Epilogue
She was late.
Evan looked at his pocket watch with impatience as the tea on the table grew cold.
The tea shop was emptier now that the Season was over.
A month after his wedding with Joanna, most of the peerage had left for their country homes.
They were soon going to follow, but both of them wanted to experience London as a married couple first.
He smiled as the door opened and the young lady entered. Her dark eyes scanned the room and soon rested on him. He stood up as she approached. “Your Grace,” he said, bowing to her.
She mimicked his bow, unable to stop the mischievous grin on her face. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Your Grace.”
“I thought we were to meet a half hour ago,” Evan said as he took his seat. “Perhaps I was mistaken.”
“Not at all, Your Grace,” she said as she took her own seat. She leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table. “I admit I’m surprised an overgrown enchanted snowman like yourself knows how to tell time.”
He grinned in response. “You should know. You’re the mischievous enchantress who bewitched me, after all.
” He took her hand. He still delighted in being able to hold her hand in public.
There was no need to worry about a scandal anymore.
He quirked an eyebrow at her. “Have you read any books by Mary Wollstonecraft lately?
She giggled and ducked her head, unable to keep up the charade. “I behaved so scandalously, didn’t I?”
“You were adorable,” he said, smiling. “And before you ask, I’ve already ordered a plate of scones.”
Joanna poured herself a cup of tea. “Excellent! I do love them.” She looked around the shop with a soft smile on her face. “I believe this little tea shop will become a favorite of mine. After all, it’s where we met.”
“I personally prefer that art gallery,” he said. “Especially that funny little exhibit with the pear paintings. Perhaps we can stop there next.” He took her hand and pressed his lips against her knuckle. “I can finally kiss you the way I wanted to then.”
She giggled a little, a blush spreading across her face. Even after a month of marriage, she still blushed so easily for him. He hoped that would never go away. “I would love that.”
“Good,” he said. “Because I love you.”
She smiled softly. “I love you too, Evan,” she whispered. “I always will.”
Joanna had to admit that the scones were a bit bland.
After a month of living at Blackwell Manor, she was beginning to get accustomed to more than just the watered-down stew she used to take as her single meal of the day.
However, despite that, the tea shop would still be a favorite place for her because it was where she met Evan.
After they finished their meal, Evan said, “Where to next, my duchess? The art gallery, perhaps?”
“Another time,” she said. “I would like to return home. I have another plan for the night.”
He smiled, his eyes taking on a predatory glint. “Do you, now?”
“Yes, Your Grace. You will see.” She couldn’t help but giggle as they left the shop and got into their carriage.
As soon as they were inside, he pulled her onto his lap and closed the curtains on the carriage windows, shielding them from the outside world. She smiled and wrapped her arms around his neck as he kissed her, roughly.
He hadn’t been able to keep his hands off of her since their wedding night. If he had his way, they would never leave their bedchamber. Joanna had to insist on going out and about in London now and then, just so they could catch their breaths.
“You look magnificent today,” he growled as he trailed kisses down her skin. “Perhaps we don’t have to wait for the manor. I could claim you right here.”
She blushed at the thought. “Someone would surely know! The driver–”
“I do not give a damn.” He kissed her collarbone as his hands went to the laces of her dress.
She had to reach behind her and grab his hand before he could undo them– she knew how fast he could undo her dress when he wanted to.
“That won’t be necessary. We can have plenty of fun without messing up my dress.
” She felt for the laces of his breaches and her hand brushed over his hard shaft in the process.
He groaned softly and captured her mouth in another kiss as she undid his laces and pulled out his shaft. Joanna moved her skirts out of the way as she straddled him. Slowly, she impaled herself upon him and her entire body shuddered as he filled her up.
He groaned. “Good girl,” he said, grabbing her hips to control her movements. “That’s it. Move up and down, just like that. You feel so good, sweetheart.”
She kissed her way down his neck, loving the way his pulse fluttered under her lips. Seeing him like this, knowing that she affected him this much, made her feel powerful.
His body shuddered and suddenly he was pulling her off of him. He set her down on the opposite bench as he laced up his breaches. The look he was giving her was dark and predatory. “Not yet, little mouse,” he said. “I want to keep playing with you when we’re home.”
She smiled, feeling a bit breathless. She knew her face was flushed from exertion. “Of course. I have plans for you as well.”
By the time the carriage pulled up to Blackwell Manor, they had managed to compose themselves enough to exit the carriage without making it too obvious about what they were doing.
Evan barely bid farewell to the driver as he got out of the carriage with Joanna. He grabbed her hand and all but dragged her into the manor, with her giggling as she followed him.
He felt like a man half crazed with need. All it took to make him addicted to Joanna was getting a proper taste of her. Now he felt like he was dying if he didn’t spend all of his waking time touching her, or at least seeing her.
