The Duke's Blind Temptation (13 page)

“Rafe waylaid me, and I couldn’t resist listening to his suggestion that we wed and forget all about that mean article.”

“I was going to ask you first, my lord, but I didn’t want to wait any longer.”

Papa stood. He studied both of them. “I’ve been sitting here a good while. I’m sure the wedding will take place with the upmost expediency, Your Grace.”

“Absolutely, I agree, and please call me Rafe.” He put out his hand.

Finally, her father smiled and took the offered hand. “Welcome to the family, son.”

Epilogue

Ellie took a deep breath of early morning air as she rode behind Rafe. He’d arrived promptly after breakfast. He’d ridden his stallion and brought a lovely brown mare, named Apricot, to her as a gift.

Her parents had greeted him warmly. Her mother expressed her pleasure at their betrothal and assured him she’d see the wedding was set for four weeks from now, after the banns had been posted.
 

They galloped across meadows and then slowed for the sloping hills. Rafe led the way to the highest spot and then dismounted to help her. Ellie walked to the edge while Rafe tethered the horses.

Heat from Rafe’s body warmed her skin as he came and stood behind her. His hands threaded through her dark hair, scattering hair pins to the ground. She whirled around.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

His lips curved. “You didn’t think I’d bring you all this way and not have my way with you?”

“Again?” she teased. “You have been raised to be a gentleman.”

“And you a lady, but that didn’t stop you from throwing yourself into my life. Now you must deal with the consequences.”

“
I like the consequences.
”

He smiled and lightly kissed her mouth. “I hunger for the taste of you,” he whispered against her cheek as his lips began to caress her face. “And I long for your sweet, lemony fragrance,” he held up a long swath of her hair and breathed deeply. “My hands ache to touch your velvety skin.” His fingers moved from her cheek, down her neck, and between her breasts.

Her breath quickened and a shiver went through her body. Heat and pleasure rose, stopping all her thoughts.

His arms came around her, and he carried her toward a clump of trees. In the shade, he laid her on tender grass. His body followed and covered hers.

He slid down to her feet and removed her slippers. His large hands massaged her instep and calf muscles.

Ellie tried to pull back. “This is my turn. Yesterday, you had it all your way.”

“Didn’t you enjoy my attentions?”

“Yes, but I want to give back to you.”

“Oh you do. Now lie back and enjoy.” He kept a hold on her with gentle strength. His lips followed the progression of his hands, and her head fell back in surrender. The warm path of his mouth brought an ache to the lower part of her body, and when his lips brushed across her most private part, she raised herself to meet his demands and welcomed him into her arms. He slid into her and filled her with his warmth, strength, and love.

* * * *

Later, he cupped her face and sipped the sweetness from her mouth. “I love you, my sassy, beautiful gypsy. Your determination to save me from myself, your sweet courage to actually risk your life for me, and your inner beauty won’t go away with age, but will grow more with each passing year.”

“I thought you might only offer for me because you took my virginity. Never did I truly believe you’d choose me if you got your sight back. I wanted you to be happy. When I came to you, I lived my dream. I’d accepted it would have to end some day.”

“You gave me hope.”

“Did hitting your head cause your sight to return?”

“Possibly it contributed to it, but mostly I think it was because I remembered who shot me. Always in my nightmares it had been unclear. Something Ralph said, as he went to leave the barn made me realize it was him. He must have known from my expression that I had regained my memory. Since his first attempt had failed, he tried again in the barn.

He hit me and lit the fire. When I came around, I smelled the smoke and couldn’t get my bearings. I was overcome before I could escape. Without you and Booth, I’d have died. Shortly after I awoke, my vision began to clear.”

Ellie threw her arms around him. “What will stop him from trying again?”

“Father and I talked. Father had arranged for Ralph to travel to the continent. If he returns, he’ll be tried for attempted murder. He has enough money to live very well. Father made the arrangements before his death. Sometimes I wish I’d handled the problem myself. Maybe my father would not have died. The news about Ralph hurt him terribly.

“But I’m sure if I had tried to send Ralph away, everything would have come out anyway. Father would have insisted on knowing what was going on.

“Don’t worry. I don’t expect to hear from Ralph again.” He brushed his hand over her hair. “My stepmother was also devastated when father told her about their son. That is why I tried to handle the problem with Lavinia without confronting her. In the end, we still had a difficult confrontation.”

Rafe rolled over and stared up at the tree. “But if we give her grandchildren to fill her heart with love, then I believe she’ll recover. Her other choice is to visit Ralph and perhaps stay with him. Whichever she wants is all right with me.”

“Grandchildren, as in plural?”

Rafe looked across at her and grinned. “I thought you wanted children.”

Ellie laughed and leaned over him, covering his face with kisses. “We’d better get married soon. As you said yesterday, we may have already started on our family.”

“I definitely like your being agreeable, my love.”

“Don’t expect it all the time. I can be a very stubborn woman.”

“I wouldn’t want you any other way.”

Her green eyes sparkled with mischief. He turned on his side and pulled her tighter against him. His cock rose and thumped against her abdomen. Desire swept over him. “Ah, love, I seem to never get enough of your sweetness. We might be a bit late for the luncheon your mother suggested.”

His mouth covered hers and sipped her sweetness. Her hand covered his rigid shaft, sending heat flooding through his veins. “You saved my life and may be the death of me yet.” He held her gaze as he swept her skirts aside, opened her legs, and slid his cock into her tight, hot, responsive body.

Ellie arched up to greet him. “My love, my only love.”
 

THE END

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