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“Charlotte.”

Only her name, the sole word that he could think of that encompassed the enormity of his connection to this complicated, vivacious woman.

As the heat and demand of the moment rushed to the heights, Frederick tried to pull back. He wouldn’t have himself finishing like that with her when this was her first time doing this. It would certainly be a shock, and he hated the thought of harming or distressing her.

“Charlotte, dearest,” she continued, holding him close and not allowing him to move away, “ugh, I…Oh, Lord, Charlotte. If you continue, I shall?—”

She slipped back only far enough to look up at him with her finger pressed to her lips.

“Shh.” Charlotte gripped him with both her slim hands. “I’m not finished.”

Well, that put him in his place, and as much as Frederick knew that he should protest, as her lips closed around him once more, he simply couldn’t. It was too marvelous to fight, and he stood no chance against the otherworldly pleasure blooming through his insides.

It didn’t take long after that. Frederick reached his crescendo, and Charlotte was there for it all, taking him wholly and completely. After a moment, one long enough that the kicks in his shaft that echoed his release stopped, she slid back. He watched her swallow, a smile pinned over her face as her cheeks burned a bright red.

Hauling her up, Frederick pressed a passionate kiss to her lips, utterly moved by her devotion to pleasing him. They shared that quiet moment for a long stretch that expanded like taffy in a confection shop.

When at last they parted, Frederick held Charlotte’s face in his hands. “You’re incredible.”

She grinned, shy and small, as she ducked her eyes.

“I mean it.” He lifted her chin. “You’ve made me feel…nothing I’ve felt before. It was…”

He chuckled, and Charlotte quickly followed him, crawling up his body a bit more to switch onto her side and lie next to him.

“It was incredible. Ugh, that word is not enough. But I will settle for it because I simply cannot think of another one.”

Charlotte smiled all the more, cocking her head up to meet his eyes as she offered a look of smug pride.

“Resplendent? Extraordinary? Astonishing? Shall any of those do?”

He smirked, narrowing his eyes on her as he squeezed her chin before pulling her under his arm and fully relaxing against the bed.

“Hmm, somewhat. I shall take them all and see if together they can make a word suitable for you. Give me some time to think it over.”

“Restraordinishing?”

They burst out laughing, and Frederick’s chest felt so marvelously full that he didn’t know how it was containing the joy that reverberated through his ribs. Still, he was quite glad that it did. He wanted to dwell in this moment for as long as he could.

Chapter Twenty

“Isimply must do something to show my apologies, my gratitude.” Charlotte paced back and forth across her room as Diedre struggled to get her dressed. “Do you think the idea is unsuitable? I believe he has enjoyed his time at the previous events. He was a surprisingly good dancer.”

Waiting a moment for Charlotte to hold still, Diedre stepped up to her offering the stays for her to hold up her arms and slip inside. When they were in place, and Diedre set out to the task of lacing them, she at last answered Charlotte’s question.

“The Duke has been observed as an excellent dancer, in fact. And yes, Your Grace. I believe he would be pleased to receive the invitation directly from you.”

Charlotte clapped her hands together before turning over her shoulder toward Diedre. “Oh, excellent. I thought so as well.”

“Please, mistress,” Diedre’s eyes pleaded with Charlotte, “would you now be so kind as to hold still? I should have an easier time dressing a goose.”

Laughing, Charlotte rolled her lips between her teeth, attempting to hide her grin. She and Diedre had gotten quite close during her time here, and it was comforting to have another woman in her life who she could be honest with, and who was always permitted to be honest in return.

“Apologies. I suppose I am a bit wound up today. There is just so much on my mind.” She turned forward, making a show of keeping herself still. “I shall not move.”

Diedre began lacing the stays, but no sooner was she finished that Charlotte started to pace again, talking without taking a breath as she considered Amelia’s upcoming drum.

“Oh, Diedre, it will be such a good show to have Frederick at one of Amelia’s drums. They are known for being so relaxed, and the Duke is in great need of a bit of relaxation. He is so…strict.”