Violet felt the rush of pleasure burst at her core, wetness surging as every muscle in her body seized in euphoric rapture, senseless cries spilling from her lips as she shuddered and shook through her crisis.
Hot jets splashed over her chest, and Violet vaguely realised Ahston had spilt his seed over her breasts, even as Richard groaned and jerked, bowing over her and gripping her hips as he found his release deep inside of her.
Boneless, Violet sprawled onto the sheets panting and satiated as Richard withdrew and made his way to the washstand, returning to the bed and cleaning her tenderly. Ashton rolled her into his arms, kissing her softly and pulling her tight against him in the middle of the bed, drawing the covers back as Richard clambered in on the other side, stroking his hand soothingly along her flank.
Exhausted, cradled and warmed by her two men, Violet drifted towards slumber.
“Shouldn’t I go back to my room?” she mumbled vaguely.
“No,” whispered Ashton, settling her head more comfortably against his shoulder. “This is where you belong.”
EPILOGUE
3 yearslater
Violet giggledas little Harry took a tumble on the lush lawn, his chubby legs kicking as he cried out in frustration. His nurse clicked her tongue and rushed to his side, bustling over in a swirl of petticoats and helping him back onto his feet with a pat on his bottom so that he could toddle forward once more.
“That’s it, sweetling,” Violet cooed, heedless of her gown as she knelt on the grass with her arms outstretched. “Come to Mama.”
A few more unsteady steps and he stumbled into her arms with a triumphant shriek that made Ashton wince good-naturedly as he lounged on the lawn chair next to her, perusing the newspaper sheets with half an eye as he watched his son play in the warm summer morning.
Violet laughed, hugging Harry tight to her breast as she kissed his dark curls.
“Soon he will find his feet, and then Nanny will be running ragged after him,” commented Ashton with a lift of his brow, glancing sardonically at the plump woman who stood hand on hip, wiping her forehead with a brightly embroidered handkerchief. But Violet knew that Ashton was just as charmed as she was at their boy’s accomplishment.
“Just like you did, then?” she replied sweetly, rising to her feet and dusting off her skirts as Richard chuffed in amusement and bent down to lift the boy high, twirling him around in a circle as Harry squealed even louder.
Nanny came over and claimed her charge from Richard with a matronly frown, taking him aside to the tea table that had been laid out and offering Harry a piece of buttered bread which he happily chewed on as he plopped down onto his bottom.
Violet returned to her seat at the table, right in the middle between Ashton and Richard, reaching for her cup of tea with a smile. She loved watching Harry explore the world, and could hardly tear her eyes from him when he was in her presence.
It was an indulgence of hers, taking tea on the lawn with Harry each day, even though most children were kept strictly to the nursery.
Of course, Ashton said not a word about the matter, and Richard certainly had no qualms about showing his affection for the boy. Thank goodness Harry had been blessed with the Ashton family colouring, or the speculation that simmered amongst the ton might spark into a flame of gossip.
“Anything of interest, dearest?” asked Violet to Ashton, as she reached for another scone heaped with cream while Richard eyed the movement with interest. Ashton would absolutely deny it, but he loved the scandal pages, bringing in a variety of papers from town every morning and always keeping the gossip rags for last, just to keep up appearances. He was a duke, after all, and above such trivialities.
He snapped the pages shut and set them aside, shaking his head with a sly grin. “Nothing really, only that a certain Lady V has not been seen in society for some weeks. It is speculated that she is being kept ratherbusyin the country or even,gasp, in an interesting condition.”
“Is that so…” said Violet with a small smile, toying with her cup as she debated another scone, or perhaps a raspberry tart. Giving in, she reached for the sweet treat, biting into the tart red jam at the centre with a soft moan.
Ashton looked from her to Richard, who stared back at him deadpan.
“What?” asked Violet around her mouthful of tart, licking the treat from the corner of her lips as Harry babbled and tugged on Nanny’s skirts.
“Mrs Somerton, perhaps Harry needs a nap,” said Ashton with a meaningful look. The woman glanced up quizzically, then blinked and nodded. “Come on, little man,” she said as she scooped Harry up and whisked the youngster away.
The men turned to her and Violet felt her protest die on her lips. The way they were looking at her was most disconcerting.
“Is something the matter?” she asked with a small frown. “I mean, everyone knows we keep to the country…”
“Yes, quite. But what about the second part?” said Richard, running his hand up her arm and along her collarbone. “I wonder about that.”
Violet blushed, clearing her throat as Ashton leaned closer, eyeing her bodice with appreciation. “You have been filling out your gowns most becomingly,” he said.
Violet glanced down at her breasts, the plump mounds straining against the low bodice of her fashionable dress. “Well, I…”
Ashton rose to his feet, lifting his chin meaningfully at Richard. “I think you should be thoroughly examined, just to be sure.”
