Beguiling the Duke, page 17
“You may have all my days, my dearest love. Until the end of time.”
Epilogue
One year later
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“You are so handsome. Yes, you are.” Sadie kissed her son’s head as she balanced him on her lap. She loved the smell of his pale downy hair. At two months old, Jerome was full of smiles and laughter and, occasionally, gas. But even then, he had her entire heart—along with his father. Sadie’s gaze darted to where Law stood with her father sipping brandy.
“When do you need to leave for the welcome reception?” Sadie’s father asked.
As expected, Law and Sadie were this year’s May King and Queen. However, they were not staying at the New Inn, nor had they managed to purchase a house near Marrywell. They’d been too busy settling into married life, and Sadie had wanted to spend time at the houses that Law already owned.
All that meant that Sadie was able to spend time at Fieldstone, which was thriving under the care of the new housekeeper, Mrs. Fitz, along with two new maids.
In her late forties, Amelia Fitz was a petite Black woman with a kind smile and an iron will. No one questioned her authority or expertise at Fieldstone. In many ways, she’d improved things, in that no one expected her to do things for them that they could—and should—do for themselves. Sadie adored her.
As if summoned by Sadie’s thoughts, Mrs. Fitz came into the parlor. “There is food in the dining room for anyone who’d care to eat before going to the welcome reception.”
Sadie’s father immediately stood taller. He moved toward Mrs. Fitz. “You do think of everything. I wonder how we ever managed without you.”
It took a monumental effort for Sadie not to roll her eyes, but since arriving nearly a week ago, she’d deduced that her father was smitten with Mrs. Fitz—something Sadie hadn’t noticed when they’d visited for a fortnight during Yuletide. Sadie didn’t think the woman knew, or if she did, she was very good at playing ignorant. Or perhaps she wasn’t interested.
“Your daughter managed things just fine,” Mrs. Fitz scolded. “Don’t you go flattering me at her expense.” There was a teasing light in her eyes that made Sadie think she actually might be interested. Perhaps she ought to choose Mrs. Fitz as a maiden fair.
That led Sadie’s stomach to knot. She was nervous about her upcoming task at the welcome reception. How would she pick only seven? Since Sadie was added last year, could she also add maidens this year? She doubted they’d make an exception simply because she was having a hard time making her selections.
“We should probably eat something,” Law said, finishing his brandy. Setting the empty glass atop a table, he moved to Sadie. “Are we taking Jerome with us?”
They generally took him everywhere since he was still so small, and Sadie was nursing him. “I think we should bring his nurse in case he falls asleep in the coach. Then he can stay there to finish his nap.”
“I can come along too,” Mavis said as she came into the parlor. She had just informed Sadie a fortnight earlier that she and Holden would welcome their own child later in the year. “Not that you need me, but I always love spending time with our favorite little man.” She smiled at Jerome.
Sadie rose and turned to Mavis. “Actually, would you mind taking him up to the nurse? I’d like to eat something before we get ready to leave.”
“I’d be delighted.” Mavis took Jerome and murmured nonsensical things as she carried him from the parlor.
Sadie took her husband’s arm. “Let us eat.” They went to the dining room, where Sadie piled a plate full of Mrs. Rowell’s finest—which was everything she cooked.
Law’s plate was also overflowing. “By the time we leave, I may be twice the size as when we arrived. It’s a good thing she refused my offer to come cook for us.”
Gasping, Sadie stared at him as they set their plates on the table. “You didn’t really do that?”
He shook his head, laughing. “I made an offer in jest. I know she would never leave Fieldstone. And while I would also have happily employed her husband, I know he’s needed here.”
“Yes, my father is not the best at managing the estate,” Sadie said with a sigh. “But Rowell says Esmond is showing promise, so that’s good to hear. I worried he wouldn’t ever find the maturity. And Philip has been managing the new property.” Her father had purchased it about six months ago. “It seems my brothers are rising to their potential now that I’m not here.”
“I believe you inspired them,” Law said, holding her chair.
But Sadie didn’t sit. She turned and looked at her husband, amazed at how much her life had changed in just a year. “Perhaps, but I think they always had it in them.”
“I should think so since you are all made from the same cloth, and you are the most capable, brilliant, exceptional woman in all the world.”
“All the world? Goodness, that is hard to believe.”
Law stepped around the chair and put his arms around her waist. “You’ve mastered being a duchess, conquered London Society, and are proving to be the most wonderful mother who ever lived. These are all objective facts.” He kissed her cheek, then the space behind her ear.
Sadie laughed as she put her hands on his chest and tilted her head so he could do whatever he liked to her neck, which was where his lips went next. “You are only slightly biased.”
He lifted his head and looked into her eyes with a love that made Sadie’s heart swell. “I’m not biased. I’m beguiled. I am also more in love with you today than yesterday, and I shall be even more in love with you tomorrow. I could never have imagined such a thing, but there you are. It’s all because of you.”
“It’s a little because of you too.”
He laughed before kissing her soundly. “Let us eat, my queen, before I decide to ravish you instead.”
She narrowed her eyes at him in seductive invitation. “Can’t we do both?”
Caressing her cheek, Law smiled. “You are Queen of the May. We can do whatever you command.”
* * *
Thank you so much for reading Beguiling the Duke. I hope you enjoyed it! Don’t miss the next book in Lords in Love by Erica Ridley, TAMING THE RAKE :
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The ton's worst rake ruined her, now she's back for revenge—and his heart!
