Page 35 of Claimed By the Duke of Ice

A silly smile drew across Grace’s face as she heaved in another breath and shook her head.

“Not at all, my love,” she sighed, reaching for his hand. “Come, lie with me.” Nathaniel moved to reach for her, but at the last moment, something within him made him pull back. It wasn’t the usual numbness he felt after touching someone, nor the uncontrollable twinge of his features. It was something new.

Nathaniel leaned down, unable to resist kissing Grace one more time. But as her arms moved to wrap around him, he caught them and gently forced them down. A look of confusion came over Grace as he pulled away, and she sat up as she smoothed her skirts back down over her legs.

“Did I do something wrong?” she asked, looking him up and down.

How sweet she is, Nathaniel thought, wishing he could go back to being in the moment.

“Not at all,” he replied, searching his mind for a better answer. “I very much have enjoyed our time together. But I’m afraid I need get back to my affairs.”

He ran a trembling hand through his hair as he took another couple of steps away from her then he turned around.

“Write to your family. Inform them that they are invited to stay here with us at any time,” he told her.

“Will I see you again soon?” Grace asked, moving off of the chaise and to her feet. “That was…well, that was a very pleasurable experience. I should like to try it again.”

Nathaniel couldn’t help the hungry grin that graced his lips.

“As would I,” he agreed. “Perhaps you could start coming to my rooms in the morning to help me shave. And we will see where it goes from there.” He paused, then added, “Oh yes, I almost forgot. We have been invited to the Wallas’ ball. It is the day after tomorrow, and we should attend together.”

Hope glimmered in Grace’s eyes as she returned the smile and curtseyed.

“As you wish, dear husband.”

* * *

Grace waited until Nathaniel left her room then melted back into the chaise, her smile growing. It had finally happened! They had made progress past a cursory kiss and into much more intimate territory. Her thighs quivered as she recalled what his mouth had just done, and she felt a sense of accomplishment. Progress was made today. Hope was rekindled.

Grace took a few more minutes to herself, letting the memory of Nathaniel’s ministrations play over and over in her head. Then, with renewed energy, she got up and went to her desk. She tore up the letter she’d been writing to her parents and pulled out a fresh piece of stationery.

Dear Mama and Papa, she began, I was so happy to receive your letter. It is with pleasure that I invite you, Letitia, Matilda, and Sam to visit us in Ninter as soon as possible…

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

“Do you attend many formal gatherings while you reside in Ninter, Nathaniel?” Grace asked, peering out the window of their carriage. In the distance, she could see the soft glow of torches and the outline of a large stone house. She was both excited and nervous to attend. On one hand, she was looking forward to being social, but on the other, she had become accustomed to the quietness of the Darland Estate.

“Only when I absolutely have to,” Nathaniel replied, fiddling with his cravat.

Grace watched as he attempted to make it tighter and then, in a fumble of fingers, untied the thing completely.

“Darn this thing,” Nathaniel muttered.

Biting back laughter, Grace leaned forward and extended her hands.

“Come, lean forward,” she urged gently. “I shall fix it for you.”

Nathaniel looked at her suspiciously for a moment then did as he was told. Within moments, she had the cravat retied and properly positioned.

“There,” she said with an air of praise, smoothing her hands down his lapels.

“Handsome as ever.”

Nathaniel’s eyes traveled up and down Grace’s person, and a small smile touched his lips.

“Thank you. You look quite lovely yourself,” he replied. “Is that one of the new dresses I purchased for you?”

Grace looked down at the soft pink gown encrusted with tiny jewels at strategic places and smiled back at him.

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