Page 73 of The Duke of a Thousand Desires

Minutes tickedby before they dredged up the energy to untangle themselves from the disheveled bedding. “I’ll take you to the park tomorrow,” he said, idly stroking her hair.

“When we make love, I feel as if I’m falling off the earth,” she whispered drowsily.

“It isn’t scientifically possible. But I shall keep a tight hold on you, all the same.”

“Do you think the threat to us has passed, Simon?”

“No. I don’t.” He exhaled and rolled onto his stomach, stretching out his back. “I have seen my solicitors. In the event I die, you will be well provided for, an heiress, in fact. I trust your family will guard you from fortune hunters.”

She sat up in distress. “That isn’t the reassurance I was hoping to hear. How horrible.”

“One must be practical.”

“You have ruined the mood.”

He smiled into his pillow. “We could start again.”

She glowered at him and whipped the coverlet up to his waist. “I want to be alert for our ride tomorrow.”

“Don’t you dare sneak out at the crack of dawn, or I’ll spank your bottom bright and rosy for disobedience.”

“Is that a promise or a threat?”

The pillow muffled his laughter. “I’ll leave that for you to decide.”

“You’re trying to divert me from the subject of your death,” she said, twirling her hair around her forefinger like a skein. “I’m not sure I’ll even sleep tonight.”

“Ravenna,” he said as if he were explaining something as basic as what they would have for breakfast. “I have no immediate plans to die. But in the event I do, my soul shall rest in the peace of leaving you secure.”

“You aren’t leaving me for a long time yet,” she said.

“Must you always have your way?” he teased, reaching for her hand.

She laced her fingers in his. “In this case, yes.”