Page 46 of A Lady’s Dangerous Secret (Scandalous Secrets #1)
ONE WEEK LATER
S unlight filtered through a crack in the drapes and projected a sliver of light onto the bed. James traced his finger down Charlotte’s back and over her rounded bottom.
“I never want to leave this bed,” she proclaimed, as she lay on her stomach with her head turned toward James.
“We have done a good job of doing just that.” He chuckled and gave her bottom a little slap. “I wish we could stay here forever too.” He positioned her so that her bare breasts rested on his wide chest. “At this rate, we’ll be filling the house with children in no time.”
“I grew up in a big family, but it often felt like it was just Arthur and me. I wasn’t sure what I wanted, but now I know. I want little boys running around with black hair and silver eyes.”
James kissed her lips tenderly. “What if I want little girls running around with brown hair and blue eyes?”
“We can compromise and have both.” Charlotte kissed him back and let out a contented sigh.
“We’ll have to go back out into Society soon, but only for a little while. Parliament should be done shortly and then we can go back with my family to Westcliffe. Our real honeymoon can start once we travel to the other estates to check on them.”
“That will be wonderful,” she responded. She could not ask for anything more than excuses to spend all her time with James.
“We’ll start north in Scotland.” James kissed her forehead. “Then travel to the west of England.” He kissed her cheek. “Then journey south.” He kissed her lips.
She traced the dark hair on his chest and looked back at him coyly. “I assume that we’ll have to consummate our marriage at each home. It’s the only way it’s valid, is it not?”
James looked seriously at her. “I’m afraid you’re incorrect.”
She was crestfallen. “No?”
“The houses will not be enough. Surely there are woods, gardens, a caretaker’s cottage or two. All of these must be given our attention as well.”
She slapped him playfully.
A wide grin spread across his face. “I feel like a new person with you. It’s as if a giant weight has been lifted off my shoulders.”
“You make me feel complete. I love seeing you infinitely happier than the grumpy man I met at the Markham Ball.”
“I was not grumpy,” James said.
She raised her eyebrows.
“Fine. Maybe a little.”
She chuckled and gave him a slow kiss. Then she looked up at him, and her brow furrowed.
“There’s one thing that’s been bothering me, but I haven’t wanted to bring it up.”
“What’s that?” James asked.
Charlotte trailed her fingers along James’s chest. She met the silver eyes she knew so well and asked for an answer she was not sure she wanted to hear.
“I know we’re safe from le Diable because of Jack’s help, but how did he get us this protection?”
James rubbed her back and paused for a moment.
“With Jack, I try not to ask too many questions, because he’s involved in many things that aren’t exactly savory.
” Charlotte remained silent and nodded, urging him on.
“He and I are like brothers. We would do anything for each other. He’s been at odds with le Diable for some time, so he said he would take care of it and not to worry.
Afterward, he reassured me that it was done. ”
She could tell her husband was skirting around the crux of the matter. “I understand, but please tell me. What guarantees that we’re safe?”
James let out a sigh.
“He traded a life for a life.”
Find out about the deal Lady Beatrice Walford and Jack Doherty strike that will change both of their lives in Book 2 of the Scandalous Secrets series, A Lady’s Ruinous Secret .