Madeleine's Christmas Wish by Ella Quinn Page A

the bed had been lit, and she was sprawled across his chest.
    Georges’s eyes twinkled down at her. “I thought of wakening you, but you looked so peaceful sleeping.”
    Madeleine pushed away. “I apologize for importuning you.”
    â€œOh, but you did not.” He lowered his lashes a bit, and his tone was warm and seductive. “I enjoyed every minute of your sleeping on me.”
    Diable! “Well, I would not have done it if I’d known.”
    One lazy brow rose. “I didn’t suppose you would have.”
    He rose and reached for his robe.
    Mon Dieu, he was naked! She quickly closed her eyes but not before taking in the strong muscles in his back and his extremely nice, firm derrière. So sculpted it could have been carved from marble such as the sculptures in the park.
    Chuckling, Georges left the room and closed the door. Moments later, the maid from last night entered with warm water.
    Â 
    Â 
    Two hours later, Georges glanced around the hotel’s yard as he helped Madeleine into the diligence. Then, instead of sitting next to the window himself, he sat between her and an old man, giving her more space than she would have otherwise had, and pulled down the shade.
    The coach was said to hold six comfortably, but eight of them were crowded together. The four other passengers on their bench left when they stopped for dinner. Much to the consternation of the other travelers, Georges had apparently purchased the additional seats from that point on, leaving him and Madeleine the only ones on the bench.
    â€œMonsieur,” a man on the other bench said, “I know you will not mind if my wife”—a stout woman of indeterminate age—“sits with you.”
    Georges pursed his lips. “Not at all, provided you pay me for her seat.”
    The woman glared, and her husband fell silent. Madeleine wanted to roll her eyes. How did he think to pass unnoticed if he behaved like that? “I am sorry for your discomfort, madame. You see, I am not a good traveler, and if seated too close to someone, I suffer from sickness.”
    Georges slid a sly glance at her. “Indeed, unless my wife is sleeping, even I must keep my distance, or we shall never get anywhere.”
    She rounded her eyes, and used her most innocent voice. “That is true. Even my husband’s presence will make me ill.”
    Georges nodded solemnly.
    The heavy woman glanced from Madeleine to Georges and back. Soon a smile of understanding graced her mien. “I understand, madame. If you are interested, I have a receipt for a nervous stomach. Women in your condition must be careful. Never fear. It will soon pass. Are you traveling to your family for the holidays?”
    Madeleine was speechless. Never in her life did she consider the woman would think she was enceinte. She shot a quick glance at Georges, whose eyes danced with mirth. It would serve him right if she was ill. “We are. I need my mother at a time like this.”
    â€œI agree.” The woman took out knitting from a bag. “I was the same. My maman always knew best.”
    Madeleine thought she heard a choking sound from Georges, yet when she looked, his eyes were closed.
    During the next several miles, Madeleine was given advice on everything a newly married woman could want. Georges pretended to sleep, but several times, the corner of his lips tilted up the slightest bit. Drat the man for leaving her to talk with their companions. Although before she knew it, the other passengers were yawning. The woman’s husband pulled his nightcap from one of the many pockets lining the coach walls, and fell asleep. The woman followed shortly thereafter.
    Georges’s arm snaked around Madeleine, and he kissed the side of her head. “Sleep, my love. We have a long journey.”
    Madeleine found herself sinking into Georges’s warmth. When she awoke, she was stretched across most of the seat with her head in his lap.