by Hannah West
She looked upon her proud husband, the Duke of Montrose, as he smiled at the cheering crowd of people. He was the happiest she had ever seen him and she felt pretty good herself. The tightness in her chest loosened and her breath came back to her.
Cassie and John came up to them and Cassie usually so composed in front of others was crying and hugged Emma tightly.
“I am going to miss you so much,” Cassie wailed. “I just got you back, I have not had nearly enough time with you and you aren’t even staying for the rest of the Season.”
Emma hugged her sister tightly not wanting to let go. She felt the same way in that moment. She had gone so long without her sister thinking she was never going to see her again and she did not want to leave her behind.
“We don’t you come with us? Does John not have an estate nearby in the same county?” Emma asked pulling back. “London cannot be good for you and the baby and John said he loves the country.”
Cassie laughed wiping her eyes. “Very true and very well I shall tell him we need to move back. I truly enjoyed my time for this Season, but I find I want peace and quiet. But you and your husband shall want time alone I imagen.”
Emma blushed at the tone her sister used, but nodded. “I think so. A few weeks should be enough to get him tired of me, do you not think?”
“You can be a bit much, but then you have changed him so much,” Cassie sighed, “You look happy.”
“I finally am. Thank you for coming to get me, I don’t know what I would have done without having you back.”
“I never would have left you had I known,” Cassie promised.
“Lady Emmaline?” asked a sweet voice and Emma tried not to wince. It was Derek’s little sister Anna.
Cassie left with a promise of letters and Emma turned to Anna. What she didn’t expect was finding the girls in her arms in a tight hug. Not knowing what to do she hugged her back.
Anna pulled away with the best smile Emma had ever seen on her. She looked prettiest when smiling.
“I am so happy for you too!” Her expression turned slightly rueful, “It was not what I was expecting, however I am most glad that Derek found someone who made him happy. That mattered most. I could not see him end up like Papa.”
“Well I can only try to make him happy. So far I am the one being made happy. Did your mother not come?”
“No, Mother refused to come. She will regret it, but Derek did not want her making you miserable,” Anna said taking Emma’s hand in hers. “You look happy.”
Emma laughed, “So I have been told.”
Anna smiled then asked, “If I do not marry this Season could I come stay with you? Mother is being very persistent in me marrying but I haven’t met anyone who turns my head.”
“Of course, you are welcome anytime,” Emma agreed.
“Anna,” Derek greeted his sister warmly kissing her on the cheek before wrapping a warm arm around Emma’s waist.
Anna gave her brother a knowing grin. “Well, big brother, you seem very happy,” she said sweetly. “All I want to hear is one thing from you.”
He pulled her closer to him and Emma watched the smile that stretched across his face and met his eyes.
“You were right,” he admitted.
The made Emma wonder just what Anna had said of did was right. Had Anna been playing the field with both Derek and her?
“I could not be happier and you were right, Anna. Love does make a difference. If only Mother could see that,” Derek’s smile faded a bit, “I will make sure you get this too.”
Anna patted his arm. “Emmaline said I could come stay with you two if I do not marry this Season. I am hopeful, but I am not willing to take the first man who falls at my feet.”
“I would expect no less from you, you are an Ashford. You are stubborn and driven, as any proud woman should be,” Derek said dryly.
“Mother calls my too prideful,” Anna said with bright smile.
“Imp,” Derek remarked.
It made Emma so happy to see them acting like this, acting like her and Cassie used to. When they did have children she hoped they would be just like this when they grew up.
“Oh, Emmaline,” Anna said suddenly, “Are you alright?”
“What?” Emma asked.
Derek swiped a thumb under her eyes wiping away tears.
“Oh,” Emma said faintly. She was crying and she hadn’t even known.
“Are you alright,” Derek asked her, his tone worried.
Emma nodded, wiping her eyes. “Yes, I was just thinking of our future children and how I wish they would grow up like you two. It took me by surprise.”
Derek pulled her into a tight hug and Emma wrapped her arms around his neck holding on. After a long moment he kissed the top of her head.
“Are you ready to go to your new home?” he asked.
“Yes,” Emma said excitedly, “I am ready to go to our home.”
~
Wheels bumped with every rut in the road, reminding Emma why she hated riding in them and preferred to walk. But Derek did teach her how to enjoy the few things they could do in the carriage.
Emma looked at him disbelieving. “In a carriage,” she asked. He
He grinned darkly at her, desire pooling in his eyes and in his blood. “Oh yes. While I have not done it so, I hear it feels quite good. You don’t need another rest do you?”
“No,” Emma said a bit too quickly, but she was intrigued. He had already rung two orgasms from her and she had yet to pleasure him the way she wanted to.
“Then what shall you do, Lady Emmaline,” he teased.
A bit unsure, but knowing she wanted to feel him inside her again, she was game to try. So she bit her lip lifting the skirts of her dress and seated herself on the bench next to him. His manhood was bulging largely beneath the opening in his pants, she reached forward with twitching fingers to undone the button and gasped as his cock sprang forward.
This was the first real look she had gotten at it and it was much larger than she had originally thought. She traced light fingers down its veins and Derek hissed above her. She looked up at his pained expression.
She suddenly grinned wickedly. “Would you like me to ease this for you?
“Yes,” Derek groaned.
Emma thinking evil thoughts leaned down a traced the crown with the tip of her tongue, causing his hands to bunch in the seats material, his knees falling wide.
“You good girl,” he grated roughly, breath coming short.
Emma released him from her mouth and crawled on top his lap straddling him, positioning herself just above his straining cock.
“How mercy, Emma,” Derek begged of her.
She liked it when he begged her. She was feeling lush and wet, panting with desire and ready to take him, but she wanted to hear him say it.
“Say you need me, Derek. Tell me what you would do if I left you this way,” she whispered roughly in his ear.
“I would take you roughly if you denied me, Emma,” he growled, “I need this. I need you like you can’t understand.”
His hands slid up to her waist and gripped her tightly, starting to pull her down.
She left him and even relaxed more until the wide head of his cock met her wet flesh. She tossed her head back with a moan relaxing farther to sink down deeper as Derek hissed a breath.
“How I love you, Emma,” he growled softly against her neck before he bit her gently. “How did I become so lucky?”
“I don’t know, but I am truly the lucky one,” Emma breathed out and when she sank as far as she could go, feeling him stretch her to her limits and gasped, “I love you.”
“Well then let us show each other how much for the rest of our lives, sweet.” He claimed her mouth in a furious kiss driving up into her, sending waves through her.
&nbs
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