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A hand curled around Prudence’s before she had twisted to view the source of the words. She didn’t need to turn once she recognized the comforting touch of her husband’s fingers wrapped around hers.

“Where are we—”

He tugged her away from where she had been standing with Angel and Minerva, barely allowing her a murmur of apology. Both sisters merely looked amused as he dragged her through the ballroom and outside into the courtyard.

“Seth!” She tugged back on his hand to bring him to a stop. “Whatever are you doing? I was speaking with your sisters.”

He paused and stopped to eye her, his sensuous lips curving at both corners. Half a year of marriage and that smile still made her heart come to a shuddering halt. The glow from the lanterns illuminated his golden hair and warmed his blue eyes. Good Lord the man was handsome. She did not think she would ever tire of looking at him.

“We should get back to our guests…” She gestured vaguely toward the ballroom where the strains of music, laughter, and no doubt a significant amount of gossip filled the room. The din punctuated by the occasional bark of an excitable dog, there was no doubting the ballroom at Hanbury was filled to capacity.

A fact Prudence was all too aware of. This was thankfully only their second ball here since their marriage and occupationof the hall, but it was still two balls too many. Alas, being the wife of a wealthy nobleman came with its responsibilities, she had discovered.

She allowed herself a little smile. It was worth it, though. Always.

“Let us take a little break.” Seth tightened his grip on her hand and led her through the other side of the building and out of the rear doors.

“Seth…” She protested half-heartedly while they hastened along. “My dancing slippers are not made for speed.”

He stilled again and cast his gaze up and down her. “Yes, you’re right.”

“Well, let us return then.”

“Nope.”

She frowned. “Seth, what has—” The words vanished, stolen by the sweep of his arms as he hooked one under her legs and the other around her body. Before she had fathomed what had occurred, she was in his arms. She was forced to loop her arms around his neck.

“What are you playing at?”

“I decided you needed a little respite from the crowds,” he said, settling her properly in his arms and striding away from the house.

“I thought I was doing quite well actually.” She could not help the defensive tone in her voice. Adjusting to being the wife of a lord was no easy matter but Seth ensured she had all the time and support she needed to study and they kept their social duties to a minimum. The assistance of his sister, Angel, had been marvelous too. She had rather thought she was doing a fairly good job considering her dislike of all things sociable.

“You have been doing marvelously, Pru. But you still need a break.”

“This really is not…” She frowned, squinting into the distance. Tiny, glowing lights were scattered in the darkness, slightly higher than the horizon. Her heart gave a little squeeze. She knew exactly where he was taking her, but why?

Prudence clung onto him while he carried her toward the castle mound. She tapped his shoulder as they neared the bottom of the mound.

“I really think you should put me down now.”

He shook his head. “In those shoes, certainly not.” He grinned, a flash of white in the darkness. “Besides, I rather like having you in my arms.”

She shook her head and smiled. “You can have me in your arms at any time. There are many less dramatic ways of going about it.”

With apparent ease, Seth carried her to the top of the mound where lanterns were lit on stakes all around the ruins. The amber glow of the flames danced and flickered across the jagged ruins, turning the desolate space into something more beautiful than the most elegant ballroom.

She sucked in a breath, and Seth lowered her gently to the ground. “Seth, it is beautiful.” She turned to face him. “But why?”

He lifted a shoulder. “You deserve it, Pru.” He looped his arms around her waist, drawing him close to her and sapping the breath from her lungs. Even after six months, he made her tingle from head to toe. A mere glance at him had her blood heating and her stomach bunching. In fact, he perhaps had an increased effect on her these days. Every day that passed, every loving moment, every kind act deepened her love for this man. There were many who were surprised by their match—or that the infamous Seth Templeton had even decided matrimony was for him—but Prudence could not bring herself to care. Seth proved himself to her daily.

Especially on days like today.

“You deserve it all.” He pressed a kiss behind her ear, making her shudder. “This castle is yours now, Pru. I think it was since you stepped foot in it. I am determined it shall be forever known as Pru Templeton’s castle.”

She giggled. “Oh, shall I be written in the history annals below the man who fell into the well?”

“A few paragraphs below,” he said seriously, but his eyes twinkled with mirth.