Page 75 of A Naughty Proposal for His Winter Countess
Harriet rested her head on his chest and said, “I'd like that, thank you.”
After pulling up a blanket over them, Daniel wrapped his arms around her. Kissing her temple, he assured her, “One day soon, you'll be away from all this. I have my white horse ready to ride off with you into the sunset.”
She fitted her face in his neck. “My very own Knight in Shining Armor.”
Holding her close to his heart, Daniel watched her sleep. He could not bring himself to leave her and lose the precious moments. He only had a few hours to dawn anyway and soon he would have to sneak away to his room before anyone could discover him gone.
Gazing at her beautiful face, relaxed from worry and peaceful in her sleep, Daniel wished to see this and have her like this for the rest of his life. To have her with him, throughout all the challenges that might come, already felt precious to him.
As dawn neared, Daniel gently woke Harriet from her sleep. She roused slowly and while Daniel regretted removing her from her sleep, he knew he couldn't leave without telling her. Her eyes fluttered open and soon her lips curved.
“You have to leave,” she said.
“I do,” Daniel replied. “I would like to stay but Ben would slay me if he discovered me in your room.”
Her nose wrinkled, “He's such a brute at times.”
Brushing a lock of hair from her face, Daniel replied, “I know, but he only wants the best for you. I think I'd be the same if I had a sister.”
He shifted his head on the pillow to hold her eyes, “Last night was spectacular. I had not expected your touch, but I'm not regretting it. In fact, I look forward to your hands on my person when we're married.
His eyes dwelled upon hers with calm affection, “You’re a singular woman, Harriet.”
She shifted on the pillows and touched him playfully on his chest with the tip of her finger. “That very first night when we met, I was livid with you and I briefly thought you were unhinged after you proposed to teach me how to seduce men with the hope that I'd choose upstanding Lords. Now that I've chosen you, how do you feel?”
“Honored,” Daniel replied, “and happy, because you decided not to take Dawson up on his offer. You chose me instead.”
A tender look warmed Harriet's gaze. “I didn't give it too much consideration. I know it was something I wanted, but when it was offered, my skin crawled. I know he'd just use me, push me to the side and move to the next conquest. Thank you for showing me that I was worth more than a tawdry liaison.”
Leaning in, Daniel kissed her, “We'll continue this conversation later on, Sweetheart. I'll see you at breakfast.”
He slipped out of bed, moved to the window, and soon disappeared over the balcony.
Chapter Twenty-Four
After taking painstaking care with her toilette, Harriet entered the breakfast room to see Daniel and Ben there. The two were talking and there didn't seem to be any tension, so she assumed her brother didn't know about Daniel's trip to her room.
Though she knew he would be there, Harriet exclaimed at seeing Daniel at the table with her brother.
“Daniel! You're here!” she smiled brightly. “When did you arrive?”
“Last night,” Daniel replied over the rim of his cup, “Carrington had a round of card games and Ben invited me.”
“Oh,” she nodded, while pouring out her tea, “and here I thought it was a surprise visit for me.”
Settling the cup in a saucer, Daniel leaned back in his chair, “I've planned a ride to Godmersham Park. 'Tis another place I have a standing invitation to, but haven't taken.”
“I'd love that,” Harriet replied, then turned to Ben, “Where's Martha? Is she unwell again?”
“Antony took her to town I believe,” Ben clarified as he pulled out a chair for her. “How was your night?”
“Nothing out of the ordinary,” Harriet replied while pouring her tea, “I'd thought about going to see Lily for a day, but I don't want to drop in unannounced, you know how particular her Mama is, Ben.”
“Sadly, yes,” Ben shrugged. He then turned to Daniel, “Still no word on the license?”
“Not as far as I know,” Daniel's mouth downturned. “I may have to go to the office on Doctors Commons.”
Reaching for a plate of sausages, Ben said, “I suppose we'll have to wait then.”
