Page 123 of Bound By the Duke

His hand moved to her cheek, wiping away a tear.

“And now you do,” she whispered, finally smiling through her tears. “I love you, too. I’ve loved you from the very moment I laid my eyes on you.”

Percival smiled back. Too vulnerable to speak any more, he pressed a kiss to her forehead.

His arms wrapped around her, holding her as though the world could never pry them apart again.

And this time, he had no intention of letting go.

CHAPTER 38

The first thing Aurelia saw when her lashes fluttered open was light. Soft, golden light that spilled through her old window.

She took a quiet breath and let it sink into her chest.

How long has it been since I woke up to this view?

She had missed the way dawn looked from her childhood bed. That gentle and brimming memory.

It made her lips curve faintly. But her smile faltered the moment her gaze dropped.

There, on the floor beside her bed, slumped a figure. Long limbs folded, broad shoulders resting against the edge of her bedside table, a head bowed in restless sleep.

Percival.

Her heart melted. The Duke of Whitmore, her husband, had forsaken the comforts of a guest chamber to spend the night watching over her. He had chosen the hard floor instead of leaving her side.

“Surely the floor must be freezing,” she whispered.

She tried not to smile, but the effort was hopeless.

As quietly as she could, she slipped out of bed, the hem of her nightgown brushing her ankles as she moved toward him.

Kneeling down beside him, she drank him in.

Good Lord.He was exquisite, even in sleep.

The chiseled line of his jaw, the graceful fan of dark lashes over sharp cheekbones, the slight furrow between his brows. His lips were parted slightly as he breathed slowly and deeply.

Her eyes lingered on him for a while.

He is mine? This man is mine?

A soft chuckle escaped her lips. She leaned in and brushed away a strand of hair that had fallen across his forehead. Her heart beat faster.

She couldn’t resist the urge, so she bent down. Her lips trembled with the thrill of boldness before pressing the gentlest kiss to his forehead. But before she could draw back, two strong arms snaked around her waist.

Aurelia gasped as he pulled her flush against his chest. Then, she laughed, half-startled, half-thrilled.

“You—!” She tried to wriggle free, but only ended up pressed tighter against him. “So you weren’t asleep at all?”

“Why would I be? I was watching over you,” Percival purred, his lips grazing the shell of her ear. “And it seems that was a foolish mistake… because look what I’ve caught.”

His voice, deep and roughened with sleep, swept through her like fire. She shivered, laughter slipping past her lips in helpless betrayal.

“You,” she whispered, still giggling.

But her laughter died down when his grip and comfort began to titillate her senses. Just his voice, just his nearness, was enough to undo her. Heat coiled low in her belly.