Page 83 of The Formation of Us

“I did.”

“Youbought it?”

He nodded, his grin saying he was mighty pleased with himself and proud of his gift to her.

“You rat!” She thumped her fist against his chest. “You knew this whole time and let me suffer, watching people move in furniture, knowing I would never have a chance—”

“It was a surprise,” he said gently.

“My heart’s been breaking for three weeks because . . . oh, Duke, I love it.” She hugged his neck. “Thank you.”

“Well, that’s better than getting punched.”

Her face heated and she rubbed his chest where she’d hit him. “Thank you for the wonderful surprise.”

He carried her up the steps onto the front porch. “You didn’t think we were going to live with my mother or your aunts, did you?”

With only three weeks between his proposal and their wedding, she hadn’t known what to think about their living arrangements, and had uneasily left the decision to him. It was his town, his money, his choice. But she hadn’t expected him to buy a house, and certainly not the one she dreamed of owning.

He feigned a gasp. “Open the door so I can carry you inside before my arms fall off.”

She laughed and hugged his neck. “I’m glad you chose me to be your wife.”

A pleased grin tipped his lips. “So am I, Faith. Now open the door and let me carry you over the threshold before I collapse.”

She turned the doorknob and pushed it open.

He groaned and staggered inside, making her laughter the first sound to fill their house. With sure steps, he strode through a spacious foyer and into a large parlor where he twirled her in a circle. “What do you think?”

He stood her beside him, and Faith could only stare. When she’d seen the house three months earlier, it had been bare to the floor.

“I didn’t want to bring you into an empty house. My mother and the girls outfitted the parlor for us, and chose necessities for the other rooms, but if you don’t like the furnishings we can replace them.”

For the first time that day Duke looked uncertain. She turned a slow circle, drinking in the garden setting, the deep green parlor furniture, the plush rug of browns, golds, and greens. Tiny green-stemmed wildflowers of aster, bee balm, forget-me-nots, and pink pasture roses patterned the cream-colored walls. She crossed the carpet and touched a bouquet, feeling the dried paint beneath her fingers. Tansy had given her this gift by painting these delicate flowers for her.

“It’s beautiful,” she said. Sateen drapes of tan and buff with brown tassel tie-backs covered three large windows that were partially open to let in the evening light and fresh air. The room was gorgeous. “I can’t believe this is our home.” She looped her arms around Duke’s warm neck. “I’m going to love being your wife.”

Relief filled his eyes as he lowered his head to kiss her. They shared their first passionate kiss as husband and wife in their parlor.

He held her against him, his arm banding her back as they swayed together, moving to the slow, seductive rhythm of his delving, stroking tongue. Heat burned through her, and she basked in the sound of his low groan. They would consummate their vows in this house tonight.

“I never got my bag,” she whispered against his mouth.

“Tansy put it in our bedchamber.”

“So my aunts knew about this too.”

“We were all plotting against you darling.”

She sighed and rubbed her palm over his chest. “Thank you for the best day of my life.”

“I want it to be the best night of your life, too.”

By the look in his eyes, they would be sharing their new bed soon. She knew what was required of her, and was more than willing to lie with her husband. But what if he sensed her inexperience and asked questions she couldn’t answer?

“Can I see the house before we . . . before I change?”

“That’s what I’d planned to do before you distracted me.” He grinned and took her hand. “Kitchen first.” A bottle of red wine sat on the counter with two glasses that he promptly filled. “Do you think we can navigate while carrying these?”