Page 110 of The Duke Who Loved Me (The Duke's Estates 1)

“They are not addressed to me. They are begging letters to Uncle Percival. Very likely from people making unwarranted demands. Or even false appeals, fabricated to extract funds.”

“People in distress,” she began.

“As you imagine,” he interrupted.

She frowned at him. “We cannot know until we look. I shall read them and make some response. It is not a task I look forward to, but…”

“Yes indeed, you are the poor martyr who must do everything. Fortunately, you are eminently capable and always right. Don’t worry, everyone admires you.” James regretted these words, and the cutting tone, as soon as they were uttered. Particularly when Cecelia drew back as if he’d struck her. “I did not mean…”

“That is why you married me,” she interrupted. “So that the work would get done. How can you complain now when I do it?”

“That is not why I married you!” James snapped, exasperated by this repeated accusation. She started to speak, and he held up a hand to forestall her. “And donotthrow my first proposal back in my face again. You know very well that things changed after that.”

“Do I?”

“You are a fool if you do not. And everyone knows you are not a fool, Cecelia.”

“Everyone but me, perhaps.” Her voice had gone softer. “You said that love was a ridiculous illusion and that you would marry as a duty.” She recalled his words so clearly. “Add another portrait to the long line of languishing females in the gallery. You called marriage dreary.”

“It is inexpressibly annoying to have my foolish opinions thrown back in my face,” he said. “Mightwe make a pact never to do that again?”

“Why did you marry me, James?” she asked.

“Because I love you, of course.” He knew his first utterance of those words shouldn’t have sounded angry. But it did.

“You…”

“These past weeks have made me see how much.” That sounded so flat to convey all he meant. “I brought you a diamond necklace.” He pulled the case from his pocket and dropped it among the letters. “Nordling’s people found it today.” This was all going wrong. She was staring at him as if he was mad.

She didn’t open it. Instead she said, “I’ve loved you for years, you know. Even when I was the bane of your existence.”

James’s heart began to pound. “You never were.”

“Are you sure?”

There was a small smile on her face. A vast relief. “Oh yes.”

“It took me longer than that to understand love,” he said.

“And now you do?”

She was teasing him. Thank God, she was teasing him. James’s heart seemed to expand in his chest. “A large claim, I am aware. But I believe it is made up of desire and friendship and respect.”

“Like a recipe?”

“More a magical spell. Some mystical power takes those elements and makes them into a greater thing.”

“How poetic, James.” She looked happy. She truly did.

He opened the jewel case and held up the necklace.

“It’s lovely!” she exclaimed.

He stepped over to fasten the glittering stream around her neck. “You outshine them.”

The kiss that followed was soul deep. It would no doubt have led to more intimate caresses, but a clatter of footsteps heralded the entrance of Lady Wilton, waving a sheet of paper. Ignoring their embrace, she said, “I have had word from Ferrington Hall.”

“Have you?” James was lost in his wife’s gorgeous eyes. He refused to let go of her. His grandmother could simply endure the sight.

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