Her Wicked Proposal novel Chapter 69

For a long moment, she surrendered to his embrace, loving the feel of his arms around her, cuddling her close to him.

An old woman with a bonnet covered in wilting ostrich feathers gasped at them as she rounded a bookshelf and spied Anne on Cedric's lap, his arms wrapped around her.

"This is a library," she said, clearly scandalized.

"Pardon me, madam," Cedric replied politely. "But my wife and I require some privacy. Sod off."

The old woman bristled and thumped the top of her parasol on the wooden floor.

"How dare you, sirrah!" she blustered and left.

"Oh dear," Ashton said, laughing. "That was Lady Beach, you know. One of Prinny's acquaintances."

Cedric snorted and hugged Anne even closer. "Lady Beach be damned. I want to hold my wife."

Anne glanced about, making sure no one else was watching them before she kissed Cedric's cheek. It was something she hadn't yet tired of, this delightful ability to touch him, kiss him, whenever she wanted. The man had been right about the benefits of marriage.

"How was your dress shopping, love?"

"Fine, thank you. Lady Pickering was there. We are invited to dine tonight at their house. Is that all right? She's such a dear. I didn't want to refuse her."

"Lady Pickering," Cedric mused. "Second mother if I ever had one. Always trying to fatten me up."

Anne sobered. "Yes, well, she's right to. You've grown too slender, husband. I don't like it. If I must become a meddlesome, bothersome wife to take care of you, then I shall."

"If telling me to eat more is your idea of being bothersome, then I adore you even more." Cedric began to nibble on her ear, and Anne shivered. Desire blasted through her like bolt of lightning.

"Well, I shall leave you two to peruse Donaldson's a bit," said Ashton. "A ship of mine just came into port and I need to check on it. Shall I meet you back at the house after dinner this evening?"

Anne sat up. "I'm sure Lady Pickering would love for you to join us."

Ashton waved a hand. "She is a wonderful woman, but I'm afraid I must see to business and it may take more time than expected. Send Lady Pickering my regards."

As Ashton departed, something inside her sighed a little. Lord Lennox was an enigma. He always seemed to be alone, save for the other members of the League.

"What's the matter, Anne? I can hear you thinking." Cedric jostled her a little in his arms to get her attention.

"I'm worried about Lord Lennox. He seems so lonely at times. So focused on his work."

Cedric's blank eyes betrayed no emotion, but his smile wilted a little.

It was a tempting thought, to keep the house. But it was better to let it go. If it went to Jonathan, and perhaps Audrey, they would see the house frequently enough, and it was as he'd said-it would be filled with love and children.

"If Mr. St. Laurent is interested, then we should. I will trust you to see to the arrangements."

"Excellent. I can have Ashton write him a letter and, if he's amenable to it, we can get my solicitor to draw up the paperwork."

"Thank you." She meant it. To show him, she leaned into him, curling her arms around his neck and kissing him thoroughly, despite the public nature of where they were. He groaned at her assertive kiss and returned it, but all too soon had to pull them apart.

"I wish we could continue this, my heart, but Lady Beach will not be our last unwelcome spectator if we do not go home at once. Some enterprising scamp might start selling tickets."

She couldn't help but giggle as she climbed off his lap.

"Then by all means, husband, summon a coach."

"As you wish." His lips curved into that smile that had won her heart the very first time she'd seen him. Only this time, it was even brighter because it was full of love. For a moment she was unexpectedly afraid.

What if I were to lose him now? My heart is too tightly bound to his. If he were to go, so would I. If any other woman would have told Anne she'd felt that way about a man, Anne would have thought she was being melodramatic, but now she understood. A deeper connection was forged by two hearts and it could not be easily broken.

She slipped her arm in his as they left Donaldson's Library. Swallowing hard, she tried to think about something else. The dinner tonight. That would be wonderful and fun. Yes, the dinner. Everything would be fine. If only something inside her didn't keep worrying that she was going to lose Cedric forever.