Page 113 of A Duke Changes Everything
Nick receded into the shadows of the hall as Lyle departed, then entered the sitting room to find Mina with her back to the door. She was staring out onto Enderley’s fields, arms lashed across her chest, the toe of her boot tapping insistently against the carpet.
“Were you listening the entire time?” she asked without turning to look at him.
“Most of it,” Nick admitted. “You punched him?”
She swung to face him. “Only the once.”
“Well done.” Nick approached and took her in his arms.
Mina tensed at first, then melted against him and twined her hands around his neck. “You’re not appalled?”
“Why would I be?”
“A duchess shouldn’t be throwing fists at viscounts’ sons.”
Nick stroked her cheek and wished her hair hadn’t already been pinned into artful waves and delicate curls. He wanted to take it all down and slide his fingers through every strand.
“My darling hellion.” He kissed her, moaning when she took the lead, merrily sinking her fingers into his hair and clutching at his shoulder to pull him closer. “You’re my perfect duchess, whether you’re organizing the staff or putting irritating noblemen in their places.”
She pulled back, breathless. “I should change into my gown for the dance.”
“Can I help?” Nick cupped her bottom in his hands. “At least with the undressing part?”
She quirked one brow. “If you did, we’d never make it back downstairs to the dance.”
His duchess was being practical again.
Nick let out a long-suffering groan, kissed Mina one last time, and let her go.
Music drifted up from downstairs and Mina smiled. She hadn’t heard music at Enderley in so long. Years. It felt like forever.
Despite what he’d intended when he arrived, Nick’s presence had brought more improvement to the estate than they’d seen in a decade.
He’d improved her life too, offering her more passion and joy than she’d ever dared to hope for. Nick held nothing back now, and that was the best gift of all.
Their marriage was still so new, some mornings she woke convinced it was all some fairy tale she’d dreamed. Until she found the warm muscled length of his body pressed against hers.
Nothing compared to the bliss of waking up in his arms.
After checking her gown and hair one last time in the mirror, Mina took a few deep, steadying breaths and started down to the ballroom. In her mind, she checked off the list of everything they’d done to prepare for the dance, hoping nothing had been forgotten.
Then she spotted Nick waiting for her at the bottom of the staircase.
Her breath snagged in her throat. Behind him, every staff member at Enderley had assembled, along with Mrs. Shepard and a few other villagers who’d arrived early.
They were all smiling, looks of encouragement and well wishes lighting their gazes. She feared backlash from the staff or that some in Barrowmere might think her an upstart for having risen from steward to duchess. But she’d underestimated them, and perhaps herself.
She’d certainly underestimated Nick.
Mina stumbled on the skirt of her dress, and Nick bolted up the stairs. He took her arm and stood close enough for his heat to warm her skin.
“I remember this gown fondly,” he whispered. “Red becomes you, love.”
She’d purchased the gown Mr. Iverson had loaned to her, knowing her sharp-eyed husband would recognize the dress.
“Makes me want to carry you down,” he teased. “It’s been too long since I had you in my arms.”
“I was in your arms less than an hour ago.”
