The kind that lasted forever.
“I love you,” she whispered.
“And I love you.”
Their kiss was deep and passionate and sweet. By the time they pulled apart, they were both breathless, desire leaping between them. She couldn’t suppress a giggle.
“What’s so amusing, sprite?” he murmured.
“I was just thinking that Severin Knight was wrong. About how our partnership works.”
He swept his thumb over her bottom lip. “How so?”
“Clearly, I’m the logical one,” she said merrily, “and you’re the one—”
Harry groaned. “Don’t say it.”
“—brandishing the big stick.”
They laughed together—for the joy of the present, the promise of the future.
Then they kissed again.
Epilogue
“Harry…we’re going to be late…”
Since his wife was naked and moaning those words as he took her up against the wall of her sun-drenched dressing room, Harry didn’t think she was too concerned about tardiness. His hands gripped her slim hips, and he lifted her nearly off his cock before slamming her down again. Her tight sheath rippled around him, the pleasure racing up his spine, tingling at his scalp.
“You’ll have to hurry up and come then, won’t you?” he growled.
She peered up at him with luminous eyes. Her lips tipped up. “I already did.”
Devil and damn, she was a lusty sprite. And she was his. All his.
The thought expanded his chest…and his cock. He relished her dainty and limber frame, how easily he could wrench her up and down his erection, holding her aloft with the thrusts of his prick. Her hands speared into his hair, and she pressed her mouth to his, kissing and kissing him as she took him deep inside. He drove in deeper and deeper still, yearning to be as close in body as they were in mind and soul.
Soon passion overwhelmed him, and he knew he couldn’t hold back much longer.
“Help me, love,” he panted. “Rub your pearl, make yourself spend again.”
Her cheeks flushed, she did as he instructed, reaching between their heaving bodies. His nostrils flared as he watched her slender finger work in her dark thatch, rubbing her little bud as his thick shaft spread her tender petals. The sight of her diddling herself, of his cock plowing her, was too much to bear.
For her, too, apparently.
She gave a breathless cry, her pussy quickening, gushing around his turgid member. The lush milking of her passage summoned his own climax. He shouted out as he blew his seed inside his wife in bursts of hot, endless pleasure.
He buried his face in her fragrant curls, trying to catch his breath.
“So now that we’ve christened my dressing room,” Tessa whispered in his ear, “is yours next?”
“You’ll have to give me some time to recover, you wanton minx.” With a laughing groan, he reluctantly eased from her, setting her toes on the floor. He chucked her under the chin. “And if we’re to christen every chamber of this place, I’ll have my work cut out for me.”
“Grandpapa may have overdone it,” she muttered.
As a wedding gift, Black had given them this palatial residence in Mayfair. What was remarkable about the place wasn’t just its many rooms…but the size of its nursery.
“Let’s just say his hint was unsubtle,” Harry said dryly.
He helped Tessa into her dressing gown before donning his own. He reached into his pocket for his new watch, his lips curving as his fingers brushed the engraved back. Tessa had given the piece to him last week when he’d been readmitted to the Royal Society. With De Witt’s perfidy revealed, Harry’s reputation had been restored.
The Society had also recognized Harry for his work in the development of safety standards for the handling of explosive materials. How strange it’d been to have his old ambitions fulfilled, to recognize that, as grateful as he was for the honor, he’d been given a far greater one.
Tessa’s cheeky inscription on the watch said it all: To my husband and Professor of Love.
There weren’t any titles or honors he wanted more.
“Harry, I’m late.”
“Now she worries.” He shook his head, smiling. “Don’t fret, we have an hour yet. We’ll get you to the ceremony on time.”
“I’m not talking about the ceremony.”
Her meaning hit him like a blast of gunpowder. Obliterated his ability to speak.
Her cheeks were pink, her eyes sparkling. “If it’s a boy, may I choose the name?”
“Whatever you want,” he managed.
He snatched up her hands, kissed them one by one. He was overwhelmed with feeling, but, with Tessa, he didn’t mind. Because he knew she would always keep his heart safe.
* * *
Entering Nightingale’s, Tessa experienced a strange case of nerves.
After the hellfire, Grandpapa had funded the coffee house’s reconstruction. Although the new interior looked much like the old one, there were some significant changes. He no longer conducted business from an alcove but from a separate suite added to the back of the building.
“You’ll be fine,” Harry said in an undertone as they approached the new chamber.
Her heart brimmed at the understanding in his warm brown eyes. Day by day, their intimacy had grown, and sometimes it seemed as if they could even read each other’s thoughts.
“I hope they’ll accept me,” she whispered back.
“How could they not? You’ve been the leading force in rebuilding the underworld.”
She smiled at his confidence in her. “I couldn’t have done any of it without you.”
