Patrica Rice (28 page)

“He would have been even more thoroughly shocked had he waited a few minutes longer. You have been driving me out of my mind since the first night I met you. I love you beyond all reason, Daphne Elaine. It is about time I had some satisfaction.”

“I thought we were going to London,” Daphne protested faintly as Evan’s hand successfully breeched the second barrier of her clothing.

“And so we will,” he murmured indistinctly as he took advantage of the now open neckline of her gown to press his ardent kisses there. “When I have taught you how the proper wife of a government official behaves.”

Daphne’s hands crept over the warm skin of Evan’s shoulders to the strength of his neck as his embrace tightened. “I’ve changed my mind. I wish to be the wife of a country squire,” she whispered maddeningly against his jaw as he carried his kisses closer to her lips.

“And you shall be that, also, my willful wife.’’ Evan’s hand finally took control of the firm flesh beneath Daphne’s beaded bodice, and he silenced her cries with his mouth.

As the kiss deepened and promised a passionate future, Evan tore away long enough to gaze down into his bride’s rapturous eyes. “Gordon and Grandfather have given this to be our home when we are not in London. Do you think you can lead the life of Devon’s splendid isolation?”

“Only if you are by my side every night. I am afraid of the dark, you know,” Daphne whispered with a wicked glint in her eyes.

“Oh, no doubt you are quaking in your shoes at the thought of the night to come. Let me put an end to your fears right now, Mrs. Griffin. I know the best way of curing night terrors....”

And murmuring idiotic reassurances mixed with all the words of love there hadn’t been time enough to say, Evan carried his bride to the turned-down bed and began to divest her of any hindrance to his cure, while Daphne did her wifely best to prevent his catching cold from the damp humors of his own clothing.

And the only fears evidenced anywhere were of the guests below when they discovered the bridal couple had disappeared. The ladies shivered quite giddily at the thought of the kind of children such an outrageous couple could produce, and the men lifted their glasses and their gazes to the ceiling in toast to the same idea.

Copyright © 1992 by Patricia Rice

Originally published by Signet (ISBN 0451170798)

Electronically published in 2009 by Belgrave House/Regency Reads

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This is a work of fiction. All names in this publication are fictitious and any resemblance to any person living or dead is coincidental.