Page 74 of The Duke’s Wager

“I found a driver to take you to the cemetery. Harold.”

Lucy opened her mouth to protest. Harold was her father’s driver, and a loyal man. Maria shook her head quickly. “Harold is loyal to your father out of necessity. Besides, he owes me a favor. I know things about him that I have kept secret for years. He will not speak – nor will he ask questions.”

It was another problem that Maria had solved for her, and Lucy looked at the woman gratefully.

“Do not thank me. I would do it again gladly if it served your happiness. Now… go!”

Lucy could only laugh at Maria’s insistence, and yet she quickly bent down to put on her shoes and fasten them. When she stood again, Maria was already lying down, her hands folded under her chin.

“I know you cannot possibly fall asleep this fast, Maria.”

Lucy said this in a teasing tone. Maria did not open her eyes – instead, she smiled.

“Perhaps not. But this is the softest bed I have been in my whole life. I might just fall asleep before you even reach the carriage.”

She smiled and quietly made her way to the carriage. Harold stood outside, leaning against the carriage. Lucy approached him nervously.

Despite Maria’s reassurance, she was not entirely sure that she could trust him. Harold, however, merely nodded at her and opened the carriage door.

“My lady.”

He did not say another word. Nor did Lucy. The second she climbed into the carriage, doubt attacked her from every corner but it quickly made way for excitement.

Her entire body was trembling for the mere thought of being in Edward’s arms once more. There was nothing else she wanted – nothing else she wished for. Her body ached for him, her lips burned for his kiss.

There was something about Edward’s kiss, something about the way he touched her, that made her want to give her heart, body, and soul to him without holding back. If she tried hard enough, she could once again feel his lips against her neck, his hands brushing over her breasts, her body pressed against his eagerly…

The carriage came to a quick halt, and her heart jumped in her chest. The cemetery looked dark and lonely. Lucy swallowed as she climbed out. Harold’s face was unreadable.

Though she was still afraid that Edward was not here, she could not ask Harold to accompany her to their spot. She did not care what he owed Maria. He could not know the whole truth.

“Thank you, Harold.” Her voice sounded stronger than it felt. “I will find my way back.”

If Edward were not here, she preferred to brave the trek home than climb back into this carriage and give Harold any clues as to her deception.

She waited for the carriage to leave before slowly walking towards the spot where she usually met Edward, her heart beating wildly in her chest.

The anxiety dissipated when she saw him. He stood next to a tree, a bottle of wine in his hand and a sheepish expression on his face.

His face lit up when he saw her, and he took a step closer.

“You came,” he said.

Lucy wrapped the cloak around her and looked down. Thick blankets lay on the ground, and her heart skipped a beat.

“Did you doubt that I would?”

Edward laughed nervously. “I will not lie, my lady. I was quite nervous.”

She took a step closer, her eyes searching his for the adoration she knew was in hers. “Well… I am here.”

Then his hand was on her wrist, pulling her closer, and their lips met in a fervent, heated kiss.

When they finally let go of each other, they were out of breath. Edward tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and smiled down at her, before gesturing for her to take a seat.

As they sat and he poured the wine, Lucy took her time to truly take in the setup.

Along with the wine, there was a tray filled with fruits and cheeses. The blankets were soft and comfortable.