Page 59 of The Duke of Kisses
Fanny hadn’t experienced loss like that and struggled to understand. She wanted to be compassionate. “Perhaps keeping that promise somehow keeps your father more alive—at least in her mind.”
“You’re very wise, Fanny. Wiser than I am.” He glanced back toward the pond. “She can be…difficult, but I know she only wants what’s best for me. I’ll convince her that you’re what’s best for me.”
“No one can ever know—about Ivy,” Fanny said. “I don’t even want Ivy to know that your mother is aware of her background.”
“I completely understand. Will you trust me to protect her?”
If it were just her, Fanny would have no hesitation, but Ivy had already been through so much. Fanny couldn’t ever expose her to more pain. “I would trust you with my life, but this is Ivy’s, not mine.”
His answering stare was heartfelt and sincere. “Your family is my family.”
Again, the joy his words gave her were tempered with worry. “I think my father and your uncle might have something to say about that.”
He grimaced. “Then we won’t give them the opportunity. Perhaps we should leave for Gretna Green straightaway.” He glanced toward the road.
“You want to elope right now?”
He lifted a shoulder. “Why not?”
She thought of what awaited her at home—Mr. Duckworth and a weighty dose of pressure to marry him. Suddenly, dashing off to Scotland seemed a brilliant idea. But then what? Then they’d have to deal with the consequences, and what if his mother exposed Ivy anyway? Fanny wanted to believe the woman wouldn’t do such a thing to her daughter-in-law’s family, but the countess’s contempt was emblazoned in her mind. There was also the matter of why she’d returned to Yorkshire in the first place. “My brother is getting married day after tomorrow.”
“You don’t want to share the same wedding date?”
She couldn’t help but laugh, and he smiled in return. “That’s not the issue, and you well know it. I came here to see him wed. He’s marrying the younger sister of my oldest and dearest friend.”
“Fanny, I shall say it again, you’ve the kindest, most generous heart of anyone I’ve ever known.”
“It’s not just the wedding. I’m still nervous about your mother.” She worried her lower lip as she stared up at him. “You can promise me the moon, but you can’t control her.”
His eyes glinted like candlelight on polished silver. “I can if I cut her off. She won’t want to lose the income I provide her or give up living in one of my houses.”
“You would do that to your own mother?” she asked.
“To protect my wife and her sister, yes.”
Fanny’s heart swelled. She went to him and cupped his face in her hands. “I love you so very much.”
“Not as much as I love you.”
“Shall we argue about it?” she teased.
“I’d much rather kiss you.”
“Of course you would. You’re the Duke of Kisses.” She grinned just before she stood on her toes, and his lips swept over hers.
Heat and desire rushed over her. She dropped her sketchbook again and threw her arms around his neck. To know he loved her and that they would be together filled her with joy. He’d been a dream she’d never imagined would come true. And yet how could it not? He felt so perfect against her, soright.
The first kiss was long and lush, their tongues exploring, while the next ones were shorter as their hands began taking over the exploration. He stroked her back, her hip, and then up the side of her rib cage until he cupped her breast.
She gasped into his mouth, eager for more. There was a tightness in her belly—and lower—that she longed to feel release.
His shaft was hard against her, just as he’d said it would be that day he’d kissed her in the garden at Clare House. She knew enough about sex to understand what it was and where it would go. What she didn’t know was how it would feel.
And how she wanted to.
She pushed into him, wanting his touch and wanting to touch him too. Dragging her hands down his chest, she thrust them under his coat to find his heat. But it wasn’t enough. She wanted more.
She dug her fingers into his shoulders, dislodging the coat.
