Page 23 of The Earl and the Vixen
Nick shifted beside her on the bed and pulled her against him. With her back to his front, he wrapped his arms around her.
“Sleep now, my love,” he whispered, moving her hair to the side so he could kiss the back of her neck. “I shall be right here.”
She sighed and settled against him and hoped that if it had all been a dream, she would never awaken from it.
Chapter 10
Nick woke up to the intoxicating lavender scent that haunted him in the years he had been apart from Eliza. He nuzzled her hair and inhaled deeply, never happier knowing that he had her back in his arms. She shifted her bottom against him, and his cock sprang to life. She stirred and shifted so she faced him.
“You’re here,” she said, smiling with her eyes half open. “It wasn’t just a wonderful dream.”
“I’m here,” he said, placing a soft kiss on her lips. “We must dress, though.”
She pouted. “What if I don’t wish to dress?”
He laughed and kissed her forehead. “Your maid shall arrive at any moment, and we should speak with our hosts as soon as possible,” he said before bringing his lips closeto her ear. “The sooner we depart, the sooner I can make you come many times in the carriage.”
“Promise?” she asked, winking at him.
He released a low growl. “I must make up for lost time.”
Nick kissed her again before climbing from the bed and pulling his breeches on. At least if Eliza’s maid should knock, he might not completely scandalize her. He grabbed his shirt and wrapped it around himself. He worked the buttons as Eliza threw back the covers, grabbing her dressing robe and tying it around herself.
“I shall change clothes in my chamber and will meet you at the top of the stairs,” he said. “Wait for me there.”
“I’ll be there as quickly as I can,” she replied. She stepped around the bed and gave him a quick kiss. The kind of tender, loving kiss they would share many times a day for the rest of their lives.
He grinned at her, acknowledging that he was the luckiest man alive. “Have your maid pack for you so we can depart.”
As much as he didn’t wish to leave, he turned and cracked the door to check the hallways, then crept out of her chamber. He hurried by the door next to hers but noted he heard a man’s and a woman’s voices on the other side of the door.
Nick smiled to himself and hurried down the hall. He and Eliza hadn’t been the only ones who had a sleepoverlast night. Their hosts might be scandalized to know so many were taking advantage of their house party to pursue their private entertainment in the night. He made it to the other wing of the house without being seen by anyone and swept into his chamber.
A half hour later, his valet had given him a fresh shave and helped him to dress in fresh clothing. He had informed the man of their travel plans and left him to his work to prepare for their departure. Nick was the first to reach the top of the staircase and waited for his love with his hands clasped behind his back. He rocked on his feet, antsy to have her by his side again. After their time apart, he wasn’t certain how long it would take with her at his side before he would no longer feel unease that she might be taken from him.
After another quarter hour, he was rewarded with the beautiful sight of his future wife. She was all smiles, and he rushed to her and brought her hand to his lips. “Are you ready?” he asked.
“Very much so,” she replied, smiling up at him with nothing but love in her expression. It reminded him of the many moments they had shared hiding behind her father’s stables, where he had first told her he loved her. He meant it then, as much as he still did.
“Then let us find our hosts,” he said, offering her his arm. More guests and servants were moving about thehalls. A few guests eyed them curiously as Nick and Eliza moved from room to room looking for Lord and Lady Ockham, but thankfully, no one stopped to engage in conversation.
When they couldn’t find their hosts anywhere, Nick stopped their butler, Baxter. “Do you know where their lord and ladyship are? We wish to speak with them right away.”
“They are in the nursery, my lord,” Baxter replied.
“Might you take us to them?” Nick asked. “I had wished to meet their babe.”
“Follow me, and I shall check with them,” Baxter said.
Nick and Eliza did as the man said and followed him back up the staircase to the family wing where the nursery was. Baxter motioned for them to wait there while he knocked on the door and entered the nursery. He returned in a few moments and waved Nick and Eliza into the room.
“Craven,” Ockham said. “This is quite a surprise but do come and meet our son.”
Nick laughed to himself at the pride radiating from his friend as he bounced his son in his arms. He hoped Eliza was already carrying their babe. He would adore a sweet babe who looked like their mother. Nick stepped closer to the sleeping babe and smiled down at him. The boy very much favored his father.
“So are you going to tell us what this is about?” Lady Ockham asked, smirking and motioning towards Nick and Eliza. Ockham set his son to rest in the crib.
Nick took Eliza’s hand in his. “I’d like to introduce you to the woman I’ve been pining after.”
