Chapter 16

Chapter Sixteen

N ancy woke up feeling warm and wonderfully sated.

It was as though she had gotten the best sleep of her life, and besides the dull ache in her lower back, the lightness in her heart and head told her she was well-rested and ready to face the day.

But as she shifted her gaze to the face of the man whose arms she was nestled in, she decided that ‘ ready' and ‘ willing ' were two different things as she was content to stay in bed for longer.

Richard looked so utterly at peace like this and even more gorgeous as he slept, his eyelashes brushing against the swell of his cheeks delicately.

For once, he couldn't argue, didn't have to face the cruel world that had beaten him down countless times, and wasn't able to doubt the concern and care of others.

Like this… he looked like he could be hers. Someday.

Her heart skipped a beat as the arms around her tightened all of a sudden, and she gasped as Richard rolled over onto his back, pulling her on top of him.

As she lifted her face to speak to him—likely to complain for scaring her suddenly—his lips found hers in the gentlest of kisses, and she could not help but sigh, melting against him.

"Good morning," Richard mumbled gruffly.

Nancy's eyes fluttered open, and she stared at him for a moment, her heart dancing within her chest as a smile slowly tugged at her lips.

"Good morning, Richard," she replied, soft and sweet.

"God, I love the way you say my name," he groaned, dropping his head back on his pillow.

Nancy giggled, a little confused. "Why? How do I say it?"

Richard frowned, his hands caressing the curves of her body lightly, his gentle touch stirring up a storm within her.

"Let me see… It is very, very pleasant to hear. Drives me to the brink of insanity with how much more it makes me want you."

As he spoke, he rolled his hips upwards slightly, letting her feel his rapidly stiffening member as it pressed against her thigh.

For a moment, he said nothing more, his gaze intently fixed on hers as though he was waiting for her reaction. When she said nothing, he sighed.

"We should probably get started with our day then?—"

"Why?" she cut in abruptly, confusion etched on her features. "I thought… Do you not want to?"

Richard laughed softly, the low timbre of his morning voice sending shivers down her spine."That is impossible, darling. After being too fortunate to taste you last night, I'm afraid you've rendered me insatiable. I just do not want to force you?—"

"You are not," Nancy assured him. "I'm just… I don't know what to say. How to say it. If… If it's all right to admit that I want to as well."

Her last words tapered off quietly, tinged with nervousness that melted away when his hand came up to cup her cheek gently.

"Why would it not be? We shouldn't be ashamed of our desires. You are my wife, after all," he told her softly, guiding her into a kiss. When they parted, he whispered in the air between them, "And I, your husband. You can want me as much as you please. And I will always be willing to satisfy you."

Heat filled her cheeks, and she nodded shyly, smiling back at him as he smiled at her. Then, as if to remind her of his current predicament, he held her down by the hips and rolled his, dragging his length over her skin.

"What do you want to do, husband?"

He blinked up at her, his expression open.

Nancy licked her lips, already dizzy with arousal as she asked back, "How do you want me?"

The corners of his lips quirked upwards slightly, and he adjusted her, so her legs were on either side of his hips then he sat up, smirking down at her as they were pressed chest to chest.

"Like this," he murmured against her lips, his hands resting on her bottom, his fingers kneading the soft flesh. "I want you like this."

Nancy inhaled shakily, her hands finding purchase on his shoulders, the heat in her cheeks so intense that she felt as though she might combust.

"A-All right, then."

Richard was just as needy as he had been the night before, his hands roaming over her body as he thrust up into her, his mouth leaving fresh marks of his ownership.

It did not take too long before Nancy was begging, her lips spewing nonsensical words as he continued to pick her apart, lifting her up by her hips and slamming her back down on his member as he thrust upwards.

This position felt more intimate, their closeness leaving her nowhere to hide as he held her gaze, watching as she lost her sanity bit by bit.

And his words?—

"Yes, that's my good girl," he moaned into her lips.

Lord , Richard's words would be her undoing.

His voice seeped into her head so easily, lowering her guard and leaving her bare, rubbing her raw in all the right ways as he continued to chase their pleasure.

"My pretty wife," he whispered into her neck, right over a tingling bruise he had just left on her skin. "So perfect, just for me."

Nancy's moans became louder and louder then turned into a sharp gasp as she found her release, clutching her husband tightly as she shook with each wave of pleasure. Richard wasn't far behind, his member throbbing within her as he groaned into her neck, his hands grabbing at her flesh, holding her close.

When he had calmed down, he fell backward, taking her down with him.

He kissed her, slow and sweet, smiling at her playfully as he said, "Good morning."

Nancy laughed, resting her head on his chest as she responded with a yawn.

"It most certainly is. Do you think I am silly for wanting to get some more sleep after that?"

"Absolutely not. Even if you have an appointment, you will remain here with me, basking in the glow of our deeds," Richard demanded without any heat.

With a giggle, Nancy questioned, "Then when will we get out of bed, dearest husband?"

He pulled her closer, resting his cheek against her head.

