Page 101 of The Untamed Duke
Grace smiled, angling her head so he could kiss the spot below her ear. “No. You didn’t.”
“I didn’t tell you how beautiful you are in it?”
“No.”
“Liar.” He nipped her neck, causing a rumble of approval low in her throat. “Should I tell you something else instead?”
“What is that, Nicholas?”
“You are even more beautiful out of this gown.”
“Do you think so?” She gasped when his tongue traced across the swells of her décolletage. “But, I’m here only to nurse your wounds, Your Grace.”
“Trying to sway me again? Won’t work.” His fingers danced nimbly on the buttons down her back. “If you keep squirming in my lap, a lesson will be in order.”
“What manner of lesson, Your Grace?” Grace asked, with an innocent batting of her eyes, her mouth curving in a sinful grin.
“The kind you like, obviously. Now, help me get you out of this dress and me out of these blasted trousers before I go crazy with wanting you. And after I’m done proving how much I adore you, we have a ball to attend with our friends.”
* * *
Two monthslater
“You, darling, were magnificent.”
Grace grinned at Nicholas as she removed the pins holding the lace and pearl-studded veil in place. “I merely repeated what the priest said. You, on the other hand, acted the part of besotted groom as though you’ve done it a hundred times.”
“There was no acting involved.” Nicholas took the veil from her hand, tossing the delicate bit of lace aside. “Come here, wife. That chaste kiss at the altar wasn’t nearly enough for me.”
Grace giggled. “Chaste? I believe we nearly singed the hair off every guest in the front rows. Sebastian and Alan appeared ready to leap up and break us apart. You,” she poked him in the chest with her forefinger, grinning, “were overly enthusiastic, Your Grace.
“As were you, Your Grace.” Nicholas wrapped his arms around her, kissing the tip of her nose.
“Then it is agreed. We are incorrigible together.”
“It seems so. How fortunate that my mother adores you. A lesser woman would have a hard time of it.” He nuzzled her neck until Grace arched her head to the side, allowing him better access.
“She knows my struggle keeping you in line. Now, behave, Nicholas. For a few moments more, at least. Anna will be here soon to help remove my gown.”
“I can help you with that. In fact, I prefer it.”
“If you wish.” Grace gave his cheek a quick peck. Their wedding was a grand affair, large enough to include people expected when a duke got married and small enough that the people they both held dear were present. Personally, Grace thought the entire event too long and pompous, but she swallowed her misgivings when she saw the pleasure on the dowager duchess’s face and the loving pride on Nicholas’s standing at the end of the aisle. When he lifted the veil to kiss her, her heart nearly stopped at the look of completely adoration in his eyes.
“I wish your parents could have been there today to see you. You were so incredibly beautiful. They would be so proud of the woman you’ve become.” Nicholas’s words quiet against her hair.
Grace nodded, her eyes momentarily filling with tears. “They would have adored you. My father, especially. He would love how you take me in hand and do not allow me to run wild over you.”
A knock came at the door, and with a kiss to Grace’s forehead, Nicholas briefly stepped away so he could inform her maid they did not require her services.
Sauntering back, he grabbed two flutes of champagne from the bucket set up near the fireplace, grinning ear to ear.
“What is that look about, you devil?” Grace asked, taking one of the offered flutes and sipping the bubbly liquid.
“I told Anna we would not need her for at least two days. Possibly more.” He spun Grace about, his fingers tracing the pearl buttons marching in a delicate line down her spine. One by one, he slipped them free of their moorings until he reached the last one resting in the small of her back.
Grace choked on the champagne, laughing. “Are you mad? What do you plan to do in this room for two days?”
“Hmmm. Can’t you guess?” Nicholas whispered against the nape of her neck.
