Page 30 of The Rake and the Muse
“Might my name be included on the pieces we collaborate on? I would like the world to know what an excellent team we are.”
She pushed up on her toes, pressing her lips against his for a soft kiss. “I think we can weather the scandal of amarquess who is also a talented artist. Does that mean you still wish to marry me?”
“If you thought for a second I was going to let you toss me aside that easily, you haven’t been paying attention, beautiful.”
She giggled, and he was addicted to the sound. “I think I should write to Papa and tell him I have fallen in love with the most handsome rake, and that you will call on him at the conclusion of the house party. I don’t want to offend our hosts, especially after Eliza and Craven departed only a few days in.”
“Can you leave out the part about the rake?” he asked, groaning. “I will have to drag you to Gretna Green if your father should refuse.”
She pretended to contemplate his words and then grinned at him. “I suppose you are right. But as long as you know I am not ashamed of who you are.”
“Was, sweetheart. That was who I was. And I am forever wholly and completely yours.”
“Well, hopefully, you aren’t completely reformed because there are certain rakish qualities of yours I find irresistible.” She pressed her lush body against his, and he couldn’t help but clasp the full cheeks of her arse to pull her harder against him, taking her lips. There would never be anything better than every taste of her.
A knock sounded at the door. “Miss, I came to see if you need anything.”
“I’m fine for now, Bess,” Juliet called back at the door. “Thank you.” She covered her mouth and stifled her laughter.
“We are sure to be caught during the day like this,” he said, coming to his dratted senses. “I must depart. Others may notice both of us missing from activities.”
She huffed but appeared to agree with this logic. “Meet me in the main salon in a quarter hour. We can join in the activities together.”
“I will be there. I’m not certain I have an interest in yard games at present,” he said, giving her arse a squeeze. “But at least I’ll be by your side and can pummel Duncan if he should look at you in a way I don’t care for.”
“Be sure to save some of that energy for tonight,” she teased. “Assuming you aren’t now so full of honor that you won’t sneak into my chamber any longer.” She released him and started towards the washbasin, smiling at him over her shoulder.
He followed her and pulled her back against his front. It was pure torture having his hard bulge pressed against her bottom, but as always, he was a glutton for punishment. He nibbled at her neck, then soothed the area with his tongue. Theo brushed his lips against her ear. “Leave your door unlocked.”
Epilogue
3 months later
Juliet could hardly contain her excitement. She had a present for her husband and only hoped that he would like it. She had carefully draped it with fabric in order to prolong the surprise when she gave it to him. It was positioned in the middle of the art studio that Theo gave her as a wedding gift. It was perfect, with most of the room lined with windows, so she had plenty of light to work from at various points in the day. He had arranged the whole thing as a surprise for her when they returned from their month-long stay in Scotland.
Marriage suited them quite well. She recalled how her father only questioned Theo’s intentions for a few moments but could see the love that radiated from him. Herfather had given Theo some input on his estates, which he had welcomed and appreciated. The pair had become close, and it warmed Juliet’s heart that her husband saw her papa as a fatherly figure.
Eliza had been shocked when Juliet wrote to her about her betrothal to Theo. Nick and Theo knew each other from their university days, so they had quickly become close friends. Theo deserved to have family and friends in his life who cared about him almost as much as she did.
His confidence seemed to grow more by the day regarding estate management, and he even talked as if he was beginning to enjoy it. Not as much as drawing, of course, which he still made time for.
When she wasn’t tending to household matters, she was usually in her studio, or being driven to distraction by her handsome husband. His satchel was full of drawings that only the pair of them could ever see, but the memories of him completing each of them would forever be etched on her heart. Especially the memories of the things he did to her afterwards.
She grinned at her thoughts and looked towards the door. She had asked Theo to attend to her as soon as he finished his correspondence. Tapping her foot, she fought her anxious energy. She had been waiting for just the right moment to give the gift to him, and she couldn’t wait any longer.
Juliet started towards the door to retrieve him, but he finally came striding in, meeting her right at the doorway.
“There you are,” she said, releasing an exasperated sigh.
“Here I am.” He reached for her and pulled her against him. He kissed along the globes of her breasts and cupped one with his hand. “Please tell me this is what you summoned me here for,” he said, moving close to her neck.
She shook her head, forcing herself not to get distracted by his wicked attention. “No,” she replied. “But perhaps afterwards.”
He leaned back to look at her. “What is it?”
Clasping his hand, she pulled him with her until they stood before the sheet, which covered the gift she had for him.
“I have something for you.”
