Page 28 of Raising the Duke’s Unexpected Twins

“Kissing you, of course. I know you’ve thought of little else in the past week.”

Another gasp, this one of outrage, escaped her lovely lips but then he drowned it out by his mouth touching hers. All the heated dreams he’d had of her in the past week were sparked once more into new life as their lips met, hers soft and tender, the taste of her breath so sweet. His fingers pressed against her waist, and he knew, deep down, that she would be his soon enough. He grinned against her lips and then pulled away.

Everyone stood and clapped, and for a few breathless moments, he and Cordelia stared at one another, her lips parted, her eyes confused but full of want. He could see it now.

“Told you,” he whispered, and then he put her arm through his and they walked out of the church into the bright sunlight.

The wedding breakfast at his home was a little subdued. It was a big society wedding, and yet he had the feeling that everyone knew why they were getting married. It was no love match and never would be.

“It’s a surprise the Duke of Wexford did not grace us with his presence this morning,” Nicholas said to Cordelia as they waved goodbye to their last guest.

“No doubt he is off somewhere plotting and planning, but I must admit, I am surprised as well.”

They were left alone in the front entryway of the house. Cordelia looked around her, and Nicholas watched her as she did so, wondering just what she thought about it. He had had all her things brought from her home to be placed in her bedroom, but there had been no time for her to come and take a tour or to meet the servants.

“Come now. Surely you are ready with all your thoughts and opinions about the place. I’ve never known you to hold your tongue.”

She made a face at him. “It’s so very large,” she said, letting out a breath, and Nicholas chuckled, stepping a bit closer, smelling that rosebud again.

Each time he smelled it now, it only made a rush of heat run through his body, and he wanted her lips on his again.

In time. She will come to me.

“You’ll grow accustomed to its size soon enough.” His smile was slow and unhurried. “Most things seem less intimidating once one knows them.”

“Brute,” she said, hurrying away from him but not before he’d seen a light blush on her cheeks. “I must check on the children. In the nursery, to see how they fare.”

“Very well, Duchess,” he said from the bottom of the stairs. She was two stairs above him when she turned around, surprised at the use of her new title.

“Duchess,” she repeated pressing a hand to her lips, and he nodded, his eyes drawn to her lovely mouth. “That’s me.”

“Yes, Duchess. You’ll get used to the title soon enough.”

She simply stared at him for a few moments before they heard footsteps.

“Ah, Mrs. Wright. Perfect timing. Lady Cordelia, this is Mrs. Wright, the indomitable housekeeper. She will show you all and lead you to the nursery as well now that our wedding preparations are complete.”

Mrs. Wright greeted Cordelia kindly, and Nicholas turned away towards his study. A stiff drink would do well for him now. Hopefully it would handle the other stiff thing he was dealing with at the moment.

“And you? What are you to do?”

He grinned to himself as he turned back to look at Cordelia, her hands on her hips from where she stood on the stairs. “The nagging wife suits you, my dear. I will be continuing my profligate ways, and I’ll be starting with a good dose of whisky. I am a married man after all and must keep to the brutish tradition.”

With a scoff, she rushed up the stairs, Mrs. Wright in her wake, and Nicholas took himself to his study. Whisky in hand, he sat in front of the fire, amused at how finding himself married did not frighten him in the least. In fact, it was his greatest challenge yet. He took a sip and then chuckled to himself.

I will soon hear her knock on my door. I know it.

* * *

“Mrs. Wright, I would dearly love to see everything, but I would like to see the children and the nursery first.”

She kept her sigh to herself, disappointed that he’d not wished to accompany to see the children, especially after he’d asked so fervently about them at the wedding. His tenderness had surprised her.

Perhaps all he wanted to know if they were safe in body and then leave me to the rest of it.

Cordelia tried her best to not let her frustration show.

“But of course, Your Grace. I understand,” Mrs. Wright said. She was a kindly older woman with white hair and a large bosom. Crinkles by her eyes showed her kindness, and Cordelia was relieved to have someone near who could be a friend in this strange, new place. It was a beautiful home but there was a starkness to it, an edge that made her uncomfortable.