Page 73 of How the Duke Saved Christmas

“Before we begin,” he told her, “I should warn you that I plan on giving you everything you ask for.”

“Negotiating from a position of power, then, I see,” she muttered at his expense.

Sending her a grin, he pulled on the robe and cinched the belt closed. “But you’ll find I’m resolute about some of the more specific clauses.”

“Oh?” She stiffened. What scheme was he up to now?

He stood in front of his dressing stand and peered into the mirror at his reflection. “We can forego all the dower negotiations and financial business. Anthony and I will hammer those out when he arrives for you.” He grimaced at himself and scoured his hand over his face, darkened by a growth of beard and haggard from all he’d gone through yesterday. “Good Lord, I look terrible.”

“Thankthe Lord, then, that you have any look to you at all because you almost died.”

He caught her gaze in the mirror, and his expression grew somber. “And how brave you were to crawl out onto the ice after Susannah and stay with me until the men arrived. If you can do something like that, Clara, then you can do anything.”

For the first time, she believed him. He was right that she could push herself further than she ever believed possible. Yet she lowered her gaze in embarrassment and stared at the counterpane beneath her trembling fingers. “Like being your duchess, you mean?”

“Oh no. Something much harder than that.” He crawled back onto the bed with her and kissed her, hot and open-mouthed, with all kinds of tingling promises about their future married life. “Like venturing out into society.” He muttered, “Those people make Napoleon seem like a peace-monger in comparison.”

She laughed, despite herself.

“Which brings me to the first stipulation in our marriage.” He nibbled at her throat.

“Which is?”

“That you’ll start going out into society again. We’ll host dinner parties, musicales, and garden teas in our home.”

Our home.Her insides melted at how wonderful that sounded.

“But then, once you’re more comfortable among friends, we’ll go out to the theatre and the opera because I know who much you used to love attending both. We’ll even go to Vauxhall if you can stomach the bad supper food they serve.”

“Michael, I don’t think—”

“Not all at once, of course. We’ll ease into it. But at dinners, teas, suppers, and the theatre, no one has to do anything at those but sit anyway, and I’ll make arrangements to bring you there before the others arrive, just as we did for Christmas services at the church. Besides,” he added, lowering his head to nuzzle his cheek against her bosom, “if all you do is sit there, they’ll grow bored with you soon enough and ignore you completely.”

“Exactly like old times, then?”

He grinned. “And speaking of old times—”

“I didn’t know we were.” No. What he wanted was a brave, new adventure for her. Although she had to admit, she wanted the exact same.

“I want you to take up your charity work again.”

Her mouth fell open. “Pardon?”

“I want you to rejoin all the charity boards you were once part of, especially the ones dedicated to helping children.” He took advantage of the moment to suck at her bottom lip. “Just as soon as our honeymoon trip is over, I also want us to open a new school here in the village, one that teaches more than reading and writing—one that will show everyone associated with it how they can reach their full potential, not just the children who attend it but everyone whose life it touches.” She heard him fight back a groan when he outlined her lips with the tip of his tongue. “And we’re going to take that special saddle of yours, make copies, and sell it across the empire. If it helps just one woman find freedom on horseback, then it will be worth all the work.”

She pushed him back to end his kisses so she could think straight. She stared at him, not believing her ears.

“And children. We’re going to have lots and lots of children, my dear Duchess. We’ll adopt until the house overflows with them.” He took her into his arms with a seductive growl and swept his hand over her body. “But we’re also going to keep trying for children of our own. Lots and lots of trying.” He cupped her breast against his palm. “Every.” He caressed her lovingly, and she couldn’t help but arch herself harder into his touch. “Chance.” He strummed his thumb over her nipple. Even through the layers of clothes, her nipple ached and longed to be suckled. “We have.”

Her breath came in quickening pants. “Promise?”

“With my whole heart and soul.” He lowered his head to bestow the most tender, most loving kiss he’d ever given her. “And in return, I’ll give you everything I possess, every pound and pence, every dream and ambition, every ounce of love.” He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed her ring. “Will you accept those terms?” He pulled in a deep breath. “Will you marry me, Clara Marshall? Will you become my duchess, my wife, my heart, and my life?”

“Yes,” she whispered, her trembling lips unable to form more than a whisper. “Oh yes, Michael…I will marry you.”

“No getting out of it this time,” he warned. “If you try to break off with me again, I’m kidnapping you to Gretna Green. Understand?”

“No getting out of it,” she promised and wrapped her arms around his neck, with no intention of ever letting go.