“I do believe it was worth it, darling,” he said, planting a soft kiss on her cheek. “You love a good challenge, do not deny it!”
“Congratulations, you two,” Aaron chimed in, clapping Hugo on the shoulder. “I could not be happier for you. You even make a man like me think about settling down, if the right woman were to walk into my life.”
“Hard to imagine, but I suppose miracles happen every day,” Hugo drawled, giving Elspeth a wink.
Aaron leaned toward Elspeth and Hugo, lowering his voice conspiratorially. “I heard through the grapevine that Middleby is still in quite a fix. He has not found a bride, and the deadline for his inheritance is fast approaching. It seems his time has run out in more ways than one.”
“I am sorry to hear that,” Elspeth said, though she knew she did not sound terribly convincing.
“Do not be anything of the sort,” Hugo scoffed, his grip on her hand tightening. “He got exactly what he deserved. Perhaps not enough.”
“You are hopeless, husband,” Elspeth chided.
They offered their polite smiles to their friends and turned to walk away just as the Dowager Duchess approached.
“Well,” she said, giving them an appraising look as she brought a monocle to her right eye. “You are a most capable and bright young lady.”
Elspeth laughed softly. “Ye had more faith in me than ye let on. I can see it now, but I ken I needed some tough love from ye.”
The Dowager Duchess’s gaze softened as she looked down at her. “Perhaps. But you proved me wrong, child. You truly won thiswhole thing, and likely would have without my help. You have such a heart. The Duke of Arrowfell is a patron of the orphanage now, thanks to your success. Your husband is very proud as well.” She leaned in and patted Elspeth’s cheek. “You may call me grandmama, if you wish.”
Elspeth’s eyes welled with tears as she hugged her. It had been so long since she felt such a connection to an older woman, not since Morag had passed several years ago.
“Thank ye, Grandmama,” she whispered, and for the first time, it felt so right.
Her mind drifted to her sweet mother.
She would have liked the Dowager, aye.
“Finally,” Hugo said as he carried Elspeth through the threshold of his quarters. “Welcome to our bedroom at Arrowfell, Duchess.”
“Our bedroom? I believe me room is just beyond that door.”
“You can do whatever you like there, but you will always sleep in my bed. Do you understand?”
“Aye, husband,” she said, pressing a kiss to his cheek.
She looked around the large bedroom, which had to be twice the size of his quarters in the London townhouse (which in itself wasenormous). The walls were painted soft white, and the bedding and curtains were in bright gold hues that shone in the soft moonlight filtering through the open window. The large fireplace was lit, the flickering flames bringing a pleasant warmth to the cool autumn breeze.
“It is perfect, me love,” she said before she kissed his cheek again.
In the quiet solitude of their bedchamber, the world outside faded away, leaving only the two of them.
Hugo set her down on her feet and slowly undid her gown. Within a few moments, the heavy silk of her wedding gown lay in a shimmering pool on the floor.
She thought it a tangible symbol of the world they had left behind.
Now, it is only us.
The only light came from the dancing flames in the fireplace, casting long, dancing shadows over the walls. Hugo pulled her naked body against his, tracing the curve of her back.
Elspeth liked the way she felt in his arms; his touch was filled with such a gentle reverence that every hair on her body stoodon end. He had been so hard on her at first, so teasing and cruel, and now there was nothing but tenderness.
“Take off yer clothes, Yer Grace,” Elspeth said as she pulled away from him, looking up at his impossibly broad shoulders. “Ye make me mouth water.”
“Oh heavens, Elspeth,” Hugo rasped as he began tugging at his shirt. “You will undo me with that tongue alone.”
“I will show ye just what me tongue can do,” she whispered.
