Page 52 of His Highland Duchess
The last three days had been wonderful, and she did not deny it. But they were nothing compared to this. Three near perfect days,a perfect evening, and as the duke continued to lick and suck her, refusing to stop or slow down, Margaret could not help but wonder what might come next.
I dare not think things will get better, and yet… I am nothing if not greedy. But then again, so is the duke.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
As he always did, Lysander made sure to check on his two daughters before they went to sleep for the night.
He wore a smile as he walked down the hallway and toward their room. Supper had gone wonderfully, as it often did now. The girls seemed to love Margaret, and she shared in this love, speaking to them both as if they were her own. Every night now, it went much this way, a tradition of sorts that felt as natural as breathing.
Although Lysander could not believe how far he and Margaret had come since they had begun to try, there was still that part of him that was laced with worry. Feelings were developing. A path forward was appearing for them both. But did he want such a thing? Deep down, he knew that he did, but that did not stop him from worrying.
They had still not discussed the future yet. But Lysander reasoned that for now, there was no need. Let them enjoy where they were, and when that day came, perhaps there would be noneed? Would it not be easier if they simply never mentioned it again?At least that way, I will never have to make the choice…
His heart began to race as he remembered the ball… and the way it had ended. Him on his knees, devouring his wife, feeling the pleasure mount in her as he licked and sucked and feasted. Their sexual attraction had been undeniable, and now their mental connection felt much the same. Everything was going damn near perfectly.
When he reached his daughters’ open bedroom door, he heard voices coming from inside. Naturally, he assumed it to be Aurelia and Lorena talking, which had him chuckling and shaking his head. But when he reached the open door, he stopped himself, recognizing a third voice…
“… ye will have to ask yer father,” Margaret said.
“But why?” Aurelia whined. “If you said it was fine…”
“It is his decision,” she laughed. Lysander stepped around the door but stayed back, making sure he could not be seen. “If he wishes to let ye start learning how ta ride, he will tell ye so. Not me.”
“Fine,” Aurelia sighed.
Margaret sat on the end of Aurelia’s bed, while the two girls sat up so that they could see her and speak easily. Even in the dark,he could see the looks of adoration on his daughters’ faces, a sense that they worshipped Margaret as she did them.
“Now, it is time for bed,” Margaret said. “Come on, you two, in you go.”
The two girls were quick to heed her request, which surprised Lysander, as often they liked to protest. Again, it told him how much they admired her.
“Margaret, we are so happy that you and Father married,” Aurelia said.
“So happy,” Lenora agreed.
“As I am,” she said with a soft chuckle.
“He was lonely before you came,” Aurelia said with a yawn. “He would never say so, but I could tell.”
Margaret hesitated. “Really…”
“Yes,” Lenora agreed. “I think he was, too.”
“Nae that it matters,” Aurelia said, yawning again as she shuffled in her bed to get comfortable. She did that now, often slipping in the odd word of brogue. “Now that ye are here forever, he can finally be happy.”
She said nothing, and with her back to Lysander, he could not see the look on her face.
“You are here forever, aren’t you?” Aurelia asked.
Again, Margaret said nothing. Lysander felt himself leaning closer, worried he might miss her response. His pulse quickened, and he held his breath, desperate for the answer. It would, after all, set his mind at ease and save him having to wonder how she felt.
“Guid night, girls,” Margaret ended in saying. “I will see you in the morning.”
Lysander frowned, his stomach twisting into knots.She did not answer them. Why did she not answer them…
It was such a small thing, yet Lysander could not help but read into it. To agree with the girls and set their minds at ease would have been the easy thing to do she didn’t suggest that she did not wish to lie. Did that mean she was still unsure? That she suspected that come the end of the Season, she would still be going home? Or was she simply being cautious?
Quickly, Lysander ducked from the room and hurried down the hallway and around the corner. His mind raced as he searched for answers.
