Page 67 of Five Ways to Bed a Duke

“I am well, Richard,” she whispered once the pain subsided. “Make me feel good.”

“God, you’re perfect,” he groaned, laughing into her hair.

She laughed with him, which then turned into a moan when he started moving.

“You’re absolutely perfect,” he told her, groaning as he thrust in and out of her, slowly at first and then picking up speed. “I love you, Cathy mine.”

“I love you too, Richard.”

Catherine was sure their cries could be heard by the entire household, but he seemed not to care, so she did not hold back either.

When Richard collapsed on top of her, she sighed, loving his weight atop her. But all too soon, he rolled onto his side, pulling her to lie on his chest. His heart was beating as fast as hers, his breathing still labored.

Catherine let her eyes roam over his chamber, admiring the masculinity of the decor.

“That is a really exquisite rug,” she noted, and he laughed so loudly that she could feel the vibrations in her chest.

“You are an extremely odd woman.”

“But you love me anyway?”

“I wouldn’t have you any other way.”

Epilogue

THREE MONTHS LATER

“Oh, Cathy, you look so beautiful!” Lily cried when the final flower was pinned in Catherine’s hair.

Catherine gave her a watery smile. She indeed looked a vision in the beautiful pale green lace dress that had been commissioned for the wedding. Her hair had been styled and pinned in a mass of curls she hoped she did not ruin when it was time to dance.

“Indeed.” Her mother smiled, her eyes also filled with tears.

At the sight, her own tears fell.

“Oh, Mother,” Catherine cried, hugging her.

“My darling girl,” her mother said against her shoulder, “you make such a beautiful bride.”

They cried for a few minutes before realizing they were running late. Their faces had to be redone, and they had received stern looks from the maids.

“What if he changes his mind?” Catherine asked. “What if I’m making a mistake? How do I know he’s the one, Mother? I am scared that we might get tired of each other too early and fight all the time…”

“Are you saying that because of your father and I?” the Viscountess asked, looking alarmed.

Catherine tried to hide her guilt, but she couldn’t hide it quickly enough from her mother, who had a hurt look on her face.

“Mother, I didn’t mean to?—”

“I do understand that your father and I haven’t been the best examples, but I believe we have done our best to show you that even though we fight a lot, we do love each other very much,” the Viscountess interrupted her. “It might be hard to believe that, but it is true. Richard is a good man, and I have seen you two interact over the years. You’re different when you’re with him. He makes you laugh, he makes you smile, he makes you drop that mask you hide behind, and he makes you free. You’re not even that free with your own family. He makes you put down those walls you have hidden behind for so long. He brings out the best parts of you, my dear, and that is why your father and I agreed to the marriage.”

“But do we have to fight?”

“Fighting doesn’t mean anything, Cathy. Or rather, fighting doesn’t mean you don’t love each other. You won’t always see eye to eye, but love is found in choosing each other even after a fight,” the Viscountess explained.

“That are many things that we don’t agree on and that we might never agree on. I just really want to know, how do I know that he’s the one for me?”

“There isn’t just one answer to that question, Cathy. I had the same experience with your father. We were childhood friends who never agreed on anything. We never saw eye to eye, and then one day, my mother jokingly said that we would eventually get married. Even though I tried to ignore it, I started to see the good sides of him, and then even the bad began to pale in comparison to who I knew him to be. A loyal friend who stood by me despite all my shortcomings. The fact that Richard chose you above all else, the fact that he was willing to see you married to someone else to protect you from him are signs that he is a good man. He is afteryourhappiness, not even his own. Those are all the signs you need, my darling.”

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