Epilogue
Thornton Hall
West Berkshire
England
Soft skin beneath Cecil’s fingertips ushered him closer to the edge.
Honeyed heat sucked greedily at his engorged length as he quickly thrust deeper into his wife’s body.
Whispered sighs steamed the side of his face, the underside of his jaw as Emma lifted her hips to receive him.
Over and over, they moved together in a dance as old as time.
When a keening cry broke from her lips and she tumbled into a release, he wasn’t far behind her. As always, it surprised him at how quickly he spent when coupling with her, but then, theirs was a love for the ages, so it would probably always be like this.
God willing.
As they came back to reality, he rolled onto his side and brought her with him. “Even after two years, it’s still as good as the first time,” he whispered against the crook of her shoulder.
“Four years if you count the ones we spent apart.” With a sound akin to a purr, she rested her head on his chest. “It’s our fourth wedding anniversary tonight.”
“Indeed, it is.” And he couldn’t be more pleased.
In fact, last year in January, his wife had been delivered of a son, conceived no doubt during the time that he’d spirited her away to his country estate out of pique.
He had an heir, and the boy was everything he could have hoped for.
Just over a year old, and it was already apparent he was clever and charming.
Even now, the infant slept upstairs in the nursery suite, surrounded by loving maids and a nurse.
Every damned morning, he was knocked tip over tail for the child and so damned grateful he could hardly stand it.
Emma laid a hand on his chest, pushed herself into a sitting position, and then peered down at him. “The ball will begin soon.”
“So it will.”
A sweet smile curved her kiss-swollen lips. “We need to dress, for we can’t host while nude.”
He waggled his eyebrows. “We could, but then it would be quite a different sort of ball.”
“And hardly fitting for a duke who is a father.” As she bit her bottom lip, she drew abstract designs over his skin. The muscles in his stomach clenched with renewed interest.
“I’m not a paragon of virtue, you know.”
“No, you’re not. Thank goodness, but you aren’t a rogue either.” For long moments, she remained silent. “Are you happy, Cecil?”
“I am.” That came as a surprise to admit. “Two years ago, I wasn’t certain what would happen, but I can honestly say, I am happy and content.”
“And you don’t want your life as it is to change?”
“That depends.” Immediately, his muscles tensed. There was something she wasn’t telling him. Wrapping his arms around her, he tackled her to the tick mattress and peered down at her. “What aren’t you saying?”
A pretty blush stained her cheeks. “I’m increasing again.”
“What?” He could hardly dare to hope. Ever since his son was born, he’d selfishly wanted another child. “Truly?”
“Yes.” She nodded. “The midwife said about three months along. In mid-August this year, we’ll add to our family.” As she spoke, Emma held his head between her palms. “You do want a second child, don’t you?”
“Ah, sweeting, I want as many babes as you’ll give me.
” And once again his life went tip over tail and in the best of ways.
“I can’t wait to meet this one.” He kissed her, showed her with those actions how much he adored her, how proud of her he was, and when he was done, Cecil moved down her body until he could press his lips to the soft swell of her belly.
“I love you so damned much, Emma. It’s frightening, this new addition, but I’m ready for the adventure. ”
So much love reflected in her eyes that the feeling of falling assailed him.
“Thank you for having the courage to fight to take back your life, Thornton. Now everything we’ve ever wanted is waiting for us.
” Tears spilled onto her cheeks. “None of that would have been possible without you coming to London after me.”
“Well, you are a duchess I couldn’t help but remember.
” When he came back up her body, he kissed her once again.
“Never again will I forget; you are the cornerstone of my life, the reason I wake in the morning, and now the mother of my children. Thank God you decided to enact scandal to gain my notice else we wouldn’t be here. ”
“How else was I to get your attention?” She delved into his arms, and he was only too glad to hold her close. “You are the only man I’ll ever need. Already you’re an excellent father. I can’t wait to see you with our second.”
He rested his forehead against hers and let the emotions cycle through his body. Oddly, there was nothing to fear. Changes were a part of life; it was how a man reacted to them that proved his mettle. “Thank you for not giving up on me.”
“You’re mine, Thornton. Love demands patience through to the end, and we are not there yet.” She pressed her lips to the scarred skin on the left side of his face. “Every day brings something new, and I look forward to all of it. With you.”
“As do I.”
And he held her, fully content. It was insanity how much a life could change in the span of years.
Did he still suffer nightmares and periods of darkness?
Of course. That didn’t just magically go away simply because other things in life were going well, but he was better equipped to survive them now, because he wasn’t alone.
And wasn’t everyone just trying to find the person to go through life with that made everything a tiny bit better? In Emma, he had that, and he’d be damned if he ever lost her. Thankfully, he was learning how to strike a balance in his life so he never would put his marriage into jeopardy again.
He would rather die than lose what he’d fought so hard for. Twice.