Page 171 of Snowbound Surrender

“It’s true,” he said. “I know it is, even though I have hardly been able to look at another woman with you on my arm.”

Her smile sent warmth shooting through his veins, right to his heart, and he vowed to spend the rest of his life ensuring that it remained on her face.

It seemed his promise would soon be put to the test, as he saw Scarlett’s face fall into a frown, and he followed her gaze to the entrance of the room. Madeline. What were she and Jeremy doing here? He had thought they were to remain in the country until the spring.

The couple said not a word, but simply nodded to them as they walked by.Please let this go well, Hunter thought, as he stole another look at Scarlett.Have them leave us alone.

It was not to be, however, as after dinner Madeline walked directly their way.

“Lady Oxford, may I have a word?”

Why Madeline Lancaster wanted to speak with her, Scarlett had no idea, but she nodded, looking at Hunter to assure him all would be well. He helped her over to the settee in the corner of the drawing room, which was somewhat secluded from the remainder of the guests.

“I apologize for accosting you,” Lady Raymond said once they were alone, though Hunter stood against a pillar a ways away watching them. “It is simply … I was a beast, Lady Oxford,” she said, hanging her head and completely taking Scarlett off guard.

“What?” Scarlett asked, wondering if she had heard her correctly.

“I said things to you that were not at all appropriate, no matter the state of your relationship. My own marriage … well, it’s not a particularly close one. And it’s true I had always had something of atendrefor Hunter, and I didn’t think the two of you were very … attached. In fact, rumor was you hated him and forced him away from you and back to London.”

Scarlett swallowed hard as the guilt rushed through her once more, for the woman was, in fact, correct regarding her previous actions.

“Anyway, it seems … well, it seems I was entirely mistaken. One only has to watch the two of you for but a moment to see how wonderfully well you get on, how much you love one another. I hope for you the very best, and I promise to never come between you, nor say anything to suggest I will again.”

“I—” Scarlett was so taken aback for a moment that she didn’t know what to say. “Th-thank you Lady Raymond. I admit that I was rather insulted by your words at Christmas, though I suppose I was as upset as much by my own behavior that would lead you to your assumptions as I was angry at you for saying such a thing. As we are neighbors, however, and each close with Lavinia, I would suggest we put it behind us.”

“Oh, I’m so glad,” said Lady Raymond, taking her hands. “And now, sadly, this may be our last words for the night as my character is that of Maud Mute.”

Her expression was so distressed that Scarlett nearly laughed, but she choked it back as Lady Raymond didn’t seem to find the humor in it.

“Very well, Lady Raymond,” she said. “We will be returning to the country very soon, so I am sure we will see you there.”

“Both of you?” she asked, her eyes raised.

“Both of us,” Scarlett confirmed with a smile, which Lady Raymond simply returned knowingly and walked away.

It wasn’t long after the Twelfth Night cake had been served and the revelries began in earnest that Hunter leaned down to murmur in Scarlett’s ear, a thrill coursing through her when she felt his breath tickle her neck.

“Are you feeling well?” he asked, and she looked at him with surprise, nodding. “Of course. I would tell you if I wasn’t.”

“I think…” he cleared his throat, “that perhaps you need a moment away from the crowd, to relax if you will.”

“No, I don’t— oh!” she finally noticed the gleam in his eyes, filled with meaning as he looked suggestively down at her, and her pulse began to pound. “I suppose I am feeling a tad unwell, my lord, and I believe I must take a moment to compose myself,” she said, slightly louder, grinning up at him wickedly. He rolled his eyes, apparently not entirely impressed by her acting skills, but he took her arm in his once more and led herout of the room. Scarlett felt like running through the long corridor, but with her limp, their progress was much slower. Hunter looked within a few doorways before finally finding one that was to his liking.

“Why this room?” she asked as he led her into the drawing room, where the fire in the hearth warmly greeted them.

“It has a lock,” he said, raising an eyebrow. “And it’s empty.”

“You mean the other rooms…”

“It’s a night of celebration,” he said with a shrug and a grin, and Scarlett was momentarily shocked. “Though,” he continued. “We may be the only married couple to find ourselves ensconced together in one of the Totnes’ drawing rooms.”

“I wouldn’t want it any other way,” she said, stepping closer to him, her fingers fisting in his shirt. That was all he seemed to need to swoop down on her, his lips descending on hers as though he had been starved of her for days — which, she supposed he was, as they hadn’t made love since her fall.

Their hands were everywhere as they explored one another as though they were strangers, a rush descending upon them in a new setting, in costumes, in a place where someone could walk in on them at any moment. And yet, despite all of the differences from their previous times together, what mattered most — Hunter, her husband — remained constant. Scarlett could sense how carefully he handled her, the lightness of his hands causing all of her nerves to jump on edge, bumps to rise on her skin. She wasn’t sure if it was the roaring fire or Hunter’s ministrations, but she felt flushed all over, from her head to her toes. Her hair, arranged according to her character, already cascaded around her shoulders, and Hunter took full advantage of that fact, weaving his fingers into it, digging them into her scalp as he took her lips in his, tasting, teasing, promising more to come.

“Hunter,” she gasped.

He broke away from her to murmur, “That is Samuel Strutt to you, my love,” causing her to laugh, and a thrill coursed through her at the thought that this man would be teasing her for the rest of her life.