He dropped the towel, scooped her up, and headed for their bedroom, taking the stairs two at a time. He laid her tenderly on the bed and stepped back. His eyes glowing with an inner fire, he worked the buttons on his shirt. He yanked it out of his pants, and loosened his belt.
Angel watched his clever fingers slide the buttons free, anxious for him to finish. The muscles under his golden skin rippled as he peeled off the shirt. The beauty of his chest, dusted with blond hairs, caused her breath to hitch. He
r heart sped up as he rid himself of his pants and joined her on the bed.
Propped on his elbow, his hair falling over his sweat-beaded forehead, he ran his hands over her body. “My Angel. Truly a gift from heaven.”
“As are you,” she answered, dragging his head down to capture his lips.
He quickly moved over her, and slid into her moistness. Her hands kneaded his buttocks, as the muscles tightened with his thrusts. After only a few minutes, he brought her closer to his body, nuzzling her neck, and found his release as he mumbled her name. Gulping for air, Nate collapsed on top of her, then shifted to the side and tugged her against his chest.
Nate smoothed the dampened strands of hair from her face, and kissed her forehead. “I hope you enjoyed your bath.”
“Indeed. I may need a bath more often.” Angel snuggled closer, as he moved his hand to cup her breast, softly massaging. She let out a sigh.
He brushed his lips over hers, swollen from his kisses, and whispered. “Go to sleep, darlin’.”
As she drifted off to sleep, his voice came from a distance. Faintly, he whispered, “I love you.”
Chapter 13
“Where are the fresh flowers I ordered?” Lucy raged at Mrs. Flannery, the only housekeeper to survive any length of time in the Benson household.
The night of Lucy’s party had arrived. She’d spent weeks planning the most impressive event of the year. Additional servants had been brought to the big house to help set up, cook, and serve the hundred or so guests, coming from all over the county.
“They will be here, miss,” Mrs. Flannery responded in her most calming voice.
“I want everything perfect,” Lucy snapped, as she studied the large room, searching for any imperfection.
“Miss Lucy, why don’t you take your bath now? I will see everything is taken care of,” the housekeeper soothed.
“All right, I guess I do need to get dressed.” She took one final look around, and headed to her room.
“Bella, you better have my bath drawn,” she warned as she stomped up the stairs.
“Yes, miss.” A soft voice answered from the top of the stairs. “It’s all ready for you.”
Lucy swept past the maid and entered her room. The bathtub sat in front of the fireplace, with warmed towels, scented soap, and cloths on a small glass table next to it. Lucy dropped the wrapper she had been wearing and stepped into the tub.
As she relaxed against it, her thoughts wandered to how impressed Nate would be with her party. He’d realize how well she managed a large household, getting everything done, and still look beautiful.
She’d heard rumors in town that his wife was less than the best housekeeper, even having served eggs for supper more than once. You accomplished everything with an army of servants.
No matter. When she and Nate were married, she’d see to it that Papa paid for as many servants as she needed.
Sighing dreamily, she squeezed warm, scented water from the sponge and washed, and imagined a night of dancing in Nate’s strong arms.
Angel had finally gotten all the children down for the night. She took a quick bath, and dressed for Lucy’s party. Nate had suggested they skip it, but even though she knew Lucy had plans with regard to her husband, she didn’t want to lose the opportunity to wear one of her gowns again, and socialize with adults for an evening. As much as she’d grown to love the children, there were times when she craved a conversation that consisted of more than a few words. Pick that up, do your homework, stop fighting, are you chores done?
She pulled the pressed, rose silk gown from the closet. When she’d first arrived, she never thought she would get to wear any of her fashionable clothes again. But this gown, made by the top dressmaker in New York City, was exquisite. The bodice was cut low, and off the shoulders, but still modest. The lines were simple, yet elegant. It was fitted to the waist and then flared out with a scalloped edge along the hem. A slim ribbon of velvet circled her small waist, with the ends of a deep rose bow trailing down the front.
Luckily, she had a front-lacing corset to wear, because she didn’t want her husband to see her until she was completely dressed. After smoothing the gown, and adjusting the shoulders, she piled her freshly washed hair high on her head, allowing a cascade of curls to tumble down her back. Years of observing her lady’s maid fix her hair the same way had paid off.
She placed a small spray of light pink flowers at the crown of her head. A few ringlets were left to dangle at her temple and ears. Her small diamond earnings sparkled like tiny stars in a moonless night.
A smile curved her lips as she took out the ivory cameo attached to a black velvet ribbon to wear around her neck. A gift from her father, he’d presented it to her on her thirteenth birthday. With tears in his eyes, he told her it had been a wedding gift he’d given to her mother.
Reaching for her white lace gloves, Angel caught her reflection in the mirror. She held her skirt out and curtsied. Not bad. She scooped up the rose silk wrap that matched her dress and left the bedroom to join Nate downstairs.