Page 112 of The Duke's Inconvenient Bride
He released her, and for some reason, she was disappointed by that. What did it mean that she wanted him to kiss her—properly—and show her to his bedchamber?
No,she told herself.Give him a chance, but protect your heart and don’t fall straight into bed with him.
Lord, it was hard to recall why she needed to be cautious when he gazed at her with such affection.
“You will be a wonderful mother.” He reached toward her belly, but then dropped his hand.
Emma started to speak. “I—”
The housekeeper appeared, nudging the door open with her foot and carrying a tray containing two small plates each laden with a sizable piece of cake. She glanced between them and colored, appearing to realize she’d interrupted. She quickly placed the tray on the table and left again.
“That looks delicious,” Emma said, her stomach rumbling right on cue.
“Have some.” Vaughan waited for her to sit before passing her a plate and fork.
“Thank you.” She cut off the corner of her slice and scooped it into her mouth, savoring the combination of sweetness and tart lemon. “Mm. Divine.”
When she looked at Vaughan, it was to find him staring at her lips. He cleared his throat and grabbed his own cake, moving so quickly that he knocked his teacup, and tea sloshed over the rim.
“Drat.” He wiped the spilled tea with a napkin. “Would you like another piece? I’m sure there is plenty, and you’re eating for two now.”
“I may have another slice,” she said, a wave of love washing over her that was so intense, she could hardly breathe. Not only was he indulging her sweet tooth, but she could already tell he was going to be a doting father.
She’d never have expected that the icy Duke of Ashford would be the embodiment of all of her wildest dreams.
Well, except for the part where he didn’t want love. Unless he really was willing to reconsider.
“By the way.” He glanced at her, looking suddenly unsure. “I must apologize for my behavior at the Mayhew estate. I shouldn’t have turned up soused. You deserve better than that, and you were right to send me away.”
She froze with a piece of cake in her mouth, the lemony flavor bursting on her tongue. If she’d realized the topic was to become so serious, she might have waited before stuffing herself.
He was clearly anxious for a response, so she chewed frantically and swallowed the lump down.
“Thank you for the apology,” she said. “I have to admit, your visit was a bit… emotionally confusing.”
He grimaced. “I understand why, but that wasn’t my intention.” He set his plate on the table, the cake untouched, his expression determined. “I meant what I said. I want more from you than an heir. The truth is, that scares me, but the idea of being without you scares me more.”
Emma moistened her lips. “Tell me what you do want.”
A ghost of a smile crossed his face. “I told you once that you were an inconvenient bride, and that is exactly what I want. All of the complications. All of the inconveniences. All of those complex emotions I swore I’d never need.”
Her breath hitched. “Love?”
“Yes,” he replied. “A wife whom I can love and who will love me in return. But not just any wife will do.”
“No?” Emma’s heart beat rapidly, and with one last glance at the cake, she set it aside. She couldn’t give him the attention he deserved if she kept eating.
“No.” His smile grew. “I need a wife who is strong but also gentle. Kind and clever. Loving but not meek.”
She leaned closer until their faces were only inches apart. He brushed a stray lock of hair behind her ear, and shivers rippled over her in response.
“I need you,” he said.“I know I have been slow to open my mind to the idea, but please allow me to make up for my prior actions.”
Their lips touched in the briefest of kisses, but then he pulled back. She instinctively moved toward him, but he stopped her with a hand on her chest.
“Where are you staying while in town?” he asked.
She blinked, trying to clear her head. “Um. I thought I would visit with my parents.”
