Giles captured her hand and brought it to rest against his chest. “My heart, darling. It belongs to you now.”
Her eyes clouded with unshed tears. “I will cherish it always, Giles.”
He pulled her close and captured her lips. After kissing her soundly, he stared into her eyes. “I love you, Juliet.”
A tear streaked down her cheek as she said, “I love you too, Giles. I have for some time. I was just afraid to admit it out loud.”
He kissed the tear from her cheek, then cupped her face in his hand. “You have no cause for fear, darling. Your heart is safe in my keeping.”
She hugged him close. “Your love is the greatest gift I have ever received.” Then she sprang from the bed and went to her trinket box. “I will cherish and keep it always.”
Giles watched her as she pulled a long chain from the ornate silver box, then threaded the key through it.
She strode back to the bed and held the chain out. “Clasp it for me,” she said, then presented her back. “I want to wear it close to my heart.”
Her words warmed his very soul. Giles placed the key to his heart around her neck, then fastened the chain. Unable to help himself, he trailed his lips across the back of her neck and down her spine before nipping at her lush bottom.
“Ah,” she squealed and jumped.
Giles captured her and brought her back into the bed.
Juliet laughed as he pulled her against him, her back pressing to his front. “What about our guests?” she asked.
“They can wait until after I have made love to my wife.” He grabbed her hip with one hand and positioned her so that the hard tip of his cock rested against her quim. She wriggled, inviting him in, and he took her all over again.
A slow claiming, born of love and full of deep emotion. The sort of lovemaking that branded one’s soul and tied two hearts together.
And as he moved in and out of her, he knew he would never let her go.
He was home—heart, body, mind, and soul.
Juliet was his everything.
Epilogue
Dover, England
Clear River Run, six months later
June 25, 1812
Juliet tipped her head back, allowing the sun’s warmth to bathe her face. It was a glorious day, and the first truly warm day they’d enjoyed since saying their vows. In order to enjoy the fair weather, Giles had brought her to their favorite place: the clearing.
He had once told her that summer was his favorite time of year to visit the forest encircled pond. He had also made her a scandalous promise. One she had never forgotten and fully intended to collect on.
During the six months of their marriage, the two of them had visited the spot often. Their visits started the day he brought her here to collect mistletoe, and since then, they had returned to ice skate, watch the wildlife, fish, row, and picnic.
But of all the things they had done here, there was one thing he had promised that they still had not done, and she desperately wanted to. Turning her gaze to Giles, she asked, “Do you think it is warm enough today?”
The green flecks in his hazel eyes darkened as he gave her a devilish grin. “Come here, duchess.” He bent one finger, beckoning her to him.
Juliet gave a saucy smile as she slid closer to him. For a moment, she wondered at the wisdom of making love in the open air. After all, the two of them did not have the best of luck with scandalous endeavors.
Or perhaps they did. After all, it was a scandal that brought them together, and she could not be happier. Giles was a wonderful husband. He loved her deeply and spoiled her to no end. So what if they occasionally caused tongues to wag? They were in love.
Giles wrapped his arms around her and eased her back to lie beside him in the blanket they had spread over the grass. “I wondered if you remembered my promise.”
“It was the first thing I thought of when I felt the warmth of the air,” Juliet admitted. “I crave you, Giles. I want to be laid bare here in our spot. I desperately need to be ravished.”
