Page 119 of A Night of Desire with a Duke
"Catherine and James. Two people who found each other in a storm and decided to never let go."
"That's beautiful."
"You're beautiful."
"Flatterer."
"Truth-teller."
They lay quietly for a while, listening to the storm. It was definitely weakening now, though still strong enough to keep them trapped for at least another day or two.
"We should have done this sooner," Catherine said. "Come back here."
"We've been rather busy. Edward was born and then the twins."
"I remember a night quite often... just before we learnt I was pregnant with the twins."
"Your birthday. You were wearing that red dress."
"You tore it."
"I replaced it."
"It wasn't the same."
"I was enthusiastic."
"You were desperate."
"You'd been seducing me all evening."
"I'd been existing all evening. You're the one who decided that constituted seducing."
He laughed, the sound rumbling through his chest. "Everything you do constitutes seducing. The way you breathe is seducing."
"That must make Parliament difficult."
"You have no idea. Though you don't usually attend Parliament."
"I came last month."
"And I completely forgot my speech the moment you walked into the gallery."
"You did not."
"I lost my place three times. Devonshire had to prompt me."
"I thought you seemed distracted."
"Distracted? Catherine, you were wearing the blue dress."
"So?"
"The blue dress with the specific neckline that I specifically know from specific experience can be specifically compromised."
"You're ridiculous."
"I'm a man in love with his wife. It amounts to the same thing."
