Page 37 of A Lady, Her Lord, & Their Duke

As they’d laid out the toy soldiers, Sir Kenneth explained the tactical brilliance of the mighty Duke of Wellington choosing Waterloo as a battlefield due to the ridges and valleys, and the nearby towns he’d garrisoned. He spoke of the brave men from Britain, the Netherlands, the Kingdom of Hanover and the Duchies of Nassau and Brunswick. Where the infantry and gunners and calvary and sharpshooters had been located, and how utterly formidable the enemy Napoleon’s forces were. Sir Kenneth had even demonstrated how Wellington’s men formed the squares that so effectively repelled the French charge, how the highly skilled Prussian General von Blücher’s forces swept in just when it seemed all hope was lost, and the place where Wellington and von Blücher had met and saluted each other in victory.

The boys had been enraptured, deciding Sir Kenneth and Lady Cressida would be the coalition leaders of their forces. Edmund and Nev were declared Napoleon and Marshal Ney, and despite Arabella’s best efforts to turn the battle in the French favor by raiding Harry’s toy box for a wooden Trojan Horse, marbles, and a spinning top, they were unfortunately defeated.

What a time. Between the teasing and banter, the cheers and commiserations, the boisterous evening truly felt like a family occasion. But now the boys were tucked into bed, Sir Kenneth had departed, and Cressida had retreated to her chamber, leaving Arabella, Nev and Edmund standing a little awkwardly in the hallway.

They had so many experiences behind them, yet somehow it seemed like they were starting afresh once again.

Arabella cleared her throat. “Where shall we sit and talk, Edmund?”

He hesitated. “My bedchamber is probably the most private location. But I don’t want anyone to think I have expectations…not with the children here.”

“Let’s go there,” she replied decisively. Privacy was of the essence for this particular conversation.

Soon all three were seated on the leather couch in front of a roaring fire, glasses of brandy in hand. Edmund’s ducal bedchamber was simply enormous, with lovely large windows, thick carpets, a few exquisite Constable landscapes, and a carved oak sideboard she would sell all her worldly goods for. Unfortunately, the rather ancient-looking four-poster bed did not look at all large or sturdy enough for three people.

Edmund smiled encouragingly. “Well. Here we are.”

“Before we discuss anything else,” said Arabella quickly, “I want to apologize for this afternoon. I know very well how difficult family business can be. Yes, there was a good outcome for you and your son, Edmund, but I should not have forced that without your knowledge. Or removed Harry from school.”

Edmund shrugged. “It needed to be done, though,” he said quietly. “I’m not sure Harry and I would ever have gotten there by ourselves. I always thought we were very different, but now I see we are actually so similar. I will be in your debt, no, in debt to you both, forever.”

Nev sat forward. “Speaking of forever…”

Arabella almost laughed. Her husband was practically champing at the bit. In truth, she had so many chaotic feelings twisting and turning inside her that it would be difficult to articulate them all. And speaking on emotional topics was something she’d always found challenging. But as Edmund had been prompted to face his past, and she and Nev had received reassurance from Toby, now they could all march forward. “We’ve been on quite a journey. There have been two critical discussions in this household today; Edmund and Harry, and Nev and I with Toby…”

Nev sat closer and took her hand as she met Edmund’s gaze.

“Our decision to remain childless has been met at various times with confusion, disdain, anger, and much judgment. Most recently, Nev’s mother tried to convince us that Nev should impregnate a black-haired maid and pass off the child as ours. It was…”

Edmund’s jaw dropped. “What the bloody hell?” he burst out.

“It was fucking horrific,” growled Nev. “As well as foolish. While we adore Toby, Ara and I have never wanted children of our own. It’s just not our path, and we are very weary of stating that to people who refuse to mind their own damned business. We love our life, and thought we were complete as a pair who enjoyed occasional playfellows. Well, until we romped with a certain duke at Sanctuary and everything got turned on its head.”

Arabella reached across and took Edmund’s hand and squeezed it. “While we’ve had some grand times with one-night lovers over the years, precisely none of those men touched our hearts like you did, Edmund.”

Nev nodded. “We’ve never before had a second night with a playfellow let alone a third or fourth. Never wanted to. But with you, breaking that rule was essential.”

Arabella smiled ruefully. “And I never break rules and rarely seek outside counsel. But I actually consulted Lady Whitmore about turning a couple into a threesome; we became fast friends after learning we each had a submissive husband. She gave me sound advice: honest, frank discussion. So here is my unpolished truth: I love Nev. However, I have also developed very strong feelings for you, Edmund. So strong, that I cannot be without you. I love your courage, your heart, and the tenderness you bring out in me. But be aware what I’m asking and offering here. I wish to be your madam. You would belong to me, body and soul, and I would care for you, pleasure you, and discipline you. For always. Just like I care for and pleasure and discipline Nev.”

For the longest moment, an actual eternity, Edmund stared at her, and Arabella’s blood went cold. Oh God, did he not want that?

Then he blinked rapidly. “Forgive me. It sounded like you said you want me as your lover for always and I can scarcely comprehend a third perfect event in one day after my daughter’s betrothal and reconciling with my son. Are you sure it is what you want? What you both want? For I know it’s not about money. Or title. Or a child. So it can only be…me. And that doesn’t seem enough.”

“Not enough?” Arabella said fiercely. “You are magnificent. And you are mine.”

Nev rose gracefully to his feet before tossing a cushion down and sinking to his knees in front of her. Then he turned and held out a hand to Edmund. “Hurry up, love. Come and take your place beside me. Madam is waiting.”

A huge grin lit up Edmund’s face and he scrambled down onto the floor to also kneel in front of her. Then he winced a little. “Bloody hell. Should have brought a cushion.”

Nev burst out laughing. “Always bring a cushion. Wooden floors are not our friend.”

Arabella’s lips twitched with amusement, but she forced herself to give her two pets a stern look as she cupped both their cheeks, stroking Nev’s blond hair with her left hand and Edmund’s brown hair with her right. Yes. This was exactly how it was supposed to be for Lady Arabella Carlisle, two adoring men at her feet, ready to serve and worship her. Perhaps in future she might just shock society and present herself as Lady Arabella Vane-Carlisle to indicate the two men who belonged to her.

What an intriguing thought.

“You are smiling, ma’am,” said Edmund softly.

“Yes,” she purred, as content as a cat with both cream and canary. “Why would I not? I have all I desire.”