Page 90 of In Service to the Duke

Emma squirms in my grasp, and through the bond, I feel both her pain and the inexplicable pleasure it causes. She’s so confused and yet seems to trust me completely. It fills me with awe to know the depths of her feelings toward me.

Closing my eyes, I continue to purr and push my love for her through the bond so she can know once and for all my true feelings. She looks up at me, adoration shining in her darkened depths. Clutching her close, I roll us over so as to not squish her beneath me.

With a soft sigh, she nestles her head on my chest, her lips peppering the skin with kisses. Through the bond I feel her stark need to mark me as well. Smiling, I cup the back of her head, leading her down to my heart. She needs no further prodding.

Licking the skin as I did with her, she nuzzles me for a moment before her teeth embed into my muscle. I hiss as the pain slams into me, but my cock jerks inside her as the rightness of this union settles deep inside me. In an instant, the thin strands become thicker, doubling on themselves until it’s a thick cord, unable to be severed.

I feel her even more keenly, as if her soul resides in my own. Peace settles between us as I hold her close, listening to her heart as the rhythm matches mine. Perfect. It’s the only word I can think of as I hold my most prized possession close to me.

“Blackport,” she begins, her voice soft and distant.

Tucking my finger under her chin, I draw her gaze up to mine. “After everything, you still call me by my title?”

With a soft chuckle, she beams up at me. “Would you prefer Apollo?”

“I prefer husband and master, but I suppose Apollo will do.”

“Robert?” She asks again, hesitation making her nearly stumble over the word.

My body clenches as white-hot possession slides over my skin as she says my name for the first time. “Yes, my love?”

“Will you still punish me even when I’m not naughty?”

I laugh hard enough it jostles our bodies, causing the knot to jerk inside her. At her soft yelp, I do my best to temper my amusement.

“My dearest Emma, I will turn your backside red whether you’re naughty or not. Though if you want a nice release afterward, I suggest you leave any mischievous antics in the past.”

“Oh.” Her voice is small, as if she’s lost in thought.

I search the bond, worried I’ve somehow said the wrong thing. But instead of recrimination, my little minx seems to be weighing her options.

With an exasperated sigh, I lay my head back. “Fine. I suppose some mischief will be in order if you’re to retain the parts of you which I find utterly delightful.”

This time, it’s her turn to laugh as she hugs me close. “I love you, Robert, my own dearest Apollo.”

Growling softly, I wrap my arms around her. “And I will burn down the world to keep you by my side if that’s what it takes, my lovely wife, Emma, my incorrigible Daphne.”

She arches up, her face turning down into a frown. “You didn’t say you love me back.”

“How many times am I supposed to say it?” I tease, tapping the tip of her nose.

“Until you can’t say it any longer.”

“Well, that, my love, will take an eternity. I will love you until time ceases to have meaning. You are mine, and I vow to love, cherish, and wear your arse out until the end of time.”

As I hold her in my arms, I close my eyes and send up a silent thank you to my mother and her meddling ways. Without her, I would have been too stubborn to see the perfection right in front of me. It was a mistake I made once, and I will spend the rest of my life atoning for my blunder.

EPILOGUE

AUGUSTA

Sweltering heat envelops me, threatening to drive the very air from my lungs. With a quick glance to make sure no one sees me, I huddle even closer to the furnace as I shuck my clothes. Smoke pours in around me, choking me as I pull on the breeches and shirt.

At least it will help make me look as if I’m a dirty ruffian from the streets. A cough threatens to give me away, burning my throat as I hold it back. Unable to keep quiet any longer, I bring my dress up to my mouth to hide my actions. Another outfit ruined.

What will I say this time? Shaking my head, I shove aside all worry about my clothes and concentrate on why I’m here in the first place. Tucking my thick hair up into a cap, I duck out into the streets, watching as the ladybirds mill about, their cries of injustice filling the air.

Men yell on either side, their anger nearly palpable. Rage oozes from both sides, threatening to overwhelm me. I am idiotic to do this, and yet, I cannot stand by as others of my gender suffer. It’s bad enough many are forced to sell their bodies to eat, but when the conditions are so bad it would be better to reside in Bedlam, that’s a step too far.