Quinn turned back to his cousin. “But you should not be so smug, sweet Kate. Your turn is next. You are the only unattached Wilde left.”
When she wrinkled her nose, Ash threw a fond glance at his sister. “It is easy to advocate for a love match when someone else is your victim.”
Quinn chuckled, and Jack joined the teasing against her. “Yes, it is your turn to be tortured, my scheming Kate.”
Skye took Kate’s side, however. “Your future soulmate is somewhere out there waiting for you.”
Amazingly, Kate looked uncertain, perhaps even concerned. “I once thought so, but now I’m not sure I believe that any longer.”
Sophie also expressed her support. “If your legendary lovers theory is correct, Kate, your story will be Pygmalion.”
“I sincerely hope you are wrong.” A frown turned down her mouth. “Yesterday I received a letter from Aunt Bella with a request on behalf of a friend who recently inherited a barony. She wants my help in turning him into a proper English lord.”
“Who is it?” Skye asked curiously.
“Mr. Brandon Deverill…The American cousin of Trey Deverill, one of Hawk’s former colleagues, I believe.”
Hawk nodded. “I know both Deverills well. I served with them in the British Foreign Office. We were fortunate to have Brandon’s contributions for several years, despite his American citizenship.”
“Is Brandon Deverill such a heathen, then?” Skye wondered.
Kate winced and continued her lament. “I suppose he is a gentleman—of sorts. Appallingly, he turned to privateering and fought against England when hostilities broke out between our countries some years ago. But Aunt Bella asked me to put my matchmaking talents to good use and find a bride for him. Believe me, I am not happy about the prospect. But for our aunt, I would do anything.”
Venetia wondered if Mr. Deverill was the same American who had humiliated Kate years before by rejecting her. If so, there was bound to be conflict between them, which would not auger well for a legendary romance.
Then Kate shrugged off her unease and smiled at Venetia. “At least your story was a grand success. You have tamed your rake.”
“It would be nice to think so.”
Maura spoke then. “Take it from me, a reformed rake makes the most devoted of mates.”
Ash laughed, and Venetia looked up at Quinn thoughtfully. “Perhaps I was wrong. You are not so much a rake after all.”
The glint in his eyes was full of affection. “Thank the saints. I have endeavored to convince you of that for weeks now, and you are finally coming to agree.”
When his arm slipped around her, Venetia laid her head on his shoulder. She felt cloaked in warmth and safety. She felt cherished. She felt raw with love for him—and gratitude as well. Quinn filled the aching emptiness that had plagued her for so long.
Her fears had dissipated also, yet she would not leave her future to mercurial fate. She would love Quinn so much he would never give a single thought to another woman.
After a while longer, he tugged on her hand. “Come, darling. I will escort you upstairs. You need proper rest.”
Once they said their farewells, Quinn ushered her from the drawing room and upstairs to his bedchamber, where a copper tub filled with steaming water stood in one corner.
As soon as he shut the door behind them, Quinn turned and gathered her close. “I have wanted to hold you like this for hours.”
She laughed softly. “It has not been that long.”
“It feels like an eternity.” His arms wrapped around her in warmth as he gazed down at her. “I shall take great pleasure in helping you bathe and soothing your injuries. I plan to kiss every delectable inch of your naked body. And afterward, I intend to take you back to bed.”
A smile curved her mouth. “I thought you said I needed proper rest. If we retire to bed, we are unlikely to get any rest.”
“Which is exactly how it should be. We are newlyweds. Since our marriage vows, we’ve had little opportunity to enjoy the nuptial bed and need to make up for all the lost time. Besides, you are still in need of reassurance, my love.”
“Indeed, I am.”
The tender heat in his voice warmed her skin, as did the fire in his eye
s. Venetia felt another powerful rush of love for him, a love that she knew was wholly reciprocated.