Page 76 of A Deal with her Forbidden Duke
Chapter Twenty-Four
“We are here,” Alexander hopped out of his side, and she heard him barking orders to take a basket ahead and to set up.
Madeleine’s stomach was a knot of nerves as the carriage pulled to a stop.
Alexander had closed the curtains and said very little on the journey over. It was less than an hour but he had peeked out, watching the setting sun with agitated impatience, giving her no clue as to where they were going.
Madeleine was confused enough by the time he opened their door, a secretive smirk on his face. “Wife.”
“Husband.”
He held out his hand to help her out of the carriage, and she lifted her gaze beyond him.
The beach spread out for miles behind Alexander. She had seen the beach before but this seemed to be a more closed-off, private area, surrounded by a thick grove of trees circling the spot of beach he had brought her to.
The red, setting sun dipped towards the sea, and Madeleine’s breath caught.
On the pale sand, servants were setting out a blanket, a picnic basket, and a bucket of wine on ice. Lanterns lit up the scene, and Madeleine giggled.
“Alexander,” she whispered, her heart racing. “This is beautiful.”
“I told you the sunset was important,” he told her. “Shall we?”
As they walked, Madeleine couldn’t help but ask, “surely I need to remain dressed among the staff and whilst we eat?”
“Madeleine, I will be dismissing the staff,” he laughed. “I shall have no audience when I take you with the sunset burning the horizon behind you, and you may eat bared to me or clothed. All I care about is viewing you in full openness when I make love to you on the sand.”
Her mouth parted slightly. “I—you…”
“Lost for words, Duchess?”
“No,” she said quickly. “However, if I am to be nude, then you are, too.”
“Oh, I plan to be.”
His eyes sparkled with dangerous intent, and suddenly Madeleine could not help a laugh, could not race to the blanket fast enough, squealing when Alexander chased her and caught her around the waist.
Right near the blanket, they toppled over, rolling near the picnic basket. One of his hands grasped her thigh, already tugging her dress skirt up.
“I plan to swim,” he said. “Truthfully, I am not hungry in the slightest. I would happily take the wine but I would much prefer to be rid of my layers and be in the water.”
“I would much prefer to join you,” she answered. “I… I confess that you have introduced me to such things in our marriage that I now find myself yearning for time and time again.”
Alexander kissed her lightly. “Then allow me to indulge you.” His eyes roved over her. “Undress yourself for me.”
Her eyes cut to the staff, and Alexander turned to them. “You are all dismissed. Have my driver guide the carriage off the path. I shall return to him when we are ready to return to Silverton.”
“Yes, Your Grace,” one of the servants said, bowing deeply.
The servants hurried off, leaving Madeleine alone with Alexander on their secluded beach. She leaned in, pressing her lips to his.
She gave a small hum. “I have been warned about you,” she said. “That you are dangerous.”
“Really?” He looked amused.
“Indeed. And yet I find myself alone with you.”
“Do you fear I might devour you?” he teased.
