“I know. I wanted to tell you myself, once we figured out how we felt about each other.”
He leaned toward her, drawing her to his chest, embracing her, wrapping her in his strength and warmth—his well-tethered passion.
“We are well-matched,” he said. “Both raised to understand and respect the demands of our positions.”
“Yes.”
“We both have suffered the loss of our beloved parents—and you wish for a sister. I have three to spare, Lady Julia.”
She could not contain her glee at that remark and rewarded him with a smile. “I would welcome their affection.”
He hovered close to her face then, his eyes heavy with emotions. “There is a spark between us.”
“I feel it.”
“I want to taste it,” he said, lowering his mouth to hers, his hand slipping to the nape of her neck and holding her close, so very close.
She lifted her hand to his cheek, loving the feel of the stubble. Their tongues circled wickedly, and that spark he had spoken of ignited into insatiable need—an all-consuming fire. One of his hands slid down her bodice and cupped her breast. Her nipples were already pebbled from the chill in the air, but his touch added an ache. She moaned into his mouth as he caressed her breast, then gently pinched her nipple.
“Julia,” he whispered her name with such reverence, such care.
Greedy to keep kissing him, she pressed her lips to his again. Yes—everything she had ever wanted in a man—from all the books she had read about passionate love—all the dreams she had. It was happening to her now.
He pulled back. “Julia. Perhaps we should forgo the courting and set a wedding date. I do not know how long I can wait to have you.”
His confession, the strain in his voice, the conflict in his beautiful eyes, it moved her, changed her immediately. “My father…”
“Will not contest our engagement, I am sure.”
“We should write to him, ask him to join us posthaste.”
They connected again, her hands moving wildly over his muscled arms and back, and his hands over her breasts and hips.
“I could kiss you forever,” she said.
“Wait until I show you what I could do to you forever.”
Chapter Twenty-One
“Engaged?” Willa’s motherasked with excitement.
Julia had joined her and Willa in their chamber after the duke and she had walked back to the house after the rain had stopped. She nodded and smiled, so very happy for the first time since her mother had died.
“I am breathless, Julia,” the dowager countess said. “Your father will be very pleased. No one could have hoped for a better outcome. You will be a duchess of a very impressive estate. Are you sure about him?” She took Julia’s hands.
“Yes,” Willa said. “You must have no doubts about him. Do you love him?”
Yes, she loved him. But could she say it aloud? Was she ready to let the world know how hard and fast she had fallen for a duke of debauchery? Would she be whispered about behind her back, called a fool for loving him?
“Willa,” the dowager said, “must you always be so intrusive to Julia?”
“Mother—we have never withheld anything from one another.”
“Our dear girl has never been in love before,” the countess said. “It’s of no consequence, really. Love may come later, or it might not. As long as you can trust and respect the man, and have something in common with him, that will see you through the years as you grow old together.”
Julia appreciated her wisdom. “I both trust and respect the Duke of Pridegate. More importantly, I do love him.”
Her best friend squealed and threw herself at Julia. “Oh, Julia, I am so very happy for you. For you both.”
