Page 85 of Raising the Duke’s Unexpected Twins

“What were you coming to speak to me about?”

She stiffened a little, her cheeks reddening. He would never tire of her blushes, and he leaned forward to brush a kiss against her neck, desperate to smell her scent, to touch her in every way possible.

“Well?” he whispered roguishly in her ear.

She pushed against his chest. “Not fair that you know now just how well your rakish ways work on me, Nicholas.”

He couldn’t help the smile that split his face. “I have never wished for them to work on anyone as much as I wanted them to with you. Now, tell me.” His fingers interlaced with hers. “What is it?”

She swallowed. “I was rushing here to tell you that I understand why you should care about this place, that I don’t want to fight about it anymore or act jealous about it. I wanted to tell you that I want you to be happy because I…love you too.”

Nicholas’s heart swelled with joy and happiness, and he picked her up and spun her around again, kissing her before her feet touched the ground.

“I love you more than I ever thought possible, my dear.” His tone darkened. “Come, let’s go home, love. Let the constables and my assistant deal with this now. I have a few important matters that need attendance.”

“Oh, the children are awake and playing, looking very well! They will be happy you’re back,” she said, taking his hand and leading him to the carriage.

He chuckled, helping her into the carriage, and then jumped in behind her and shut the door. He yanked her onto his lap as the carriage began to roll away.

“No, I meant I have matters that need attendance, and they are all to do with you. That was why we got a nanny, you know. One of many reasons.”

“Oh,” she said, her cheeks reddening but her arms wrapping about his neck. “I do like carriages, you know.”

With that, Nicholas threw his head back and laughed. He felt like a phoenix. So much had gone to ashes and dust in his life, so much sadness and tragedy and hardship. But now, with Cordelia’s lips on his, he felt reborn.

EPILOGUE

Three Months Later

“You are the host, Nicholas. You can’t be pawing at women in shadowy corners at your own ball,” Cordelia said, blushing profusely as her husband’s hands grasped her from behind and attempted to push her against the stone wall of the balcony and lift her skirts. His teeth found her ear and nipped, and she shivered.

“I can if those women are my wife,” he whispered, his low, breathy voice enough to make her wet on its own. She swatted his hands away and finally wriggled free.

“This party was your idea, remember? To commemorate our friends and hardships and to start afresh.” He nodded along, his grin not turning any less roguish. He said nothing, and Cordelia could feel her resolve weakening. “Our guests will be coming at any moment!” she cried.

But when he only stepped nearer, his handsome face reminding her of all the ways she loved this infuriating, incorrigible man, she jumped into his arms.

One kiss won’t hurt.

Well, that one kiss turned into several minutes of feverish kisses, licks, and nips, with whispered promises of more. Finally, her resolve returned, and she pushed him away, pinning up a stray lock of her hair.

“You nearly ripped my costume!” she said, and he laughed.

“I would happily have done so, love, but you may be surprised to find I have some restraint left. Even with you around.”

He winked at her, and her stomach filled with a warmth that never seemed to quell when he was around her. It had been three months of true marriage to Nicholas, and yet every day, she seemed to want him more. They spent much time alone, but they also spent time with the two children happily playing, going on small trips, or simply being. It had been more blissful than she ever could have expected.

A true marriage, not a cage.

And she had certainly not expected her own wantonness when it came to her handsome husband, the handsomest man of her acquaintance, she had known for a long time. With each time they were together, they grew closer, and her love grew deeper. She felt finally as though she had found a love like her parents.

“Well, I thank you for that,” she teased. “Come. We need to find our masks.”

“You make a fair Juliet,” he said, following behind her.

“And you a handsome Romeo.”

“Let’s hope this evening turns out a little better,” he said.