Page 84 of Ironvine

“Perhaps it is similar. Surely Brandon and Justine have this necklace in their possession?”

“No, they don’t. Justine told me that when Brandon was thought to be lost at sea, William and his father stole many items from Wolfsgate, including this necklace.”

“I had no idea.”

“When I danced with the Duke at the ball, the Duchess and my sister’s husband danced alongside us, and afterward we spoke. I admired it from the very first. William must have sold it to the Duke.”

“Uncle Charles!” Little feet battered down the hallway. “Uncle Charles!”

He grinned as his godson, Jeremy, lunged at him, his dark mop of hair flying. He lifted the boy up in his embrace. “Well, look at you, young man. You’ve grown so much since I saw you last. What is your mother feeding you? Magic beans?” He tickled Jeremy’s belly, and the boy giggled uncontrollably. “Magic soup?”

Jeremy shook his head and pouted. “I don’t like sooooop.”

Charles laughed.

Jeremy reached out his hand to Georgina. “Miss Georgina!”

“My darling.” Georgina kissed his chubby hand.

“We have a surprise for you,” said Charles, and Jeremy’s eyes widened. “Miss Georgina and I are married, so you can now call her aunt if you like. Would you like that?”

“Oooo… yes.” He nibbled on his thumb, a tiny smile forming on his lips.

Justine rubbed her son’s back, taking him from Charle’s embrace as Georgina fawned over baby Caroline in the nanny’s arms in the hallway.

“Charles, what Georgina’s mother did was awful,” said Justine.

“It was.”

“I am so very pleased that she has you at her side. And I am also greatly pleased that you have her on yours.”

He tilted his head at her. “You are confident in me as a husband? The man who once dissembled and played you falsely?”

“Most confident.” Justine slid her arm through Charles’s, her smile warm. “You have much to recommend you, my lord, and not only your title. I know that you are a caring, generous man, even if you don’t let on to the rest of the world that you are, which is probably wise.”

“You know I hold your opinion in the highest regard.” He let out a heavy breath. “I never thought I’d marry. And suddenly I am and to Georgina.”

“Life plays crazy tricks on us, does it not? Crazy, awful tricks of all kinds brought me and Brandon together, and yet, we found great happiness. It was not easy, but every day I knew that at the core was a friendship and fondness that we’d shared from childhood. I think you and Georgina share such a friendship and fondness as well.”

“We do, yes.”

“Build on that, gently. That is all. The rest will grow, and it may surprise you.” She let out a small laugh.

“I must confess, it already has.”

ChapterThirty-Seven

Charles

Before they went home,Charles took Georgina to the village stationer’s shop and insisted she buy all the sketchbooks and pencils and supplies she desired. Once they entered the shop, her face lit up. She brushed his cheek with a kiss and went to speak with the owner.

The crisp tone of Georgina’s voice diverted his attention from perusing the shop. A prickle of warmth raced through him as she ordered specific pigments and brushes and paper. She knew exactly what she wanted. And now, married to him, she was free to have it. To have it all. To enjoy it to the fullest.

And he would make sure she got it.

A lazy grin curled his lips as he imagined her riding his cock just as she’d done earlier today, informing him, in that very same decisive tone, how she’d like him to move—quicker, harder, gentler, slower, or not at all. Yes, perhaps she would prefer to take charge of their coupling, whilst telling him how to touch her, where to touch her, where to shove his tongue—

“Charles?”

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