Page 95 of Unbound Duchess

“We should get Madalene a gift.”

Laurence’s sleepy smile widened as a chuckle rumbled from her throat, then he bowed his head to meet her lips in a deep kiss.

“I suppose we should,” he agreed once he pulled back. “After she spends a week in London. Away from us. With no nagging. Or interrupting.”

Ellen giggled, nodding.

“A week full of this sounds heavenly,” she sighed, nestling further into his arms.

He raised a single brow as his lips drew into a smirk.

“A week?” he asked, his gaze locked lovingly on hers. “Oh, no, darling. A lifetime.”

EPILOGUE

ONE MONTH LATER

“Laurence, please, please, please,” Ellen begged through gritted teeth as she thrashed among the sheets.

Laurence’s grinned wickedly against her mons as he continued his sweet torture.

“Not yet,” he snarled, reveling in the feral nature of the moment. “Just a little longer, my Duchess.”

His wicked punishment was brought on by her own doing. She’d entered his study an hour earlier, looking breathtakingly stunning in the gold evening gown she’d had made for their first dinner party later that night, and had sat.

On his lap.

The mere brush of her body against his, the scent of her perfume mixed with her natural aroma, the softness in her voice as she whispered, ‘hello, my love,’ had him ready to take her right then and there. Yet when he moved to lift her skirts, she’d batted his hands away with an impish smile, and told him he had to wait until later.

Now it was his turn.

He continued his devious ministrations, working his fingers and tongue in a way she knew she liked until her entire body trembled and only her shoulder blades touched the bed. Then he stopped.

Laurence moved off the bed, grinning wickedly as he wiped the evidence of her incoming orgasm from his chin.

Ellen’s eyes snapped open, her face still beautifully flushed from his teasing, and she looked at him with her mouth agape.

“What are you doing?” she panted, her body trembling as she leaned up on her elbows.

“Later,” he taunted, using her own words against her.

Ellen’s breath froze in her chest for a brief second, then she hurriedly shook her head.

“No,” she pleaded. “No, you cannot leave me like this! Our guests will be arriving soon! I shall be distracted all night!”

Laurence smirked, loving the way she pleaded with him. He leaned down and pressed a quick kiss to her lips before he stood tall and straightened his cravat.

“That will make two of us then,” he quipped.

Ellen’s wide eyes narrowed accusingly as she abruptly sat up on the bed and pulled her skirts down.

“You scoundrel,” she snarled, throwing a pillow at him.

“You teased me first,” he taunted, moving toward the door.

As he opened it, he found Sarah coming down the hall and beckoned her into the room. His wife’s handmaid was starting to grow round in the belly with child, and soon, Laurence hoped that he and Ellen would be expecting one of their own.

“Would you please touch up Her Grace’s hair?” he asked her politely as he waved Sarah inside. He turned back to Ellen, who was still scowling, and winked at her. “It got a little messed up.”