Page 77 of The Duke’s Wager

“I wish we could freeze time and stay right here, in this moment.”

Edward mirrored her sigh and leaned in to press his lips against hers in a gentle kiss.

“So do I, my love. But the world will awaken soon. When it does, we best be at our homes.”

He was right, as much as she did not want him to be.

“One more minute.”

She pouted at this, and Edward pressed his lips against hers in another hard kiss. They deepened the kiss eagerly, and she wrapped her arms around his neck, as though she could freeze time if she held onto him hard enough. His hands moved over the curve of her hips to cup her breast, and she pressed her body against his eagerly.

She did not want to leave – not even one bit.

“Lucy…” Edward’s voice was a needy moan. “We must go, my darling.”

Lucy sighed and pulled her body away from his. “I know. We must, but I do not want to.”

Edward laughed shortly and rose to his feet. He extended a hand to her, and she took it, allowing him to help her up.

“Believe me, Lucy, I do not wish to leave either. But I do not wish for you to be in trouble either. Come – we must take the blankets back to Sister Agnes.”

Lucy blushed. Sister Agnes was so proper! So godly! What would she think about the pair of them spending the whole night together? Would she be shocked, scandalized even? Or would she be happy for them?

Her thoughts were interrupted by Edward, who leaned down and pressed another kiss against her lips. He pulled away with a short laugh.

“You were thinking too loudly, my love.”

Lucy laughed at this and took his hand as they made their way over to the church where Sister Agnes was already sitting in a pew, deep in prayer.

They waited for her to finish.

“My lord! My lady… It is good to see you!”

Lucy blushed but managed to smile at the woman. “It is good to see you, Sister Agnes.”

Sister Agnes returned her smile and took a step forward, taking Lucy’s hands. “And you, Lady Lucy. You look well. Happier than I have ever seen you.”

She pointed from one to the other. “I have always held hope in my heart that the two of you might cross paths. You have the same values, the same pain, and I just knew, for years, that you would understand one another. It seems to me now,” she smiled at them brightly, “that I was right all along.”

Once again, Lucy blushed furiously. Edward, however, grinned as though he had just been told he won a large sum of money.

“You were certainly right, Sister Agnes,” he exclaimed with a smile. “We understand each other better than I ever believed anyone could.”

“Well,” Sister Agnes took the blankets from their arms with a smile, “the sun is rising, so I believe you are both on your way home. I am glad to have been able to help, my lord.”

With exclamations of gratitude and quick hugs, the pair left to find Edward’s carriage. Not for the first time since the previous night, Lucy was relieved to have sent Harold home. Going home in Edward’s carriage meant they were able to spend a few more precious moments together, and she would gladly accept any minute she was offered with him.

To the driver’s credit, he did not look scandalized to see them together. He kept his eyes forward, save for a quick nod in their direction.

Edward and Lucy had barely entered the carriage before he pulled her into an embrace, holding her close.

“I wish I could take you home with me,” he whispered against her hair, his arms circling her.

“Oh, Edward…” Lucy sighed and pressed her head to his neck. She could not deny that it was what she wanted too.

She did not verbalize these thoughts, however, instead pressing her lips against him in a chaste kiss. The kiss turned tender, then passionate. In the cramped space of the carriage, they were close together, and yet she craved more closeness. In a sudden rush of need for him, Lucy climbed atop his lap and straddled him.

Edward looked pleasantly surprised at this, and though Lucy could not stop the blush from rising to her cheeks, she did not look away. Instead, she met his eyes eagerly.