Page 94 of The Duke of Kisses
“Were you pretending to sleep?” he asked.
“No, Iwassleeping. But you woke me.”
“Damn, I didn’t mean to.”
She smiled against him. “It’s all right.” She opened her eyes and looked up at him. He was swept away by the brilliance of her blue-green eyes. “How was Huntwell? Did you get Jacob settled over there?”
He was to be the new apprentice to the steward. “Not yet. He decided he wanted to stay here for a few days. He’s worried about you.”
“The change in him will take a bit of getting used to.”
“I can imagine. He’s certainly acquitted himself quite well with all that’s happened.” David moved his hand up and stroked her braid. “He wants to take a turn watching over you tomorrow.”
She laughed softly. “Everyone wants a turn. I look forward to when I can be alone again. Except for you. I want you here all the time.”
He winced. “I’m sorry I had to leave today.”
“Do not apologize. You had to go to Huntwell. What’s to be done with your uncle?” She tensed, and he stroked her arm, careful to avoid her shoulder.
“He’ll be buried at the church in town. I refused to allow him to be buried next to my father. My mother admitted she and Walter had been having an affair the past several years. Apparently, Walter had been in love with her since before she wed my father. That’s why he never married.”
“How sad.”
“I have no pity for him.” Bitterness burned his mouth.
“He deserves it most of all,” she said. “Who knows what drives someone to the madness that fueled his mind. Perhaps it was feeling lonely for so many years.”
“None of it excuses his actions.”
“No, it doesn’t. I was merely trying to understand.”
“Sometimes there is no understanding,” he said flatly.
She nuzzled his chest. “What of your mother?”
“She’s already moved to the dower house, but then I plan to set her up in a house in London where she can stay forever.” He twined his fingers with hers, mindful not to move her arm at all. “She did say she regretted threatening you and hopes you can find it in your heart to forgive her someday. I told her she was not invited to our wedding.”
Her eyes widened. “The wedding! You haven’t had a chance to purchase the license, have you?”
“No, I’ve been too concerned about you. I’ll go day after tomorrow, though there is no rush since the doctor said you must rest for a week.”
She pouted. “That’s far too long.”
“Actually, it gives us time to invite our friends from London. I was hoping we could get married in a fortnight.”
After exhaling, she pressed her lips together. “That makes far too much sense. But I shan’t like it.”
“Neither will I, my love.” He leaned down and kissed her gently, a brief brush of lips.
She sighed and closed her eyes for a moment. Her left hand moved beneath the covers, finding his cock. She opened her eyes, and they held an accusatory glint. “You’re wearing smallclothes.”
“I thought it wise. I can’t very well visit my betrothed in her sickbed without any clothes on.”
“Well, that’s very boring.”
He laughed again. “Somehow, I don’t think life with you will ever be boring.”
Her eyes twinkled as she looked up at him. “Not if I can help it, although after the last few days, I would prefer a lot ofnothing.” Her hand stroked him through his underclothes, and he let out a soft groan. “Perhaps notnothing.”
“You’re a temptress,” he breathed. Then he took her hand and moved it away from him. “And you’re going to keep your hands to yourself for six more days.”
“And you’re cruel. But I suppose I can wait if I must.” Her tone was rife with exaggerated resignation. “It’s better than waiting a fortnight until we are married.”
“We probablyshouldwait for that.”
She gave him a seductive smile and moved her hand right back over to the bulge in his smallclothes. “But we won’t.”
He grinned down at her before swooping down to capture her lips. “No, we won’t.”
