Page 30 of Sin and Serendipity

“Don’t look so glum, Robert. We have our whole lives ahead of us, don’t we?” His betrothed threw him a saucy smile over her shoulder. “And your desk isn’t going anywhere.”

Grinning, he let her lead him from the room, his hand entwined with hers, his heart lighter than it had been in ages.

He would follow this woman anywhere, he realized. And he was fairly certain she knew it, too.

He wouldn’t have it any other way.

Epilogue

Soft, mid-morning sunlight streamed in through the chamber windows, casting a warm glow over the bed and Ellie’s still-sleeping husband.

Rolling onto her side, Ellie propped up on one elbow, her lips curling into a soft smile as she watched Robert sleep. He was lying on his back, his hands laced over his bare stomach, the bed sheet bunched low at his hips, and her gaze roved over his broad chest, his strong shoulders, his handsome, beloved face.

Lord, but he was a sight to behold.

And he was hers.

They were married nearly ten months ago in a private ceremony with only their families in attendance, although considering the number of siblings they each had, the party had been rather a large one.

Mrs. Wrencroft and Lady Darrington had exchanged more than one self-satisfied smile that day.

Their wedding trip was spent on the Isle of Wight, where Ellie saw the sea for the first time. It was an experience she would never forget, watching the boats coming and going, the fishermen hauling in their daily catch as the seabirds swooped and circled overhead, hoping to pilfer a catch of their own.

She would cherish the memory of that trip for the rest of her life. She’d finally fulfilled her dream to visit the sea and, even better, it was an experience she’d shared with her husband, her love.

Smiling to herself, she rubbed a hand over her belly, her heart swelling with happiness. Soon they would have another experience to share. An even better one.

She hadn’t told Robert of the babe yet—she’d wanted to be sure before she did—but she knew the moment she awoke that today was the day. She couldn’t wait to tell him.

Helpless to stop herself, she reached up and smoothed a thick lock of midnight hair from his brow, marveling at the change—the joy—this man had brought into her life. How silly she’d been, pining after another, when it was so obvious it was this man she was meant to have.

Robert was everything she’d ever wanted, everything she’d ever dared to hope for. He was kind, affectionate, generous. He was wonderful.

Oh, they bickered, of course. He could be quite stubborn when he wanted to be, even when it was unquestionably clear she was in the right. Mostly, though, he was wonderful, and they always made up after an argument. Usually more than once.

Robert’s eyes fluttered open then, and he turned his head to look at her, a sleepy smile curving his lips. “Good morning, my lady,” he murmured, his deep voice low and rough from sleep.

“Good morning,” she said, returning his smile, even as her insides turned to treacle. “How did you sleep?”

“Marvelously well.” He stretched his arms over his head, shifting the linen bed sheet lower on his hips, though Ellie tried her best not to ogle him. “You tired me out last night, wife.”

“Did I?” She grinned, unabashedly pleased with herself, and reached out to skim her palm over the planes of his glorious chest. “And how are you now, husband? Are you recovered yet?”

A bark of surprised laughter escaped him, and then he was up and rolling her onto her back, pinning her to the mattress. “You are going to be the death of me, you know.”

She arched her brows in playful challenge. “Is that a complaint?”

“Absolutely not,” he said, leaning down to nuzzle her ear. “I know how lucky I am. Most men only dream of having a wife with an insatiable appetite like yours.”

She laughed, not even bothering to deny it. For this man, she was insatiable. “Well,” she said, looping her arms around his neck, “most women only dream of having a husband as irresistible as you, so I suppose we’re even.”

He gazed down at her, his seastorm eyes warm and adoring, and Ellie was still smiling when she tugged his mouth to hers.

All it took was one nip of his teeth, the hot slide of his tongue along her lower lip, and all amusement vanished, replaced by a fierce, aching desire burning low in her belly.

Oh, what this man’s touch did to her.

“I love you,” Robert said gruffly a few moments later, his eyes roaming over her face. “I love you so damned much.”