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Epilogue
Two Months Later
Eloise and Simon’s marriage was a short, private arrangement with only Simon’s friends and Eloise’s family as attendees. It was the talk of London for a while. ‘The reformed rake marrying a shy wallflower’. The headline stirred among the ton and gave rise to questions and suspicions on the true intentions of the marriage. But whenever they were seen in public together, there was no doubt that it was a love match and that they deeply cared about one another, no matter how different they were.
A jealous streak had overtaken Simon, however. Apparently, for many eligible men in London, it was hard to believe the marriage was out of anything other than image and lineage. So a lot of them still considered Eloise ‘available’, despite her married status. In turn, Simon made sure to show, at every given opportunity, that Eloise belonged to him and only him, regardless of how scandalous his actions may have been perceived to the public.
Most of the ton were thrilled and captivated. Many Ladies swooned and never missed a chance to proclaim their amazement, fascinated as to how Eloise was able to ‘reform a rakehell like the Duke of Richmond’. She had trouble believing it herself. But every night, when they made love together, and every morning, when they woke in each other’s arms, there was no doubt in her mind that he loved her. And she loved him.
“You know,” Eloise said quietly as she held Simon’s hand, strolling through Hyde Park on a warm Friday afternoon, “you never told me what happened to James.”
Simon chuckled in disbelief as if she had uttered a crude joke. “Hackberry?” he asked. Then he shrugged, “he got what was coming, I suppose.”
“What did you do to him?” she asked, not sure if she should laugh or lecture Simon for his behavior.
“Nothing, of course,” Simon replied far too quickly, making it hard for Eloise to believe him. “Well, nothing that warrants justification.”
“Tell me, I want to know. I have rarely seen or heard from him since the Bennet ball, and on the off chance our paths have crossed, he seems terrified of me.”
“Well, after you told me that he struck you—”
“Almost. He didn’t do it,” Eloise added.
“And that may be the only reason he’s still breathing. Your Uncle did most of the work, dragging him to the authorities himself. Only after him and I had a little chat.” Simon shrugged casually as if his actions meant nothing at all.
“To the authorities? For what?”
“Why, Lord James is notorious for attempting to seduce women out of their inheritance. He likely tried to do the same with you.”
Eloise pondered at the thought. That was obvious enough, James had said as much during the carriage ride on their way to Lyndon estate. But she didn’t know of Uncle and Simon’s threats and protective natures. A smile formed across her lips.
“Oh, you callous woman. You’re smiling? Tsk, tsk.” He wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her closer to his body, not caring for the curious glances of the ton as they continued strolling through the crowded paths.
“It’s not my fault, some of your personality has rubbed onto me,” she teased, trying to pull away to stop the invading glances. “They’re looking at us,” she whispered.
“Let them. Let’s see who dares to question the Duchess of Richmond.”
Simon pulled her even closer, and she couldn’t help but blush at his forwardness. It was something she’d have to get used to. Especially these past few days, he had taken it upon himself to showcase his affection toward her in public, no doubt jealous of the ogling Lords. There was no complaining from her side, of course—on the contrary.
“Do their gazes bother you?” he whispered in her ear, his breath touching the bare skin of her neck.
“…Only a bit,” she said breathlessly. Warmth resided low in her abdomen, and her pulse thundered.
“All right then.” Simon tugged her wrist, pulling her off the path and toward a more private part of the park. “Come with me.”
“Where are we—”
“Shhh, just come with me.” He continued tugging, guiding them toward an area of the park that was less crowded and quieter, with only one or two men and women sitting by the side in silence. No one paid attention to them here, but they were still exposed enough to be seen. And so, he continued walking on, behind the thick trees and bushes, behind a patch of oak and willow trees that hid them from the crowd. The only sound present here was the chirping of the birds, the soft whooshing of the branches and the distant voices of the crowd, accompanied by Simon’s deep breath and Eloise’s bolting heart.
His mouth touched her bare throat, sucking and biting gently and carefully at first. But as a moan escaped her mouth, he continued roughly and with passion, not caring about her wobbly and unstable legs.
“What if—” She hissed and breathed deeply as he bit her harder. “What if someone…sees us?”
“Then they’ll know you’re mine.” The sound of her bodice tearing reached her ears, and she gasped. “Only mine,” he growled.
Tugging the fabric open, her breast spilled out of the hard garment, and he cupped them with his warm and large hands. His mouth grasped one of her nipples and carefully tormented and sucked without giving her a chance of catching her breath.
“…W-wait, before…” He bit even harder as if trying to silence her. “I-I want to say something,” she echoed weakly.