At that moment, Swift Nick popped his head out…from the pocket of Harry’s jacket. Tessa had wanted to look as commanding as possible for today’s event, and her fitted cerise promenade dress, while smart, had limited space to house a ferret. Luckily, Swift Nick had grown quite fond of his other human.
“Wish me luck, Swift Nick,” she said.
The ferret made a took-took sound as she petted his head. With a wink, he burrowed back into Harry’s pocket.
She and Harry arrived at the oak doors flanked by a pair of guards who bent low.
“Ready, sprite?” Harry said.
She slid her hand into his, and their fingers linked.
“Ready, Professor,” she said.
She drew in a breath and nodded at the guards. They pushed open the doors, and she walked into the grand chamber. A chandelier hung over the massive round table, around which sat the most powerful men of the underworld. They all rose at her entrance, and some—including Garrity, Knight, and the Prince of Larks—bowed as she passed.
She stopped at the empty chair next to her grandfather.
Grandpapa exchanged nods with her husband before taking her hand. She had an instant to see the pride in his dark eyes before he turned back to the table. She faced the waiting men as well.
In a booming voice, Grandpapa declared, “Long live the Duchess o’ Covent Garden!”
A heartbeat passed…then answering voices soared to the rafters.
“Long live the duchess!”
* * *
Dear Reader,
Thank you for reading The Duke Identity! I hope you enjoyed Harry and Tessa’s story. I truly appreciate reviews, and I’d be so grateful if you’d leave one at the retailer where you purchased the book.
* * *
Next up will be Enter the Duke, the second book in the Game of Dukes series, coming December 2018. The hero is the Duke of Ranelagh and Somerville, who undergoes a journey of redemption as he is faced with a shocking secret from his past…and rediscovers his heart. To find out more, click Enter the Duke.
To stay informed about my new releases and exciting news, be sure to sign up for my newsletter: gracecallaway.com/newsletter
If you’re new to my books, you might want to check out my other series, which are set in the same world. My Heart of Enquiry series features the Kent family. E
ach of the Kent siblings finds passionate romance while solving mysteries in Regency England. In my Mayhem in Mayfair series, you’ll find plenty of the same steamy romance, intrigue, and humor (Ambrose Kent’s story, Her Protector’s Pleasure, is the third in that series). For more on my books, keep scrolling…
Hugs and happy reading,
Grace
I’d love to connect with you!
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Also by Grace Callaway
GAME OF DUKES
Welcome to the Game of Dukes, a series that draws from Regency London’s finest drawing rooms and the shadows of its dark rookeries. Some dukes are peers of the realm, others lords of London’s underworld, but all are relentless in their pursuit of justice, power, and passion. They’ll meet their match—in the strong, feisty women who capture their hearts.
The Duke Identity (Book 1)
Shattered by betrayal, ex-scholar Harry Kent finds new purpose as a policeman. Sent to infiltrate a family in London's criminal underworld, he lands a job guarding the family’s clever and wicked daughter, Tessa Todd. Neither is prepared for their passionate attraction—or the rising peril that threatens their lives.
Enter the Duke (Book 2)
In order to escape his cutthroat debtors, the Duke of Ranelagh and Somerville ("Ransom") must flee to a remote country village. There he finds a woman from his past—and a chance for redemption. Will the rake learn his lesson and rediscover his heart? Find out in the next sizzling installment of the Game of Dukes series!
HEART OF ENQUIRY
This series features the adventures of the Kent family. Each of the unconventional siblings finds laughter, steamy passion, and true love while unraveling mysteries and secrets in late Regency England. Join them in their sizzling escapades…
The Widow Vanishes (Prequel novella)
Fate throws beautiful widow Annabel Foster into the arms of William McLeod, her enemy’s most ruthless soldier. When an unexpected and explosive night of passion ensues, she must decide: should she run for her life—or stay for her heart?
The Duke Who Knew Too Much (Book 1)
When Miss Emma Kent witnesses a depraved encounter involving the wicked Duke of Strathaven, her honor compels her to do the right thing. But steamy desire challenges her quest for justice, and she and Strathaven must work together to unravel a dangerous mystery... before it’s too late.
M is for Marquess (Book 2)
With her frail constitution improving, Miss Dorothea Kent yearns to live a full and passionate life. Desire blooms between her and Gabriel Ridgley, the Marquess of Tremont, an enigmatic widower with a disabled son. But the road to love proves treacherous as Gabriel’s past as a spy emerges to threaten them both… and they must defeat a dangerous enemy lying in wait.
The Lady Who Came in from the Cold (Book 3)
Former spy Pandora Hudson gave up espionage for love. Twelve years later, her dark secret rises to threaten her blissful marriage to Marcus, Marquess of Blackwood, and she must face her most challenging mission yet: winning back the heart of the only man she’s ever loved.
