Chapter Thirty-One

However, Sophie wasn't ready quite yet to forgive him entirely. "But there is one other matter that concerns me that we're yet to discuss. What of this bet? I think it is your turn to explain, is it not?" Sophie said.

And she was right. He needed to explain what had happened and why he had done such a foolish thing. A mistake he would never make again.

"A mistake I tried to correct and could not." He walked her over to the settee and sat them down. "I arrived in London, and within a day of being here, rumors began of my conquests of the fairer sex. I fled to Whites, one place mamas of the ton did not throw their daughters at my head. As one does, I glanced curiously at the betting book." At Sophie's frown, he raised his hands in submission. "Granted, the betting book should not be allowed, but that is not my choice to make. But this evening, there was a bet regarding you, and without thought, I scribbled down my name."

"What did the bet say exactly?" she asked, needing to hear it from Henry.

He thought back to it, wanting to be as truthful as she had been. "Nothing of consequence, merely asked the gentlemen to put their names down for those who wished to court you and see who won your favor. I should never have put my name to that, for I did not even know you then. But upon meeting you, I knew my mistake, and I could only hope you would never learn of it."

"And yet I did," she stated, not giving way to how or what she was thinking.

"And I knew if you should be so unfortunate, you would question my affection for you, which is not what I wanted. I fell in love with you, not because I could win one thousand pounds, but because I love everything about you. You're one of the dearest people I have ever met. Passionate and funny, and loyal. I could not ask for more in my wife. I feel honored and blessed to have met you and never wish to be parted from you again."

"And you thought I would judge you if I found out you had put your name to a bet regarding me?"

He nodded, although the sound of such an outcome now sounded absurd when she said it. "I did initially come and speak to you because I had put my name to the betting book, but the moment we met, all of that paled into insignificance. I wanted to know you, dance, and spend time with you, and no blunt would ever alter that fact."

She reached up and clasped his cheeks in her hands. "I believe you, Henry. I suppose I'm just a little hurt that I was only worth a thousand pounds." She said, making light of the situation, but he could not. She was not a jest, and he did not want her to think she ever was.

"I'm so sorry for how I reacted to hearing Lord Carr's words. I ought to have stood beside you and listened to you, but shamefully I was ashamed. No, that is not the right word. I was embarrassed. I thought I had professed everything to you and shared my secrets, and your responses were a lie. I pretended to live up to the ton's expectations for so long. Henry James, the future Duke of Holland, was just like his father. A rakehell of the wildest order, and yet I was not. I had never been with a woman before you, and then to hear that you had been intimate with Lord Carr, my mind bolted to the worst possible conclusion it could imagine at the time.

"I thought you gave yourself willingly to him. That you had affections for this man in the past, and he broke your heart, which in turn drove me to loathe him. I wish that were the case now. I wish you had loved him and given yourself to him because knowing what did occur to you is far worse than I could have envisioned. I want to annihilate the man for his actions. I cannot bear to think of the fear you felt."

"Henry," she sighed, hugging him, holding him when it was not he who needed reassuring and comforting but she. He held her tight, wishing he could change the past few weeks but knowing that although he could not, he could make their future much better than their past.

"I love you so very much, Sophie," he declared. "Please forgive me for being such a prig and arse and any other insults you can throw at my head."

She pulled away and smiled. "I have already said I forgive you. There is no other choice for me but to do so, but please do not ever shut me out if we disagree. I could not bear it a second time."

"I will never do so again. I promise on my life that I shall not."

He lost himself in her eyes and could not thank the gods enough that she was back in his arms. That everything was right in the world.

"Make love to me, Henry," she asked him, and his knees almost buckled at how hastily he stood and scooped her up in his arms before starting for the door.

Sophie laughed as Henry struggled with her in his arms up the vast staircase before making his way down the long passageway to his room. With his labored breathing, she bit back a retort that perhaps they ought to waylay their reunion until he had caught his breath.

Upon making the suite of rooms, he threw off his jacket, wrenching his shirt free of his breeches and throwing it aside.

Sophie worked quickly on the buttons at the back of her dress and forgot about taking their time. The sight of her virile husband, his eyes burning with desire, with love, was too much to ignore. "Help me with the high hooks," she asked, giving him her back.

He all but ripped them open before untying the ribbons on her stays. The dress and stays dropped to her feet, and she reached for the hem of the shift, sliding it over her head.

Sophie bit her lip, naked before Henry except for the silk stockings and lace slippers she still wore.

"You look utterly delectable," he said, his voice reverberating with need, his gaze sliding over her like a caress. A shiver stole down her spine at the expectation of being with him again.

Henry kicked off his boots and breeches before she sauntered over to him in the most sensual manner she could summon and pushed against his chest, tumbling him onto the bed.

His smile warmed her soul before she inched onto the soft mattress, crawling over to straddle him. The feel of skin on skin, his scratchy chest hair tickling her breasts, made need simmer and burn.

"I've missed this," she admitted, kissing him, his cheeks, his neck before biting the lobe of his ear. "I'm going to enjoy having you again, husband."

Sophie positioned herself over him and lowered herself onto his rigid manhood. They groaned, satisfaction licking down her spine as he filled her, claimed her once more. His strong hands clasped her hips, and he thrust deep and long into her core.

"Yes, Sophie," he gasped, watching her with hooded eyes. "You feel so good."

Her body rose and fell, taking, stroking, and working them both toward climax. Without warning, Henry flipped her onto her back, thrusting hard, taking her with a determination she had never experienced before but liked quite a lot.

Tonight was like making love for the first time, except now there were no secrets, no scandals, and lies between them. They had bared their souls and told all there was to know. Now their future could commence in earnest.

No one could come between them. Nothing could rip them apart, not ever.

"I love you," he whispered against her lips, taking her mouth in a searing kiss before she could answer. Sophie wrapped her legs about his hips, holding him, needing him like her body required air. He was her life, her husband, and heart.

The first tremors of her release thrummed through her, and she let go, reveled in the feel of the pleasure that Henry gifted her. "Henry," she moaned as her body came apart in his arms. Shattered into a million pieces that only he could put together again.

He groaned her name into her ear, loving that she could make a virile, powerful man crumble in her arms.

They stayed locked together for some time before he slumped beside her, pulling her into his arms. "You are never to leave my bed again," he ordered her.

She nodded, snuggling up to his side. "I do not ever intend to. You're my duke."

He smiled, contentment he had not felt for weeks making his eyes grow heavy. "I would not have it any other way, Duchess."