Page 126 of To Pleasure a Prince

“Not for one minute. Between you and Katherine and Louisa, the only girl to pass inspection would be some milksop maid pure as the driven snow, who would bore him to tears.”

She sniffed. “I supposeyouwould have him marry a fast, unmannerly hoyden who’ll break his heart.”

“I’d have him marry a woman like his mother.” Marcus leaned over to kiss her cheek. “It certainly seems to be working well for me.”

Mollified, Regina cast him a smile. “When did you turn into such a flatterer?”

“When the woman I fell in love with told me she wouldn’t let me court her unless I behaved like a gentleman.”

“Clever woman.”

He chuckled. “Clever woman indeed. I heard from Cicely that you were reading Shakespeare only this morning.”

Regina screwed up her brow. “Bumbling through, more like. But I am doing much better. I got through the whole of one play this week. Now that you’ve come back to town from Castlemaine, I might just coax you into reading the next playtome.” A coy smile touched her lips. “Unless you’re planning to take us all home again.”

“I wouldn’t dream of whisking you from London during the season.”

She walked her fingers up his coat sleeve. “Ah, but there are certain advantages to being at Castlemaine. More privacy.” She lowered her voice to a whisper. “A bigger bed.”

He grinned. “Very tempting, dearling. Unfortunately, I promised Louisa that you and I would dine at Carlton House this week.”

She eyed him closely. “You mean, you promised the prince you would let him see our son.”

“I can never get anything past you. You’re right, of course.”

“Just as I was right about Louisa going to court?”

“I suppose,” he grumbled.

Regina punched his arm playfully. “Admit it, you big lout. Serving as Princess Charlotte’s lady-in-waiting has been good for her. It’s given her a certain polish and style.”

He sighed. “Yes, it has. Although she still hasn’t married anyone.”

“She will. It’s better for her to take her time about it, rather than accepting the first proposal that comes her way.” Her eyes gleamed up at him. “That’s what I did, after all, and it certainly seems to be working well for me.”

When he answered her with a warm smile that brought a dreamy expression to her face, it was all he could do not to take his wife out behind the bushes.

“I have a suggestion, darling,” she murmured, in that silky voice that still made his blood race and his heart pound. Opening the glass doors, she stepped through and then turned to offer him a come-hither glance. “Why don’t we give Jasper to one of his many doting relations and have a dance of our own?”

He stood there a moment with his son in his arms and the dark night behind him, staring at the woman he loved more than life.

Everything was different now. No more lurking in the shadows. No more hiding in caves. No more banishment.

“I thought you’d never ask,” he said hoarsely.

Then the Dragon Viscount followed his wife into the light.