Page 113 of The Moonstone Hero
Ella usually slept with her hair in a loose braid, but she had asked Polly to leave her hair unbound tonight so that it fell in a soft tumble down her back. She picked up her hairbrush and strode to the window to stare out over the garden. It was a moonless night, and the garden was too dark to make out any of the pretty landscape.
Not that it mattered. Her thoughts were on Caden. It suited her to simply stare into the blackness as she absently brushed out her curls and wished for his return.
It was not long before she turned toward the sound of a soft click at her door. “Caden, you’re back.”
He stood dimly illuminated by lamplight, looking tired but quite magnificent. Her heart soared as he approached. “Yes, love. I’m sorry it took longer than expected. Have you eaten?”
She nodded. “Earlier with your grandfather. And you? Shall I have Mrs. Nance bring up—”
“I had a veritable banquet with Lord Palmerston and several admirals and generals. They kept tossing questions at me, and all the while I thought of you. I was worried about your being alone with my grandfather. He is such a cantankerous old goat.”
She laughed and shook her head. “He was a delight and docile as a lamb with me. We have decided to form a poetry-reading society.”
Caden grinned. “What?”
“You will not recognize him, Caden. He is a changed man, and in a very good way. I suppose being on the verge of death has a way of clarifying what matters and what does not. I had a lovely time with your grandfather. Did you look in on him? He ought to be sleeping quite peacefully by now.”
“I stopped in there first. He was still awake, and we spoke briefly. He said he enjoyed his evening with you, too.”
She smiled. “I’m glad.”
“I think I have walked into the wrong house,” he teased. “First a doting grandfather, and now an angel for a bride. Lord, you’re beautiful. I don’t know why I am still talking when all I want to do is ravish you. Very gently, of course. This is your first time, and I am not going to rush anything.”
“Says the man with so little time for himself.”
“I’ll have all night with you. And when I wake in the morning, I will be holding you in my arms. Ella, I’m so glad we are married.”
“Me too.” She melted against him as he took her into his embrace, her cheek pressed to the cool lawn of his shirt, although the look in his eyes was quite hot. “Come to bed, Caden. We can talk while you undress. What did Palmerston want of you?”
“My soul,” he said with a mirthless laugh. “He offered me a position as second-in-command in the Foreign Office.”
Ella gasped. “What did you tell him?”
“Nothing yet. You are my wife now. I said that I had to discuss it with you. But if it were up to me, I would refuse. There are good men who can handle the job. I suggested several candidates. But I was not on that list because it is time I attended to the Seaton holdings. Not to mention getting to know my new wife. I cannot keep putting you last, Ella. I will not. You are too precious to lose.”
Did he not realize how deeply he was wrapped in her soul? “You won’t ever lose me.”
He cast her a soft smile, his relief obvious. “Perhaps not, but I will leave you mightily disappointed if I keep running off and interrupting our precious time together. I will not shirk in my duty to king and country, nor in my duty to my grandfather. But above all, I mean to fulfill my duty to you.”
His gaze raked over her body.
She was glad he found her enticing, although she knew this physical heat between them was only one aspect of their marriage that he meant to fulfill.
Still, she blushed.
He kissed her lightly on the lips. “Are you cold, love?” He ran his hands lightly up and down her arms when she shivered.
“Yes, a little.” Her nightgown was more daring than any she had ever owned or worn before, but she and Imogen had read scandalous novels about wild dukes and their even wilder wedding nights. She knew Caden would appreciate her in this black silk confection. So she had purchased it without her parents’ knowledge. Imogen had accompanied her because Ella was not very daring on her own. Her choice met with her sister’s hearty approval.
She was not certain whether she was the bad influence on her sister or the other way around.
Caden obviously approved. His gaze was hot enough to burn straight through her.
His lips twitched upward at the corners as he smiled while drawing aside the bedcovers. “Why don’t you climb in? I’ll join you in a moment.”
She set aside her brush and settled on the bed atop the covers to watch him as he began to remove his clothing. He had already taken off his jacket and medals before coming into her bedchamber, for those medals were precious to him and he was always careful to stow them properly. He had also removed his boots, so there was little left for him to do other than slip off his shirt and breeches.
She gulped as he removed his shirt first and set it aside.
