Page 45 of A Spinster for the Rakish Duke
Soon, a slow, but not reluctant, procession of her father, Martha, and Benjamin made their way onto the cool dew-covered yard.
“Finally, we get to be the ones wishing you farewell on your honeymoon,” Martha said with a cheery smile.
“A day I have been looking forward to for a long time,” John Bradford followed up. “To think, all my daughters are married to titled gentlemen. I don’t know if I could have asked for better circumstances. Your mother would have been so happy to know the legacy our family would carry into the world.”
“I honestly haven’t even thought about it,” Emma admitted. “Did your life change much when you took on a title, Martha?”
“That is a rather complicated question,” Martha said thoughtfully. “Overall, you’ll find the benefits outweigh the disappointments.”
Emma smiled uncertainly at the answer her sister gave but was not worried. As long as she had Donovan, she knew all would be well.
As if summoned by her thoughts, Donovan appeared next to her. ‘Thank you all very much for your company and hospitality. I hope very much to see you all soon. Mr. Benjamin Bradford, especially, I hope your recovery goes well. I am excited at the prospect of doing business together in the future.”
“I too look forward to it, Your Grace. I thought perhaps the first thing you could assist me with is hiring a new apprentice, seeing as you robbed me of mine while I was stuck in a basement,” Benjamin remarked with a dryness that only a victim of circumstance can summon.
“Perhaps, if all goes well you will finally be able to marry, Benjamin. I’ve been wondering when I can stop worrying about you as well as my daughters…” the older Bradford man said with a great laugh, completely undermining his son’s own dark humor and causing Benjamin to look at him perturbed.
“Father, I doubt that will be any time soon. So please don’t entertain such ridiculous notions or expectations in that regard.”
“Oh no,” Emma pouted playfully, “Don’t say that, Benjamin. If Jenny could hear you, it would break her heart.”
Benjamin’s eyes grew wide at the mention of the young woman’s name. “You… how?!” was all he could sputter, his face turning bright red in embarrassment, making Emma burst into a fit of giggles.
Donovan took the lead on the explanation. “Our investigation led us to dig into many facets of your life, Mr. Bradford. You’ll have to forgive me for stumbling upon some of your secrets. Your sister, on the other hand, might not be entitled to ask such forgiveness.”
Emma was still giggling when Benjamin wished them a curt and red-faced goodbye. Mr. Bradford and Martha were quick to follow, wishing them safe travels and a fantastic honeymoon.
As Emma watched her former home grow smaller in the distance, she was panged with deep sadness. She knew that the happiness that awaited her was something she would never regret, and she would be happy with Donovan for the rest of her days. But there was still sadness in change, and at that moment, Emma accepted that as a new fact of life.
“What is it, dearest?” Donovan asked her after he spotted her forlorn look.
“Just a bit of reminiscing catching up with me as we leave. I am so looking forward to making a new home for us, my love, but sometimes even happy things can make you melancholic,” she admitted.
“A feeling I know all too well, I assure you,” Donovan nodded and put his arm around his wife to comfort her.
She looked up at him with a sad smile. “Is there anything that makes it better?”
“In the moment?” he asked and considered it for a moment. “I could distract you.”
“Distract me?” Emma asked with an innocent look that Donovan wasn’t too sure was genuine.
The Duke moved in and kissed his new wife. Kissed her more roughly than he dared to thus far, but he felt her return it just as eagerly. It was only a moment later that Donovan was lifting her ample skirts up and out of the way.
“Donovan,” Emma gasped. “In the carriage? What if someone passes us? Or if the driver hears?” The young Duchess voiced concern, but her actions could not be considered protest in any way.
“I am confident all will be well,” he told her with a smile before he descended to use his lips and tongue.
The moment Emma felt her husband touch her with his mouth, all of her worries were instantly overwritten by the sensations running up and down her body. Each erotic experience was new and exciting, but she couldn’t imagine herself ever being tired of a repeat performance either. The very idea that someone sheloved could make her feel this good made the whole experience that much more blissful.
She was forced to cover her own mouth as they rode in the carriage. Even with the dampening of the carriage doors and the clatter of hooves on stone, she knew that she would be loud enough for the driver to deduce what was going on. The possibility of such an embarrassment worried Emma deeply but also made the play that much more exciting. And with Donovan kissing her and licking her the way he was, excitement was not something she had a shortage of.
Again, Emma found herself approaching that precipice of pleasure. This time she understood what it was and didn’t fight it, allowing herself to soar right over the edge and into the blissful wave of pleasure. As she came back down Donovan moved to cradle her lovingly. Her husband kissed her forehead and lips, smiling at her.
“That was amazing but…” Emma spoke in pleasured panting gasps.
“But?” Donovan arched an eyebrow.
“But the times we have done that, we are always someplace rather, um, public. Perhaps the next time you pay me such a favor, we can be in the privacy of our bedroom?” Emma requested of her husband.
