Page 109 of The Viscount and the Vicar's Daughter
“I hope Adela meets a nice gentleman who will appreciate her for her strengths. She may not have stunning looks, but she is quite pretty in a quieter way.”
“I agree. She will find someone. Her perfect match is out there, and he will be no idiot popinjay.” He spun her onto the terrace where the air was cooler and the pleasant scent of roses filled the starry night. “I’m going to tell you again how much I love you.”
She laughed. “I won’t complain.”
“I love you, Viola. And you look beautiful in blue silk. The gown suits you to perfection. But I am going to take it off you the moment we retire to our bedchamber. In fact, I am suddenly feeling exhausted. You had better take me up to bed right away or I might faint.”
She laughed again. “Hold strong, my love. The party will be over very soon, and then I will undress you and tuck you into bed so you may sleep off your exhaustion. I had no idea I had married such a delicate man. Should I sleep on the sofa tonight so as not to disturb you?” she teased.
“Cruel woman, don’t you dare. I will not get a moment’s rest without your soft curves to cushion me or your pointed elbows jabbing my side.”
“Oh, no! Do I really do that to you?”
He grinned. “No, love. I am merely teasing you. I love the way you fit against me. You are perfect, Viola.”
She kissed him on the cheek. “Then nestled against you is where this vicar’s daughter shall always be.”
“Thank you, love. Are you tired yet?”
She laughed softly. “Yes, it so happens I am suddenly exhausted. Apparently, I am quite delicate, too. Astonishing how this fatigue can suddenly come upon a person. You had better take me up to bed.”
“Ever your dutiful servant, Lady Ardley.” To avoid the crowded ballroom, he took her hand and led her across the terrace to the double doors leading into his mother’s private parlor. From there, they made their way up the back stairs to their bedchamber. “I’ve heard there is a cure for exhaustion,” he said once they were inside their room and he had locked the door.
“Oh, really?” She arched an eyebrow, dubious in the face of his wicked grin. “What is this miracle remedy?”
“One must remove all of one’s clothes and leap into bed with one’s spouse.”
She groaned. “Could you not come up with something more original than that remark?”
“No, but I am eager to show you how it works.” He emitted a soft growl as he came up behind her and kissed the slender curve of her neck. “Let me help you out of those encumbering clothes, Lady Ardley.”
“That is most kind of you, my lord.” She sighed as he wrapped his arms around her. “Then I will help you out of yours, for I am ever your dutiful wife.”
“Just how dutiful?”
“What do you mean?” she asked, turning to study the wicked gleam in his eyes with much amusement.
He whispered in her ear, then gave her lobe a sensual nibble. “Well, love? Are you up for it?”
She laughed and led him eagerly to their bed. “Yes, for I fear you have utterly corrupted this once innocent vicar’s daughter.”
They tumbled atop the counterpane, laughing and kissing each other as they struggled out of the last of their clothes, and wrapped themselves in each other.
Afterward, Alexander took Viola into the circle of his arms and stroked her arm lightly as they lay together in the darkness now that their candle had gutted out. But he did not mind the blackness of the night, nor would he ever again, for Viola was beside him.
And Viola was his sunlight.
EPILOGUE
Chipping Way, London
December 1823
ALEXANDER WAS PLEASEDhe and Viola had made the journey from Ardley Hall to London at Christmastide. Viola needed the distraction after the death several months ago of her father, and he needed to properly restore the familial bonds he had neglected over the years. They had arrived yesterday in the early evening and were now settled in for the next few weeks in the townhouse belonging to his parents.
However, their first duty after having a late breakfast this morning was to head to Chipping Way to call upon his grandmother, Lady Eloise. She resided next door to Daisy’s parents, John and Sophie Farthingale.
He and Viola were to dine with them and the entire Farthingale brood tomorrow night.