The Viscount Always Knocks Twice (Book 4)
Sparks fly when feisty hoyden Violet Kent and proper gentleman Richard Murray, Viscount Carlisle, meet at a house party. Yet their forbidden passion and blossoming romance are not the only adventures afoot. For a guest is soon discovered dead—and Violet and Richard must join forces to solve the mystery and protect their loved ones… before the murderer strikes again.
Never Say Never to an Earl (Book 5)
Despite their outer differences, shy wallflower Polly Kent and wild rake Sinjin Pelham, the Earl of Revelstoke, have secrets to hide—and both desperately fear exposing their true selves. Yet the attraction between them is too strong to deny, and they become entangled in a passionate adventure. Both will have to face their greatest fear in order to win the love of a lifetime... and to survive the machinations of the enemy who lies in wait.
The Gentleman Who Loved Me (Book 6)
What happens when fate throws a headstrong miss on a mission to find a titled husband together with a powerful and notorious club owner who is anything but a gentleman? Find out in this final passionate installment in the Kent family series, which stars Primrose Kent and Andrew Corbett in his long-awaited return.
MAYHEM IN MAYFAIR
Welcome to Mayfair, where passion and intrigue go hand-in-hand. This steamy romance series brings to life a Regency London of refinement–and depravity. From bawdy houses to Vauxhall, rakish heroes and plucky heroines discover that the path to true love can take some exciting and decidedly naughty turns…
Her Husband’s Harlot (Book 1)
How far will a wallflower go to win her husband's love? When her disguise as a courtesan backfires, Lady Helena finds herself entangled in a game of deception and desire with her husband Nicholas, the Marquess of Harteford ... and discovers that he has dark secrets of his own.
Her Wanton Wager (Book 2)
To what lengths will a feisty miss go to save her family from ruin? Miss Persephone Fines takes on a wager of seduction with notorious gaming hell owner Gavin Hunt and discovers that love is the most dangerous risk of all.
Her Protector's Pleasure (Book 3)
Wealthy widow Lady Marianne Draven will stop at nothing to find her kidnapped daughter. Having suffered betrayal in the past, she trusts no man—and especially not Thames River Policeman Ambrose Kent, who has a few secrets of his own. Yet fiery passion ignites between the unlikely pair as they battle a shadowy foe. Can they work together to save Marianne's daughter? And will nights of pleasure turn into a love for all time?
Her Prodigal Passion (Book 4)
Sensible Miss Charity Sparkler has been in love with Paul Fines, her best friend’s brother, for years. When he accidentally compromises her, they find themselves wed in haste. Can an ugly duckling recognize her own beauty and a reformed rake his own value? As secrets of the past lead to present dangers, will this marriage of convenience transform into one of love?
CHRONICLES OF ABIGAIL JONES
* * *
Abigail Jones
When destiny brings shy Victorian maid Abigail Jones into the home of the brooding and enigmatic Earl of Huxton, she discovers forbidden passion… and a dangerous world of supernatural forces.
Author’s Note
Those interested in science history may recognize that I borrowed Harry Kent’s “invention” from Christian Friedrich Schönbein (1799-1868), a Swiss-German chemist who accidentally discovered the material that would become known as guncotton and, later, as nitrocellulose. Schönbein’s discovery didn’t happen until 1845, a few years after Harry’s story takes place, but since I was already taking artistic liberty, I decided to take a little more. But it wouldn’t have been impossible for Harry to have discovered his “explosive cotton” in 1838: Braconnot, a French scientist, treated wood fibers with nitric acid to form an explosive material he called “xyloïdine” in 1832, and Pelouze, another French chemist, did the same with paper and cardboard in 1838.
Praise for Grace Callaway
“Readers looking for a good historical mystery/romance or a historical with a little more kink will enjoy The Duke Who Knew Too Much.”—Smart Bitches, Trashy Books
“Her Husband’s Harlot is a pleasing, out of the ordinary read.”—Dear Author
“Grace Callaway’s book is the first in her ‘Heart of Enquiry’ series, and this excellent brew of romance and intrigue and emotion is also Stevereads best Romance novel of 2015.”—The Duke Who Knew Too Much named the #1 Best Romance of 2015 by Stevereads
“I discovered a new auto-buy author with [M is for Marquess]… I’ve now read each of Grace Callaway’s books and loved them—which is exceptional. Gabriel and Thea from this book were two of the best characters I read this year. Both had their difficulties and it was charming to see how they overcame them
together, even though it wasn’t always easy for them. This is my favorite book of 2015.”—Romantic Historical Reviews
“Erotic historical romance isn’t as plentiful as many would think, but here you have a very well-written example of this genre. It’s entertaining and fun and a darn good read.”—The Book Binge
“I devoured this book in a couple of hours!…. If you love a story with a heroine who is a wallflower with a backbone of steel or a damaged hero then you will love this one too.”—5 star review from Love Romance Passion on Her Wanton Wager
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