Page 72 of Indecently Daring
“Hidden talents, love,” he said, looking adorably smug. “If you can get us out of here without causing offence, I’d love to reveal some other hidden talents.”
He winked at her and leaned in to nip at her earlobe. Alana did her best to look outraged.
“Harry Martin! And you a vicar. Oh, how I’ve been deceived. Here I was thinking I’d married a good man and you’re nothing but a wicked seducer.”
“Nobody’s perfect,” he said with the most insincere shrug she’d ever seen.
“And thank goodness for that,” she said, laughing and taking his hand. “Come along. I’m sure no one will be surprised if we leave, but I’d best let Mama know.”
“Well, you run along and tell her, and—”
“Oh, ho. No, you don’t. You can say goodbye to her too,” Alana said firmly, not above enjoying seeing her new husband squirm a bit.
“Oh, but, Alana….” Harry subsided with a sigh as she shot him a look. “Hen-pecked, and not even married a day,” he said mournfully.
“Pfft,” Alana said, because they both knew he could be a stubborn devil when the mood took him.
“Mama!” Alana called, finding her mother talking to Matilda Hunt.
“Lana, darling. Don’t tell me, you’re making your escape?” Mama winked at Harry, who returned an awkward smile.
Alana grinned, unrepentant. “Yes. Do you mind terribly?”
“Of course not. I should be more amazed if you stayed. You run along home. I’m quite certain Harry has entertaining plans for the rest of the evening,” Mama added wickedly.
Alana laughed and kissed her mother’s cheek. “Apologise to Aunt Harriet for me, and thank her for everything. It’s been a perfect day.”
“Consider it done, love.”
Alana was just about to leave when Matilda spoke to her. “Lana, dear, have you seen Cat?”
“No, I’m sorry. Not since dinner, I think?” she said.
Matilda’s face clouded with worry, but she shook it off and smiled at Alana. “Oh, well. I’d best find her before her father starts to fret. Congratulations, dear. I hope you’ll both be very happy.”
“I think we will,” Alana said, smiling up at Harry before he led her out of the door.
Bundled up in scarves and cloaks, Harry and Alana walked back to the vicarage.
“We could have taken a carriage,” Harry pointed out, but Alana shook her head.
“No, this is perfect. Look at that sky, Harry.”
They paused, looking up at an expanse of black velvet, studded all over with glittering stars.
“It’s so quiet when it snows,” she added, her voice a whisper.
“Nothing is quiet when you are around, Mrs Martin,” Harry observed with a smile. “And that’s just the way I like it.”
“I’m not being noisy now,” she objected, slanting an accusing look at him.
“No,” Harry said, leaning towards her and brushing his lips over hers. “But my heart is thundering because you’re with me.”
She laughed with delight at that and then exclaimed: “Oh, my dare!”
He frowned down at her. “Your what?”
“My dare. I’m a Daring Daughter, you see. I ought to have done it before I got married. It’s how a lot of my friends found their husbands.”