"Whenever we want to, dear wife."

* * *

As fate would happen, ‘whenever they wanted to' turned out to be much later in the afternoon. And it was only because, as much as they wished for it, Nancy could not live off kisses and gentle caresses, her stomach voicing its complaints over the lack of sustenance rather loudly.

Richard laughed, looking incredibly fond of her as he kissed her nose and asked her to have a late lunch with him in the drawing room adjoining his bedroom. She accepted easily, not ready to be apart from him for longer than necessary.

It took moments for it to be set up after Richard had given the order—a knock on the door signaled the completion of the process. Nancy had thought they would head over to the drawing room immediately, but Richard had climbed out of the bed and went to his bedroom door first, opening it a little.

Her initial confusion melted into adoration as Dash trotted in excitedly, stopping at the foot of the bed as he wagged his tail and barked excitedly at her.

"Dash! My darling boy," she cooed, lifting the puppy into her arms. "How are you? Oh, my love. You must have been so worried when you didn't see me at all today."

"I thought as much. So, I had them bring him over to assuage both your concerns," Richard said, pulling a dressing gown out of his wardrobe and gently draping it over her shoulders.

Then he pulled on a pair of trousers, waiting until she had covered herself up. Once she tied the dressing gown over her body, Nancy opened her arms to her husband, pressing a chaste kiss to his cheek when he embraced her.

"Thank you."

He smiled down at her, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear as he told her sincerely, his eyes gleaming, "Anytime."

They sat together on a chaise in the drawing room, feeding each other from the lovely spread that had been provided for them.

Nancy had never felt so content or at peace in her entire life.

She had thought her desires were fleeting and that the moments they had been fulfilled, she would be satisfied. But every time Richard's fingers traced her skin, sparks danced beneath his touch.

Each time their lips met, her heart felt so full that she thought it would burst. She did not understand these terrifying emotions swirling within her. Still, she was delighted to bask in them until she did.

Nancy turned to her right, where Dash had been seated, watching as he trotted over to Richard, sitting at his feet with an innocently cheerful expression.

"Utterly spoiled. That is what you are," he mused, putting some sausages in an empty plate and setting it on the carpet in front of Dash.

The puppy gave a yap of gratitude and shifted his attention back to his meal. As soon as his plate was empty, he moved closer to Richard, standing up on his hind legs and resting his front paws on the Duke's thigh, clearly asking for attention.

"Oh, Dash—" Nancy attempted to call him back to her side, only to fall silent when Richard's hands came down to gently stroke the puppy's fur.

"Such a baby," he teased, ruffling Dash's fur, making faces at the dog when it became evident his ministrations were greatly enjoyed.

Nancy watched them silently for a moment, taking in how Dash held every bit of Richard's attention, how much care shone in her husband's eyes as he played with the dog, and how sweet his one-sided conversation with Dash was.

"You're really good with him," she remarked gently, smiling reassuringly at Richard when he turned to look at her. "You're affectionate and gentle. I think you would make a great father, Richard."

Her husband's expression dimmed, and she worried she might have upset him, but then he spoke up, changing the subject.

"Ah, I nearly forgot." He gently tugged her back. "I spoke with Lord Suttington during the ball."

She felt herself frown but decided against pressing the matter further. They'd only just managed to come close to one another. The subject of children could be raised another time.

"Really? What did he say?" she asked.

"Far too much rubbish, I'm afraid. The man is as selfish as he is greedy and intent on robbing us of what your family's rightfully owed."

Richard sighed, looking as though thinking about it made him feel tired all over again.

"I will keep up my efforts with him for the sake of providing for your mother and your sisters," he said.

Nancy felt that familiar tug of adoration in her heart and wrapped her arms around her husband. "Thank you. Thank you so much, Richard."

His hands were warm as they stroked her hair, and he quietly placed a kiss on her temple as a response.

After their meal, Nancy proposed that they take a stroll in the gardens.

"Are you sure you would not rather return to bed?" Richard grinned cheekily, pulling her close to him and pressing kisses down the column of her throat.

"As—as tempting as that sounds, dear husband," she gasped, barely managing to free herself from his grasp, "some fresh air would do our bodies some good. We… we can return to our other… activities after."

"All right," Richard conceded, tugging her close once more to kiss her deeply until she was panting against him.

He licked his lips, his eyes dark as he stepped away from her and said, "I will see you in the foyer shortly."

Nancy stood still for moments after he left, managing to come back to herself, one shaky breath at a time. Quickly, she went to take a bath and slipped into more appropriate clothing.

When she arrived at the foyer, Richard and Dash were waiting for her.

With a grin, she took her husband's arm, letting him lead her through the garden.

At the end of the walk, Nancy felt as though there was nowhere she would rather be than here, attached to her husband.

"I'd like us to make a little stop before we head home. Is that all right?" Richard asked.

"Oh, that's fine. Where do you wish to go?"

"Just follow my lead," he said and kissed her knuckles softly.

With that tone of his, she'd follow him to the ends of the earth.