Page 4 of Duchess Material

“Really?” John scoffed. “The idea of King Robert changing a nappy!”

“Dad, did you ever change a nappy?”

Margaret snickered. “Well, played. The answer is no.”

“I think I changed at least two.”

“Changed at least two!?”

“What, you plan on being the man who changes nappies? John laughed.

“I mean, why should a father not change nappies? That’s essential.”

Margaret shook her head. “She wouldn’t expect it, Ed. People like us… people like Natalie… they have people.”

“I wouldn’t want people raising my kids,” Ed said. “It’s not for me. I’m assuming they would go to a nanny or a care centre, but I would want to be the parent otherwise.”

“Uh-huh. Maybe get a dog first?” John chuckled.

2

HOLLY

After a short visit to Belgium to visit her cousins, Aunt Beth, and Uncle Louis, Natalie returned to London. After pulling strings, she went right to her quarters to meet with the only person she wanted to see. Ed sat on the couch, waiting. It was the best homecoming present.

He rushed to sweep her up in a kiss. “You’re here… and alive?”

“I am.” Natalie kissed him back.

It felt better than she remembered.

How had a month felt like a lifetime without Ed? She wanted to stay with him forever, but they only had a long weekend. She wanted to stay wrapped up in his embrace for ages. Natalie was dying for him to haul her into the other room.

“Can I take you to bed or do you want food? Or whatever?” Ed asked.

“Take me to bed. I couldn’t focus on anything else if I tried.”

To Natalie’s surprise and delight, Ed took her words literally. He picked her up and ran her to the bedroom, throwing her down on the bed in what could be best described in lustful exuberance. They kissed for a bit, fooling around in the dark before giving up on it, turning a light on and trying to undress. Clothes on the floor, Ed went to work.

“You don’t have to—”

Natalie stopped talking, her head falling back into the pillow as he sucked on her clit and gripped her hips. He was so dutiful. How could she turn him down? Instead, she pushed her hips towards his face and gripped his hair. He needed a haircut. In this moment, though, she couldn’t have cared less about the follicles on his head. She let him do the thing. She came, shouting his name, her hands interlaced with his hair. Natalie’s legs quaked as he kissed his way back up her torso and kissed her neck before looking down at her.

“I have been fantasising about that for weeks,” Natalie sputtered.

“And this?” Ed wondered, pulling her towards him and putting her legs around his neck.

“Oh, this is even better,” Natalie replied.

It was. She loved this position. She had full view of him. It felt spectacular.

She gripped the covers tightly. “You make it so difficult, because I have nothing to grab onto.”

“Maybe I don’t want to give you anything to grab onto? Maybe you should wait a moment rather than be selfish?” Ed remarked.

“But I am allowed to be selfish.”

“Says who? Get on your hands and knees.”

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