Dukes By the Dozen

It was the first time in the fortnight of their marriage he’d woken up with his wife. Dark hair tousled around her face, making her look pleasantly mussed, as though she’d been well-loved rather than having slept poorly.

Her mouth curled into a shy smile. “Good morning.”

Her nightgown had slipped from one shoulder, leaving it bare and tempting in the light easing in from around the edge of the curtains. She followed his gaze and quickly pushed up the drooping cloth. That wasn’t all. She grasped the covers and tucked them about under her arms with the yards of thick cloth layered over her like a shield.

He raised his brows. “For a woman who wishes me to move along in the business of procreation, you certainly are rather missish this morning.”

“But the sun is up.”

Oh yes, the sun was up. And that was how he’d prefer to see her best, with those golden rays kissing her flawless skin. “Once I have finally had you again, wife, I will have you anywhere and at any hour.”

She stammered, “I beg your pardon?”

“Including in the full light of day.” He tugged lightly at the blanket. It fell free from her limp grasp to reveal one soft pink nipple beneath the thin linen nightgown. “Where I can see all of you. Touch all of you.” He grinned as the little bud grew taut and strained at the fabric. “Taste all of you.”

Her mouth parted, but before she could say more, he drew away, more for his sake than for her own. God, he ached fiercely for her. Acutely.

To his surprise, she slipped from the bed as well, and did not bother to put on her robe. Sunlight limned the outline of her body beneath, highlighting the dip of her waist and an enticing line of light between her slender thighs. He pulled back a corner of the curtain in desperate need to escape and was blinded with the brilliance of sheer white outside.

Julia drew back with him, shielding her eyes. Together, they blinked and gazed out once more. A thick layer of snow coated the world beyond, hiding the exact location of the lake and burying bushes. The roads would be impassable for travel regardless.

“I think we will be staying here for another day,” Julia said brightly.

“At least. Why does that have you so happy?”

“It’s another day to win games.” She smiled. “It’s my turn.” Her gaze fell on his forearm where his nightshirt had ridden up and her quiet joy faltered. “What happened there?”

William brushed the sleeve into place, covering the mottled flesh. He’d made sure to keep that arm turned from Julia’s sight until now. It ran along the outside of his forearm, a violent mass of thick, twisted skin. A small scar by comparison to what it could have been, how close he’d come to death.

“A burn, that is all.” He released the drapes and the room blanketed in darkness.

“Were you in a fire?” she asked.

“Yes.” He strode away from the windows and went to the ewer to wash his face.

“When?”

Why did she have to press him so? He splashed cold water on his face, but it did not blot out the memories of that day, the screams of his parents as the flames consumed them. He scrubbed at his face, but he could not scour away the weight of guilt in his heart. A lifetime of consideration had taught him that it would never lessen. He folded the linen neatly and set it beside the ewer. “Do you prefer balls or soirees?” he asked.

“Balls,” she answered. “I enjoy dancing.”

“You’re quite good at it.” He ran a comb through his hair, straightening what he could until Hodges made an appearance to do it for him.

“Almost as good as you are at deflecting questions.” She tilted her chin, having clearly made an accurate point. “And almost as good as I am at games. I will be the victor today.”

Before he could say anything further, her maid, Edith, entered the room with the tray of hot chocolate, bobbed a quick curtsey, and set about her tasks for the day.

Soon he would see exactly how good Julia was. They both had much to gain. And even more to lose.

CHAPTER 6

THAT KISS. That kiss, that kiss. Julia’s insides simply swam at the memory. The very thought conjured a low thrum of anticipation throbbing between her thighs. No matter what she did, she could not clear it from her mind. And if she was being honest, she did not wish to refrain from remembering.

No, she wanted to replay it over and over in her mind. His tongue stroking hers, his teeth nipping at her lower lip. His sensual growl.

A shiver ran down her spine and left her skin prickled with sensual awareness.

“You are cold.” Beside her, Lady Cecelia said in her gentle tone. “Let’s have the maid fetch your shawl.”

“No need.” Julia closed the book on the page she’d attempted to read for the twentieth time. “I’ll go upstairs myself. I need to move around a bit, I think.” Though really, Julia hoped to find her husband upstairs. As much as she had wanted to avoid him yesterday, she wanted to see him today. After such a kiss, hopefully he could be easily enticed into more.

Lady Cecelia lowered her own book. “I’ll come with you.”