Page 167 of Ironvine

“Then I suppose we need to try harder.” Chuckling, he brushed her lips with his, a hand cupping the curve of a breast.

“We try every day and every night, sir.”

“Are you denying me more, wife?”

She took his mouth as she slid into his lap, her fingers plucking at his necktie, undoing it. Undoing him. “I could never deny you.” She let out a soft laugh between kisses and nips. “I am not myself without you, my love. No, I could never deny myself you.”

ChapterSeventy-Four

Georgina

“We have a veryspecial present for Miss Caroline,” said Georgina, glancing at her husband.

Brandon and Justine’s baby daughter, Charlotte was having her first birthday, and they were all celebrating with a picnic lunch on the front lawn of Wolfsgate.

Georgina presented to Justine the leather box she had wrapped in a sheath of velvet and had tied it with a silk red ribbon herself.

“What is this?” Justine said as she pulled on the ribbon. She pushed the velvet out of the way, and her face slackened. She’d recognized the jewellery box. Glancing up at Georgina, she opened it, and her hand flew to her mouth. “It cannot be.”

“It is, my dearest friend.”

“What is it?” asked Brandon. Justine handed the box to Brandon. “What the…? Where did you? How did you find it?”

“Georgie found it,” said Charles. “It’s a long, tawdry, and ultimately love-filled tale which we shall share with you another time.” He held his godson in his lap and brushed Jeremy’s long dark hair from his eyes.

“But for now,” said Georgina, “it has returned to Wolfsgate and to its rightful family on this precious occasion that we are celebrating today.”

Justine leapt from her seat and hugged Georgina. “Oh my love, thank you. Thank you. I can hardly believe it.”

“Believe it.” Georgina kissed her friend’s cheek as she glanced at her husband, his eyes gleaming at her.

“Georgina.” Brandon let out a deep sigh. “I am moved beyond words.” His voice trembled, and he took in a deep breath. “My love, Lady Graven.” He took his wife in his lap, put the necklace around her throat, and kissed her. Jeremy clapped his hands. Justine burst into tears, into laughter, and hugged her husband.

“Georgie, how can we ever thank you for this?” asked Brandon, kissing his wife’s cheek.

“I do have a request.” Georgina lifted Caroline from her basket and placed her in her lap.

“Anything.”

“I would like to paint your family portrait. You, Justine wearing this necklace, the children, and of course, the phantom wolf of Wolfsgate, if I may.”

“How splendid!” Justine exclaimed, fingering the wolf clasp on the necklace at her throat.

“It would be our honour, Countess,” replied Brandon. “But I fear you must wait.”

“Wait? Why?”

Brandon put a hand on Justine’s belly. “Because our third child is on its way, and I would have all my family in such a significant work of art.”

ChapterSeventy-Five

Georgina

“Each one is tastierthan the last. I shall never be able to decide.” Georgina put her wine glass down on the table. “But it’s not just the flavours, each has its own distinct personality.”

“I want you to enjoy the wines, darling, not get frustrated. I know which ones I like best, but the point is, which ones will our punters like and buy incessantly?”

“Excellent point.” She brought another glass of wine to her lips and sipped as they took in the vast valley of dark green sloping hills under the hot Portuguese sun.

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