Page 2 of Christmas with the Duke
Nothing came close to that story. Except perhaps when Ewan was wearing a traditional Scottish kilt. That little detail always added a dose of heady spice to their sexual encounters.
“And would this wild beast of a man require me to be naked?”
A dirty, wicked chuckle came from the other end of the bed. “He would give you a choice. Either remove the nightgown yourself or allow him to use his strong hands and rip it from you.”
Caroline glanced at her gown. This one was recently new and had cost a good deal more than she was prepared to admit to her husband. She reached for the sides of the silken gown and slid it over her head, doing her best to ignore his mewl of disappointment.
A firm hand came down on Caroline’s stomach, pushing her back into the mattress.
“Now, take your ravishment like a good Sassenach.”
“Ewan,” she sobbed, as his tongue parted the soft folds of her sex.
And right before her mind melted into a haze of pleasure, she made a mental note to pack one or two flimsy cotton nightdresses for the trip north. Her rogue Scotsman should be allowed to have his fun.
ChapterTwo
Later that morning, Ewan sat at the breakfast table, quietly observing his wife over the top of his cup of tea. Caroline’s cheeks were still flushed from their early morning lovemaking.
You look so beautiful. I really should have kept you in our bed.
But there were plenty of things to do today. The final preparations for the trip to Scotland would be at the top of both their lists.
At least she looks more relaxed than she did earlier. I wish she could get more sleep.
Caroline was normally a calm woman, not one easily rattled, but Ewan sensed she had more than just the journey to Scotland concentrating her mind. It was simply a question of which other pressing matter was causing her the most concern.
Was it the unexpected marriage of their niece Maggie Radley to Piers Denford, Baron Woodford? While they were both delighted at Maggie having found her true love, the timing of the wedding—the day before they were due to leave for Strathmore Castle—couldn’t have been more inconvenient.
Perhaps the expression of worry which sat on his wife’s face was due to the delay in the return of his sister, Anne Kembal, the Duchess of Mowbray, from her extended trip to Italy. Ewan was also unsettled about the goings on in the Kembal household.
I fear something is wrong
He set his cup on the table. “Have you heard anything further from Clifford?”
Caroline’s eyes went wide. She glanced quickly over at their youngest child, Emma, who was seated farther down the table from her, then glared at Ewan.
Deuce, I had forgotten about Emma being at breakfast.
“No. Though I trust you are asking about his attendance at the wedding,” she replied.
Emma and Stephen were the last of the Radley children still living at Strathmore House. Stephen was due home from Eton for term break later this afternoon. Their youngest child, Emma, who had recently turned thirteen, was often so quiet that it was easy to forget she was present at the table.
Ewan cleared his throat. “Yes. I mean, it would be nice to know what the Kembal family have chosen as a gift.”
Caroline studiously attacked the piece of baked salmon on her plate. “I’m sure we shall all know tomorrow.” She straightened in her chair and turned to her daughter. “Emma, are you finished with your breakfast? If so, then you are excused.”
Emma rose from her chair and curtseyed to her parents. “Good morning, Papa. Good morning, Mama.”
“Good morning, Emma. Make sure you have checked your travel bags by supper this evening. We have the wedding tomorrow, and then we shall be on the road to Scotland at first light the following day. You don’t want to get all the way to the castle then realize you have left something important behind,” said Caroline.
Ewan stifled a snort at Emma’s obvious air of annoyance. She might have been the youngest member of the family, but everyone knew she was also the most organized.
As Emma headed for the hallway, Ewan gave a nod to the most senior of the attending footmen. The servants promptly made themselves scarce, closing the door behind them as they went.
“Sorry, I had forgotten that Emma was at the table. That child is far too quiet to be one of ours. Are you sure the stork didn’t just drop her on our doorstep?” he asked.
His attempt at levity garnered a low huff of irritation from his wife. “As I recall, she is the result of us spending a month snowbound at the castle. You couldn’t go anywhere, so you decreed that we had to spend a great deal of our time in bed.”
