Page 101 of If Not for the Duke

“I love you as well. With all that I am. You are everything I could hope for in a wife and more than I deserve. Your kindness, thoughtfulness for others, honor, and intelligence are qualities everyone should aspire to. You are beautiful inside and out. In your actions and your heart. I am a better man for knowing you. You truly are the treasure I never hoped to find.” He dropped to one knee, causing Lena to gasp. “Lena, would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

While some women might be surprised by a proposal so soon after the ordeal they’d just endured, Sterling’s timing was perfect for Lena. What they’d been through proved that each moment they had together was precious, and the sooner they started their life together, the better.

“Yes! Oh, Sterling, I can’t imagine a future without you in it.”

“Despite my grumpiness?” he asked with a grin.

“That nickname no longer applies.” She touched the corner of his mouth, loving his smile.

He stood to take her into his arms, moving slowly, suggesting his shoulder was painful. “You have made me the happiest man alive. You’re going to make a wonderful duchess.”

Lena wound one arm around his good shoulder. “Do you think so?”

“I know so.” Then he took her mouth with his, the kiss full of promise.

Lena’s heart lifted as if on wings, fluttering in a most delightful way.

Epilogue

Six months later…

Sterling woke slowly,still becoming accustomed to the feel of the warm, silky body entwined with his. He loved it.

The happiness that made his chest feel as if a hot air balloon resided inside him was also new. He loved it, too.

More than either of those, he loved the woman tucked against him in the circle of his arms. He smiled, something he did more and more frequently since their marriage nearly a month ago.

He turned his head to glance at the clock, realizing they’d slept in. The night had been a late one spent in each other’s arms. Already he knew he would never get enough of his lovely wife. His heart filled to overflowing as he looked at her.

Lena’s long, pale hair spilled across the pillow, and her cheeks were pinkened with sleep. The curves of her breasts were just visible along the edge of the sheet.

The past few weeks had been the best of his life. They’d taken only a brief honeymoon as Lena hadn’t wanted to miss the birth of her nephew. Nor had she wanted to leave Bernie since his sister was still learning to navigate social events. Bernie adored having Lena as part of the family. Even Aunt Edith had seemed more relaxed now.

Lena had been right about the timing of the birth of the baby, along with numerous other things. He loved the pleased smile that came over her face when one of her feelings proved true as if she was privy to a secret no one else knew.

Lucky him that she so often shared them.

Unable to resist, he pressed a kiss to her temple, then her cheek. Her soft sigh was more arousing than he could’ve guessed. What could he do but continue this gentle awakening of his wife?

His duchess.

The possessive thought only added to his desire. He moved his arm from under her head then pressed a trail of kisses along her jawline and down her neck to the swell of her breasts.

She shifted, offering another one of those sighs that had him hardening further. He drew the sheet down until her pink-tipped breasts came into view. Now he was the one to sigh.

“Sterling?” Her voice was husky with sleep.

“Yes, my love?”

She opened her eyes and smiled sleepily. “I love it when you call me that.”

“Good, my duchess.” He lowered to take a nipple in his mouth.

“I like that, too.” She arched against him.

“The title or this?” He kissed her other breast.

“Yes,” she answered and giggled when he ran his hands along her ribs. “I mean, I like being yours and I like what you’re doing.”

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