Page 48 of Duke of Myste (Braving the Elements #3)
Richard looked puzzled but nodded immediately. “Of course. If you’ll excuse us,” he addressed their small group with apologetic courtesy, “we shall return momentarily.”
As they made their way through the crowd toward the quieter corridors that led to the study and the library beyond, Jane could feel the knowing looks following their departure.
Lydia, in particular, wore an expression of barely suppressed mirth that suggested she understood exactly what sort of ‘urgent assistance’ Jane required.
The library, when they reached it, was blissfully quiet after the din in the ballroom.
Moonlight streamed in through tall windows, casting silver patterns over the numerous leather-bound volumes that lined the walls.
The space felt intimate and peaceful, a private sanctuary within their public home.
“Now then,” Richard asked, turning to face Jane with an expression of polite inquiry, “what pressing matter requires my attention?”
Instead of answering, Jane stepped closer to him—close enough to catch the familiar scent of sandalwood and something that was purely him. Her hands came up to rest against his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart beneath the fine fabric of his evening coat.
“Jane?” Richard prompted, though his arms automatically encircled her waist and drew her closer, the response as natural as breathing.
“The pressing matter,” Jane said softly, rising on her tiptoes until her lips were mere inches from his, “is that I’ve been wanting to do this all evening, and now that I finally have a moment alone with you…”
She kissed him then, soft and sweet and full of the love that still sometimes overwhelmed her with its intensity.
Richard responded immediately, his arms tightening around her as he deepened the kiss with the passionate devotion that never failed to make her feel as though she were the most precious thing in his carefully ordered world.
When they finally broke apart, both breathing slightly unsteadily, Richard rested his forehead against hers with a smile that transformed his aristocratic features into something infinitely tender.
“ That was your pressing emergency?” he asked, though his tone suggested he had no complaints about the nature of the crisis.
“The most pressing of all possible emergencies,” Jane confirmed solemnly. “I was in immediate danger of expiring from lack of proper attention from my husband.”
“A grave situation, indeed,” Richard agreed, pressing a gentle kiss to her temple. “Though I must point out that we have a ballroom full of guests who might notice our extended absence.”
“Let them notice,” Jane said with the reckless confidence of a woman secure in her husband’s love and her position. “Besides, I believe our disappearance may have provided Diana with the perfect opportunity to avoid further scrutiny of her reaction to the mysterious Duke of Storme.”
“Ah…” Richard nodded with understanding. “So your urgent need for assistance was partly motivated by sisterly consideration.”
“Partly,” Jane admitted. “Though mostly motivated by my selfish desire to steal a few moments alone with the man who has made me so ridiculously, impossibly happy.”
“Ridiculously happy?” Richard raised an eyebrow. “I’m not certain whether to be flattered or insulted by that description.”
“Flattered,” Jane said firmly, reaching up to straighten his cravat with wifely attention to detail. “Definitely flattered. Though I suppose I should be concerned about what the gossips will make of our disappearance.”
“Let them talk,” Richard snorted, echoing her earlier sentiment. “After all, we’ve given them far more interesting material in the past. I believe the ton has quite resigned itself to the fact that the Duke of Myste is thoroughly besotted with his Duchess.”
“Thoroughly besotted?” Jane repeated with delight. “Oh, I do like the sound of that.”
“Good,” Richard murmured, stealing another kiss, “because I intend to remain thoroughly besotted for the remainder of our lives.”
Through the library windows, they could hear the distant sounds of music and laughter drifting from the ballroom, the continuing celebration of life and love, and the social connections that bound their world together.
Somewhere in that crowd, Diana was probably avoiding the Duke of Storme’s intensely penetrating gaze while secretly hoping he would ask her to dance again.
Marian and Nicholas were undoubtedly regaling other guests with tales of domestic bliss, while Lydia and Elias were surely maintaining their elegant presence as the ton’s most perfectly matched intellectual couple.
But here, in the quiet sanctuary of moonlight and leather-bound books, Jane was content to exist in this perfect moment with the man who had become not just her husband but her soulmate, her other half, her heart walking around outside her body.
“We should return to our guests,” Richard sighed reluctantly, though he showed no indication of releasing her.
“We should,” Jane agreed, also making no move to step out of his embrace. “Though I find myself reluctant to share you with the rest of London tonight.”
“Then perhaps,” Richard suggested with a smile that made her heart skip a few beats, “we should make an early evening of it. Plead exhaustion from our hosting duties and retire to our chambers, where I can give you my complete and undivided attention.”
“Your Grace,” Jane gasped, though it was more mocking than genuine, “are you suggesting we abandon our own ball?”
“I am suggesting,” Richard replied, his voice dropping to an intimate register that always made a pleasant warmth spread through her, “that a man should occasionally prioritize his wife’s happiness over social obligations.”
“Well, in that case,” Jane murmured, rising on her tiptoes for one more kiss, “I believe I could be persuaded to make such a sacrifice for the sake of marital harmony.”
As they prepared to return to the ballroom, Jane felt the familiar surge of gratitude for the twist of fate that had brought them together.
What had begun as a scandal and a marriage of convenience had become something far more precious—a love story that continued to unfold and deepen with each passing day, each shared glance, each touch, each moment of perfect understanding between two souls who had found their match in one another.
The Duke and Duchess of Myste walked back into the ballroom hand in hand, ready to play their roles as the perfect hosts, while secretly counting the seconds until they could be alone together once again.
The first tentative notes of a waltz began to play, promising new romances and new beginnings for those who were brave enough to take the first step onto the dance floor of love.
The End?