Page 67 of No Duke of Mine

Algernon winked at Maggie. “There’s a large wager in the betting book at White’s about when I take a bride.”

Maggie nodded. “The when has yet to be discussed.”

“Hopefully it will be soon for my friend’s sake,” Varley suggested. “But soon or late, I will still win. I might even be able to improve the pot with the right taunt or two.”

“Don’t push it too far,” Algernon warned him.

“Well, this is good news all round.” Varley snatched up his hat. “I shall happily install my mama-in-law next door and win the bet about you both, while I leave you to have the pleasure of charming this lovely lady.”

Varley nodded to them and swept from the library, humming softly to himself.

Algernon faced Maggie. “You are stunning.”

She blushed prettily and held out the skirts to twirl around. “Thank you for my new gowns. I had no idea they were for me when I chose the fabric I liked best.”

“The bold color suits you. Thank you for agreeing to marry me,” he whispered.

“About that…” she began.

“Large or small wedding?” he asked quickly, deciding not to leave any room for doubt that he would marry her one way or another.

She bit her lip. “What do you want?”

“I want you to be my wife,” he said. “I do not care how we marry. Only when is important to me. I would prefer sooner rather than later, so the matter is settled. I will apply for a marriage license for us.”

“That means we could be married as soon as you have the license, doesn’t it?”

“Yes, we could, but is that what you want? I know you don’t like to rush into things.”

She wet her lips. “Under the circumstances, I think a private wedding would be less awkward for me. I have no one to give me away, or any family to attend a grand wedding.”

“You’ll soon have mine, but I agree, a small wedding is all we need.” He brought her hand up to his lips and kissed her fingers, while he dug in his pocket for a ring to put there. He’d chosen one of Mama’s rings for such an occasion. He hoped Maggie approved as he slid it onto her finger, relieved that it fit snugly in place. “There, officially engaged to be married. How do you feel?” he asked.

“Like I’m dreaming,” she told him, giggling as she admired the ring. “Though I never imagined…”

“Well, you must do so now and often. There is nothing you cannot do or have from this moment on.”

“Is that right?” She glanced at him with a look in her eye that suggested she was thinking of what they had done last night, instead of things that might cost money.

He drew close to her. “If you look at me like that, my love, the answer will always be yes, by the way.”

“That is good to know,” she said, and grinned widely. “Do the library doors lock?”

He nodded and left her, grinning to shut and lock the library doors, before he rushed back to her side. “The marriage license can wait another hour to request, I think.”

Algernon bent down and kissed Maggie, but this was no kiss intended to soothe. He cupped her head gently, determined not to muss her hair so early in the day, and held her close. Relieved that he would always be able to.

He was done fighting desire and yearning to belong to someone. Algernon’s place was with Maggie.

He kissed her, unbuttoning her gown until it sagged around her bust and captured her breasts in his hands. Attempting to stem the passion Maggie had unleashed in him was no longer an issue.

He stroked the back of his fingers down her body and touched her left leg. Maggie did nothing to stop him. He lifted her gown until the bottom of it rested above her knees. Still, nothing he did seemed to cause her to have doubts.

“Maggie, you are too encouraging for my sanity,” he warned.

“Well, a wife should be eager for her husband,” she whispered.

She kissed him and used her tongue, teasing him and exciting him with no effort at all.