Page 24

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

H er husband reached for his wine glass with the extra-long stem to accommodate his sturdy yet elegant fingers.

Albion then spent the succeeding quarter hour describing the organization of voting and deciding on matters in the Hidden Realm, which struck her as more equitable than what had been described for her over her aunt’s supper table in Philadelphia, not least of the reasons being the participation of women in such affairs.

The Orcan world seemed to have been able to institute direct democracy in a way even her cousins in America had been unable to do.

She listened attentively to everything he said but imagined her hands running through his raven hair and how his chest might look underneath his fine waistcoat. But childhood lessons still drummed in her mind, forming an unwelcome rhythm. Ladies were demure. Ladies were modest.

So when Albie had finished, she took another sip of the dry white wine and said: “I would like to see your homeland for myself one day.”

His smile narrowed. “You would be one of the first humans to do so. I understand Prinny’s father visited us secretly when his mind could still comprehend the import of such an occasion. Since then, the ambassadors from your land have been few.”

Diana liked that the Hidden Realm remained as genial but as secretive as the Orcan leadership apparently wished it to be. “That your world is unknown among the general populace makes it all the more appealing.”

Albie gripped his glass tighter, such that she feared it might break and injure his hand. “Wouldn’t you prefer a voyage to the Mediterranean? Or the Near East?”

“Let the gents of the ton have their tours of Italy and Greece. I would much rather see your homeland. Would you be willing to make the arrangements for such a trip?”

He set the glass down gently, but a faraway look in his amber eyes, combined with what came as close to a scowl as Albion’s agreeable features allowed, concerned her.

“Are you so keen to go when we have only just embarked on our lives together?”

“All the more reason to share an adventure, wouldn’t you say?”

“What about America? I’ve read much about the Revolution there.”

“Why don’t you want to go to the Hidden Realm?”

Albie sighed. “It was not the most pleasant experience for me. Growing up there.”

Her comment must have triggered memories that saddened him. Diana felt terrible, but she remained quiet, hoping he would elaborate. He cleared his throat.

“I should have expected you would want to see the Hidden Realm. I shall talk to Duncan about granting you the required documentation.”

“You will accompany me, won’t you?”

He gave another tight smile. “Yes, for though I’ve every faith in your ability to navigate any situation, it will be far easier with me at your side.”

“And would you not return to live there one day? If you have children, you will want them to partake of their Orcan heritage, surely.”

Diana had not intended to bring up children at this early date. Thank all that was holy she had not said our children, though that notion came to mind—children who blended the best traits of herself and Albion.

The corners of his lips twitched. “It is not always pleasant for me to think about going back, let alone to return permanently. I had an uneasy childhood.”

“Uneasy? Between you and your parents?” After the experience of her scandal, Diana understood something of the sensation of not feeling welcome in your home.

Even prior to that, she recalled the change in her family once her mother started drinking brandy and wine in excess.

The odd silences over meals and the shouted words behind closed doors when her parents believed Diana and Lillian were asleep.

“We didn’t enjoy the closest relationship. But my primary tormentors were at school.”

Diana gasped, not imagining such a thing possible for handsome Albie.

She wished she were brave enough to cup his giant face between her palms, and tell him that whatever happened in the past mattered not a whit.

The shame, heartache, and all the rest from the time before they married would never matter again because they had one another.

“You were subject to bullying?”

“Dunc stood up for me well enough. It took some time before I grew to the proportions expected in an orc. Longer than most of the other boys.”

“It is a wonder human beings have made it on earth this long, given our capacity for casual cruelty. From the sound of it, orcs are no different.”

“I fear not.”

Suddenly, she did not care to be demure or careful. She moved to the seat closest to his, moved his hands into hers. “Do you want to talk about it?”

Albion touched her face. “Not at present. But if anyone can make memories of that time bearable enough to share, I am certain it is you.”

Whatever the nature of this connection between them, she was lost to it. She wanted to feel the broadness of his shoulders and the texture of the horns curling over his head. She wanted to know the utter abandon of giving herself to him and feeling his body overwhelming hers.

