Her Wicked Proposal novel Chapter 56

Cedric kissed Anne's forehead, taking pride in having weakened his woman's resolve. He felt like a conqueror of old, having taken his woman and sated her. He'd denied his own in return, but there had been a wonderful heat inside him at feeling her come apart in his arms. She was far less inhibited than before. He had to fight off the waves of lust that demanded he claim her completely.

He stole another kiss from her lips. "I love it when you melt into me like that." He nipped her bottom lip, feeling playful and yet relaxed. Anne responded with a fatigued sigh and slid lower into the tub, no doubt too exhausted to stay upright.

"I think it's time we got out you of there, love."

"So soon?"

Cedric lifted her to her feet and began to dry her off. Anne didn't even feign a protest. He took his time, drying every lickable inch of her. When he returned her to his bed, he helped her don her nightgown and reset the sling for her arm. Exhaustion claimed Anne, and she put up no resistance when he tucked her into his bed. He stroked back her hair and joined her beneath the sheets, tucking her into his side.

"My darling Anne," he said, and for the thousandth time he wished he could see her. Did her guard relax in her sleep?

Anne burrowed against him, her hands balled up and tucked against his ribs, her head resting in the crook between his arm and chest. Cedric couldn't believe how full his life felt at that moment. How much he loved holding this woman close, her familiar scent all around him, knowing she was his, now and always.

Cedric dozed on and off for the next half hour until Hartley arrived with soup and tea. Reluctant to leave Anne's side, he eased out of the bed and woke her up with a smattering of kisses.

"Food is here, and I have things to attend to. If you need me, send Hartley to fetch me."

Anne rolled over onto her back, cupping his face in her hand, stealing a final kiss. The fact that she had initiated the moment stole his breath. He wanted nothing more than to topple her back into bed and make love to her until neither of them could walk.

"May I go to Brighton in a few days?"

Cedric frowned. "Only if you feel up to it. Hartley must go with you. I don't wish for you to be alone and unprotected."

"Unprotected? Is there a reason I should be concerned?"

Cedric felt Anne sit up and catch hold of his arms.

"It may be nothing, but do you remember last Christmas when I lost my sight?"

"I'm sorry, I don't."

"Well, the accident was not so much an accident, but rather an attempt on my life, and that of my sister. Ashton was also shot by someone last year, and we believe it is all connected. He's no doubt been watching all of us, but since your accident, I worry that you might be weakened for a time. If noticed, he might take advantage of that weakness somehow."

"But who would want to kill you?"

Cedric laughed, but there was no humor in it. "Plenty of men want me dead, but few would ever attempt it. And only one man has vowed to kill me and the other members of the League. Hugo Waverly."

"Sir Hugo Waverly? I know that name. Somehow I know it."

Cedric's hands curled into fists. "Yes. He swore to see us all dead, and his attempt on Horatia's life also resulted in my blindness."

"How?"

"Nonsense. I'm blind. She has no memory. It's practically impossible to find anything decent to quarrel about."

"Good, good." Ash sounded oddly distracted. Cedric cocked his head, pondering his friend's tone. There was something amiss, and it bothered him that he could not read Ashton's face the way he used to.

"You have never been one to hide your concerns, Ash. Pray, what weighs so heavily on your mind?"

"It's about Waverly."

"Hugo?" To think he'd just been warning Anne about the man.

"Is there any other Waverly who causes us so much grief?"

"Well, what about him?" Cedric patted around until he found a wingback chair facing the settee. "You haven't had word about him, have you?"

"No, but we should be doing something about him. The attack on you and Lucien during Christmas, and the bullet that tore through my arm were not accidents."

"Of course, but we cannot prove Waverly was behind them," Cedric reminded him.

"I think the drowned cat at Charles's house was a clear enough signature, don't you?"