Page 91 of A Duke's Unwanted Bride
“Oh, my goodness!” Adele clapped a hand over her mouth, eyes wide as she took in the sights around her.
Her movement jostled the boat that they were in, and she let out a yelp as the water rushed to meet her. She felt the familiar strength of Warner’s arm as he pulled her close to him. Sandalwood washed over her, and she leaned into the comforting warmth of her husband.
It had been three months since Warner had revealed the truth about his uncle. Three months since he had first kissed her. Three months since they had begun their lives as a married couple in more than name.
“If you get much more excited, we shall end up in the Siene.” His voice was full of amusement, and his breath tickled Adele’s skin.
“It is hard not to be excited.” Adele gestured around them. “Just look around us. That is Notre-Dame!”
The building towered above them as their bateau drifted along the river. The boatman steered them skilfully, giving Adele and Warner plenty of time to take in the majesty of the cathedral.
Her lips parted as she took it in, her eyes scanning every inch of it to commit it to memory. It was more beautiful than she had ever imagined. Imposing, strong, and yet deeply moving.
“It never stops being magnificent,” Warner agreed. “No matter how many times I see it. It is humbling and inspiring to think this will still be here, long after we are not.”
“A rather melancholic thought, dear husband.”
“Perhaps. But such thoughts remind us that our time is fleeting.” He gave her a mischievous smile. “Which is why I have no wish to spend time apart from you ever again. There is little enough time as it is.”
“You are utterly ridiculous.” She swatted at him playfully, even as his words tugged at warm happiness deep within her chest.
He caught her hand in his, the feel of his skin against hers sent a rush of warmth through her. He traced his thumb across the knuckles of her fingers.
“I thought was why you love me.” He grinned at her.
“It is one of the reasons I love you.” Adele squeezed his hand in hers.
He chuckled, the sound reverberating against her. “You make its sound as though there are many.”
“There are.” She gave him a mock severe look. “If I did not know you better, I would say you were fishing for compliments, dearest husband.”
“Can you blame me? Few men married to a woman as marvellous as you could resist the chance to hear you speak such sweet words about them.”
“And I suppose after orchestrating such a wonderful trip, you do deserve as many sweet whisperings as I can manage.” Adele looked around them, shaking her head. “I can scarcely believe this is real.”
“Just wait until we have visited the Rue de la Paix. I expect we shall need an extra carriage just to bring home everything you wish to buy.”
“I shall have you know, I plan on being restrained. I do not want to spend everything we have on shopping.”
“My darling, in this, I would have you show no restraint. This is my gift to you, and I have no wish for you to hold yourself back. In fact, I insist that you do not.” He ran his thumb across hercheek as he tilted her head up to face him. “Please, let me spoil you like you deserve.”
Her breath caught. “Well… if you insist.”
“I do.” He grinned at her. “Besides, I expect you will want to bring as much home with you for inspiration."
“That is true though I am more excited about the books I might bring back with us and our visit with some of the great seamstresses. Although, I will admit that I am not sure I will bring some of the French fashions back home.”
“Such as?”
“Dresses made of fabric so thing it leaves precious little to the imagination.”
“Surprising. I would have thought you would have loved the opportunity to test my self-control.”
“I have little need of a dress to do that.” She gave him an impish smile. “Besides, I suspect you would be less keen on the way other men might look at me in such a dress.”
Warner’s lips quirked downwards. “I would.”
“And as much as I enjoy this possessiveness, I have no wish for anyone but you to look at me like that.” Adele laughed andpressed a hand to his chest. “Although, the sheerness of the fabric I think could work well with British fabrics. I would not wish to be as immodest as continental women, but you could marry both the worlds and create something truly magnificent, I think. Though I imagine, it would take rather complicated needlework.”