Her chin inclined toward his, and her gaze left no doubt as to what she desired. Hands joined, they rose from their seats in unison, staring into one another’s eyes.

He leaned in close, a hand on the wall behind her while the other remained at his side, so she felt surrounded by him but not trapped.

His lips met hers, drawing her into a passionate kiss.

He explored her mouth with his tongue. Nothing in her dreams had prepared her for the intense pleasure and longing pulsing through her.

This was no mere kiss. This was the sensual affection of a married couple who desired every part of one another.

For a moment that lasted forever yet seemed far too short, she was born into a dizzying state Diana wanted only to have him probe deeper, to explore her entire body as she might explore his, to be entirely consumed by the exquisite sensations.

He would sweep her into his arms and take her to his bedchamber to claim her as his wife in every sense of the word.

He was heated with desire even as he pulled back. She knew Albie needed her as badly as she needed him.

“Don’t stop,” she said breathlessly. “I find your attention gratifying.”

“I am glad to hear that, Daisy,” he whispered. “And I shall continue. But let’s take it slowly.”

“You told me it was my choice. Are my wishes not crystal clear?”

“I want to ensure you regret nothing we might indulge in together.”

They had made no claim on one another’s hearts. She was the one who had insisted they must preserve their friendship. He tread carefully because he valued that friendship as much as she did. Besides that, there was the matter of preventing a child, of which she knew very little.

Her heart softened even as she pulled away from him, nodding. “I understand.”

“We must wait. Another day or so at least,” he said cheekily.

“Indeed,” she replied. “And then I shall give myself to you most thoroughly, but Albie … we will remain friends?”

He squeezed her hand, claws retracted. “I never wish to think of you as anything less, Daisy.”

She waited. Hoping Albie would say that he wished to think of her as even more.

But the words did not come, and instead, he retreated to the opposite side of the table so they might continue their meal.

Diana sensed that he would have said more had she initiated it.

She wasn’t ready to do so yet, but in time, she hoped they both would feel free enough in one another’s company to unveil every secret of their hearts.

“Here,” he told her. “I have something for you.”

“You have already given me so much,” she said. “I peeked into the armoire upstairs. The gowns are gorgeous. And you placed the most luxurious creams and powders on my vanity.”

“Those are but the necessities of life. I want to give you my wedding gift.”

“Oh!” Diana felt warmth flood her cheeks again. “Husband, I have nothing for you. How thoughtless of me.”

“Your companionship is more than sufficient compensation.”

Maybe so, but Diana resolved she would also get a gift for him. In the meantime, refusing whatever he might have for her would be poor form. “Should I close my eyes?”

“Is that an English tradition? I would prefer to see your reaction immediately rather than delay it.”

“Open eyes it is, then.”

He reached under the table. When he lifted his hand again, he held a velvety dark blue jewelry box, large by human standards but fitting perfectly in his palm. “Please.”

No markings revealed a famed jeweler. When she unsnapped the box to see what was inside, she found an Orcan sapphire, a blue one that she wished she could say matched her eyes, though she knew her features held not half this gem's brilliance.

The oval pendant had been set against a slate backing with tiny pearls ringing it.

A simple gold chain looped around either side.

“Oh, Albie.”

“Ostentatious jewels are not in fashion,” he said self-consciously. “So I kept the sapphire at a modest cut.”

“Modest?” Diana had never owned a jewel of this size.

“You may wish to turn it over to see the back of the clasp.”

She did so. Engraved on the thin metal were her initials. Her new initials: DSH.

“Diana Stewart Higgins,” she murmured.

“Quite. Or you could consider the H for our Orcan family name as the sound is similar to my language.”

“But what is that name?”

“It’s rather outlandish.”

“Please, Albie.”

He rolled his shoulders and gestured toward the clasp. “May I?”

She folded her fingers over the sapphire. “Only if you tell me your true name.”

“So be it. Hooradech mak Teer.”

“Hooradech mak Teer.” She let the name roll over her tongue. “That’s not outlandish at all. It’s lovely. Sounds nearly Scottish.”

“The Scots have been our closest neighbors for centuries. There are similarities in the roots of our language and their Scottish Gaelic. Now, may I?”