Page 139 of His Grace, the Duke
“ThefirstRenley has managed Foxhill, you mean,” he replied. “I am a second son, James. Same as you. Same as Burke. My home is where I say it is, and I say it is with you.”
The two men held each other’s gaze as a moment of truth settled between them. James broke it, reaching behind him for Burke. He wrapped an arm around his shoulder, pulling him close. Burke let himself be reeled in. James held Renley’s gaze as he brushed his fingers along Burke’s collarbone. “And what about our Burke? Do you want him for yourself?”
Renley glanced from Burke back to James. “Yes, I want him. I want him madly.”
Feeling bold, James leaned in, pressing his lips against Burke’s cheek in a lingering kiss. With his free hand, he traced a line down Burke’s bare chest to the top of his high-waistedbreeches. Burke stifled a groan, his hand fisting into James’ shirt. James broke the kiss and turned back to Renley, noting how his eyes heated with desire. “Burke ismine,” he growled. “If you want him for yourself, you will ask my permission.”
Renley sucked in a breath, eyes wide. When Burke didn’t contradict him, he nodded. “James... I want him. I want Burke in my bed and in my life. Please, don’t keep him from me.”
James turned to Burke. “And do you want our Renley?”
Burke nodded, his stormy eyes locked on the sailor. “I do. I want you all. Every minute of every day. I’m aching with it.”
James leaned in, his forehead pressed to Burke’s temple as he breathed him in. The spicy floral scent he sometimes smelled on Rosalie clung to Burke’s skin. James wanted to taste it. Christ, he was going mad with this desire. How had he suppressed it for so long? He turned, looking at Rosalie for the first time since their exchange started. She was sitting up in the bed, the forgotten sheet pooled around her waist, her perfect tits on full display. Her dark eyes were wide as she watched them. He held out a hand to her. “Rosalie, come here.”
Warily, she slipped out of the bed and moved around it to stand by Renley.
James reached for her, grateful when she didn’t pull away. “I’m sorry,” he murmured. “I’ve been an incomprehensible fool when it comes to you... all of you,” he added, glancing from Burke to Renley. “I understand what you all want... what you’d be asking of me. As Burke said, the risk is high. There will not be a day where we will not have to be careful, even in our home. We’d have to pick staff carefully, relying on discretion and our own ability to control ourselves unless we’re alone.”
Rosalie glanced at the others. “What are you saying, James?”
“I’m saying I intend to build a life with you... all three of you,” he added.
Rosalie broke, throwing her hands over her face to try and contain her sobs. James had her in his arms in moments, wrapping himself around her naked shoulders.
“I’m sorry,” he muttered. “I’m sorry... I’m so sorry. I was an arse. I was an idiot. A scared fool. Rosalie, look at me.” He pushed her shoulders back gently to cup her face. “My angel, please look at me.”
Sniffling, she looked up, her eyes red and puffy.
“I am in love with you. We areallin love with you. If you will give me one last chance to prove myself, I will never make you doubt me again. You are the moon in our skies and we the tides, helpless to avoid your pull. There is no escaping you. I don’t want to escape. I want to be lost in love with you forever.”
She sucked in a breath that was half laugh, half cry. Her eyes shined with tears, but now her face looked different. She was smiling. It made his heart thrum in his chest to see it. “I love you, James,” she murmured. “I am so in love with you.”
He kissed her, tasting the salt of her tears on her lips and hating himself for it. He would make it up to her. Every day he would show her how much he loved her. How he meant to cherish and protect her. He pulled back, wiping beneath her eyes with his thumbs. “Tonight, you offered me a precious gift. You implied you would marry me... did you mean it?” He searched her eyes.
She glanced from Burke to Renley. “I... you said you’d only be with me if I gave you everything. I assumed you meant marriage. I want to make you happy...”
“But would marriage makeyouhappy?”
She swallowed, fresh tears springing to her eyes.
He smiled sadly, having his answer... at least for now. “Alright, angel, here’s how it will be. First, you should know that if you and I ever do marry, I have every expectation that I will be cuckolded every day of my life.”
She gasped as, behind her, Renley smirked.
“Don’t think I will mind it, but fair is fair,” he added. “For every morning I wake to find Burke in your bed, you can expect to wake and find him in mine.”
Behind him, Burke chuckled, wrapping an arm around his shoulder. “We could avoid any morning unpleasantries by just sleeping in the same bed.”
Rosalie glanced between them, hope and longing in her eyes.
James let his eye fall to Renley. “Renley, you recently told me you wanted a tree. I’m not quite sure if the analogy still fits, but I’m offering you a forest. Roots buried deep... entanglements... leaning branches. We can go at whatever pace you want, but—”
“Yes,” Renley said, inching closer.
“If you want a captaincy, I’ll sponsor it,” he added. “Or you can retire and try your hand at farming life. Whatever you want. Your home will be with us regardless. From this day, you’re mine.”
Renley pressed forward, wrapping his arms around James in a hug. James swallowed his nerves, letting himself hug Renley back. It was chaste, but tension simmered between them. A promise of more.
