she wasn’t going to think about anyone else right now, anyone but their love and each other, and perhaps Heath was right.
If she did tell her mother, her mother would be horrified and do everything she could to stop them. And Mary would not be stopped. She was going to do this, and nothing was going to get in her way. Better to have him and then explain. That seemed to be the best course of action.
She wanted to live boldly now, without fear, and that’s exactly what she was going to do. So she laced her hands with Heath’s. “Do you think you could find someone to marry us as soon as possible?”
He smiled at her. “Oh, I’m a man of many opportunities and ways. I think I can manage it.”
“Let us not wait, then,” she rushed. “You and I have already waited far too long. We’ve wasted so much time.”
His eyes softened, a depth of emotion welling up in them. “No, love,” he said. “It’s not time wasted. We both needed to know exactly what we wanted, and now we know.”
“Now we know,” she agreed.
“I want you always and forever.” He smiled, stroking her face tenderly.
“Always and forever,” she said.
“That seems. . .”
“Heavenly?” she put in.
“Heavenly,” he growled against her.
He pulled her tighter to him and held her for a long moment. Then he let go and swung his legs over the side of the bed, all but bounding out.
“Let us have coffee,” he said, clapping his hands. “It’s time to meet the day boldly.”
She couldn’t contain her joy at his enthusiasm. “Is that what you do every morning? Meet the day boldly?”
“Indeed, I do,” he proclaimed, swaggering naked to the bellpull. “What better way to live. I’m not one for staying abed unless it’s with you.”
“No, let us embrace the day. For I want to be married as soon as we may.”
She did not allow the small whisper that they were throwing themselves at this, without her family, take root.
He pulled the bell.
She studied him, amazed at the power of his body.
It was unlike anything she’d ever seen in her whole life, and she couldn’t draw her eyes away from him.
“You like what you see?” he teased.
“Indeed, I do,” she said. “You’re most delicious.”
“Delicious?” he scoffed.
“Yes, like a dessert, and I want to eat every bit of you.”
He considered this. “I’ve never been compared to a confection before.”
She propped herself up on her elbow. “I think you and I should have many firsts together.”
“I think you’re right,” he agreed. “Now, come on, then, Lady Mary. It’s time to get you dressed so we can find someone to make us man and wife.”
She swung her legs out of bed, clutching the sheet to her.
“Don’t do that,” he said.
“What?” she asked, looking about.
“Hide yourself from me.”
She blushed.
In all her life, she’d never bounded about a room nude before, but she decided this was going to be a morning of firsts, so she might as well jump in. She left the linen behind, stood in the cool room, felt her skin prickle, and was amazed by how delightful it felt.
At first, she felt nervous, but then she strode towards him and into his arms. They stood near the banked fire.
“You are going to make me a wanton woman,” she accused lightly.
He laughed. “I think you already are, but I’m happy to oblige. I want you to always be free, Mary, and you can be free with me. Don’t hide yourself from me.”
“I shan’t,” she said, but in her heart, a little sliver of a doubt suddenly appeared.
Would he always be honest with her?
Could he?
He was so reticent to share his past. Was that something she could allow? She supposed she had to; he was a man of many secrets and a past that pained him deeply. It would be unkind to force him to speak of it now.
Perhaps one day, he would let it slip out, the story of his life, and she would wait for it. Wait for him to share it with her, and when he did, she would be there for him, ready to smooth the pain of all those years, ready to lead him forward into the light.
Chapter 19
Some Months Later
The wedding that occurred in a small chapel in a little part of London had left Richard Heath giddy.
A license had been procured with a good deal of manipulation and a good deal of gold too. Strangers had been the witnesses at their wedding. He knew