Chapter 26

Chapter Twenty-Six

"N o, Anne! You were supposed to knock it in the other direction!"

Nancy winced at Beatrice's high-pitched voice, already opening her mouth to scold her sister when she heard her husband gently say, "Now, Beatrice. Let's not be too cross with Anne. She hasn't quite understood the rules of the game. She is trying her best."

He was standing next to Anne, his arms folded just like hers were, and together, they made an interesting picture. Especially when Anne pouted and looked up at him as she whined.

"I am! It isn't my fault that the game is too hard."

Beatrice scoffed but opted for a quieter tone as she pointed out, "We explained it to you countless times. If you did not understand, then you should have asked us to explain the rules again."

Richard moved to stand next to Beatrice, keeping his hands by his sides to mimic her stance as he nodded sagely.

"Your sister is right, dear Anne. No one would fault you for not understanding the rules, but it is wrong when you play however you wish. The game isn't as fun for everyone when you break the rules."

Anne hung her head, grabbing her skirts in her hands as she apologized. "I'm sorry. I will ask next time."

"Beatrice," Richard called, standing next to Anne once again and patting her head gently. "You should also take care of your sister. If you notice she is struggling or about to make a wrong move, you should not be so quick to scold her or be upset. Guide her gently, and she will pick up the game much quicker. All right?"

Beatrice lowered her head in remorse as well. "Yes, Your Grace." To her sister, she said, "I am sorry for yelling at you. I will try to be more patient with you next time."

"I will try not to play so badly," Anne returned in lieu of an apology.

"It is not your fault. Perhaps this game is not for you. But we will keep trying until we are certain. Come, let me explain the rules to you…"

"Dearest," Georgiana called, catching Nancy's attention. "Do my eyes deceive me? Or did I witness your husband resolve a fight between your sisters in a matter of seconds?"

"I don't believe there is anything wrong with your eyes, Mama. Otherwise, mine might be compromised as well. I think we just witnessed the same miracle," Nancy replied, still in awe.

It had been a month since Nancy had returned to Wexford Castle, and every day since then had been a wonderful dream.

Martin had been rehired to continue training Dash following the publication of an issue of the Scandal Gazette that said all the claims made against the Duke and Duchess of Wexford were not only false, but the couple was living in marital bliss. Dash was thrilled to have his friend back and eager to return to his daily lessons.

Nancy had been planning for the ball Richard had suggested they have, and when she was not occupied with that or overseeing Dash's training sessions, she was in the company of her husband—either eating, talking, or making love. With the latter being the most frequent.

Both of them seemed insatiable, as though each touch and kiss left them hungry for more, a need only sated when they were breathless, sweaty, and weak-limbed.

It had gotten to the point where Nancy had suggested that perhaps they should steer clear of each other during the day, seeing as they were easy distractions to one another.

The day before she made that remark, she had come to his study to ask for his opinion regarding an ornament for the ball, and minutes later, he had her bent over his desk with one hand on her bosom and another on her hip as he ground into her slow and deep.

Two days prior, he had been on his way to the stables to see the progress that had been made on the renovations that had started that week when he spotted her reading alone in a drawing room. What had been intended as a greeting with a kiss turned into her writhing with pleasure beneath him, moaning his name with each thrust.

"That is ridiculous, my dear," he had mumbled softly at her proposal as he lifted her onto his desk, trailing kisses down her throat. "We do not distract each other."

"R-Richard," she gasped, exasperated, "I came in here to discuss this issue with you, and what are you doing?—"

"Pleasuring my wife?" he offered, feigning ignorance as he slid his hand under her dress.

"P-Precisely my point—ahh."

He ended up having his way with her then as well.

After that, Nancy had firmly demanded they stay a minimum of five feet apart whenever they had any official business with each other—a request that had taken a week to fall through because Richard had a way with words and his hands, and Nancy was utterly in love with him.

He was the one who had suggested that her family come over for a few days, leading up to their ball, and he had also proposed a game of croquet which Nancy and her mother had abstained from in favor of relaxing in the pavilion and watching them.

Richard was proving to be exceptional at handling the girls, patient and gentle with them constantly, firm when necessary.

"You look happy," her mother noted suddenly.

The Duchess turned to her, a little startled by the remark. "Do I?"

Georgiana nodded. "I was worried after you left. My heart felt burdened whenever I thought about all you had gone through—after your father died, the pressure I put on you and then the problems with your marriage… I feared that I had ruined your only chance at happiness. I liked the Duke, but I wondered if he truly was the one for you as your father had been for me. And now, I believe that you two were made for each other. You really have grown beyond my expectations into an exceptional Duchess and a wonderful wife. Your father would be so proud of you. As am I."

Nancy lowered her gaze to Dash, who had curled up on her lap and fallen asleep, still recovering from all the running around he had done during his training earlier in the day.

"Thank you, Mama. I… I am happy. I really am," she said, stroking the puppy's fur gently. "Richard is a wonderful man and an even better husband, and I feel blessed every morning when I see him. I did not expect… our reconciliation to be easy, but both of us were willing to be better—to try harder for each other. I love him so much. And I think Father would have liked him."

"Well, for one, he would have never beaten your father at chess." The Dowager Marchioness snorted.

"Absolutely not," Nancy agreed. "I beat him every time we play together. His chess skills are rather poor."

"What are you talking about?"

Nancy found it easy to put on a bright smile as her husband approached them.

"You," she said as he leaned forward to plant a kiss on her forehead. "How much I love you."

Richard narrowed his eyes at her for a moment before turning to his mother-in-law and asking, "What did she say about my chess skills?"

"That they are rather poor, I believe," her mother admitted.

"Mama!"

"I see." Richard nodded. "I might be able to improve if you teach me."

"I cannot teach you how to play chess properly." Nancy laughed, pretending that she did not notice the slight smile on her mother's face as she snuck away.

"Why ever not?" Richard complained, sitting in the seat Georgiana had vacated.

"Richard," Nancy sighed, mirth evident in her voice still, "you wouldn't focus on the board or the pieces. You would be distracted the entire time."

"You have no proof of that, my love."

"Richard?"

"Yes, my love?"

"Lift your eyes to mine."

Richard grinned, finally taking his gaze off her lips. "It appears I was not as subtle as I thought."

"Dear husband, you are never subtle," Nancy teased, giving him a chaste kiss. "Not when it comes to me. And that is why I cannot teach you chess. We would never get around finishing a game with your wandering hands and eyes."

"Fair point," he agreed with a cheeky grin.

Nancy smiled back at him, her heart full to bursting with love and adoration for the man before her.

"Richard?"

He turned to her. "Yes, darling?"

"I love you."

The smile she was rewarded with was soft and sweet, and it set her skin aflame.

"I love you too."

Richard said it as a fact, a promise, and a declaration. And she loved him all the more because of it.