He didn’t acknowledge any of the staff as he took Joanna to his bedchamber. Peter and his grandmother had already left for their country home, so he didn’t need to worry about them causing accidental delays as he took Joanna to his bedchamber.
As soon as they were inside, with the door closed behind them, he grabbed her waist, intending to throw her on the bed.
But before he got a chance, she pushed him away. “Patience,” she said. “I told you, I have a plan.”
He growled. “Perhaps you can surprise me later.” He tried to reach for her again, but she danced out of his grasp, giggling.
“I promise you’ll like it, my love,” she said. “Why don’t you get undressed and lie down on the bed?”
He could at least do that. As he unbuttoned his shirt, she disappeared behind a small changing screen in the corner. His gaze followed her, but he couldn’t see anything except her silhouette as she undressed.
She took her time with whatever she was doing. He fully undressed and lied down on the bed before she came out.
When she revealed herself, his breath was taken away. Joanna stood before him in a light blue dress, made entirely of sheer lace. She did not wear any undergarments under it, so he could see her entire body through the dress as she glided towards the bed.
“Where did you get that?” he asked.
“From the modiste,” she said, blushing. “The seamstress raised an eyebrow when I told her what I wanted, but she was happy to make it and I think it turned out beautifully.” She twirled for him and the lightweight lace fanned out around her. “I think she did a wonderful job. Don’t you?”
“Yes,” he said, his voice husky.
“Of course I cannot wear the dress outside of the bedchamber,” she said as she approached the bed. “I would only wear it for you.” She kneeled down on the bed for him.
“You look absolutely stunning, duchess.” Somehow, she looked like a temptress and an innocent maiden at the same time. The sight of her made him even more possessive. He wanted to keep her in their bedchambers forever, where only he could see her. Where he could worship her.
He grabbed her hand and gently tugged her toward him. She fell against his chest and he wasted no time in flipping her over so she was on her back and he was over her. “Absolutely beautiful,” he whispered before claiming her mouth with his own.
His hands roamed down her body, feeling her pert nipples through the thin fabric before going lower.
A primal urge wanted to rip the thin fabric off of her, but his good sense prevailed and instead he grabbed the skirt and lifted it up to her waist. He settled himself between her legs as he kissed his way down her body.
As his lips closed around her nipple, she cried out. He licked her through the lace, letting the feeling of the rough fabric heighten her pleasure. As he teased her nipple, he reached a hand between her legs to feel her sex.
She was already wet for him and he easily slid two fingers inside of her, pushing them in and out as he released her nipple and went to torment the other one.
Her body started to shake from the pleasure. “Evan please,” she whimpered. “I need you. Please.”
“You have me, my love,” he whispered against her skin as he withdrew his hand.
“You’ll always have me.” He straightened up and the tip of his shaft brushed against her tight entrance.
He pushed himself inside of her and closed his eyes, relishing in the feeling of being surrounded by her slick heat.
Joanna moaned, her eyes rolling back inside her head as he thrust into her, over and over. He gasped and picked her legs up, pushing her knees to her chest as he moved faster and faster. He leaned down to kiss her, his tongue claiming her mouth roughly, urgently.
He needed her, all of her. He needed to remind her over and over that she belonged to him, as much as he belonged to her.
Evan grabbed her delicate wrists and gently pinned them above her head.
He slowed down his movements and pulled back to look at her dazed face.
Her eyes were glazed over with pleasure and her slightly bruised lips were parted slightly, waiting for his kiss again.
“You look so beautiful when you’re helpless to me, my love,” he whispered to her.
“I’ll never grow bored of the sight of you when I’m inside of you, when you can’t think of anything except the pleasure I give you. ”
She moaned in response, her ability to form words long gone. He grinned as he looked lower, at the cloud of blue lace surrounding her. He couldn’t wait for her to wear this dress again and again.
He leaned down to kiss her neck, just above her pulse point.
As he did so, her body shuddered and her inner walls squeezed his shaft as she came.
The feeling of it was enough to send him over the edge.
He groaned as he came inside of her. He closed his eyes as he reveled in the pleasure of it before slowly pulling out, knowing his seed would be dripping out of her, onto their bedspread.
His entire body felt relaxed as he rolled over, onto his back.
Joanna put her head on his chest as her eyes drifted closed.
He smiled and brushed a piece of hair out of her face, gently tucking it behind her ear.
She always looked so delicate and vulnerable when she was like this. It made him feel protective.
The future was uncontrollable, and unpredictable. But no matter what happened, he would make sure she spent the rest of her days safe and cared for. “I love you, my duchess,” he murmured.
She smiled softly, but she was too tired to open her eyes. “I love you too, my love.”
The End?