Miss Hastings' Excellent London Adventure (Brazen Brides Book 4)(38)

 

Could they?

 

Even though Adam had said she was lovely and that she was perfection, and Lady Sophia had said she was beautiful, and even though her looking glass displayed an uncommonly pretty woman, Emma refused to believe any of those people could be interested in a nothing like her.

 

Before Emma had the good fortune to wed Adam, she would have been thrilled just to be able to stand on the floor below with the rest of the masses. Even now, she still expected to be told there had been a ghastly mistake, and that she must go back to Upper Barrington.

 

After the third act of Richard III, which was much too grim for her taste, the sconces around the theatre's perimeter were lighted. She turned to her husband. "But it's not over!"

 

He chuckled and drew her close. "I forget you have no theatres in Upper Baddington. This is intermission. People will go visit other boxes or procure refreshments during this break before the final two acts."

 

She gave him a mock glare. "Barrington."

 

He laughed again, then stood. "Excuse me whilst I go for refreshments."

 

* * *

 

Adam felt as if he were a member of the Royal Family when he descended the stairs and was mobbed by half the men he knew from White's. All of them wanted to know who was the—and they did use the word ravishing—woman he'd brought. He felt as if he'd grown a foot taller.

 

"Sirs, I beg you not use the word ravishing in connection with my wife."

 

They gasped.

 

"We did not know you'd wed," Lord Tremayne said.

 

William came to his side. "Gentlemen, my brother is newly married."

 

"You Birminghams all have an eye for everything exquisite," Lord Ruggles said.

 

Adam turned to the earl and bowed. "I thank you, my lord. I count myself most fortunate. Now, if you'll excuse me, I must procure refreshments for my wife."

 

After the play, it was some ten minutes before his carriage was brought along, owing to the large number of theatre-goers awaiting their own conveyances. Once in their coach, Emma said, "How fortunate we were that we didn't have to wait an hour. Look at all the fine lords and ladies who are still waiting!"

 

He dared not tell her he paid handsomely for his driver to be one of the earliest in the queue.

 

"I was correct when I predicted I'd be the most envied man in the theatre tonight."

 

Her eyes widened. "You can't mean the people actually noticed me?"

 

"I most certainly can. They did. I was almost accosted by men clamoring to know who was the beautiful woman at my side tonight."

 

Her lashes lowered. "You're just saying that to flatter me."

 

He lifted her chin and eyed her. "I'm saying it because it's the truth. And you were the loveliest woman there tonight."

 

She started to protest that Lady Sophia was far lovelier—which was the truth—but for once, for the first time in her entire life, she wanted to bask in the warmth of his praise. No one had ever in her life told her she was pretty. For this night, sitting here beside the man who owned her heart, she wanted to be lovely. "Thank you," she whispered.

 

"So, dear one, was this you first play?"

 

She was powerless to control her wide smile. "It was, and it's been the most exciting night of my entire life."

 

He laughed. "Has it occurred to you that each successive day has been the most exciting ever? How nice it must be to see the world in hyperbole."

 

"Oh, but it's the truth." She shrugged. "I know it may sound as if I speak in hyperbole."

 

"There's nothing wrong with having so positive an outlook," he said, smiling. "I'm happy to hear that you enjoyed tonight. I want London to be exciting for you."

 

"I've never had excitement in my life, and now I'm rather embroiled in it."

 

"Right down to a murder"

 

"In a way, it is rather exciting. I daresay I would never have had the opportunity to investigate a murder in Upper Barrington."

 

He chuckled.

 

* * *

 

Once they reached the Curzon Street house, he walked her to her bedchamber. He felt as if he were in some rose-scented stupor of blossoming affection for this enticing little package of femininity he had made his wife. "Good night, dear one." He lowered his head and settled a light kiss upon her lips. "You are beautiful."

 

As he pulled back, her eyes widened. Good lord, had he scared her?

 

What had gotten into him? He'd not thought about kissing her. It had just happened as naturally as one reaches to pet a dog.

 

"Good night," she returned, no malice in her sweet voice.