Page 107 of The Miracle of Love
She nodded. “Your utterly wanton and delicious pleasure tricks? Yes, but I have one question.”
“What is it, love?”
“Can we start now?”
“Blessed saints, yes.”
She closed her eyes and sighed in pleasure as he began to trail kisses down her body, his touch gentle and divine, as she knew it would always be.
Chapter Seventeen
Brighton, England
June, 1822
Deklan strode throughthe Duchess of Dunfell’s garden in search of Grace amid the crush of London elites who mixed with the local gentry on this fine summer day. The duchess was throwing another of her much anticipated and always well attended garden parties. Everyone who was anyone in Brighton had been invited, he and Grace always among the first on her list since Grace, having saved the duchess from trampling by one of her frightened carriage horses last winter, was now a favorite of the grand dowager.
She had taken to inviting Grace to accompany her everywhere and treated her with as much indulgence as she would her own daughter had she and the duke ever been blessed with children. The duchess also kept true to her word about holding a tea in honor of Grace. It was held shortly after they returned from Scotland, Grace happy as a sparrow because they were newly wed and there was no more need to deceive anyone about her marital status.
He loved Grace more each day.
At times, he could not think straight because she filled his thoughts.
As for her, she was now much sought after in Brighton society. All her fears of being an outcast were firmly squashed now that she had the Duchess of Dunfell’s support. That she was everyone’s darling came as no surprise to him.
Did he not fall in love with her at first sight?
The duchess noticed him and waved him over.
“Your Grace,” he said, coming to her side and bowing over her hand. “It is good to see you looking so well.”
“Ah, but you are such a charming liar,” she teased. “You are looking as handsome as ever, you devil. Not here five minutes and already the ladies are in a swoon. I’ve never seen so many fans suddenly fluttering all at once.”
“I’m sure it is merely the heat of the day,” he said, shrugging the comment off with a wry grin. “Where’s Grace?”
“Still have eyes only for your wife?”
He smiled. “Can you blame me?”
“No, it is impossible not to adore her. Did she know you were returning today?”
“I finished my assignment early and rushed home. She has no idea I am back.”
“Well, she will be eager to see you. But spare me your displays of affection. Draw her inside the house to somewhere private if you are going to insist on kissing her as though she is the very air you breathe.”
He laughed. “I am not going to hold back kissing her. But I shall spare your delicate sensibilities and find a quiet alcove to have my wicked way with her.” He could not wait to drink in Grace’s lovely smile or hold her in his arms again. Three months was too long to be away from her and he would not accept such a lengthy assignment again.
He found her seated on the grass in the shade of a willow tree, her younger brother and sisters seated beside her, their little faces glowing with happiness as they ate their tea cakes and chatted with her. Those three, James, Serenity, and Hope, had thrived since coming to Brighton and he expected Grace would ask him if they could remain permanently.
He would agree, of course.
He could deny her nothing.
Besides, those little ones needed to be kept away from the family mess still going on in London.
Grace leaped to her feet when she saw him stride toward her. “Deklan!”
He caught her in his arms and kissed her thoroughly before setting her down. Her brother and sisters giggled and ran off to grab more cakes. “Love, I missed you so much.”
