by Sharon Page
Bells rang out from St. George’s church. The sun shone down upon the guests arriving by carriage. Theirs was an intimate wedding—just family and friends. Sophie arrived with Belle and the children. She had decided to invite her adoptive family, but she also invited Nell. She saw Nell as soon as she alighted from the carriage. Sophie held on to her veil with one hand and clutched her bouquet with the other. Nell hugged her.
Dressed in a beautiful, subdued satin gown and pelisse, with a feather-trimmed hat, Nell glowed with delight and looked remarkably elegant.
Of course, Cary’s friends, the Wicked Dukes, were in attendance, along with Helena and her and Grey’s brand-new baby boy.
Outside the church, the Duke of Sinclair bowed over her hand. “You look truly like an angel, Miss Ashley.”
“Thank you.” Her wedding dress was a gown of pale ivory silk. Beneath, her tummy was still flat as she was just over a month into her pregnancy. On the bodice and skirt, roses and leaves were embroidered with silver thread and dotted here and there with pearls. Her veil tumbled down her back, a river of handmade lace held in place by a band decorated by pearls and tiny diamonds. She felt like a fairy princess—that was what Alex had called her.
“I have to thank you, Miss Ashley, for making Cary so happy,” Sinclair said. “He’s changed so much thanks to you. You helped him clear his name and solve the mystery. And you helped him heal finally from the trauma of the kidnapping, which none of the Wicked Dukes knew about. Grey, Sax, and I are forever in your debt for what you have done to help Cary.”
“Sophie. Please call me Sophie.”
“You must call me Sin.” He winked. “No one uses my first name, least of all me.”
She saw him glance at Cary, and she said, “You all truly have been very worried about him, haven’t you?”
“Yes. Again, you have our eternal gratitude.”
“Thank you, but I also did it for me.” She felt her cheeks go red. “I love him so much, I couldn’t bear him to be unhappy.”
“He is right. You are so ingenuous, you are irresistible.”
She was startled.
“I don’t mean in that way. I mean—you have my heart, but in a platonic way.” A grin revealed the Duke of Sinclair’s dimples.
Nell bustled over then. “Two of the Wicked Dukes are wed. You two are going to be chased by girls who are pursuing you with a vengeance.”
The Duke of Sinclair looked around nervously, and she and Nell laughed. Nell pointed at two young ladies who were whispering behind their hands and who began giggling. “They will pounce soon enough.”
“And miss,” the duke said. “I’m quick enough to evade matrimony.”
“But why would you want to?” Sophie asked. She couldn’t imagine anything more wonderful than being in love and being married.
“Ah, but not everyone is as lucky as Cary, to find you.” With that, Sin left to join Grey and Saxonby.
“Nell, I do have something to give you.” Sophie had carried it with her, wrapped in white paper, tied with a white bow. “It is your book, Nell, that you wrote about your life. You left it for me, but I never saw it until I found it by accident. My adoptive mother hid it away.”
“Did she?” Nell sighed. “I told her not to read it. That was one of the stipulations for the money I gave to her. That the book was for you, when you were older. I wanted you to know I had been desired by the most famous and handsome peers in England. Of course, I suppose I put in a bit too much naughty information for a young woman to read.”
Sophie colored but said, “Perhaps. But it is a very compelling story. It’s really a tale of love.”
“Many loves,” Nell said, lifting a wry brow. “And you read it while you were pursuing the duke, didn’t you? Perhaps I should finish it and fill it with more advice. Perhaps I should include some of your delicious story and title it: How to Catch a Wicked Duke.”
“Nell, you mustn’t.”
“I won’t.” She smiled. “I won’t cause scandal for you. I won’t tell anyone I am your mother either. It would be much better if Society thinks your parents are the doctor and his wife.”
Sophie bit her lip. “I would rather be honest.”
“We had both best be wise. We know the truth. It hardly matters if others know our business.” Nell held the book, stroking the ribbon gently. “I hid this away with you because I was afraid one of my gentlemen might find it and destroy it. I was rather dramatic then. But if it has helped you find true love, then it was a worthwhile labor.”
“It did,” Sophie said, and hugged Nell.
As Nell left, Cary’s mother came to her. In front of the waiting guests, the duchess—who would soon be the dowager duchess—embraced her. “Welcome to our family, my dear.”
“Thank you,” Sophie whispered, “I know this was a shock for you.”
“My son is happy. I have learned, over the years, that I want him to be happy and to have love. I almost lost him twice—when he was young and was taken from me, and then in Ceylon when he was at war. I was the one who pushed him to be married. I finally realized he deserves love more than anything. He loves you deeply, Sophie. And there is no one more deserving for my good and wonderful son than you. For you are a good and wonderful young woman.”
