Page 99 of The Duke of Seduction
She wrinkled her nose. “What does that even smell like?”
Chuckling, he peered into the basket. “I’m going to have to build you a second library.”
“Nonsense, Waverly Court’s library is massive. I could collect fossils every day of my life and never fill it.”
“Yes, but what if you add rocks from the Outer Hebrides?”
She looked up at him, her eyes widening. “Are we going?”
He nodded. “In a fortnight, if that meets with your approval.”
She set the basket on the bench next to his guitar and threw her arms around his neck. “Oh yes!” She kissed the side of his face near his ear and whispered, “Thank you, Beck.”
He encircled his arms around her and cupped her neck so he could kiss her. Time and space ceased to exist as he lost himself in her embrace, and it was some while before she lifted her lips from his. “We should go in to luncheon,” she said.
“Or I could ravish you here.”
“They can see from the house.” Her voice held a smile.
“Have I ever told you that sometimes you’re too sensible?”
“Often.”
“After lunch, may I ravish you? I’ll even let you choose the location.”
“How can I refuse such a polite request? You’re always so polite.”
“Always? What about the time I tore your chemise? Or when I surprised you in the bath?”
“You still managed to make those occasions charming.”
“Hmm, perhaps I shall write an ode to the sensible marchioness and her polite husband.”
“Oh dear, they sound rather dull.”
He looked down at her with a sultry smile. “I shall make them exciting. Care to give me any ideas?”
“Oh yes. After lunch. In the library, I think.” She lowered her lids in a seductive fashion. “You can help me put my new treasures away.”
“Is that what we’re calling it?”
She pressed another kiss to his lips then spun away from him, picking up the basket and starting toward the house. She looked over her shoulder. “Are you coming?”
“Not yet, but I will be after lunch.” He picked up his guitar as she laughed at his double entendre.
When he caught up to her, she twined her arm through his and looked up at him. “I love you so, my mad but oh so polite poet.”
He gazed at her beloved face, so full of emotion, he wondered how there ever could have been a void—but there had been. Until her. “And I love you my sensible, impatient scientist. For as long as the earth lives.”
Her eyes shone with love. “And into eternity.”
The end
