Page 40 of Secrets of a Duke's Heart
The question caught her off guard. Not because she didn’t know the answer, but because she could see in his eyes how much her answer mattered to him. This powerful man, this duke who commanded respect wherever he went, was looking at her with such vulnerability it made her heart ache.
“I never imagined I could be this happy,” she said truthfully. “I had resigned myself to a different life entirely. A quiet life of independence, yes, but lonely too.”
“And now?”
“Now I have you. And soon, this little one.” She placed her hand over his on her stomach. “Thanks to you, I have a family, Jude. Something I never thought I’d have.”
His shoulders relaxed, and she realized he had been holding his breath. “Even with Pamela as a sister-in-law?”
Clarissa laughed. “Even with Pamela. Though I intend to continue avoiding her as much as possible.”
“I cannot imagine why. She is difficult, vain, and selfish.”
“You’re unusually harsh on your sister.”
“Because I know what a truly remarkable woman looks like.” His gaze was steady on hers. “I married her.”
The blush that rose to Clarissa’s cheeks made her feel like a girl again. How did he still have this effect on her? After months of marriage, after the intimacies they had shared, how could he still make her heart race with just a look?
“Your Grace,” she said playfully, “I do believe you’re trying to seduce me.”
“Is it working?” He leaned closer.
“Perhaps.” She tilted her head, pretending to consider. “Though I should warn you, I am not easily swayed by flattery.”
“No?” His lips were a breath away from hers now. “What are you swayed by, then, Duchess?”
“Actions,” she whispered against his mouth. “Not words.”
He needed no further invitation. His kiss was tender at first, then deepened with a passion that still surprised her. For all his aristocratic restraint in public, Jude had never been anything but ardent in private. It was one of the many contradictions about him that she had come to cherish.
When they finally parted, breathless, Clarissa caught sight of the falling snow again. “It’s getting heavier,” she observed. “We might be snowed in by morning.”
“What a terrible fate,” Jude murmured against her neck. “Trapped in this enormous house with nothing to do but keep each other warm.”
“Scandalous,” she agreed, threading her fingers through his hair.
“Speaking of scandalous...” He hesitated, then reached into his coat pocket. “I have something for you. An early Christmas gift.”
He produced a small velvet box. Inside was a delicate gold locket, oval-shaped and engraved with intertwining vines.
“Jude, it’s beautiful,” she breathed.
“Open it.”
Inside was a miniature painting—not of Jude as she had expected, but a tiny seascape of Cavalier Cove.
“So you’ll always remember where our story truly began,” he said softly.
Tears pricked at Clarissa’s eyes. “I thought dukes didn’t make romantic gestures.”
“This duke makes exceptions.” He fastened the locket around her neck. “For his duchess.”
The baby kicked again, more insistently this time.
“I think someone feels left out,” Clarissa laughed, placing his hand back on her stomach.
“Perhaps a bit squished,” Jude promised, addressing her belly. “I have terrible news for you, young one. It will only get worse.”
