Page 60 of A Lady's Heart Deceived
“Yes. I had originally intended to be home by then, but it looks like I might be here. I shall have to write to my parents and make note of the occasion.”
Piers clasped his hands together. “And we shall have a cake.”
A cake?“Why a cake?”
“My grandmother was German, and it’s a tradition in her old country for young children to have a cake baked on their birthday. Birthday cakes were so popular when Jonathan, Annabel, and I were children that we demanded that the tradition be kept going even when we were all grown up,” he replied.
“Oh. That sounds delightful.” She wasn’t going to protest if someone was kind enough to bake a cake in her honor. “And Annabel is your sister, the one whose old bedroom I am staying in?”
“Yes. She married a local gentleman, Edward Monk.” Piers pointed to a large manor house some way in the distance. “That gray monstrosity is their home. Lovely couple. Edward is a bit of a clod, but Annabel was always one for the numbers, so when it comes to money, he lets her make most of the major decisions.”
He leaned in close and whispered, “Truth be told, he is madly in love with her, so Annabel always gets her way no matter what. She is also a giddy miss when it comes to him, which is probably why they have managed to have four children in the space of five years.”
Maggie smiled. She loved children. Her greatest wish was to have a brood of her own. She secretly envied Piers’s sister. The thought of being with someone who loved you as much as Edward appeared to love Annabel had her blinking back tears.
I wonder what sort of husband you will make, Piers.
An image of Piers bouncing a small child on his knee popped into her mind. He had a warm nature about him, reminiscent of her father. And if the sort of loving papa Hugh Radley had always been, was any indication, then Piers would make a wonderful parent.
I think you would also be a magnificent lover. You have a generous nature.
“A farthing for your thoughts, Miss Radley.”
Maggie swallowed deep. Whenever Piers stood this close, she could barely think straight. And the thoughts that did manage to find their way into her mind were usually not the sort that an unwed woman should share with a man.Wicked and delicious thoughts.
She wasn’t completely naïve when it came to desire. To what Piers did to her. Of what she secretly wished would happen between them.
“What sort of birthday cake do you recommend?” she replied.
The sly grin on Piers’s face told her he wasn’t buying her attempt at an innocent question in the slightest. When he gave a low hum in response, it sent a shiver down her spine.
“I like all things sweet. Though it’s always good to mix it up with a bit of spice.”
Maggie was sure she had just melted on the spot. She was throbbing in all the right places. Places that she touched when she was alone in her bed.
“We could ask cook to bake you a lemon and cream cake,” he purred.
She swallowed deep once more at hearing the sensual tone in his voice. When had food become so arousing?
“That would be . . .” She licked her lips. “Delectable.”
Piers gave a low groan as he turned away. He fussed with the buttons on the front of his long coat.
“I shall speak to cook this afternoon,” he said.
Maggie’s fever had gone, and her brow was cool, but if the burning red of Piers’s cheeks was any indication, it was now his body which was on fire.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
The conversation about cake had started out innocently enough, but when Maggie had mentioned the word delectable and licked her lips, Piers had sensed he was in serious trouble. His mind had instantly filled with the image of a naked Maggie laying beneath him. Her groans of pleasure as he sunk deep into her wet heat echoed in his mind. He burned to make love to her, to make her his.
No. Now is not the time to be thinking those sorts of thoughts about Maggie. Save it for when you are alone in bed. Then you can indulge.
Thank heavens for large greatcoats and their ability to hide a burgeoning erection.
He let out a slow, calming breath.
Change the bloody subject. Talk about anything else. And don’t look at her lips.
