Page 91 of Her Tempting Traitor
“Or Marcia’s pendant,” she interrupted.
Cassian nodded, although he’d only heard that story a few days ago and still didn’t quite know what to think of it. “If yer rock works as well as Lady Mistree’s other pieces of inheritance, I would say ye’re in for a surprise.”
“Yes,” crowed the old woman happily as she slipped her arm through Hunter’s. “Another surprised heir!”
In the years since she’d reached her majority, Gabby had traveled often. She had rooms at Exingham of course, and in the family townhouse in London, and several rented properties around the globe. There was no one place where she felt most at home, but had to admit a fondness for her rooms at Exingham.
This was where she’d grown up, after Uncle Rourke and Aunt Sophia had formed their family. This was where the servants knew her best, and there was something so wonderful about allowing oneself to be pampered by them and by well-meaning family like Aunt Sophia.
That said, Gabby rushed through her bathing and undressing rituals tonight.
Tonight wasn’t the night for luxuriating in a tub or relaxing while her aunt brushed her hair.
Tonight…was her wedding night.
Cassian had been given a room in the other wing—“far away from my niece,” Uncle Rourke had grumbled—but would be joining her. Tonight. Gabby was anxious to begin herforever.
And so, when the knock at her door came, Gabby was waiting. She flung it open, reached through, and grabbed a disgruntled looking Cassian to pull him inside.
When she finished kissing him—a thoroughly delightful kiss during which she felt him melt against her, his cock growing rigid against her stomach—she pulled away to smirk up at him.
“What had you frowning like that? You look wonderful, by the way. The kilt is positively delicious. Too long, obviously.”
His lips twisted ruefully. “Thank ye. Ye looked…” He bent down to drop a kiss on her lips again. “If I dinnae tell ye, ye were stunning today, Gabby. The most beautiful thing I’d ever seen.”
Since hehadtold her that, at least twice already, she stroked her fingers through the hair at the back of his neck. “So why were you looking so distracted a moment ago, hmm?”
His nose wrinkled. “Because I felt like a fooking prisoner, creeping through the halls of this great hulking estate, sneaking around for a ruddy conjugal visit.”
Gabby had already begun to unbutton his waistcoat, and now she hummed. “It is common for couples to keep separate chambers?—”
“Nay, it’s common fordukes and duchessesto keep separate chambers next door to each other. Marriages made for political gain, Gabby.” He shrugged out of his jacket and waistcoat, tossing them over the chair, allowing her to go to work on his shirt as he kicked off his shoes. “Iloveye. I’m tired of spilling all over the bloody place, when I could beinside ye.I want to sleep with ye—no’ just make love to ye, but wake up each morning at yer side.”
It was the single most adorably disgruntled thing anyone had said to her.
Smiling, Gabby surged up to wrap her arms around his neck to pull him into a joyful kiss.
Her robe fell open as they fell onto the bed, him still squirming out of his clothing.
“At Inverlochy,” she gasped, loving the way his hands skimmed along her skin, “we will have to share a suite. Yours. The one with a large bathing chamber.”
“Aye,” he growled, his lips finding her breast. “And locks on the door.”
Her giggle at the memory of their first morning together trailed into a groan as his tongue teased her nipple.
Every time, it was better.
Each time they came together like this, Gabby was amazed at the way he could make her feel.
This wasn’t the first time they’d made love. It wasn’t even their hundredth, likely. It had been over a month since Princess Louise had exonerated Cassian, allowing Aunt Sophia to begin the wedding planning, and they’d spent that time together—both here and Inverlochy.
Home.
One day, hopefully far in the future, they would share the master’s chamber at Inverlochy Castle. She’d already begun to work with Gus and Uncle Dickie in the menagerie, and loved how the older man had swiftly come to not only respect her knowledge, but rely on her veterinary skills.
Apparently, once Hunter had quit pretending to know what the hell he was talking about, Uncle Dickie had been impressed with arealveterinarian.
Yes, she would stand by Cassian’s side as they moved intothe twentieth century together, raising Gus to one day care for Inverlochy properly.
