The Wedding of the Century & Other Stories by Mary Jo Putney, Kristin James, Charlotte Featherstone Page B

chafes my neck.”
    The maid nodded with approval. “No one will be your equal.”
    After Antoinette disappeared to prepare the gown, Sunny sank into a brocade-covered chair. It was hideously uncomfortable, which was fortunate, because otherwise she might fall asleep.
    It was pleasant to have a few minutes alone. In spite of the wretched chair, she was dozing when Antoinette bustled back. “Madame, I have found something wonderful! You must come see.”
    Sunny doubted that anything was worth such enthusiasm, but she obediently rose and followed her maid into the dressing room. Two doors were set into the opposite wall. Antoinette dramatically threw open the right-hand one. “Voilà!”
    Sunny’s eyes widened. It was a bathroom that would have impressed even Augusta Vangelder. The mahogany-encased tub was enormous, and the floor and walls had been covered in bright, exquisitely glazed Spanish tiles. “You’re right—it’s the most gorgeous bathroom I’ve ever seen.”
    â€œAnd the next room over—” the maid pointed “—is a most splendid water closet. The chambermaid who brought in the towels said that Monsieur le Duc had all this done for you after the betrothal was announced.”
    Amused and touched, Sunny stroked a gleaming tile. It appeared that she would not have to suffer the country house horrors that Katie Westron had warned her about. “Perhaps later tonight I will take advantage of this.”
    Wanting to give credit where credit was due, she went to her bedchamber and opened the connecting door to the duke’s suite. “Justin, I have found the bathing room and—”
    In the middle of the sentence, her gaze found her husband and she stopped dead. She had caught him in the middle of changing his clothing. He had just taken offhis shirt, and she blushed scarlet at the sight of his bare chest.
    Though his brows rose, he did not seem at all discomposed. “Having seen the wonders of modern American plumbing, I knew that you would find Swindon rather primitive,” he said. “Making some improvements seemed like a more useful wedding gift than giving you jewels.”
    Though she tried to look only into his eyes, her gaze drifted lower. He was broad-shouldered and powerfully muscled, which was why he didn’t have a fashionable look of weedy elegance. She wondered how the dark hair on his chest would feel to her touch. Blushing again, she said hastily, “Your idea was inspired. I’ve always loved long baths, and I’d resigned myself to having to make do with a tin tub in front of the fire.”
    â€œSpeaking of fires, I decided that it was also time to install central heating.” Justin casually pulled on a fresh shirt, though he didn’t bother to button it. “It will be a long time until the whole building is completed, but I had the workers take care of this wing first, so you would be comfortable. I know that Americans like their houses warm.”
    Only then did she notice that the rooms were much warmer than she should have expected. “Thank you, Justin. I think you must be the most considerate husband on earth.” She crossed the room to her husband’s side and gave him a swift kiss.
    It was the first time she had ever done such a thing, and she wondered belatedly if he would think her too forward. But he didn’t seem to mind. His lips moved slowly under hers, and he raised his hand and massaged the back of her neck. He had a tangy masculine scent that was distinctly his own. Succumbing to temptation, she let her fingers brush his bare chest as if by accident. The hair was softerthan she had expected, but she felt unnerved when his warm flesh tensed at her touch. Hastily she lowered her hand.
    But the kiss continued, and she found that she was in no hurry to end it. Very gently, his tongue stroked her lips. It was a new sensation, but pleasant. Very pleasant…
    The clamor