Princess Charming (Legendary Lovers 1)

Entirely reassured, Maura smiled and raised her mouth to his for another intoxicating kiss. She loved Ash desperately, irrevocably, and she knew now in every part of her heart that he felt the same deep love for her.

London, May 1816

Out of habit, Ash leaned idly against a column in the Traherne ballroom, his pose reflecting the ennui of a jaded nobleman. Yet boredom was the farthest thing from his mind as he watched his bride of nine hours. This was his wedding day. He and Maura had been married that afternoon by special license, and afterward Skye and Quinn had hosted a lavish wedding feast and ball at their magnificent London mansion.

The celebrations were an immense success, judging by the laughter and gaiety of the company. Ash had spent all evening at Maura’s side, accepting continuous felicitations from friends and acquaintances, but just now she stood a short distance from him, conversing with her stepsisters while he marveled at his good fortune.

He had never thought he needed anyone, but he’d severely deluded himself. He needed Maura profoundly. He knew without doubt that she

was his soul mate, his heartbeat, his love.

Just then Uncle Cornelius rambled past Ash and paused upon spying him. Despite a distaste for grand society, Cornelius had put himself out to mingle with the glittering throng. Even more surprising, he had managed to stay awake long past his usual retirement hour since he wished to welcome into the family the first new Wilde bride in decades.

“I confess,” Cornelius observed thoughtfully to Ash, “I initially questioned Katharine’s postulation regarding legendary lovers, yet she was surprisingly sapient. You did well to wed Maura, my boy. Exceedingly well.”

“So I did, Uncle,” he agreed.

“Your parents would have been quite pleased and proud to see this day.”

Ash felt a momentary stab of loss at the mention of his late parents, even though his grief was tempered by the intervening years. Yet he knew Cornelius was right. Stephen and Melicent Wilde would have ardently approved of his choice, as would Quinn and Skye’s parents, Lionel and Angelique Wilde.

As his Uncle Cornelius wandered off again, Ash returned his attention to his new wife. Maura glowed with life and happiness. She was all woman—vibrant, dynamic, eternally intriguing. He would never tire of watching her.

Her stepsisters, too, seemed animated and almost pretty in their enjoyment of the ball. When their mother joined them, Maura’s glow only faltered a slight measure, evidence of her newly forged relationship with her stepmother. A moment later Maura turned to glance around her, as if searching for him.

When she locked gazes with him, the glorious smile she gave him filled Ash with a deep, piercing joy. He wanted nothing more than to make Maura smile like that always, to protect her and make her happy.

As the conversation with her stepfamily continued, he felt a sharp impatience that they were keeping Maura from him. Finally, though, she broke away and returned to his side.

“What kept you so long?” he demanded as he straightened from his causal pose.

“Hannah and Lucy wished to express their appreciation to us once again. They are both being courted by eligible young gentlemen now, and apparently their beaux are impressed that I own a famous racehorse. But happily, the girls seem to be admired for their own sweet sakes, not solely for their connections and the generous dowries you bestowed upon them.” Maura’s hazel eyes were dancing with amusement as she gazed up at Ash. “Priscilla has high hopes of turning their new suitors into husbands before long, and she gives me partial credit. Is it not ironic that I am playing matchmaker?” Maura added with a disbelieving laugh.

“Ironic indeed,” Ash said dryly. Having no desire to dwell further on her young stepsisters’ amorous affairs, however, he took Maura’s elbow and guided her behind a decorative bank of potted palms.

“What are you about, Ash?” she asked with more curiosity than wariness.

“I am hiding you away from prying eyes so I can steal a kiss from you. To be truthful, I should like to leave the ball altogether and take you home at once.”

Her resultant smile was as warm as a midsummer breeze. “I desperately crave a kiss, but it would be rude to leave the festivities so early when Skye and Quinn have gone to such trouble for us.”

“It is nearly midnight,” Ash pointed out. “And my cousins will understand that I want you all to myself tonight. As for the ball guests, I don’t give a farthing for their opinions.”

“You will have me all to yourself tonight, since Kate means to remain here to afford us privacy on our wedding night. We ought not leave for a while longer.”

“You are asking a great deal,” he grumbled.

“I know, but sadly, you must curb your lust a few hours more.”

In response, Ash slid a hand down the back of Maura’s elegant gown and drew her hips against his. Her eyes widened in a pretense of shock. “Ash, behave yourself! We cannot embrace in public, for pity’s sake.”

“Behave myself?” He raised a dubious eyebrow. “I can see you are already set on turning me into a henpecked husband, giving me orders about proper comportment.”

He saw the laughter building in her eyes. “You are hardly in danger of being henpecked,” Maura retorted. “It is all I can do to hold my own with you.”

“Actually, you do quite well at holding your own, my darling.” When her quelling look didn’t slacken, though, Ash gave a theatrical sigh. “Very well, but the least you could do is give me a kiss to sustain me until we can finally take our leave.”

When he lowered his head, Maura complied eagerly as expected, her luscious lips softening and opening under his. Merely kissing her created sparks of passion between them, and Ash felt the heat start to smolder in his lower body.…