‘So Beresford, I finally get to meet your lovely wife,’ Templeton drawled.
Bane narrowed his eyes as his friend, the blond darling of the ton and heir to the Marquisate of Mooreshead, bowed over Mary’s hand. He’d given this ball at his newly renovated London town house, invited the ton, in order to introduce her to society. He could hardly complain that so many of them, including his oldest and most trusted friend, had come. Most of them were curious to see who the bastard earl had married, no doubt. Still, he did not have to like that his best friend and well-known rake, Lord Templeton, was eyeing his wife like a wolf who had just spotted dinner.
As usual he’d come late to the party. There were only a few more dances now supper was over and the last of the guests would depart.
Gabe caught his glare and laughed. Damn, the man was far too handsome a fellow with a smile on his lips, even if he was one of His Majesty’s most dangerous spies.
‘I wish you both much happiness,’ Gabe said.
‘Thank you, my lord.’ Mary dipped a curtsy. She looked beautiful tonight in a gown of pale-rose silk, her hair arranged artfully by Betsy, her height lending her the elegance of a queen. Pride filled him, every time he looked at her, along with the desire to glare at any male who approached.
‘Do you plan to return to that pile of rocks in Cornwall?’ Gabe asked.
‘In time,’ Bane said. ‘It needs some major renovations before we will feel comfortable there.’ Like the closing up of passages behind the walls.
Mary nodded her agreement.
‘Before you do anything to the house, would you be willing to lease it to me? For a year or so? Its inconveniences might prove very useful to my enterprise.’
Mary didn’t so much as blink. They’d agreed they would keep no secrets from each other and, after receiving Gabe’s permission, he’d told her all about his friend’s work for the Foreign Office.
He sent her an enquiring look and she nodded. ‘I owe you for finding my friend Mrs Ladbrook.’
Bane had wanted the woman to pay back the money she had salted away, but Mary wouldn’t allow it. A woman alone had to do what she needed to survive. Besides, they were friends.
She turned to Bane. ‘Since you will be busy making your mark in Parliament, and working for better conditions in the mines, and I have an idea for a school for miners’ children I would like to raise with the denizens of the ton, I don’t see why not,’ she said. ‘We will need its return when we begin our family.’
A family was her dearest hope, he knew. But he hoped it would not happen too soon. He liked having her to himself.
‘Then it is agreed,’ Bane said to Gabe.
‘May I request this next dance, Lady Beresford?’ Gabe asked, with a sly look at Bane and a charming smile for his wife.
‘Mary is promised to me,’ Bane said quickly, unable to keep the possessive note from his voice.
She shook her head at him.
‘You are,’ he said and swept her into the waltz with a warning glower at his friend. As they moved around the floor, he was overcome by a wave of contentment.
‘Are you happy?’ he whispered in her ear.
‘Incredibly. Unbelievably. There is only one thing missing.’
‘Children.’
‘Your children,’ she whispered close to his ear.
His groin tightened. ‘I am sure no one would miss us if it is your pleasure to try again.’
A shiver passed through her frame. ‘It is always my pleasure.’
He manoeuvred her closer to the door and then whirled her out into the hallway. Giggling like children, they ran up the servants’ staircase to their chamber.
‘You, sir, are wicked,’ she said, leaning her back against the closed door.
She looked wanton and quite delighted.
His heart swelled as he pulled her close. ‘I am glad you are pleased, my dearest heart,’ he breathed softly against her neck, feeling her soft swells against his length with a powerful shudder of anticipation of the love and bliss he would find in her arms.
* * * * *
Keep reading for an excerpt of Some Like it Wicked by Carole Mortimer!