Her Highness, My Wife (34 page)

raving… mad.”

“I suspected as much.” The corners of her lips twitched as if she were about to laugh. His heart leapt. He stared at her for a long moment. “Can you forgive me?”

“Never.” She shrugged. “Perhaps. Possibly. Someday. Years from now.”

“After a great deal of groveling, I imagine?” He raised a brow. “Begging, beseeching, pleading and so forth as well, no doubt?”

“Without question.”

“And how long do you expect the groveling, begging, beseeching and so forth would continue?” He started around the table toward her.

“A lifetime should do.” She cast him the look, and any lingering doubt he had vanished.

“I see. Exactly where will I be doing this groveling, begging and beseeching?” He reached her and pulled her into his arms and back into his life.

“Do not forget the so forth.” She stared defiantly up at him.

“I would never forget the so forth.” He bent and kissed the hollow of her throat. “The so forth has always been my favorite part. Now, where?”

“I should think a man who wants to make his fortune in shipping would need an ocean.” She tilted her head and frowned thoughtfully. “England is on an ocean, is it not?”

“Indeed it is. However, I had planned to go to Avalonia.”

“That will never work, Matthew.” She widened her eyes innocently. “There is no ocean.”

“Regardless, I—”

“It is the nicest gift you could ever offer, but”—she shook her head—“I do not wish to live the rest of my life at court like a fish in a glass bowl. I do not want my husband—”

He opened his mouth to protest and she held her fingers against his lips to stop him, “Even though I know he is nothing like my first husband”—she rolled her gaze heavenward—“to be subjected to constant observation and scrutiny and, whether he likes it or not, comparison and inevitably gossip. However, I cannot tell you I will not miss my family and my country. To do so”—she flashed him a wicked smile—“would be a lie.”

“And there will be no more of those.”

“Of course not, my lord,” she said pleasantly. “Unless, of course the situation warrants it.”

“And you do it so much better than I.”

“Indeed I do. Do you remember when I said the essence of a good lie was that it be based in truth?”

She slid her arms around his neck and gazed into his eyes. “I realized you were lying when you said you had only pretended to be happy about our marriage to have me in your bed. But I had been willing, and did indeed share your bed long before then.”

“That’s pretty feeble,” he said slowly. “You were convinced I was lying because of that?”

“Well, you are an honorable man, and…” She paused and heaved a resigned sigh. “No, I was convinced you were lying because I couldn’t bear to think otherwise.”

His arms tightened around her. “Thank God.”

She stared at him for a moment then smiled smugly. “You want to kiss me now, Matthew. I can see it in the look in your eyes.”

“I want to do considerably more than kiss you.” He grinned wickedly. “And that too you should see in my eyes.”

Her eyes widened with delight and her mouth opened and before she could say a word he pressed his lips to hers in a kiss of passion and reunion and the sure and certain knowledge that no matter what adventures they would encounter in the future it would be a future they met hand in hand. He drew back and smiled down at her. “So you are still a princess?”

“I prefer the title of Lady Matthew but yes, I shall always be a princess.” She reached up and nibbled on his lower lip. “Your princess.”

Desire rose within him and he wondered how exceedingly uncomfortable the stable might be. And how exciting. ;:My very own princess. Imagine that;“

“And your very own wife.”

“I rather like that.” He drew her lips back to his. She was back and he would never let her go again.

“Indeed, I like that a lot. It has a nice ring to it.

“Her Highness,” for now and forever, “my wife.”

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