Page 98 of The Duke of Desire

West waited by the coach as Ivy hugged her sister good-bye.

“I’ll see you soon,” she said, kissing her cheek. “And I’ll write.”

Fanny wiped away a tear. “I’m so glad you came.”

They hugged again, and then Ivy walked toward the coach. West noted the moisture brightening her eyes as he helped her inside. He climbed in after her, and they were soon on their way.

He pulled her against him and kissed her temple. “Your sister is lovely.”

Ivy wiped her eyes. “I didn’t realize how much I’d missed her. I never thought I’d see her again.”

“I’m glad she’s coming to London.”

Ivy turned in his arms and looked up at him with love. “Thank you. You really are the best of men.”

He barked out a laugh. “Only because of you.” He touched her chin. “How do you feel?”

“Surprisingly peaceful. I don’t hate them. And I don’t need to see them again. Or write.”

He’d noticed that her mother hadn’t asked her to, nor had she offered. They rode in silence for a little while. She leaned against him, and he stroked her back.

“It was strange,” he said. “Hearing them call you Mary. I’ve been meaning to ask how you chose your new name. I know how you settled on Breckenridge, but why Ivy?”

“The workhouse had a wall with ivy growing up the side. I thought it was pretty, but one of the older inmates told me it was a nuisance, that no matter how they tried to stop it from growing, it always found a way to survive, and indeed, thrive.” She sat up and looked into his eyes. “I decided I wanted to be like that ivy—no matter what anyone did, I would persist. I would survive.”

Admiration swelled in his chest. “I didn’t think it was possible to love you more.” He kissed her softly, his lips gently cradling hers.

Her hands came up around his neck, and she threw a leg over his lap, straddling him.

“Ivy, what are you doing?”

“Seducing you.” She kissed along his jaw and nibbled his earlobe.

Shafts of desire pierced him, bringing his cock to instant and full arousal. “We should wait until we reach the inn.”

She lifted her skirts and reached between them for the buttons of his fall. Her mouth trailed along his neck. “Why?”

“The child?” He’d been thrilled when her courses hadn’t come. He could scarcely believe how deeply his life had changed in the past few months, and he couldn’t have been happier.

“Will be fine,” she said. She lifted her head and looked at him with a teasing glint to her eye before quoting, “‘A reserved lover, it is said, always makes a suspicious husband.’ How has my Duke of Desire become such a prig?”

He laughed softly and brought his hand between them, finding her sweet, wet heat. “Goldsmith, of course.” He speared his finger into her, eliciting a soft gasp from her lips.

“I can’t let you impugn my character like that. I’m the Duke of Debauchery to you.” He pressed his lips against hers and whispered, “And don’t ever forget it.”

The end