Page 49 of Revealing a Rogue
Bronwyn straightened and stepped closer, pressing him back against the drawing-room door. He ran his thumb over the dark circles under her eye. “You’re home.”
She planted her hands on his chest and rose on to her tiptoes to lightly press her lips against his. Elation flowed throughout him as he wrapped both arms around her waist and pulled her tighter to him. His wife’s tongue traced his lower lip before she deepened the kiss.
Thank goodness the door behind him supported his weight. His knees nearly buckled as his wife’s hand roamed lower to cup his rigid cock.
She released his mouth. “I’m happy to see you too.”
The door opened, and they toppled to the drawing-room floor. “Oomph.”
With Bronwyn atop of him, he wished Waterford and Mary could magicallydisappear.
“Oh my!” Mary stood over them with a hand over her mouth. The mirth in her chocolate eyes evident. “Husband, I think best if we take our leave now.”
Landon remained flat on the floor as Bronwyn scrambled to her feet and embraced Mary. “I’ve missed you!”
“I suspect not at much as you missed your husband.” Mary giggled. “And definitely not as much as he missed you. Shall I return for tea?”
Before either Bronwyn or Landon could answer, Waterford said, “I believe Lady Bronwyn will be otherwise disposed this afternoon. Plus, I have plans for us today.”
“What plans?” Mary asked.
Waterford replied, “I’m taking you shopping.”
Mary gave Bronwyn one last squeeze and then turned to her husband. “Are we going to visit the apothecary?” At Waterford’s nod, Mary smiled and waved goodbye over her shoulder.
As soon as the couple had disappeared, Bronwyn asked, “Why did Mary look excited to visit the apothecary?”
Landon rose to his feet and chuckled. “If I had to guess, they are off to buy more French letters.”
“Whatever for?”
“They have decided not to have children.” Landon grabbed Bronwyn’s hand and drew her over to the settee. “No need to frown. Waterford agreed to the arrangement before they married.”
Bronwyn released his hand and adjusted her skirts as she asked, “But Waterford is an earl; what of the title?”
“The earldom shall pass to his cousin, who is a fair sort.”
“But what of the Network?” Bronwyn sat, and when Landon did the same, she added. “Who will succeed him on the council?”
Landon reached for her hands that were clasped tightly in her lap. “Do you believe it fair that the council be comprised of a select few families and designated by lineage? With the departure of Tobias, Lord Burke, to America, I’m faced with the dilemma that the Protection of the Royal Family is limited to two families, instead of three.”
Bronwyn’s brows slanted down into a deep frown. “You are talking of rules and traditions established long ago. Are you considering altering how things have been done for generations?”
“As the holder of the rondure, I could, but I’ll not abuse the power and authority that has been granted to me.” Landon couldn’t resist. He leaned forward and pulled her onto his lap before continuing. “There must have been a reason why events led to the rondure resurfacing after all these years.” Landon searched his wife’s features and settled his gaze upon her intelligent eyes. “I’ve spent many months considering the why, what and how, with little success. I suspect the answer requires more than pure logic. It was one of the reasons why I decided to propose to you.”
Wide-eyed Bronwyn said, “I don’t understand. You didn’t even know my affiliation to the Network when you proposed.”
He shook his head. “You still haven’t fully grasped your worth.” He leaned down to whisper, “Your keen mind was but one of the reasons why I chose you for wife.” Nibbling on her ear, he confessed, “I married the woman who captured my heart and compels me to live without fear but with faith that matters will be resolved. I merely need to be patient.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
Bronwyn shifted in her husband’s lap as his lips left her ear. She inhaled deeply. Finally, the tension she had held in her bones these past few weeks eased. Home. Landon was her home and her safe space. She whispered, “And my heart belongs to you.” Landon tightened his hold on her, but she placed a hand on his muscled chest, holding him at bay. “I apologize for my hasty departure from Theo’s lovely supper.”
Landon lifted her chin with a knuckle. “Forget about the dinner. Are you certain your heart belongs to me?”
“Without a doubt.” Sheepishly, she met Landon’s eyes. “After three days of hard contemplation.” Landon’s dimple appeared, and she bolstered her courage with another deep breath. “I have a few confessions to make.”
Landon’s hazel eyes were trained solely upon her. “Before you do, I have a couple of revelations I’d like to share with you first. If you don’t mind.”
