Page 97 of A Virgin for the Duke of Scars

“Before the gazebo,” he whispered in her ear, “I dragged you away from Lady Sophia, and you complained that you would miss the fireworks show. I promised you I would put on a show at our estate.”

“For my eyes only,” Theresa added.

“And I am here to make good on that promise,” Aaron said, pleased that she remembered.

At that moment, a streak of fire shot into the air and exploded with abang. The display of bright colors mesmerized her. It seemed like the fireworks were almost on the terrace with them.

They stood with Aaron’s arms around her waist and her back pressed to his chest for a long while, enjoying the show.

“You have made good on more promises than this one,” Theresa reminded him when the fireworks wound down. “You have made an excellent husband despite your rules when we first wed.”

“The little nun did not deserve to marry a beast,” Aaron said, leaning in to kiss her on the cheek.

“Indeed,” Theresa agreed, turning her head so that he kissed her lips instead.

Aaron did not hesitate this time. He did not look around to ensure that no one could see them. Here on the terrace, only the two of them existed. The outside world simply faded into the background.

It would not be hard for someone to stumble upon them, as they were openly together out on the terrace. The lights illuminated them, but that did not stop Theresa from kissing him back.

She was aware they might scandalize their guests, but she did not mind them gossiping about her. She would love her husband when and where she chose, as was her right as Duchess.

She had proved over the past month that she could be the Duchess thetonneeded her to be. Tonight was the perfect example of that. But she would forget theton’sneed for perfection in pursuit of her husband.

As the kiss deepened, Theresa pulled back and gently tugged at Aaron’s mask. Now that he had shown her what was beneath it, she took every opportunity to see him without it.

And he allowed her to pull it off, despite the guests in the ballroom.

She kissed him again, pressing her lips to his tenderly this time.

“You are a better husband than I dared dream of in my time at the convent,” she said, nuzzling his chest.

“Is it better to be married to a devil than to the Lord?”

“I would not know. I married neither the devil nor the Lord,” she said with a smile. She pulled back to look him in the eye. “I married the only man I could have ever loved.”

“I love you, little wife,” Aaron rasped, lowering his lips to hers for another kiss.

The End?