Page 76 of The Icy Duke Claims a Bride

“Jemima!” Catherine called to her sister, who was very good with young children. “Come and meet Andrew, Hugh’s nephew.”

While initially reluctant to release his father’s hands, Jemima’s infectious smile and kind nature combined with Captain Wadsworth’s boyish sense of fun was enough to lure Andrew into throwing the ball for Castor and Pollux a short distance away.

“I can never apologize enough for what happened, Hugh,” Edwin began rather hopelessly.

Hugh nodded once. “Is it all done and finalized now?”

“Yes, my wife is in a remote cottage on the edge of Dartmoor and will never leave. The keepers there are well-trained and were chosen by Rebecca. Andrew is distraught without her, but there is nothing to be done about that.”

“What about the rest?”

“For a price, the bank agreed to cancel all records of that loan that Georgina took out with William Fitzroy’s forged signature. They have written to his family and compensated them for their error in accepting a fraudulent document. I have confirmed that Fitzroy was never privy to those failed projects in his name and that he was associated with them only by someone else’s fraudulent acts.”

“I want copies of everything, Uncle, for the Fitzroy case and the others we’ve spoken of. Redbridge is my father’s legacy, and I won’t have it brought into disrepute, directly or indirectly.”

“It’s me who was brought into disrepute more than the duchy,” Edwin said wearily. “You could just cut me loose and blame me for any scandal that arises from this mess.”

“You’re part of this family, Uncle,” Hugh murmured. “Your actions affect us all, and that is why things must be put right. And for Andrew’s sake, of course.”

They all looked towards the small boy, who was now happily chasing the dogs around the garden.

“I really didn’t know.” Edwin sighed. “I’d just believed in Georgina for so long that I’d stopped questioning anything. She was like my lucky talisman, but it turned out she was my curse.”

“Grandmother told me that your wife even began the rumors about me being cursed,” Hugh added with a faint smile. “I can laugh about it now, but growing up, I almost believed it. I thought I was so unlucky that I’d somehow killed my own family, when all the time, it was her… For years, I could barely bring myself to step outside my own home.”

“I’m sorry, Hugh.” Edwin hung his head.

But Catherine knew that there was still a limited amount Hugh was capable of forgiving. She knew from her own experience that understanding and forgiveness was a process that could take many years.

“I miss my brother,” Edwin confessed suddenly, the look in his eyes pained. “I always have. Jonathan was my moral compass, and once he was gone, I lost my way. I hope that one day you can both forgive me, even if I can never forgive myself.”

“Come inside for tea, Edwin,” Catherine offered, pitying the man even while still unsure she could ever really like him. “We have an announcement to make, and we want the whole family to be there.”

“It was a strange day today,” Hugh commented as they climbed up the stairs later that night after all their guests had retired to their rooms. “I wasn’t expecting Uncle Edwin and Andrew, but I’m glad they came. They are still family, after all.”

“It’s important that Andrew grows up knowing that,” Catherine agreed. “None of this was his fault.”

“He was so delighted by the thought of a little cousin, wasn’t he?” Hugh guffawed. “I think young Andrew is almost as pleased about this baby as we are, but I don’t think he appreciates how long it will be before his cousin can play ball with him.”

“No.” Catherine laughed. “You might be right. My father was so happy about becoming a grandfather, too, and I think the Dowager Duchess considers ‘great-grandmother’ as a kind of elevation in rank.”

“Probably.” Hugh closed the door to his bedroom behind them. “But now, let’s forget about them. I have other matters on my mind.”

“What matters might those be, Your Grace?” Catherine asked innocently. “Would you like to tell me or show me?”

“Both will be required, I think,” Hugh said, embracing her from behind and unfastening the pale green silk evening dress shehad worn for dinner. “I like to see your face when I tell you what I plan to do. I like to see it even more when I show you…”

Hugh eased down her bodice, gentle with her breasts, which were now slightly tender and swollen with pregnancy. He kissed her neck as the firm mounds rested in his palms, and she could already feel his hard length pressing against her back.

“My wife,” he breathed. “My beloved wife. I want to hold you, kiss you, and fill you all at the same time until you cry out with pleasure. Yes, that is what I will do tonight…”

One of his hands slid lower and cupped her tiny bump lovingly as the other fondled her breasts. Catherine pressed herself eagerly against his firm body, her dress sliding down her hips and pooling around feet.

“I know you are a man of your word,” she teased. “You told me the very first time you brought me to your bed that you would be mounting me frequently and getting me with child as soon as possible. Now, look at me.”

Laughing, Hugh turned her around and kissed her full on the mouth as they both undid the buttons and ties on his clothes. There was no pressure tonight, and it seemed that they had the whole night to relish each other’s bodies.

Unhurriedly, but still in no time at all, Catherine found herself in sensual disarray on the large four-poster bed, her breasts, buttocks, and slippery folds all teased and caressed by Hugh’s hands and mouth.

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