with his wife tucked against his body. He kissed the side of her neck and stroked her belly, wondering if his baby was growing inside her even now. The thought appealed to him.
“Wake up, my love,” he whispered.
She mumbled sleepily and snuggled closer to him.
He grinned. “Sweetheart, it’s Christmas.”
At that, her eyes fluttered open. “It is?”
“Yes. We’re at Ashford Hall, remember?” They’d traveled here to spend Christmas with Ashford, Emma, and their family.
Amelia rolled toward him, and he relaxed his hold on her. “Breakfast?”
He glanced at the clock, squinting through the dim light to make it out. “We have half an hour.”
Unfortunately not long enough to make love to her, which was one of his new favorite ways to start the day.
She sighed. “I’d best call for a maid. It’ll take me that long to make myself presentable.”
He nuzzled the crook of her shoulder. “No need for that. I’ll dress you.”
She smiled at him. “You’re very good at undressing me, but I’m not sure you’re as skilled at the reverse.”
He kissed the tip of her nose. “I’ll prove it to you.”
“All right, then.”
He tossed back the covers and swung his legs off the edge of the bed, ignoring her squawk of protest. “Up we get, my love.”
Grumbling something unintelligible, she crawled out of bed and rubbed her eyes. One of her cheeks was creased from the pillow.
Adorable.
His heart full of love, he wrapped his arms around her and peppered her with kisses. “What would you like to wear?”
She pursed her lips. “Perhaps the light green dress. If I put a red ribbon in my hair, it will be very festive.”
