Rising stiffly as Madelina watched, she hobbled to the door.
“I will see you below,” she said. “Please don’t keep myself and the Duke waiting.”
Madelina was at the mirror, humming under her breath while Beth buttoned her gown at the back.
She could still feel the pressure of de Burge’s hand under her ribs. So very close to her heart, she told herself, blushing at the thought. And had he been able to feel its fevered beat under his fingers?
On the silent ride home, some unspoken bond had formed between the two of them.
The rain had lashed at their bodies, the strong wind had torn at their clothes, but de Burge’s firm hold on her had never faltered.
As she pressed closer and even closer to his manly chest, she could have sworn that she heard him murmur her name.
Soon they seemed to me
