Her Wicked Proposal novel Chapter 70

"Well, that wasn't a complete disaster, was it?" Cedric chuckled as he climbed into his coach across from Anne.

Anne grinned. "No, it wasn't. You did wonderfully." She held something in her arms, something Cedric could not see. It was a surprise for him, one she and Lady Pickering were quite excited about. They had managed to smuggle it all the way to the coach without Cedric suspecting anything.

"Why don't you come sit by me, lady wife?" he suggested with a brow raised in that rakish way of his.

It took all her self-control not to giggle. It had been a long while since she'd given something to someone she cared about. Her heart beat faster as she finally spoke.

"All right." She joined him on his side of the enclosed coach and let him pull her against his side. When he leaned in closer, he froze, nostrils flaring. His eyes widened, then narrowed.

"I smell..." He paused, sniffed, then his hands moved from her waist to her arms. When he encountered the bundle she cradled to her bosom, he stiffened.

"Anne, are you...is that a dog?" He tilted his head to one side. The deep rumble of his voice stirred the creature awake. The puppy in her arms stretched, yawned and licked Cedric's fingers, which had brushed against the pup's wet nose.

"Lady Pickering's favorite King Charles spaniel had a litter two months ago. She thought we might like one. She said your mother loved King Charles spaniels." Anne prayed he wasn't upset. Cedric had given her so much and she wanted to give something to him in return. He couldn't go hunting and a large dog wouldn't have been happy in the house. A smaller spaniel was perfect. The dog would be a companion to Cedric, one who could follow him and keep him in good spirits.

"Did you know that I bought Emily a dog?" Cedric's lips hinted at a barely there smile.

"Why...er...yes. I remember she told me about her foxhound, Penelope." She paused. "I swear my intentions are entirely different."

Cedric's rich laugh warmed her. "If you got me a dog to keep me from escaping you, I would take that as a compliment, my dear. Now, show me the little scamp." He opened his hands and Anne passed along the sleepy bundle. It had woken during their discussion and wriggled in Cedric's arms as he took it. Watching him cuddle the white and cinnamon-brown pup to his chest filled Anne with such love.

"My mother's last spaniel before she died was an energetic chap. Forrest was his name. I always liked the little fellow. What do you think, love? Does he look like a Forrest?" Cedric ruffled the dog's ears with a playful smile. Even though he could not see the dog, he was evidently enthralled with the pup already.

"Yes, he looks like a Forrest." She covered her mouth with a gloved hand. To be so happy...she couldn't believe it. Wherever her father was, she hoped he could see that she was all right, that she'd found her place in the world at this man's side.

"When we get home, this little chap is going to a basket to sleep and you, lady wife, will be seeing to your duties in our bed."

The cheek of such words would have enraged her had any other man said them, but when they came from Cedric it lit her blood and made her body yearn.

"If I see to my duties, then you must see to yours." She couldn't resist teasing him.

His rakehell grin sent her pulse into a mad gallop. The coach stopped, and when the footman came to open the doors, Anne smiled when she recognized Sean Hartley.

"Sean? That you?" Cedric held out the dog to him. "Take little Forrest here and put him in a basket in your chambers. I'll take charge of him in the morning. My wife and I will be occupied the rest of the night."

"Of course, my lord." Sean took the dog with a smile and stroked its ears. He gave a quick glance to Anne and she returned a nod, encouraging him to do as he was bid.

As she and Cedric entered the house they found the servants were scarce, as though sensing the need for privacy for their master and mistress.

"Take me to the drawing room," Cedric commanded.

Anne slipped her hand into his and led him. He used his cane to sweep across the carpets. Anne pushed the door open, revealing the rich Tudor decorations and the plush red settee facing a black marble fireplace. Wooden beams, intricately carved, curved up in fluted shapes over the molded ceilings. Red damask drapes covered the tall windows, and moonlight peeped through the thin slits of the mostly closed curtains. Despite the fact that no fire was lit, the room felt cozy, even if it was dark.

Cedric began to lead her, as though he knew the whereabouts of the room's furniture by heart. He stopped in front of the settee and turned her to face away from him.

"It is dark, isn't it?" he asked. His tone was soft, low and dangerously seductive.

Anne swallowed before replying. "Yes, quite dark."