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“Weren’t you escorting your mother out to her carriage?”
“I’ve already done it. She’s gone home, and the carriage is nowhere in sight.” Derrick gave her a bemused smile. “You look a little… bewildered. Are you alright?”
“I… I don’t know.” Ellie got to her feet, absently dusting herself down. “I’m not entirely sure if I just got threatened.”
Derrick raised his eyebrows. “Threatened? By my mother?”
“Like I said, I don’t know if it was a threat,” Ellie said hurriedly. “She just wanted to be sure that I didn’t hurt you emotionally, otherwise she might not be so… nice? I don’t know, it was rather confusing.”
“That’s my mother for you. She’s always protective of me.”
“Is she like this with other women you’re around?”
Derrick shook his head. “No, not that I’m aware of. Although I wouldn’t be surprised if she has done.”
“That might have hindered your search for a wife if you hadn’t married me.”
Why did she have to say that? And why did Ellie feel a flicker of jealousy in her belly? She needed to take a deep breath and stop behaving like a fool. She was just nervous after that interaction and being on edge all evening.
“Well, I don’t have to worry about that now.” Derrick took her hand and drew her towards him. “Come here.”
His kiss made Ellie’s tension melt away, and she wrapped her arms around his waist, sinking into his embrace. Derrick was smiling as he broke the kiss.
“You did very well this evening.”
“I feel so worn out after this, though.” Ellie sighed. “Being on your best behaviour for someone is terribly exhausting.”
“I know. But it worked out well. Mother seemed impressed with you and your sisters.”
“We’re having to show that we’re better than what she perceives, after all.”
Derrick kissed her forehead, his lips lingering on her skin. “Well, you’ve gotten it out of the way. You’re starting to break the ice. I’m not expecting you and Mother to be great friends, but if you can get along, that would be marvellous.”
“I want to get along with her.”
“Then things will be fine.” Derrick kissed her again. “God, I’ve been waiting to do this all evening.”
“You’ve wanted to kiss me all evening?”
“And then some.” Derrick hesitated. “If you wish the same thing. I won’t force anything on you.”
He wanted her again? Ellie thought she was in a dream. He couldn’t be asking her that, surely?
Then she felt his erection nudging against her belly, and heat pooled between her legs. Oh, he was definitely asking her for… that.
Rising up on tiptoe, Ellie kissed him.
“I think you and I should retire for the night. Together.” She smiled. “I don’t feel like sleeping alone.”
Derrick chuckled. “I suppose that’s one way to say it. But I’m not going to argue.” He linked her fingers with his. “I’ll make sure you have no room for argument, either.”
From the way he said it, Ellie believed him.
#
Derrick was glad things had finished for the day. All the paperwork related to his estate and businesses were done, and he had gone to the businesses in question to make sure everything was running smoothly. His father had been shrewd with his ideas, and wise when it came to his investments. Derrick had worked hard over the years to keep it up, and to ensure he was sensible.
It was paying off, which he was glad about. He hoped his father would have been pleased.
