Page 64 of No Duke of Mine

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Maggie mumbled in her sleep, and Algernon couldn’t tear his eyes away from her and the glimpse of her beautiful naked body. He had never seen her face in slumber. Her lips soft, her lashes thick on her cheeks, her dark hair wild across the pillow.

They were together, and his heart was full. Their lovemaking was all he could ask for. There had been a connection between them since childhood, and now it was amplified by their lovemaking as adults.

Maggie was the right choice, if he’d ever had a say in who he loved.

The only question left to decide was where and when to marry her. He considered a fast London wedding, or perhaps waiting to reach home and marry at Ravenswood, where they’d first met. But Algernon was not sure he could wait for the banns. He wanted to openly call her his wife, and for it to be true this time.

Algernon rested his head upon his bent arm, watching her until he could bear it no more. He slid a hand toward her under the sheet, poking her softly to see if she’d wake quickly or slow.

Maggie only twitched and then muttered something he didn’t quite catch. She grew still again, so he pushed out his foot to touch hers.

She drew her legs up, her mutterings louder than ever. She said his name in a complaining tone.

He reached out and found her hand to hold. “It’s morning.”

“I can tell by the brightness.” She pulled the covers over her head, though.

He leaned closer. “Do we want Sims to find us like this?”

The covers lowered slowly. “Probably not a good idea.”

She sat up, then glanced down at her chest, her eyes widening. “I have never slept without clothes before.”

“No?”

“No.” She glanced his way. “I probably should be more shocked at us.”

“I sleep naked all the time,” he warned her.

An odd look crossed Maggie’s face, and she blushed. He lowered the sheet a little more, and her eyes tracked his movement. Her lips parted as he showed her how excited she made him by just looking at him.

He laughed at her and drew her down for a long delicious kiss. Loving Maggie was so easy. However had he waited so long?

But he must take things slow with her this morning. She’d lost her innocence to him last night, and although she hadn’t revealed any signs of pain, she might not yet be ready for a second tumble between the sheets so soon.

Besides, they had to talk, and he did that better with his clothes on.

Algernon tumbled about on the bed with her, though, distracted by the novelty of almost having a wife to hold.

He brought her beneath him and kissed the tip of her nose. “Good morning, my love.”

“Good morning to you, too.” She stared up at him, then cupped his face. A gentle smile touched her lips. “Algernon, what happens now?”

“We go back. Home.”

Maggie sat up, frowning. “You want to take me home with you?”

“I was always taking you home to Ravenswood,” he insisted.

“Won’t your family object?”

“Not if they have any sense,” Algernon climbed out of bed and started picking up his scattered clothes. “They can either accept you as my wife or find somewhere else to live.”

“Wife?”

He turned to look at her. “Maggie, why do you sound so surprised? Of course, I’m going to marry you.”