“Thank you.” Sophie brushed away tears.
The dowager handed her a delicate lace-trimmed handkerchief. Cary’s sisters ran up. They both hugged her too. Claudia, the eldest, who was now twenty, whispered, “Thank you for making my brother so happy. And Mama is so happy too. I have decided I am going to marry too. We were so often in the country. Mama was so protective of Lydia and me—”
“She never let us do anything,” Lydia agreed in a whisper.
Both girls looked like Cary with their blue eyes and blond hair.
Sophie understood. “She just wanted to keep you safe. You will both have more freedom now. Cary and I intend to ensure you attend every Society event you can.”
“We should go inside, dears,” Cary’s mother said to her daughters.
Then, as Sophie watched most of the guests enter the church, Dr. and Mrs. Tucker came to her. Her adoptive mother wore a fussy gown festooned with lace and ribbons, and an elaborate turban with a large feather. “Oh, my dear, you look so lovely,” she gushed. “My adoptive daughter, a duchess! What a feather in all our caps.”
The doctor rolled his eyes. “Sophie, I am so sorry for what we did. It was wrong to turn you out. Wrong and unforgiveable.”
“But it’s all worked out for the best,” said his wife. Then after meeting Sophie’s gaze, she changed her tune and gave several effusive apologies.
All her life, Sophie had been kindhearted. But she faced the woman who had sent her away, knowing she must be blunt, honest, and harsh, for this was important. “I know you feel I committed a sin. Perhaps I did. But I gave birth to Alex, and every time I look at my son, I see Samuel in him. Samuel has left a lasting legacy to the world through his son. I cannot feel that is wrong. If you wish never to see me again, I am content with that. I don’t care what you did to me—but you turned your back on an innocent baby, and that I cannot forgive.”
“Please, Sophie. My dear child—”
“I never was your dear child.” Then, she could not help it. “Perhaps I can forgive you. If you are very, very good and respectful to Alex. You must treat him no differently than any other children I hope to have with the duke. At first, Caradon wanted to punish you for your treatment of me. I convinced him to not do so. He has now asked for your help.”
Mrs. Tucker said, “I just feared you could end up bad, like your mother—”
“That is the problem. My mother wasn’t bad. She had to survive too. And she tried to give me a respectable future. But I will try to forgive,” Sophie said. “The duke has said you have promised not to reveal the truth. If there were scandal, or Alex were hurt in any way, I know the duke would be very angry.”
“Our lips are sealed,” the doctor said. “All I feel is tre
mendous guilt for what you have been through. We were foolish and proud. And so very wrong. We shall do our best to make amends, and we will begin by vowing to never speak of anything hurtful to you or your child.”
“Thank you.” She touched her adoptive father’s hand. “Now you may take me down the aisle to my soon-to-be husband.”
To my wonderful, perfect Wicked Duke, she thought as she entered the church with her father. She gazed around her. She was used to country churches. St. George’s was enormous. So many elegantly dressed people sat on the pews—they could not all be friends and family. Flowers decorated the end of each pew and sat upon the altar.
She gazed down to Cary, who was standing in front of the reverend and waiting for her.
It was all she could do not to run to him. But here, she had to be sedate and ladylike.
It felt like an eternity. She knew people were watching her, but she only had eyes for Cary.
She reached him, dimly aware of her adoptive father agreeing to give her away—or something like that.
The reverend cleared his throat. He read rather a lot of poetic-sounding things, but Sophie was too nervous and excited to hear. Then he got to the best part.
“Do you, Sophia Elizabeth Ashley, take this man, Fitzwilliam Augustus Flavius Montcleif, to be your husband?”
She was deliriously happy, but her eyes widened at his names. A faint blush touched his cheeks, and she couldn’t help it. She giggled. It was just her joy trying to burst out. The reverend looked rather shocked. She choked down her giggle and said, “I do.”
Then it was Cary’s turn. Under his breath, just for her, he whispered, “God, how I do. How very much I do take you, Sophie.” Then out loud, he said, “I do,” and her heart took flight.
And continued to soar as Cary bent to her and she lifted on tiptoe to him and their lips touched. Sophie felt a shower of sparks rush through her.
Their first kiss as husband and wife—
His lips parted hers, and his tongue slipped gently inside her mouth, teasing hers.
Goodness, he was doing this to her in church.
Cary was, at heart, a Wicked Duke. She knew that now.
Slowly, he broke the kiss. The reverend was blushing as he led them to sign the book while the guests filed outside.
Sophie watched Cary quickly move the pen, signing his name with a flourish. “I cannot believe your given names are Fitzwilliam Augustus Flavius.”
“My father loved Roman history, and I bore the brunt.” He handed her the pen, and she wrote her name.
