Epilogue

EPILOGUE

F rances stepped out of the carriage. Her hands were slightly damp within her white gloves, and she hoped no one could tell. She was nervous. Her father helped her find her footing on the rocky terrain before he let her hand go.

He stood there staring at her.

Frances touched her hair. "What? Is something amiss?"

Solomon smiled. "I don't think I told you how beautiful you look today."

Frances blushed. Her father was never forthcoming with platitudes, so she never knew how to receive them when he gave her one.

"Where did you find that dress?"

Frances looked up. "Do you like it? Dorothy's mama found it in an old trunk. She had it cleaned and added some silk ribbons to the lace eyelets to it to make it more fashionable. But I think it fits quite nicely and is perfect for the occasion."

"It was your mother's." He paused. "You look just like her. Absolutely breathtaking." His voice was full of reverence and love.

Words failed her at his admission. She leaned forward and kissed his cheek. "Thank you, Papa, for everything."

Dorothy touched Frances' arm. "They're ready for you, Frannie."

Frances broke free from the hug she gave her father and looked past his shoulder. Her eyes landed on Thomas' frame standing near the minister. As if he could feel her eyes on him, he turned. Warmth washed over her under his gaze.

Dorothy nudged Frances. "Are you ready, Madam," her voice teasing.

Solomon took Frances' arm and placed it in the crook of his arm. He said nothing, but his face was full of pride.

As they walked down the aisle, Frances was glad they opted for a small gathering. Jenny, Nora, Sarah, Dorothy, and Jonathan were there, too. The ton was delirious with contempt at not being invited to what was deemed the wedding of the season, but neither Thomas nor Frances cared. They didn't need the pomp and circumstance crowding a celebration that was just for them.

Thomas' eyes grew heavier with every step she took towards him.

"Ah, there is my beautiful wife." His voice was smooth as silk, and it sent a jolt of heat to her core.

"Not yet, Your Grace. I didn't sign anything. I could run away right now." She smirked.

"I wouldn't let you get far. Remember, I fight for what I want." He pulled her in for a kiss.

"Blech. Save it for later." Jenny's disgust garnered chuckles from the rest of the party.

Thomas handed Frances a pen. "We were never ones for doing everything according to tradition. Sign the license, so we can leave."

"But what about the ceremony? The church? Don't we have to go through a process of some sort?" Frances looked at the minister who looked like he had seen better days. Taking in the minister's frazzled appearance, Frances turned back to Thomas.

"What have you done to the poor man?" she scolded.

Thomas held up his hands. "Nothing. I just asked nicely if we could skip the formalities and get to the legal part."

Frances cocked her head in disbelief. "You are incorrigible."

"You like it." His voice dipped low, and Frances' legs turned to jelly. She absolutely loved the rougher side of Thomas. "Will you always be this bossy?" she teased.

"If the situation calls for it." His sly grin added flames to the burn growing in her stomach.

Frances held his attention before looking down and writing her name on the license. She held the pen out to Thomas. "Your Grace?"

He took the pen and scribbled a line, never once taking his eyes off of her. He threw the pen down and picked her up. With a quick turn, he marched them out of the church, leaving nothing but blank stares, gaping mouths, and a few awkward giggles in their wake.

Frances stood staring out over the vast gardens that encompassed the Duke's country estate. Her mind was dizzy comprehending the land was now hers, too.

She felt Thomas behind her. His head dipped to kiss the juncture at her neck, and she shivered. Rolling her head to the side, she leaned back into him. "Mmm, that feels nice."

Thomas smiled against her skin. "Simmons wanted to give you the tour, but I told him we had other matters to attend to."

Frances smiled. "Oh, but a tour would be lovely. This is your first time here as well; aren't you curious to see everything?"

"The only everything I want to see is the everything you have hiding underneath this dress." His fingers lightly caressed her arms, up and down. His fingers trailed over her shoulders to the ribbons on the back of her dress. Releasing the silk, the dress fluttered down around her ankles.

"Thomas! We're standing in front of a window."

"Who is going to see? The horses in the stable? I assure you, they are well versed in this sort of activity." Thomas grinned as her reached for her shift.

"Oh! You have horses!" Frances always loved riding.

" We have horses, and I am going to need you to focus, love." Thomas grabbed her chin to bring her focus back to him. He leaned down, pushing her naked form against the cool window. She jumped at the coolness of the window, but the warmth of his body remedied it. Once again, she melted into him and welcomed his heat. He lifted her legs around his waist as his kisses trailed down her neck.

Frances felt light as a feather in his arms. She scratched his scalp with her nails the way he liked it, enjoying the vibrations of his growl against her neck.

"I lose all sense of control when I'm with you, love." He inched her further up the window, so her breasts were easily accessible for his mouth. He took his time worshipping each breast before moving to the other. Frances began to squirm against his body. The fire he started at the church was becoming a raging inferno in her veins.

"Thomas, I need more ."

Without stopping his attention to her nipple, he turned them and laid her on the bed. Once she was down, he looked at her. "Whatever I have is yours, love. I'll give you everything you ever need."

She reached up to bring him in for a kiss. "You. You're all I'll ever need. But right now, I'm looking for a more specific part of you."

Thomas smiled cheekily. "Well, if the ton could hear the prim and proper Lady Pilton now."

She let out a giggle. " The ton can sod off."

Thomas gawked. "Seems while you were teaching me etiquette, you may have picked up some of my bad habits."

Thomas stood and removed his clothing with aplomb. He settled between her thighs and eased into her. She pushed her body up to meet his with a sigh.

"That's fine with me. I like the rougher side to life. It's more exciting." Her words were stilted between breaths.

Thomas sucked on her favorite spot on her neck. "That, Your Grace, I can give you."

"The best of both worlds," she moaned as her orgasm crashed over her.

The End?