Duke of Whitstone."
"I, um, know a little of him, yes. Through Whitstone."
Molly wondered at his words before he pulled her into the room just off the balcony where his housekeeper here had served up cold meats, bread, and pasta for dinner. Molly sat and smiled as Hugh didn't move to the end of the table, but sat beside her, reaching out to pick up her hand and kiss it.
"I'm so very fortunate to have you as my wife. I want to spoil you most definitely, so tell me what you would like to do tomorrow. We may go and see if the gardeners at the Royal Palace of Caserta will allow us to walk the grounds. The building is as majestic as Versailles."
"Truly?" Molly had never heard of such a place, but having seen and adored Versailles, another such building of similar architectural beauty would be an excellent location to visit. "I would love that. May we also visit the sea? They say the water is aqua in color, and I want to know if that is true."
Hugh chuckled, placing a large portion of chicken and ham onto his plate, along with a good helping of pasta. "Your wish is my command, my love. Do you wish to go sea bathing? I can arrange that for you as well if you like."
Excitement thrummed through her veins, and Molly knew she was grinning like a spoiled child getting everything that she wished. "Will you join me if I do?"
The heated look he threw her sent her blood to pump hard in her veins, and she clasped her stomach to stop its fluttering. "Do you need ask?"
Molly bit her lip, spooning a mouthful of pasta into her mouth. "No, but I wanted to make certain just in case."
Their days in Naples were full of laughter and pleasure. Simply the two of them, exploring, learning, and always loving when they came together at night.
Pompeii and Herculaneum took some days to visit. Walking about the areas of Pompeii, especially, left Molly with a sense of the gravity of what had happened to the people there. The excavation of the buried city was in its infancy, from looking at what had been unearthed so far, so much more of the ancient city remained hidden.
They had walked the beach in the Bay of Naples, and sea bathed just as Hugh had promised. The weeks sped by, and before she knew it, they had been in Naples a month.
They returned to Rome tomorrow, and Molly had to admit she did not want to leave. This city, its beauty, the mountains, and fields full of fertile, rich crops had imbedded into her heart, much like the man sitting at his desk right at this moment.
Molly put down the knitting she had started while here and stood, walking over to his desk. She ran her hands over his shoulders, sliding them down over his arms and peeking at the many letters that sat scattered before him.
He leaned back in his chair, smiling up at her. "What are you up to, my darling wife?"
She chuckled, coming about and sitting herself down on his lap. He adjusted her, hugging her to him before kissing her soundly. Molly melted into his arms, knowing when they returned to Rome, she would count down the days until they were back here again, alone and in their own little cocoon.
She ran her hands through his hair, putting it on end. "Thank you for this wonderful holiday. I feel so very blessed to have found you."
"No, it is I who has been honored. I feel I shall never be able to pay Whitstone back for the tremendous deed he's done by sending you to me."
Molly chuckled. "I'm certain he could think of something. Probably involve buying a thoroughbred if I'm to guess correctly."
Hugh nodded, his gaze darkening with desire. "No doubt."
* * *
Hugh lifted Molly to sit on his desk. Her delectable rump in his lap drove him to distraction, and for the past hour of working on paperwork from his estate here in Naples, he'd not been able to concentrate.
The sight of his wife, biting her lip, and attempting to knit, which did not seem to be a skill she was very adept at had warmed his blood. When she'd finally come over to see what he was about, he knew he would not let her go again.
Papers scattered to the floor. He slid his hand along her leg, liking that his wife had disregarded