He clasped her hand, and they walked back up the aisle together toward the doors of the church. Sophie hesitated at the closed door. Soon, they would walk out in front of all their guests.
“Our wedding is the talk of London. Everyone must be gossiping about us—and I am not sure if I can go through with this.”
“We can weather the gossip together,” he assured her. “I invited several important and open-minded members of the aristocracy. Their presence here assures your acceptance.”
“That’s why there were so many guests—”
Cary’s mouth closed over hers again. He gave her a slow, luscious kiss. In the church, again. She pulled back, face aflame. “You must stop,” she squeaked. “We’re in church.”
“But we’re married now. Nothing is forbidden.”
“Nothing? Heavens, what do you have in mind? Remember, we are supposed to be going to the wedding breakfast. There is a reason it is called a wedding night.”
“I can’t wait that long,” he admitted. “Race you to the carriage.”
Then the doors opened and cheers rose up. Rice showered over them. Laughing, Cary ran with her to the carriage and quickly handed her up. She leaned out the window to wave, then turned to discover Cary was unfastening his trousers.
She laughed, joyously. “You are eager.”
“I’m in love.”
Their carriage rumbled on toward their wedding breakfast. But inside, she settled on Cary’s lap, taking his beautiful hard cock inside.
His arms went around her, and he kissed the nape of her neck as he drove inside her. Under her skirts he teased her nether lips, found her sensitive clit, and lightly caressed it.
Sophie moaned softly and sucked in frantic breaths.
All the joy and excitement of the day blended with the sheer frantic eroticism of their hurried lovemaking, becoming something explosive.
“Oh! Oh! Oh!” she cried.
She was coming, then he was too. Together, they found their peak. Moaning together. Laughing in unison afterward.
“I always hoped I would find love. But I never dreamed I would find you, Cary. That you would marry me, and we could have a family together. And that Alex would have a wonderful home and a future. It is like a dream come true.”
“It is more happiness than I ever let myself dream about,” he admitted.
She gasped, realizing he growing hard again. “Can you? Already?”
“I can because I desire you so much. Because I love you so much. You are my dream come true, Sophie.” Then he said, “My mother intends to hold a ball. She admitted to me that she lied about being gravely ill to convince me to marry.”
“Do you forgive her? She didn’t mean harm by it.”
“I did forgive her, Sophie.”
“That was very good of you—” She broke off and gasped as he wriggled his hips, teasing her with his cock.
“I know all her worry over me had weakened her, but she is genuinely happy about the marriage. And the anticipation of a grandchild is doing wonders for her—”
“You didn’t tell her yet, did you?”
“I’m afraid I did. I warned her it was early yet.” He thrust deeply into her. “But I did want to tell you about the ball.”
“I do like balls,” Sophie said.
Cary laughed, knowing he’d never felt happier. “Sophie, that has another meaning, you know.”
“Well, I mean both of them when you are involved,” Sophie said, looking a bit indignant at his laughter. “I am looking forward to waltzing with you again.”
How adorable she was, he thought. “You’ll only get one dance with me.”
“Only one! Why?”
“After that, I’ll want to steal you away and make love to you all night.”
“Hmmm, perhaps that would be better than dancing.”
He laughed again. Then he held her hips to spear her on his rock-hard, throbbing cock as he thrust into her tight, hot pussy.
He was so deeply in love with her. And had never felt more deeply ensconced in pure joy and delight. Little by little, he and Sophie had fallen deeper in sin.
Only to find heaven at the end of it.
He kissed her just as she climaxed, loving the way she bounced on him and scratched his shoulders and moaned frantically against his mouth.
Happiness was going to be theirs. Forever after.
Don’t miss
DEEPLY IN YOU
The first in the Wicked Dukes series
Anxious to save her brother from debtor’s prison, Helena Winsome agrees to find proof that the Duke of Greybrooke is a traitor. Well aware of his wicked ways, she takes on the guise of a demure governess. But his smoldering sensuality overwhelms her—as does his vow to make her his lover, a scandalous promise that leaves her weak with desire....
Darkly handsome and powerfully seductive, the Duke of Greybrooke is a man of deep passion. When the lovely Miss Helena Winsome turns down an offer to become his mistress, Grey takes on the challenge. He’ll expose Helena to the erotic thrill of carnal pleasure and tease her senses until all she can do is beg for more....
Available now
From Sharon Page
and
Kensington Books
A writer, a wife, and a mother of two, Sharon Page holds an industrial design degree and also manages a scientific research and development program. She finds writing tales of sexy Regency rakes and seductive vampires is the perfect escap
e from her technical world. Sharon Page’s style is “sharp, sexy, and will seduce you from the first page” (Just Erotic Romance Reviews). She can be reached at www.sharonpage.com.
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