Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 82982 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82982 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
He chuckled. “Nor so old, yet. I’ve been remiss, Maddie mine. We haven’t even had a honeymoon.”
He was always thinking of me, looking after my happiness.
“I don’t require a honeymoon. I’m happy here at Wheaton.”
He caressed my cheek. “I am well pleased that you have found your footing at Wheaton and that you’ve made it your home. Mrs. Dougall tells me that you have taken to being the mistress here with a natural aplomb that is a credit to you, and I heartily concur. You are, as ever, a source of wonder to me.”
Warmth crept over my cheeks. I wasn’t sure I deserved Alexander’s praise.
“Mrs. Dougall has been helping me,” I said. “I’m grateful to her tutelage. Being belowstairs for so many years at Cliffwood hardly prepared me for such a responsibility.”
The moment the words left me, I regretted them. Alexander’s face darkened with anger toward my father.
“You were born to this,” he told me fervently, “and you never should have been made to suffer. Your father deserves to rot in Hades for eternity for what he did to you.”
“Let’s not speak of him,” I suggested, for I didn’t like for my thoughts to linger on the wretchedness of that part of my life.
My dreams were plagued by my father with far less frequency these days, and I had no wish for that to change.
“Agreed.” He kissed the tip of my nose. “Let’s speak of happier things. I want to take you to London.”
My eyebrows rose. “London? Whatever for?”
“To spoil you. To show you off. To give you a hint of what you deserve.”
“To show me off? Why would you wish to do so?”
“Because I am proud of you, Maddie mine.”
“And spoil me? My goodness, Alexander, you have already spoiled me richly.”
“Not nearly enough.” He kissed me softly, lingeringly. “It is time you had the honeymoon you deserve. We leave tomorrow for a few days in Town.”
“But what of Wheaton? You’ve been so busy with your tenants.”
“Edward will take over in my absence. While the weather is yet good for travel, I’m going to take my beautiful wife to London. What say you?”
I had not been shopping in years, and I had to admit that the idea held appeal.
“I say that sounds lovely.”
“Then it’s settled,” he proclaimed, grinning at me like a boy who had a secret he could scarcely contain.
He kissed me again, and I felt him stirring within me. I held him tighter, giving him my tongue, and he rolled me onto my back once more.
CHAPTER 16
MADELEINE
LONDON
“Another book of poetry,” I exclaimed, staring in delight at the small bound leather volume in my gloved hands.
“If my lady wants it, then she shall have it,” Alexander said gallantly as he approached me, bearing an armload of books I had already chosen from the shelves.
“Oh, but your arms are already quite full,” I protested, thinking of how dear the tomes were.
Alexander wished to spoil me, but we had already been to the jeweler, the haberdasher, and the dressmakers on Bond Street. He had been adamant that no expense was to be spared. I had no notion of the cost of what he had already bought for me—gowns that would be custom made for me and delivered to his London town house later, an exquisite parure of emeralds and sapphires, and enough sewing notions and bonnets to keep me occupied for at least the next year. Still, I knew he must have spent a fortune.
“I will deliver these to the desk and be at the ready to hold more,” Alexander told me.
I bit my lip, feeling guilty at the expenditures.
“I’ll be back in a moment,” he said with a wink, not waiting for my approval. “Carry on with your book shopping.”
I sighed as he left, juggling the stack of books with ease, and then turned back to the book in my hands. I hadn’t had books of my own in years. The jewels and gowns were lovely, but nothing made me happier than the thought of books that were mine alone. And this one was so very handsome. I could read the poems to Alexander in the evening by the fire. He could rest his head in my lap.
It was settled. I needed this book. Another spine caught my eye, and I slid it from the shelf.
Alexander returned, dutifully collecting another armload before I was finally contented. As we returned to our waiting carriage with the promise that the books would be delivered to the town house later that day, I sighed in pleasure.
“I could have bought the entire shop,” I told him.
Alexander grinned. “I thought you might enjoy the bookseller. Now I know the true way to your heart. I had believed it would be jewels and finery, but it is merely ink on paper, bound in leather.”
Warmth stole over me. “I think you have already found the way to my heart, my lord.”