Read Christmas Bliss for Free Online Page B

caught his arm and he remained at her side.
    “It’s all so fast. What if we are making a terrible
mistake?”
    His eyes lit up and he smiled. Immediately her heart leapt.
How was she going to stand being married to a man she clearly cared for, but
who would never be home?
    “I know this is all quite impetuous,” he began. “I’ve never
done a rash thing in my life until yesterday, Emma. It is entirely possible
that the risk outweighs the good in this situation, but I truly do not think
so. I want you as my wife. I can think of nothing better than spending my days
trying to make you happy.”
    “You spend your days in the House of Lords.”
    “I think I have good reason to cut back on my time in
politics from now on.”
    “Won’t your party miss you?” Her head cleared, but her heart
still pounded wildly.
    He shook his head. “For a very short time, I assure you.
They existed before I took up the cause and they will continue long after I’m
gone.”
    “I don’t want you to change your life for me.” She sat up
tentatively and was pleased to realize that she felt no dizziness.
    John opened his mouth, but the maid arrived with the tea and
he waited until she left the tray. Emma poured the tea while he got up and went
to the table near his desk. Removing a crystal decanter, he returned to the
couch. He poured some of the amber liquid into his cup and raised an eyebrow at
Emma.
    She nodded and he added the same to her cup.
    “That’s the thing.” He picked up his tea and took a sip. “I
can’t wait for that change. I had no idea how unhappy I was in my life until
you walked into it and I caught a glimpse of what happiness looks like. I don’t
feel as if it would be giving up something. You and Oliver will fill my life
quite nicely. Should we be lucky enough to have a few children of our own, it
will be even better.”
    The idea of children had not even occurred to her yet, but
it had obviously crossed John’s mind. He wanted children. In the past two
years, she had given up all hope of ever marrying and having a family of her
own. Her mind reeled with the idea.
    She was so caught up in an imaginary world of little Johns
and Emmas running around with Oliver that she didn’t realize she had not
responded.
    “Don’t you want children, Emma?”
    She shook her head a little to push aside the distracting
images. “I do. I love children. I just never thought… It doesn’t matter.”
    He moved in close and she could smell his spicy, masculine
scent. She thought her faintness might return, but she looked up into his eyes
and any idea of fainting slipped away. In fact, she felt strong and sure as his
lips touched hers. His mouth caressed hers as if it was only a breath of air.
    “Tell me what doesn’t matter, Emma.”
    “I missed my seasons for the marriage mart.” She would have
said more, but his mouth covered her completely. His tongue requested entry and
she complied. It was over all too soon and he nipped at her bottom lip. Every
touch of his hands and the melting together of their lips increased her belief
that she was falling in love with John Scarborough. Her entire body hummed with
joy.
    “Yes?” he asked.
    Her brain took a moment to process what he wanted to know.
“I had given up.” She returned her gaze to his eyes. He still held her and his
hand at her waist created heat that emanated from head to toe. “I never
expected to have a family again.”
    He grinned. “You shall have that and more, my dear.”
    John kissed her forehead and released her waist. It was
disappointing to have him move away from her. His hand still left its warmth on
her skin even through the layers of clothing.
    “Shall I tell Mother that we will not attend tonight?”
    Emma took a deep breath. It was going to be a long night of
smiling and charming the members of the ton . She had to get her mind
focused on the task at hand. “No. The countess already told me that we must be
seen in public before the wedding.