Page 105 of Lady Reckless

She raised a brow. “Oh?”

How she loved to see this lighter side of him. He seemed so carefree these days, and it was a welcome change. As they had settled into their marriage and grown together, the walls of the past had been dismantled, stone by stone, until at last, none remained. He had not suffered any of his attacks in recent months, and he was finally healing, at long last.

He held the box toward her. “I brought you a present, hellion.”

“A present for me?” She smiled at him. “It was gift enough to learn that Lady Beatrice Knightbridge has married Lord Hamish White this morning.”

“They deserve each other,” Gabe said simply.

Truer words had never been spoken.

Helena reached for the box. “They do indeed. Now, what can you possibly have for me?”

“Open it and you shall see.”

Was she mistaken, or was there the slightest hint of a flush tingeing his sharp cheekbones? Curious, that.

Helena plucked at the ribbon, undoing the bow, and then lifted the lid. Inside, wrapped in tissue, was the latest edition of the bawdy book series she had thieved from Shelbourne’s collection.

Wicked heat flared to life within her. She may be heavy with child, but staying off one’s swollen feet had benefits. Namely, spending more time in bed with one’s delicious husband.

“You bought me filth!” she crowed, her heart seeming to swell inside her breast at the gesture.

His color deepened. “It is not filth.”

“That is what you called it once,” she reminded him.

“Saucy minx. Mayhap I was overly harsh about it once upon a time.”

“I have thoroughly corrupted you,” she declared. “First you have fallen in love, and now you are buying me bawdy books. Youarethe most besotted man in London.”

He smiled back at her, giving Helena a look of undisguised love. “You see? I told you so.”

“Will you come to bed and read it to me?” she asked, batting her lashes at him in exaggerated fashion.

He kissed her long and deep. “You make me despicably randy, hellion.”

She slid her hand up his thigh and confirmed that she did, indeed, have such an effect upon him. “There is only one cure for that, my love.”

He caressed her swollen belly over therobe de chambreshe wore. There were definite benefits to being so near to her lying in, she had discovered. No one complained if she lounged about all day wearing scarcely any garments, least of all her husband.

“In addition to being the most besotted man in London, I am also the most fortunate,” he said, his voice low and tender. “You look like a goddess, carrying our babe.”

She was sure she did not, but he could tell her so all he liked.

Helena linked her arms around Gabe’s neck. “I can think of a way to make you even more fortunate.”

He grinned. “God, I love you.”

“I love you more,” she said, and then she pulled his lips down upon hers.

The End.