Jane smiled. “That’s true.” She smoothed a hand over the pillow and sighed. “Being a know-it-all was how I dealt with being different when I was a child. I tried to impress people with my knowledge rather than my appearance.”

He lifted the sheet and stole a quick peek. “You’re doing a fine job of impressing me with your appearance.”

She laughed and swatted at his hand. “Be serious, you rogue. No one ever … wanted me the way a man wants a woman.”

Garrett’s face sobered and he pulled her back into his arms and kissed her forehead. “You are as lovely as you are intelligent. I love you for both.”

Her eyes filled with tears. “You love me?”

“Of course I do, my darling. I think I’ve loved you since you argued with me about Much Ado About Nothing. I’d never met a woman I couldn’t charm before I met you.”

“And I never met a man who argued with me so vehemently. I cannot tell you the number of times I dreamed of tripping you.”

His crack of laughter bounced against the far wall. “Do I need to watch my step?”

“Never.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him soundly. “I love you, Garrett. I love you very much.”

“And I love you, my Jane.”

She pulled away and gave him a sidewise smile. “So, no knives or tying me up tonight?”

He cocked a brow. “Interested?”

She shrugged. “Perhaps.”

Garrett pulled her into his arms again. “Whatever you say, Lady Blue. Why don’t we—” He whispered something positively indecent in her ear.

Jane shivered with delight. “Ooh, as you wish, Lord Green.”

Chapter 49

CHAPTER FORTY-NINE

One month later

“You cannot possibly have an objection to the plot of Much Ado About Nothing any longer, Garrett,” Jane said as they sat in the gardens behind Julian’s town house playing cards. Julian and Cass had recently returned from their honeymoon trip and Jane and Garrett had come to visit, along with Lucy and Derek.

“That’s ridiculous.” Garrett tossed a card on the small table the footmen had set up for their game. “Why would you think I no longer object to it? I’ve objected to it for years.”

Jane played her next card. “Yes, but correct me if I am wrong, you objected to it based upon the argument that the plot was so outlandish, it could never possibly happen to two sane, intelligent people like Benedick and Beatrice.”

“That’s right,” Garrett replied with a nod, waiting for Julian to place his card. “Especially Benedick. Just because you’re my wife now, doesn’t mean I’m going to agree with you about everything. I do hope you’ll resolve to show me the same courtesy.”