Moonwitch

She hesitated. “Louisville?”

“It’s a town upriver from here that is fast becoming a major steamboat center, according to the gentlemen I spoke to today. It already has a reputable firm of shipbuilders and a major engine manufacturer. They suggested I commission our steamboats there.”

“Then you really mean to do it?” she asked, sounding pleased. “How many do you plan to build?”

“Two, to begin with.” Kyle rested his palm against her cheek, his thumb tracing the outline of her lips. “And I intend to christen the first one Moonwitch.”

A slow smile lighted Selena’s eyes, reflecting her joy. Seeing their gentle sparkle made Kyle recall the gift he had brought her. Later, he promised himself, his own eyes gleaming as he pictured Selena decked in sapphires and diamonds and nothing else.

“And since,” he continued, “I’ll have to travel there anyway to inspect the construction, I thought we could make it our wedding journey. I haven’t had you to myself since our marriage, and the idea rather appeals to me.”

“It appeals to me, as well. But what about your sisters?”

“My sisters be hanged,” Kyle said with a grin. “They can manage without us for a few weeks. We’ll ask Danielle to come and stay with them—or someone else, if she makes you uncomfortable.”

“Danielle never made me uncomfortable. It was the idea of you and her together that I found so objectionable.”

“Well, I’m giving up red-haired women altogether.”

“I’m gratified to know that,” she replied, her eyes shining with love in the gathering dusk.

“And tonight, you’ll sleep in my bed, where you belong.”

Selena caught her breath as Kyle’s hand moved down her throat to stroke the delicate line of her collarbone. “Then you don’t mean to avoid me any longer?”

“Moonwitch,” he said with a murmur of laughter as he bent his head, “just try and keep me away.”

* * * * *