Page 88 of A Bride for the Icy Duke
“Stay with me tonight,” she said, the words thick. “Hold me.”
“Always.”
As she watched, he stripped off his outer layers that were still damp from the blistering rain, remaining in his shirt only. Untucked, the hem brushed his upper thighs, and for a moment, she wondered whether she wanted something else. A distraction. A continuation of what she had started in the carriage.
But her heart hurt too much for that. And by the way Alexander took her hand and guided her gently to lie back against the pillow, he understood as much.
“It may take time,” he told her as he enfolded her in his arms, holding her against his chest. “But you waited ten years for me, utterly alone. An eternity of waiting would not be a penance for my sin.
“As long as it takes, my little dove.”
For the first time since her father’s death, she clung to someone and let herself cry without shame. The whole night, he held her, stroking her hair and murmuring reassurances. Mostly, though, he kept quiet, letting her give voice to the grief she had been suppressing for so long. When she had first come, she had been a ghost in these halls and unable to allow herself to grieve.
His mouth grazed her temple as she finally softened toward sleep. “Thank you…” he murmured, so softly she thought shemust have imagined it. She wanted to rouse herself and demand his meaning, but exhaustion had its claws into her, dragging her further into unconsciousness. “I love you.”
Her mouth opened to return the sentiment, but sleep finally claimed her, and she knew no more.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
Alexander woke with hair in his face. Blowing it out of his airways, he sat up and took stock. After crying for so long the previous night, Lydia had fallen asleep with her hair clinging to the tears on her face. Now, he brushed them back, smoothing the riotous curls against the silken pillow.
She had accepted him. Not only that, but she had begged him not to leave.
He wasn’t a fool; he knew true acceptance would come with time. Perhaps she didn’t blame him, but his confessionhadhurt her. The way she’d cried had been proof enough of that.
But she had cried in his arms.
There was nothing he wouldn’t do for her.
Her eyes fluttered open as the first rays of dawn spilled into the room, and she peeked blearily up at him. “Alex…?”
“Good morning, dove,” he murmured, bending to kiss her forehead. “What would you like to do today?”
“Mm.” Her eyelids closed again. Shadows of fatigue lingered beneath her eyes, which were still a little red-rimmed. “For now, I think I don’t want to move…”
“All right.”
“Will you stay?”
He didn’t so much as hesitate. “Of course. Whatever you need. Would you like some hot cocoa? I can ring for some.”
Impossibly, a smile touched her mouth. “Not now.” Her hand found his, fingers curling around his and tugging him closer. “Come here.” He obeyed, and she rested her head against his chest. “You were in my dreams last night.”
He smoothed his hand across her hair again, his gut tightening at what her pronouncement could mean. “Were they…gooddreams?”
“We were older, I think. Our children were grown.”
Despite his initial trepidation, his smile slowly grew. “We had children?”
“Four. Two boys and two girls.” Her fingers slid between his, linking them together. “We were lying underneath the stars. It was summer in my dream.” A long, slow sigh left her mouth as her eyes closed again. “It made me think of what the future could look like.”
“Do you often dream of children?”
“No,” she murmured, frowning a little. “This was the first time. I’ve always known I would have children, but I think until I came here—untilyoucame here—I never reallywantedthem. If you know what I mean.”
“Mm. I know.”
“What about you?”
