for, as he called it, 'his brilliant marriage coup.' Hugh had spoken with Dr. Robert, returning home from his meeting with a red face and a box of various…supplies. She and Hugh had decided they would reevaluate the question of children in a year or so. After all, she was greedy to have Hugh all to herself, too.
Now he clasped her chin and brushed her bottom lip. 'If you doona like it here, you've only to tell me.'
'I'm positive I'm going to love it,' she assured him. Then she narrowed her eyes. He didn't look nervous whatsoever. She sensed he knew she would love it as he did—and that meant he was only increasing her suspense. She lightly cuffed his chest. 'If I can eversee it. I promise I'll love it, even if it looks like Ros Creag.'
'It's a wee bit grimmer. But I ken how you like that.' He grinned, reminding her of how heartbreakingly handsome he was when he smiled. She'd be seeking out his smiles as if they were her target.
Though he'd offered to take her anywhere in the world for their honeymoon, she'd wanted only to come here. Undoubtedly, they would travel in the future, but they needed to be within a day's train ride of England because they were confident Hugh's runners would soon pick up a lead on Ethan. Jane also wanted them to be near Beinn a'Chaorainn for the birth of Hugh's niece or nephew in the spring—even if Courtland was going to be there. If Hugh could make the effort with her family, she'd do the same for him….
'And we can change things here, too,' Hugh said with deliberate slowness. 'The color or—'
'Please, Hugh, I can't stand it anymore!' she said with a choked laugh. 'I want to see our seashore home.'
'You know I canna deny you.' He took her hand and led her past the end of the walk and out into the open.
She gasped at the sight, feeling light-headed. When her eyes watered, he squeezed her hand. 'Say something, lass.'
'It's like…a dream.' The manor was stunning both in beauty—and in size. Built of dark cream-colored brick, it had classic black shutters and marble balconies fronting the sea side. The grounds were picturesque, rolling down to majestic cliffs.And the waves… When she caught her breath, she whispered, 'You really can see the sun set through the water.'
At her words, he looked so proud, as though he felt ten feet tall. 'I'm glad you like it,' he said simply. 'Ready to see the inside?'
'Can we just watch the rest of the sunset?' she asked.
'Of course.' He drew her back to his front, wrapping his arms around her and resting his chin on her head.
As they gazed out together, she said, 'But, itis a shame that it obviously won't need any improvements.'
'Oh, aye.' He chuckled, a low, rumbling laugh that was still rare, but came more often each day. She adored hearing it. 'Still glad you married me?'
'Abit ,' she said, and he turned her in his arms. 'I've only been waiting for this since the first day I met you, when you called me 'poppet' in your brogue.'
'I recall that day. I remember thinking that when you grew up, you'd lead some man on a merry chase.' He tucked her against his warm chest. 'Ah, lass,' he rasped, pressing his lips against her hair, 'I just dinna know it would be me.'
