“We’ll see ourselves out.” Max began steering Georgiana toward the door.
Darcy started to move forward, only to be held back by Ash. “This is her choice, Darcy.”
“He made her miserable. And now he’s forcing her to−”
Georgiana came to a complete stop and faced her brother.
“No one is forcing me to do anything, Fitz. I love him and I belong with my husband.”
“Yes, but−”
“But nothing. I know you love me, which means you must trust that I know what I’m doing.”
Darcy held his sister’s gaze for a moment before giving her a slight nod. He stepped forward and kissed her cheek, whispering, “You are a beautiful Duchess.” He extended his hand. “Welcome to the family, Adborough.”
He shook Darcy’s hand and said, “Thank you.”
Ash also shook his hand as he passed by and Richard stopped directly in front of them. He first looked at Georgiana, peering at her as though he needed to assure himself that she was completely serious about her decision and then he looked at Max, his expression one of resignation.
“I love you, Georgie and will abide by your wishes.” He swung his gaze to Max. “One step out of line, Adborough and I will make your life a living hell.”
“Richard,” Georgiana chided gently. “None of us are without fault and if you’ve never made a wrong step, or said the wrong thing, then you can come to Max and demand perfection. Until then… mind your manners.”
Clearly surprised by her words, the Colonel rocked back on his heels and assessed her again. Then he smiled. The first full one Max had seen in a long time.
“You do have the making of a formidable Duchess, cousin.”
He turned smartly on his heel and followed his brother and cousin out of the room.
“Do you need some time to pack?” Max asked once he’d regained his mental equilibrium.
“I already have a few things packed.” Her cheeks flushed a rosy pink. “Anna can bring the rest at a later date.”
“Very well, wife,” he extended his elbow. “Shall we start anew?”
As soon as they’d donned their outerwear, they walked back to Kerr house, gliding by a surprised butler and completely ignored the servants who gaped as Max carried his wife up the stairs and kicked the door to his bedroom shut.
The housekeeper was the only one who smiled knowingly as she had been the one who’d retrieved the note from Georgiana and placed it in the Duke’s drawer. She hadn’t meant to read the missive, but it was hard not to when there was but a single line on the whole page.
I am Yours
Later, Max had no memory of who made the first move. All he knew was that when the haze of desire lifted and he gazed down at his beautiful wife he noted with extreme satisfaction that her hair had fallen out of all its pins and lay in glorious curls down her back. Her lips were plump from his kisses, her cheeks flush with desire and her gown was unbuttoned in a most becoming way. His body burned at the memory of how soft her flesh felt beneath his hands and he drew her back into his embrace.
“I have one more word for you, my darling Maxwell,” she murmured against his lips. “I desperately wanted to say it when I first returned to London and surprised you in the music room.”
“Whatever it is, it cannot compare to what we have right now, right here,” he growled with impatient desire and captured her mouth again.
They separated briefly and he rested his forehead against hers. She took the opportunity to stand on the tips of her toes and feather kisses along his jaw line, stopping when she reached the sensitive lobe of his ear. She whispered one word and with a strangled groan he gathered her into his arms and carried her to the bed before returning his attention to her mouth and body.
Minutes, days, hours passed before a sense of reason invaded his desire filled brain. He desperately wanted to consummate their marriage but needed to ensure he hadn’t misread any signal she’d been sending. With much regret, he broke the kiss.
“Before we get carried away, I must ask a simple question.” He expected to see a flash of disappointment, but she held his gaze with an open and honest expression. Oh, how he loved this woman. “Do you truly wish to be my wife, ineverysense of the word?” At her nod he nearly whooped for joy.
“How can I refuse when that is also my heart’s desire and has been for many years?”
The urge to draw her close and kiss her senseless almost overpowered him. Sheer will power kept his fisted hands close to his side. His thoughts and words were another matter.
“I do not deserve you. However, I would follow you to the ends of the earth and back. I never wish to be apart from you again.”
“There is no need to travel to the ends of the earth,” she laughed out. “The master suite here will suffice.”
She gave him such a loving look his knees almost buckled. He became completely undone when she took his clenched hand in hers and after opening it wide, placed it against her soft cheek.
“Fulfill my ‘I’ word,” she whispered into his palm. “Bring me home completely.”
And he did, and for many years they expressed theirIntimatedevotion as only people truly in love can.
THE END
