Page 100 of Road Trip With a Rogue

Daisy smiled. “Well, I wrote to her about our wedding, of course, and she’s delighted. She sends her apologies that she and Lorenzo weren’t here for the actual ceremony, but she invites us both to go and visit them in Naples at any time.”

“Would you like to go? We can if you like.”

Daisy’s heart swelled with love. Lucien would give her the moon and the stars if she asked for them.

“It might be nice. I’ve always wanted to go on a grand tour. All three of my brothers went, at various times, and they all came back expounding on how beautiful and welcoming Italy was. I’m fairly sure they were talking about the women, not the architecture and culture, but I’ve always fancied going to see it for myself.”

“In that case, we’ll go. Your wish is my command, Your Grace.”

Daisy shook her head with a wry smile. She still couldn’t quite believe she was a duchess. Or that she was married to such a wicked, wonderful duke.

He pushed himself off the doorframe and started toward her. Daisy held up the other item she’d received.

“And she sent me this. A beautiful cameo brooch.”

Lucien leaned over the desk to look. “Who’s the woman?”

“It’s Venus, I think. The Roman goddess of love. And that little cherub with a bow is Cupid.”

“How romantic. Amorous, even.”

“Indeed.”

Lucien’s lips curved upward and Daisy’s skin tingled as his lazy gaze traveled over her face then dipped down, to linger on her breasts. She was wearing a new pale blue dress from Madame Lefèvre and she’d known the enticing cut of the bodice would drive him to distraction.

It was precisely the reason she’d bought it.

From his higher vantage point, he doubtless had an excellent view down her cleavage. And since she was quite as wicked as him—he really was a terrible influence—she deliberately leaned forward to give him a better look. She loved the way he looked at her.

Heat kindled in his gaze.

“What are you thinking?” she asked, trying to sound innocent and not at all like a woman who wanted her husband to do all manner of scandalous things to her.

“I’m thinking about inheritance. Legacies. That sort of thing.”

Daisy blinked. She hadn’t been expectingthatresponse. But then she saw Lucien’s eyes crinkle at the corners and his lips curve up and realized he was teasing.

“Oh? In what way?”

“Specifically, I’m thinking about this dukedom. Running it is no small feat.”

“That’s true,” she agreed. “You make it look easy, but it’s a tremendous amount of work.”

“It is. I can’t, in all conscience, let someone as pea-brained as Perry become the next Duke of Cranford. I love the boy, but it would beirresponsibleto let all this thinking and managing fall on him.”

Daisy bit back a smile. “Practically a punishment,” she agreed.

Lucien’s eyes darkened in that hot and hungry way that made her stomach knot in wicked anticipation. His gaze fell to her lips.

“What do you think I should do?”

Daisy was fairly convinced she knew where this discussion was heading. “I’m no expert on inheritance law—you’d have to check with Ellie—but I think the only way to prevent him from succeeding you would be to produce a legitimate male heir of your own.”

Lucien’s brows quirked. “Hmm. I think you’re right. And, since you’re the duchess, and therefore the only one able to provide me with said legitimate heir, that would require your assistance.” His eyes met hers again. “A joint collaboration, so to speak. Is that something you might consider?”

Daisy rounded the desk to stand in front of him. “Perhaps.”

She slid her arms around his waist, but the teasing light faded from his eyes as he looked down at her.