Page 109 of The Duke of a Thousand Desires

“You are a shocking young man,” he said, and kissed her softly on the mouth to prove his claim.

“You have taught me well.”

“Too well,” he admitted. “My netherparts are pinched in these breeches.”

“The breeches must have been made for a smaller man,” she whispered against his throat. “Next time we attend a masque perhaps you’ll listen to me.”

“About what?”

“Your costume. I was the one who suggested you dress as a wizard because what you do to me is nothing short of magic.”

“Then the next time I will oblige, flowing robes and all.”

“They would have been easier to remove. I’ll help you undress as soon as we return home and find a way to alleviate the pinching that distresses you.”

Which she didseveral hours later in their bedchamber. Simon, in turn, expertly removed her codpiece and made slow, gentle love to her. He had not discussed David, except to vaguely mutter that the scapegrace would be sailing off to an unknown destination at the first tide.

“We should return to the party for breakfast,” she said with a long sigh.

“Why?”

“We left without explanation.” She reached for the robe folded under her pillow and rolled to the edge of the bed. “I shouldn’t have abandoned Rhys.”

He sat up and removed the robe from her hand. “You mustn’t have heard the latest about him.”

She stared at him over her bare shoulder. “Is it reason for alarm? Will it appear in the morning papers?” She struggled upright in annoyance, her hair flowing down her arms. “He isn’t fighting a duel?”

“Would we be frolicking in bed if he were?” He smiled and urged her back into the notch of his body. “It’s nothing of an honorable nature. The courtesan Mrs. Watson won the raffle for an evening in his company. I don’t expect we shall hear from him today.”

“His ballerina left him for an older man,” Ravenna murmured.

“In that case, I wouldn’t look for him until next week.” He raised his hand. “Not that I am speaking from experience. I still don’t know why Mrs. Watson cursed me with that embarrassing name.”

“Oh, I do,” she said, rubbing her foot against his calf until he grew hard and moved against her. “You have earned your titles, Simon. All of them, in fact.”

“Is that good? Or bad?”

“It’s everything,” she said contentedly.

“Ravenna.” He disengaged from her arms and turned onto his side, staring at her intently. “There’s a softness about you that I have not perceived before. May I hope we have cause to celebrate?”

“I can’t be certain,” she said, her eyes locking with his. “I do feel plumper and sleepier all of a sudden.”

He inclined his head to kiss her, but not before she noticed the smile that crossed his face.

“I wouldn’t want you to be disappointed if I’m mistaken,” she added.

“I have you,” he said, his lips brushing her mouth in a whisper-kiss that melted her heart. “I have so much. Children would be a blessing. But there is time.”