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Need more Regency romance? Check out my other historical series:
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The Phoenix Club
Society’s most exclusive invitation...
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Welcome to the Phoenix Club, where London’s most audacious, disreputable, and intriguing ladies and gentlemen find scandal, redemption, and second chances.
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Matchmaking Chronicles
The course of true love never runs smooth. Sometimes a little matchmaking is required. When couples meet at a house party, what could go wrong?
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The Untouchables
Swoon over twelve of Society’s most eligible and elusive bachelor peers and the bluestockings, wallflowers, and outcasts who bring them to their knees!
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The Untouchables: The Spitfire Society
Meet the smart, independent women who’ve decided they don’t need Society’s rules, their families’ expectations, or, most importantly, a husband. But just because they don’t need a man doesn’t mean they might not want one…
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The Untouchables: The Pretenders
Set in the captivating world of The Untouchables, follow the saga of a trio of siblings who excel at being something they’re not. Can a dauntless Bow Street Runner, a devastated viscount, and a disillusioned Society miss unravel their secrets?
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Wicked Dukes Club
Six books written by me and my BFF, NYT Bestselling Author Erica Ridley. Meet the unforgettable men of London's most notorious tavern, The Wicked Duke. Seductively handsome, with charm and wit to spare, one night with these rakes and rogues will never be enough...
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Love is All Around
Heartwarming Regency-set retellings of classic Christmas stories (written after the Regency!) featuring a cozy village, three siblings, and the best gift of all: love.
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Six epic stories set in London’s glittering ballrooms and England’s lush countryside.
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Legendary Rogues
Five intrepid heroines and adventurous heroes embark on exciting quests across the Georgian Highlands and Regency England and Wales!
If you like contemporary romance, I hope you’ll check out my Ribbon Ridge series available from Avon Impulse, and the continuation of Ribbon Ridge in So Hot.
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Also by Darcy Burke
Historical Romance
Lords in Love
Beguiling the Duke by Darcy Burke
Taming the Rake by Erica Ridley
Romancing the Heiress by Darcy Burke
Defying the Earl by Erica Ridley
Matching the Marquess by Darcy Burke
Chasing the Bride by Erica Ridley
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The Phoenix Club
Improper
Impassioned
Intolerable
Indecent
Impossible
Irresistible
Impeccable
Insatiable
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Matchmaking Chronicles
The Rigid Duke
The Bachelor Earl (also prequel to The Untouchables)
The Runaway Viscount
The Make-Believe Widow
The Unexpected Rogue
The Never Duchess
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The Untouchables: The Pretenders
A Secret Surrender
A Scandalous Bargain
A Rogue to Ruin
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The Untouchables
The Bachelor Earl (prequel)
The Forbidden Duke
The Duke of Daring
The Duke of Deception
The Duke of Desire
The Duke of Defiance
The Duke of Danger
The Duke of Ice
The Duke of Ruin
The Duke of Lies
The Duke of Seduction
The Duke of Kisses
The Duke of Distraction
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The Untouchables: The Spitfire Society
Never Have I Ever with a Duke
A Duke is Never Enough
A Duke Will Never Do
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Love is All Around
(A Regency Holiday Trilogy)
The Red Hot Earl
The Gift of the Marquess
Joy to the Duke
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Wicked Dukes Club
One Night for Seduction by Erica Ridley
One Night of Surrender by Darcy Burke
One Night of Passion by Erica Ridley
One Night of Scandal by Darcy Burke
One Night to Remember by Erica Ridley
One Night of Temptation by Darcy Burke
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Secrets and Scandals
Her Wicked Ways
His Wicked Heart
To Seduce a Scoundrel
To Love a Thief (a novella)
Never Love a Scoundrel
Scoundrel Ever After
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Legendary Rogues
The Legend of a Rogue (prequel available only to newsletter subscribers)
Lady of Desire
Romancing the Earl
Lord of Fortune
Captivating the Scoundrel
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Contemporary Romance
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Ribbon Ridge
Where the Heart Is (a prequel novella)
Only in My Dreams
Yours to Hold
When Love Happens
The Idea of You
When We Kiss
You’re Still the One
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Ribbon Ridge: So Hot
So Good
So Right
So Wrong
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Prefer to read in German, French, or Italian? Check out my website for foreign language editions!
About the Author
Darcy Burke is the USA Today Bestselling Author of sexy, emotional historical and contemporary romance. Darcy wrote her first book at age 11, a happily ever after about a swan addicted to magic and the female swan who loved him, with exceedingly poor illustrations. Join her Reader Club newsletter for the latest updates from Darcy.
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A native Oregonian, Darcy lives on the edge of wine country with her guitar-strumming husband, artist daughter, and imaginative son who will almost certainly out-write her one day (that may be tomorrow). They’re a crazy cat family with two Bengal cats, a small, fame-seeking cat named after a fruit, an older rescue Maine Coon with attitude to spare, an adorable former stray who wandered onto their deck and into their hearts, and two bonded boys who used to belong to (separate) neighbors but chose them instead. You can find Darcy at a winery, in her comfy writing chair balancing her laptop and a cat or three, folding laundry (which she loves), or binge-watching TV with the family. Her happy places are Disneyland, Labor Day weekend at the Gorge, Denmark, and anywhere in the UK—so long as her family is there too. Visit Darcy online at www.darcyburke.com and follow her on social media.
Darcy Burke, Beguiling the Duke
