Page 65 of No Duke of Mine

Her eyes narrowed. “But you never said the words.”

He tapped the bridge of his nose several times, berating himself. “So last night you invited me to share your bed, imagining you were to be my mistress or just a temporary lover I might discard? You said you did not want to be either.”

“You said we were to discuss terms today,” she protested.

“For the marriage contract that we will sign,” he said, finding this situation highly amusing. “Are you going to deny me my heart’s desire to make you my duchess?”

“I…” Maggie gulped and stared at him, clearly stunned enough not to form words.

“Good God, Maggie Black has been rendered speechless.”

“I am.” She stared at him and then a smile teased her lips. “Algernon, have you thought about this properly and what it means for you? For your debts.”

“Hmm, not at all,” he drawled, and shook his head. “That’s all I’ve thought about since we met. How to have you, not have funds to spare, and ensure the succession.”

“Well, I know Lady Kent’s behavior with her servant is beyond the pale, but there surely must be another heiress somewhere you could charm.”

Algernon approached Maggie and got down on one knee.

“I, Algernon Sweet, fifth Duke of Ravenswood, do solemnly vow to love and cherish Miss Maggie Black for the rest of my life. Maggie, would you do me the great honor of becoming my wife and my duchess?”

“Algernon! You’re naked,” she said, glancing at him in astonishment.

“Naked or dressed, I cannot marry anyone but you. I will not. You said you needed the words and I will not allow another moment of doubt on your part. Maggie, I love you. More than life itself. More than even Ravenswood.”

Her eyes filled with tears, and she reached for his hands. “And I love you, dear Algernon, but I would have been content with only your kisses.”

Maggie tugged him up to his feet and hugged him tight. It was a glorious naked embrace that instantly aroused him. But there was plenty of time for lovemaking later.

“It was always marriage or nothing for me.” He kissed her brow. “I’m afraid I won’t be able to shower you with jewels and expensive new carriages, but I have lots of books and two full libraries. I promise to make you the happiest woman on earth.”

“You already have,” Maggie promised, burrowing deeper into his arms and wiping away more tears. “And I don’t like jewels anyway.”

“So, your answer, my love? I must hear it now or my heart will break.”

“Yes, yes!” she cried, peppering his face with kisses. “A thousand times, yes.”

He squeezed her tightly against him, heart soaring with excitement. They would be together and happy, and nothing would ever come between them.

They kissed deeply to seal their bargain, and then he gently pushed her back, only to see tears in her eyes. “What is this? Tears?”

“I thought I’d lose you to marriage,” she admitted, sobbing anew.

He dragged a corner of the sheet toward them to dry her eyes. “No, my love. You gain me in marriage. Poor thing.”

She gazed up at him and laughed. “You always know the right thing to say to amuse me.”

Algernon beamed and kissed her cheeks. “Now, as much as I’d like to remain naked with you all day and make you laugh, it is time to put on your new clothes, and fix your hair so you’ll be ready to meet one of my oldest friends this morning.”

She looked up at him, clearly startled. “What new clothes? Algernon… Oh. Did you lie to me at the dressmaker about those fabrics?”

“I never said who the gowns were for, so I did not actually lie to you. But I don’t know what the dressmaker might have told you about the purchase,” he said, smiling cheekily.

She punched him lightly and then kissed his lips to forgive him. “That is the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me.”

“That is just the start of what’s to come, Maggie.”

A great boom sounded through the house the next minute, and Algernon rushed to the window to peek outside. “Varley must really want to lease the town house for his mama-in-law to live in. He’s earlier than he would usually call on me here. We’d best get dressed to meet him.”