Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 25039 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 125(@200wpm)___ 100(@250wpm)___ 83(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 25039 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 125(@200wpm)___ 100(@250wpm)___ 83(@300wpm)
Tongues had already been set a-wagging and Foxtown Times' evening edition was sure to include a blind item about Hale not being perfect as he always seemed. Worst of all, it would soon be a truth universally acknowledged—-
As the next set of steps had Heaven spinning back into the arms of her duke, she found Hale smiling down at her as he muttered warningly under his breath, "Don't. Just don't."
—-that Lady Micah, his foster sister, was not lying when she described Heaven's husband as a natural-born sourpuss.
"Don't what?"
"I'm not kidding." A pause, and then he added stiffly, "My lady."
Heaven had to swallow back a laugh at this. How terribly sweet of him, to insist on properly addressing her even when expressing his annoyance.
Oh, Hale.
Rush had described him earlier as someone 'unstoppable' when he had put his mind to something, and her husband had proved this over and over today, with how he had fully embraced his role as the most aloof member of the Ton.
'This is my only way to make it up to you,' he had told her gruffly, 'so please let me do this...milady.'
Remembering this didn't just have Heaven's toes curling. When she saw her normally graceful husband trip over his own feet for the fifth time as he missed another step in the quadrille, her heart simply couldn't take it, and Heaven was no longer able to contain herself.
Hale's gaze narrowed when the dance steps had them reunited for the last time. "Don't."
"B-But..."
"I'm serious, milady."
Heaven really, really tried to keep it all together. But when he missed another step, and they ended up on the floor like with their limbs all tangled together—-
"Fu—-I mean, I'm sorry, Your Grace," Hale said stiffly as he helped her back to her feet.
"Hale?"
His heart sank at the look on his wife's face. "Don't."
But his Heaven was not to be denied this time.
"I love you," she blurted out.
His handsome face remained stoic. "I love you, too, but just don't—-"
"I love you, so, so much," his wife burst out, "that I just want you to know how adorable you look—-"
And there it was, dammit.
"With how hard you're trying to dance—-"
It was only when everyone around them started choking and coughing in their attempt to stifle their laughter that Heaven realized she might have spoken a tad too loudly.
Oops?
She smiled weakly at Hale, who was now looking at her like he wanted to strangle her.
"I'm sor—-aaaah!"
This time around, everyone did laugh as the duke swept his bride up in his arms, but as he carried her out of the ballroom, and they saw the way he brushed the top of her head with his lips—-
Oh, my Lord.
The tenderness in that gesture was unmistakable and had most women dabbing their eyes.
It was a merry Christmas indeed, and they were all the more blessed to know that there would always be hope for those who believed.
HEAVEN STARTED CRYING as soon as they were alone in their suite, and he was gently laying her down on the bed.
"I t-think I'm just s-so happy," she tried to explain as he sat down next to her.
"I know."
His quiet voice had her crying harder.
Because she knew he wasn't lying.
Hale did know.
Because he felt it, too.
A joy that was like no other.
And one that would always be theirs...because God had meant for them to be together.
Heaven's heart started pounding as she watched Hale reach for the bedside button.
Click.
The battery-powered candles went out, and her heart raced even faster as darkness swept over the room.
She had always thought it romantic if one were to make love for the first time in the cover of the night, but even though she had been too shy to tell Hale this—-
I guess this is just one of those things which the person you love instinctively knows...
Her eyes closed as Hale began disrobing her.
And since her wedding gown was a faithful replica of Regency bridal designs, the process was long and arduous.
But even so...
Hale was patient and efficient as he removed one layer after another. It almost seemed as if he had taken the time to study and master his techniques, and Heaven's eyes stung anew as soon as she thought this.
Even without him saying a word, Heaven was certain that was exactly what her husband did.
Because it was one of those things one instinctively knew...when you loved the other person.
And how she loved him.
So, so much!
And that was why...
The mere sound of Hale disrobing himself had her gulping hard.
Oh, Hale!
The bed dipped, and her heart threatened to leap out of her chest. Hale finally had her under him, and every naked inch of his powerful body was pressed against hers.
"H-Hale..."
His name slipped out in a whimper.
And then she was crying incoherently as his fingers dipped between her legs and straight into the moist sweetness of her core.