Page 82 of His Highland Duchess
“I know,” he breathed heavily. “Something we should have done a long time ago.”
They broke into laughter, and she slowly peeled herself from him, turning around to face her husband. Her arms wrapped his neck, and she pulled him into a hot and sweaty kiss. He devoured her lips and her face, his hulking body still pressed into her. They had made love for the first time, but from the way he kissed her right then, she knew it would not be the last.
Indeed… between her thighs, she felt him stiffen again. She pulled back and frowned. “Really? Already?”
He flashed his eyes mischievously. “If you think you can handle it.”
She laughed and then playfully bit at his face. “Dae nae try and stop me…”
And so it was that they made love a second time. Weeks worth of teasing and testing the other. Their want and desire building steadily to a point of absurdity. The attraction had been there since the very first day, but they had been cautious with it, worried it might make things more confusing. That was no longer an issue.
Man and wife. Both deeply in love. The day was still young, hours left until they had to leave the room for supper, and both Margaret and Lysander became determined to put those hours to good use.If this is what is in store for the rest of the marriage, it is something I can very much see myself growing used to…
A perfect beginning for what was sure to be a perfect marriage. Margaret had never been so happy.
EPILOGUE
TWO MONTHS LATER
“Are you certain that everything is fine?” Catherine asked Margaret as she hurried behind her.
“Yes, yes, all is well.”
“Because it does not seem well.”
“Looks can be deceiving,” Margaret shot back over her shoulder, barely paying her sister a glance. “I assure ye, there is naething to worry about.”
“I am not worried.” Catherine kept pace, sure to dodge through the crowd as her sister was doing. “Simply checking, is all. I do not want you to suffer from a mental breakdown. That would put quite the damper on the evening.”
“And I would hate to ruin such a night for ye.”
“That is not what I meant,” Catherine huffed. “And you know it.”
Margaret smirked to herself, taking just a little bit of pleasure in frustrating her sister. Yet she also appreciated her greatly, beyond grateful that she would take time out of her evening to double-check that Margaret was at ease and not about to lose her head, whichI will nae dae, because everything is fine… albeit, a tad more chaotic than I had thought.
“There is nae need to worry…” Margaret turned about, sure to fix a calm expression on her face, despite the way her nerves continued to lash at her. “I just dae nae want anything to go wrong.”
“It won’t,” Catherine assured her. “And as you can see, there is nothing to fear…” She gestured about the busy ballroom, noting the scores of guests, all of whom seemed to be having a most wonderful evening. “You have done more than anybody might have hoped.”
“Oh good,” Margaret responded dryly. “That is so nice to hear…”
“My meaning is, for a first timer, and someone who is not from here…” She shrugged and then took Margaret by the hands, giving them a squeeze and holding her in an admiring look. “This evening is going perfectly, and you should be proud.”
“I am proud,” Margaret assured her. “Only –”
“And you should be left to enjoy it,” she then cut over her sister. “Leave it to the staff, Mr. Jeffries. I am certain he can handle any problems that arise.”
Margaret bit her lip. She agreed with her sister. And she had promised Lysander, too, that she would enjoy herself this evening.And I had meant to. That was, after all, why I opted to host such an event. Only now that it has started, I cannae stop finding problems that I wish I had thought to correct before this all began.
Indeed, even as she forced a smile for her sister, Margaret looked past her and spied a waiter walking about with an empty tray. He then stopped to speak with a young lady, his smile charming, his laughter flirtatious and highly inappropriate. Her eyes widened at the sight.
“If you will excuse me…”
“Margaret!” Catherine called after her.
Margaret turned and smiled. “I am fine, sister. But I will nae be if you dae nae start enjoying yourself. At least one of us should do.” She shook her head and turned; her sights set firmly on the young waiter…
When Margaret had suggested last month to Lysander that they host a ball at the manor, she’d had no idea just how chaotic and stressful and damn exhausting such a simple suggestion might be. In her mind, it had sounded fun. A chance to introduce herself and Lysander properly to the ton, confirming for all thatthis marriage was thriving, and putting to bed any lingering rumors that still existed. It had sounded like the perfect plan.
