Page 45 of A Necessary Wife

Amelia subsided onto the settee, where she’d just been ravaged, and hugged his robe and the lingering pleasure tighter around her body. For all his talk about mutual respect and companionship, Amelia had married a surprisingly passionate man.

She might not have his whole attention yet, but she would one day soon. She would not deny that her desires were well satisfied so far, and Chatham hinted there could be more pleasures to explore. He might never want her heart, but her body—at least—was definitely wanted in his arms, no matter the time.

CHAPTER TWELVE

Milo escorted Amelia toward the ballroom a few nights later, the satisfaction of several days and nights of good sex lingering between them. Not even another lecture of the perils of loveless matches from his father could sour his good mood.

He and Amelia were a good match in bed. It would be no hardship at all to give her the children she wanted. That he wanted, too.

He glanced at her as they were announced, proud of the woman he’d married.

She was soft in all the right ways, poised in the most trying of circumstances, and tonight she was…so beautiful his heart skipped a beat. There was a glow about her as she gazed upon the room and heard the sound of a harp being plucked. She glanced his way and smiled and he was bathed in warmth. He led her into the room, the sound of her skirts softly rustling in his ears, her fingers light on his arm and knew he had done well for himself.

Father and the duchess were occupied on the far side of the room, and they inclined their heads to acknowledge their arrival. But did not gesture them closer.

That suited Milo perfectly. They were at the ball to make an impression of their own, not reignite a pointless argument about love and marriage. Their marriage would do very well based on desire alone.

They headed toward the nearest couple, and Milo made the introductions. “Mr. and Mrs. Dunstan, have you had the honor of meeting my wife?”

“Not formally,” Mrs. Dunstan gushed.

Amelia inclined her head. “We chanced upon each other this afternoon on the stairs, and I’m sure Mrs. Dunstan and I will become great friends one day soon,” Amelia promised.

Mrs. Dunstan beamed. “I agree. We both adore children and had so much to talk about.”

“I, however, am eagerly awaiting an introduction,” Mr. Dunstan announced, reaching for Amelia’s hand. Dunstan, a wealthy local landowner, raised it toward his lips.

Dunstan kissed the back of Amelia’s glove but from where Milo stood, his glance fell to her bosom—and stayed there rather too long.

Amelia reclaimed her hand. “A pleasure to meet you, sir,” she said politely.

Dunstan’s smile grew sly. “And for me, too. I look forward to improving our acquaintance tonight.”

“I believe you promised your wife two dances tonight?” she murmured. “I always look forward to seeing happily married couples take a turn about the floor together.”

Mrs. Dunstan looked at her husband with complete surprise, though. And Mr. Dunstan’s smile grew pained as he was neatly trapped into agreeing that he would.

Milo smothered a laugh…because his toes remembered only too well what happened when one danced with Mrs. Dunstan. She was enthusiastic, to say the least.

“And then we will dance, Lady Chatham,” Dunstan drawled, his smirk quickly back in place.

Amelia linked her arm through Milo’s immediately. “I’m afraid my dance card has been claimed by this handsome devil.”

Milo was taken back by the claim, and by her description of him, too. Handsome devil? It was such an unexpected claim, that he could only nod in response.

“Surely not every dance,” Dunstan protested.

“Oh, leave them be, Dunstan. Can you not see they only have eyes from each other,” Mrs. Dunstan announced. She tapped her husband with her fan. “They are newlyweds, Dunstan, and obviously firmly devoted already. They don’t want anyone coming between them tonight. They will dance together and likely slip away to be alone.”

Thanks to Amelia’s soft smile at the suggestion, he had trouble tearing his gaze away from her face. Perhaps they would leave the ball early together. He wanted to dance with Amelia but didn’t like the idea of her in another man’s arms afterward.

Amelia’s heightened color reminded him how desperate she could be for lovemaking when they were alone.

“Perhaps,” Milo murmured. “If you will excuse us.”

“I’m sure we will talk again when he can bear to be parted from you, my dear.” Mrs. Dunstan wiggled her fingers in farewell as they went on their way.

Amelia’s grip on his arm softened. “A gentleman should never flirt with a new bride right in front of his own wife, or at all. I hope she stomps on his toes more than once and very hard.”