Page 89 of How to Start a Scandal

Cool, gentle hands slid in comforting circles over his shoulder, drawing him from the dream.

He woke with a start and stared into the darkness at where Violet gazed down at him.

‘It was only a dream,’ she soothed.

‘I know,’ he replied, suddenly feeling rather ridiculous. Night terrors were something left back in the nursery.

But she didn’t chastise him. Instead, she smoothed her hand over his brow, presumably brushing a bit of his unruly hair back. ‘Do you have them often?’

He clenched his jaw.

‘Then know that I will always be here to rouse you and soothe you.’ She lay on his chest and embraced him, saying with her body what she had not yet said with words.

I love you.

He craved it with a ferocity he’d never before experienced. Those three words. The weighty impact behind them.

He wrapped his arms around her and let his senses savour all of her—the gentle violet scent still lingering in her hair, the warm silkiness of her nakedness against him, the beauty of her dark locks spilling over the white sheets. All of her washed away the horror of his dream and soothed his ragged nerves.

Whatever he had done in his life to earn such a treasure as Violet, he didn’t know, but he was damn grateful for it. Sleep claimed him once more and carried him without interruption. That was, until the warmth curled around him shifted and slid away.

He opened his eyes and found a very naked, very lovely, Violet easing from the bed.

‘I didn’t want to wake you,’ she said softly.

‘I’m awake.’ He reached for her. ‘Come back to bed.’

‘I can’t sleep any longer.’ She laughed.

He grinned. ‘I didn’t mean to sleep.’

A pretty flush blossomed in her cheeks. ‘I wish I could.’ Her gaze raked over his body where he lay on his side amid the tousled sheets. ‘I truly do wish I could,’ she said with apparent sincerity. ‘But I’m afraid I promised to meet with Felicity and my mother at Gunter’s for ices.’

‘Nonsense, you’re a newly-wed bride.’ He sat up and reached for her again. ‘Come back to bed, my love.’

‘Felicity wanted Gunter’s to celebrate. You know I can’t let her down.’

Seth chuckled. ‘I know. Has she continued to be well mannered?’

‘Yes, thanks to your advice.’ Violet went to the washstand, wet a cloth and rubbed it over her face and neck. ‘If you hadn’t shown me how to care for her, how to be sensitive to her need for attention, I don’t know that she ever would be so properly behaved.’ She paused in her washing. ‘Would you mind, perhaps, if we invite her to the manor this summer?’

‘I wouldn’t mind at all,’ Seth said with a smile. ‘I think Hedgehog would get on nicely with the stable cat. Though sadly little Sadie has never worn a cap to speak of.’

‘Well, not all felines can be so fashionable.’ Violet set aside the cloth. ‘Thank you, my lord.’

He wrinkled his nose. ‘“My lord” is so formal. I’m a second-born son regardless of my title now. Seth works nicely. Or the greatest lover there ever was.’ He winked. ‘That has rather a nice ring to it as well.’

‘In that case, the greatest lover there ever was, I must ready myself to meet with Felicity and my mother, but I shall see you later this afternoon when I return.’

He pushed himself from the bed and retrieved a robe for her. ‘I’ll have Harold ready the carriage for you.’ He approached her with the heavy robe slung over his forearm. ‘Though you are forewarned, there’s a bit of a jolt to his stops. He’s one of my former soldiers who lost an arm. He’s getting better, though my mother would disagree.’

Violet turned her back to allow him to aid her into the robe and glanced over her shoulder at him. ‘I appreciate the warning.’

‘It is only fair.’ He turned her around to secure the sash at her waist and gave her a tender kiss. ‘I shall see you when you return.’

She walked backwards towards the door adjoining their suites and blew him a kiss before slipping into her own bedchamber. Seth summoned Gibbons to have Harold prepare the carriage while Bennet helped Seth prepare for a new day.

The valet entered the room with a twinkling smile. ‘Felicitations on your union, my lord. I dare say Lady Violet is an excellent choice for you. Excellent.’ He bent to retrieve Seth’s cast aside jacket.