Page 84 of The Duke Who Claimed Her

She very nearly closed her eyes completely then. Only, as she heard Caspian’s footsteps walking across the room, she felt a sudden pang in her chest. It was a feeling similar to something being taken from her; emptiness, a hole that needed filling. What it was, she realized, was the need to keep Caspian in her sight.

“Caspian…” She spoke softly, her eyes half-closed. “Can I ask one more favor of you?”

“Only one,” he said with a soft chuckle.

“Do not leave me,” she said. “Not tonight. Please, I do not wish to be alone.”

If she had the strength to do so, she would have opened her eyes to see what look he wore on his face. But because she did not, she had to imagine it instead. She liked to imagine a smile, warmth filling his eyes, and nothing less than complete and utter love shared as he looked upon his wife.

“For you, Arabella? Anything.”

She smiled as she listened to him crossing the room. Her eyes were closed completely, but the smile grew as she felt him climb into bed. And it was as he snuggled in beside her, his arms wrapped around her body like a cocoon, that sleep finally found Arabella.

It was a dreamless sleep. It was also the best that she ever had. Wrapped in the arms of the man she loved, feeling perfectly safe and guarded, and knowing that when she opened her eyes the following morning, her life would never be the same again.

Chapter Thirty-Two

The world was a different place when Arabella woke up the following morning. She felt it as soon as she opened her eyes, an undeniable sense that something had changed.

The morning sun seemed to glow a little bit warmer as it spread across her face and warmed her. The bed was more comfortable than she remembered. There was nothing to bring worry or concern, no need to ponder on the difficulties that might be faced that day, and no confusion felt over what might come. Everything was perfect.

Oh yes, and that Arabella woke up to find herself in her husband’s arms was not such a bad thing either.

“You are awake…” Caspian’s soft voice whispered in her ear.

She smiled as she paused to savor the feeling of his arms around her. They wrapped her completely, holding her close to his chest, and if the world were to end right then and there, Arabella would die a happy woman. She had never felt so at peace.

“How could you tell?” she asked as she wiggled herself deeper into his arms.

“You want the truth?”

“Of course.”

“You stopped snoring.”

“Liar!” she cried out jokingly. “I do not snore.”

“Like a runaway carriage on a gravely road,” he chuckled. She pretended to try to wiggle free, and he held her tight. “All night too. I thought it would never end.”

She scoffed and stopped her struggling. “You could have left, if you wished. I certainly was not keeping you here.”

His answer was a kiss. He placed it on the side of her face, gentle and wet. It sent a pulse across her face and through her body, and she relaxed even more than she already had done; she melted into him.

“I could listen to it for the rest of my life,” he purred.

“Perhaps that can be arranged.”

They laughed together and, for a few seconds, simply enjoyed the moment for what it was. Their troubles were officially behind them, the days ahead were free to do whatever they wished, and because they would be doing it together, they both seemed to understand that such times were those to be worshipped.

“Are you hungry?” Caspian asked eventually.

As if on cue, Arabella’s stomach rumbled. She had not eaten since breakfast the previous morning, and it was only just then that she realized how famished she was.

Caspian laughed when he heard her stomach. “And there is my answer.”

“Timothy will likely be awake soon, too…” Slowly, Arabella clawed herself free of Caspian’s embrace and stretched her arms. “Best that we start the day.”

She rolled over and turned so that she could look upon her husband. He was dressed in the same clothes he had worn last evening, and Arabella suddenly realized she was too. Her gown was filthy, stiff from wear, and she did not want to even think about how her face must have looked.