Page 97 of Secrets of the Marriage Bed

‘In my writing table. Bottom drawer.’

She got up and found a small package wrapped in brown paper.

‘Open it.’

He sounded excited, like a small boy at Christmas time.

Expecting jewels or something similar, she unwrapped the outer layer and discovered a red-velvet sleeve containing something cylindrical. When she opened the drawstring, a telescope... No... ‘Alistair!’ She gazed at him. ‘A kaleidoscope. You remembered. How lovely.’ She held it up to her eye.

‘Point it towards the window, to get the best of the light,’ he said. He started to rise.

She shot him a warning look. ‘You have received two blows to the head now and the doctor said—’

‘Hang the doctor.’ But he sagged back against the cushions as if the effort had been too much.

She held the kaleidoscope to one eye and closed the other. ‘Oh, how pretty.’

‘You turn it and the patterns change.’

In awe, she turned the tube, gasping at the beauty created by the crystals inside. ‘I love it. I will treasure it always. A kaleidoscope of butterflies. Thank you.’

He looked so pleased with himself, she could not resist. She bent over him and kissed him full on the mouth.

He grasped her shoulders, pulling her down until she once more lay beside him, changing the brief brush of her lips into something much more intense. On a groan, he broke the kiss and rested his forehead on hers, his breathing ragged.

She snuggled against his shoulder. ‘But, Alistair, I cannot give you your heir.’ Misery was a painful ache in her heart.

‘If children come along, I will be grateful, provided no harm comes to you. But truly, although I did not realise it until recently, I already have everything I want or need. Someone to love and care for. Someone to call my own who cares for me, not for my title or my wealth.’

‘And you won’t mind that some stranger’s child will one day be the Duke?’

‘You heard Luke. He considers Jeffrey to be his son in every way. And so will he be treated by us. I will teach him to be ducal and you can help him learn to be a gentleman around the ladies. We will be a family.’

‘A family built on love instead of secrets.’ It sounded perfect.

She pressed upward to seal their vow with a kiss and he groaned again. ‘A bed, love. We need a bed.’