Page 17 of Her Duke of Sin: Lady Be Wicked
“Then why?” She frowned.
“Because I love you,” he said. “You have my heart. No other woman will ever own it. It’s your to do as you wish with.”
A tear fell down her cheek. She cupped his cheek in her palm. “I love you too.”
He closed his eyes and blew out a breath that he had not realized he had been holding. She loved him. He had feared that she might not feel the same as he did. Thank goodness he didn’t have to beg her to feel something for him. Gideon would have. She meant that much to him. He opened his eyes and stared into her tear filled gaze. “Juliette, darling,” he began. “Will you please marry me? I cannot imagine not having you in my life. I want the privilege of kissing you each night, and waking up each morning and do it all over again. Spend the rest of my life at my side as my duchess, the love of my life, and the only woman willing to take on my notorious past with grace.”
She smiled. “All of that?”
“I can add more if needed,” he replied in a grave tone. “Everyone knows I’m a mess.”
“Darling,” she said. “You’re my mess.” Juliette laughed, then pressed her lips to his. “Yes, I’ll marry you. But we need a long betrothal. I will have to find a replacement for Lady Wyndam’s companion. She needs someone competent and I want to interview them myself.”
“You think it will take long?”
She shrugged. “She has an exacting personality. Only the right person will do.”
“I’ll give you five months,” he said. “Not a moment longer. Pick a wedding date, love. I would prefer to have you as my wife soon as possible, but I concede that you have obligations.”
“I love you,” she said.
“Not nearly as much as I love you,” he said. Then grinned again and leaned down to kiss her. He may be the Duke of Sin, but from this moment on he was all hers, and Gideon couldn’t be happier to give himself willingly into her awaiting arms.
Epilogue
Six months later…
The frigid weather was enough to chill anyone to the bone, but luckily for Juliette, she had a nice warm house to prevent such an event from occurring. It also helped that her husband gladly used his own body heat regularly to keep her toasty. Lovemaking had quickly become her favorite pastime. They had been careful over the past six months. As careful as they could be, but they hadn’t stopped loving each other when they could.
And the consequences, or the happy tidings, of that lovemaking had come to fruition. She had news for Gideon, and she hoped he found them as joyful as she did. Juliette strolled down the corridor to his study. She peeked inside, but he wasn’t inside. Where, oh where, could her darling duke be? Juliette smiled and headed to the library. There she found him studying one of the bookshelves.
“Misplace a book?” she asked.
He turned toward her and grinned. “No, trying to decide what to read.” He plucked one off the shelf and held it out to her. “I think you might find this one interesting.”
Curious, she walked over and took the proffered book, and flipped it open. She grinned. Inside there were several drawings and descriptions. That in itself shouldn’t have been shocking…if it were a medical text. No, this one was far more scandalous. It was a guide to various positions and techniques in the act of sex. “I think we’ve already tried this.” She gestured toward a drawing in the book. The female was on top of the male and riding him to climax. “In fact,” she said. “I do believe we did it this morning.”
“There are others,” he suggested. “Want to experiment?” He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.
“Always,” she said, then closed the book. “Later though. There is something we need to discuss.”
“Oh?” He said and took the book from her, then set it on a nearby table. “That something is more important than pleasuring my wife?”
“Normally, no,” she said in a grave tone. Then pressed her hand to her belly. “But you should know that very lovemaking has created something special.”
His mouth fell open. “We’ve only been married a month…”
“But we have been enjoying each other far longer than that.” She laughed. “I estimate I am about three months along now.”
“True…” He grinned. “And I plan on seducing you at every opportunity.”
Juliet cupped his cheek in her hand. “Is it seduction when I am more than willing?”
“Hush now,” he said and leaned down to press his lips to hers. He lifted his head and held her gaze. “We do not need to discuss semantics. I love you, darling.” He nuzzled her neck. “And I cannot wait to watch your belly grow with our child. Our love created him or her.”
“Indeed,” she said. Juliette had never known she could love so deeply. “I love you dearly.”
Someone cleared their throat from behind them. “Pardon the interruption, Your Graces,” the butler said. “But there is someone here to see Her Grace.”
