Page 85 of The Miracle of Love
He had little to do other than shave and put on the naval uniform loaned from Ronan which Mrs. Hyde had aired and brushed clean.
When Grace was dressed and her hair fashionably styled, he brought in the necklace earlier purchased for her. Mrs. Hyde could not contain her smile as she darted out the door to give him privacy.
“There, love,” he said, fastening it around Grace’s neck and planting a kiss at her nape. “You look beautiful.”
She turned to face him, her smile radiant. “You clean up well for a leopard,” she teased. “I’m not sure what you have in mind for tonight, but I look forward to it. Thank you for taking me out today and for all this.”
“It is my pleasure, Grace.”
She cast him an admiring look. “Every young lady in Brighton will be green with envy. Truly, Deklan. You are so handsome.”
He gave her a light kiss on her lips. “Come on downstairs. You can swoon over me later.”
“Do I smell chestnuts?” She caught the scent of them as they made their way downstairs to the parlor.
“Yes, Mr. Hyde tossed a few onto the open fire to roast while we work.”
“You are putting me to work?” She glanced down at herself and laughed. “I am wearing silk and diamonds. Just what sort of work have you planned for me to do?”
He pointed to the boxes set out beside the settee overflowing with holly boughs, ribbons, and other decorations. “We are going to decorate the parlor.”
She went to the boxes and peered in them. “Oh, what a wonderful idea. Is that mistletoe? Where did you get all this?”
“I left that to Mr. Hyde while we were out shopping. Of course, I insisted on mistletoe. I’ll hang some in every doorway and kiss you whenever you walk under it.”
The Hydes joined them in time to hear his remark.
“Young love,” Mr. Hyde remarked with a guffaw.
The men strung the boughs and put up mistletoe while the ladies tied ribbons to all the greenery.
Warmth flooded through Deklan whenever he heard Grace’s gentle laughter.
Once the decorations had been put up, they all helped themselves to wassail and chestnuts. Perhaps it was not the best combination, but it filled the room with familiar scents of winter. Mulled cider, nutmeg and cinnamon. The char of roasted chestnuts.
The Hydes then excused themselves to go to church. “I’ll set out your meal for you before we go,” Mrs. Hyde assured. “Leave the dishes once you’ve finished. Mr. Hyde and I will clean up on our return. I’ll prepare meals for you for tomorrow as well since Mr. Hyde and I will be spending the day with our daughter. She and her husband live close by. We’ll enjoy our grandchildren. Seven of them and an eighth on the way.”
Grace’s eyes widened. “Oh, my.”
“Well, you need only look in the larder to find whatever you need.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Hyde. It all sounds wonderful. I hope you have a lovely time with your daughter and her family.” Grace turned to him when they were once more alone. “You did this for me. I cannot thank you enough.”
“Well, we could not attend our neighbor’s party. I thought we would have one of our own.” He opened one of the doors that led onto the terrace just a crack and wrapped her in his arms to keep her warm when she joined him in peering out. “Listen, Grace. Do you hear it? Their guests are arriving. The son told me they engaged musicians, so there will be dancing later. Come on, let’s have our supper.”
He shut the doors and then brushed his hands up and down her arms because she was shivering after standing in the cold. It was a warmer night than usual, but still winter. He was comfortable in his naval uniform, but she wore delicate silk which would not even protect a flea in this weather. “Better?”
She nodded.
“Mrs. Hyde worked hard to prepare a holiday feast for us.” He led her out of the parlor, but stopped in the doorway and glanced up.
Grace laughed. “Mistletoe.”
“I ought to hang it over our bed, too,” he said and swept her into his arms for a decadent kiss.
Hot, deep. Grinding.
As ever, their mouths sank perfectly into each other, hers soft and yielding. His possessive and demanding. Yet his kisses could never be harsh or bruising because his need to protect her was ingrained in his blood and in his soul.
