Page 111 of Trapped with the Forbidden Duke
Edwina’s eyes swept over the party. She spotted Lucien, Nicholas, and Jasper standing together. It was the first time the three of them had met up in many years. Lucien had fussed endlessly about it earlier, still unable to let go of his guilt over pushing Jasper away after Edwina had fled to Stormhold House.
But there they were, their faces bright as they laughed with one another.
On the other side of the party, among Nicholas’s associates, were Rose and Allan, and their father.
Edwina’s stomach twisted as she watched them whispering among themselves. Rose was twirling a flower between her forefinger and thumb. Rumor had it that her father had set her up with a rather admirable match.
Last month, she had written to Edwina with the news, asking if Lucien might be willing to help her with the match even further, or if he would visit their home. After some persuasion that did not involve carnal pleasure, Edwina convinced her husband to do it.
It was taking time, and it would take even more time, but when her husband caught sight of his family, that anger didn’t immediately cross his face. Instead, he looked hesitant for a moment, before wandering over to them.
Edwina excused herself to join them.
“Uncle Barnard,” Lucien was saying, still stiff, but he was no longer chasing the man away. “It is good to see you.”
“As it is for me, dear nephew. I am grateful you have agreed to write to us and visit soon.”
“Well, you have Edwina to thank for that,” Lucien said, tucking Edwina’s hand into the crook of his elbow. “She has seen something in our family that I have not. But she has helped me reconcile with my past, and that includes speaking through everything I have felt.”
“Lucien, I will never, ever be able to apologize to you enough,” Barnard offered quietly. Allan drew Rose aside, pulling her into another conversation. “I was blinded by my wife. I see that now, and I see how wrong it was.”
“Let us not discuss it here,” Lucien said quickly, not rudely but consideringly. “Barnard, how about you visit Stormhold soon? Perhaps we may have a drink and speak candidly. No arguing, no ordering you to leave, I promise. I feel as though I am ready to finally speak.”
“It would be the greatest honor.” Barnard nodded.
Edwina felt hope rise in her chest as she squeezed Lucien’s arm. It was all a massive start, and she only wished for her husband to find peace and happiness with his relatives once more.
“Everybody,” her brother called from the terrace, a glass of champagne in his hand as he looked over the gathered crowd. “If I may take a moment of your time to make a small speech. Oh, Jasper, do not roll your eyes at me.”
“We recall your speeches, Nick! Everybody may as well go to bed now.”
“At least they do not drag on for hours like yours,” Nicholas shot back, and they all laughed.
Edwina did not care if her brother’s speech was as boring as an empty, silent house, or if it dragged on. All she cared about was that he was alive and well and up there, making a speech.
Six months ago, she would not have dreamed of seeing that.
Now, Nicholas was holding court at his own party, beaming and healthy, and she had her family back. Her husband, her brother, her aunt, and her friends.
And soon…
Soon, there would be another addition.
“Lucien,” Edwina moaned, her breasts hitting the water in the bathtub as Lucien guided her hips up and down, impaling her on his length with a fierceness that stole her breath.
“I could not help myself,” he growled, his tongue sliding over her wet skin. He swirled it over her breastbone, around her nipple, then nosed at her neck. “The scent of your bath oil is too tempting to resist. I endure it well enough throughout the day, but right now, I must have you.”
“I believe—ah—” Her grip on the rim of the tub tightened as he hit a spot inside her that had her seeing stars. “I believe you are already having me.”
“Edwina,” he groaned, pulling her flush against him.
He pressed his face into her breasts, and she scarcely cared how the water was sloshing around them, how loud the slap of skin against water was, or how their voices echoed in the bathing chamber.
“How am I to contain myself around you?”
“You are not,” she gasped as he sucked hard on her nipple.
His fingers tangled in her hair and pulled. Her head tipped back, and her core clenched around his length.
