Madeleine's Christmas Wish by Ella Quinn Page B

want to see you.” His voice was warm and seductive. His eyes darkened. “You are the most exquisite woman in the world.”
    A shiver speared through her. She almost sighed again, until it dawned on her that he was still fully dressed. “If you get to see me, then turnaround is only fair,” Madeleine was surprised at the sharpness of her tone. She hadn’t meant to sound like a shrew, and added as an afterthought, “Please.”
    Georges wrapped his arms around her, his bare hands setting her body alight as he ran his palms down her back and over her derrière, before kissing her again. “You had only to ask, my love.”
    Oh Holy Mother help me . I cannot bear him to call me love, when he cannot truly love me. Before she knew it, the strong muscles of his bare chest pressed against her breasts. Madeleine almost capitulated right then, but the soft linen of the nightgown slid over her head, and down to the floor, putting a thin barrier between them.
    â€œDo you braid your hair at night?”
    He was guiding her toward the dressing table. “Yes.”
    Madeleine wanted to close her eyes and not see him naked behind her, yet she couldn’t stop from staring into the mirror, watching him as he combed out her curls, deftly making one thick braid.
    After she brushed her teeth, he swooped her up into his arms, carried her to the bed, and carefully placed her on it, pulling up the covers.
    â€œGood night, my wife.” He brushed his lips across hers, then blew out the candle and left.
    Madeleine snuggled under the covers. The fire was still burning. She shivered wishing she weren’t alone.
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    Georges closed the door firmly between their chambers. So much for sleeping with her to-night. It had taken all his strength to leave Madeleine. She was the most responsive woman he’d ever had in his arms. If he’d stayed, he could have easily seduced her, but that would be too close to breaking his word. When they finally made love it would be because she had decided to remain with him, not due to a lust-filled frenzy.
    For now, they would sleep apart, but this would be the last time. Later he’d have more control, and bit by bit he’d lead her to him, to making the right decision for them.
    He rang for his valet, Martel. A few moments later, the man entered the room and bowed. “My lord?”
    â€œHave everything ready to leave tomorrow no later than noon.” Thank God his sister was marrying at nine in the morning. “Her ladyship and I will take the packet to Calais, then the diligence to Beaune. Our only overnight stops will be in Paris and Dijon. Have Andrews pack what her ladyship will need.” Since Madeleine had never been to Paris, Georges would take a day to show her the city, and to the modiste Madame Lisette had recommended. “I want you to bring her maid and both coaches to France and meet me in Beaune. Spend the night in Paris and stay at the hôtel in Rue St. Honoré. If I have anything for you, I’ll leave it there.”
    When he stopped to review his orders, Martel asked, “Do we plan to return here afterward?”
    â€œWe’re going home.”
    â€œTo Cruzy-le-Châtel?”
    Visions of the castle covered in snow as they brought in the Yule log, the rooms decorated with greenery, and the scents struck him hard. Georges could almost taste the sweets made of almond and sugar, and the candied citron. The need to spend Christmas at home had never been so great.
    He turned away as tears pricked his lids. “Yes. It’s time.”
    His only desire was to spend his first Christmas in twenty years at Cruzy-le-Châtel with Madeleine. But he must ensure she remained his wife. For the first time in years he prayed. There was only one being in charge of Christmas miracles.

CHAPTER 6
    T he next day, after Pauline’s wedding breakfast, Madeleine removed the sapphire- and-diamond earrings she’d worn,