Page 16 of The Duke and his Muse (Wayward Dukes’ Alliance #32)

One year later

Jane smiled down at the infant in her arms, happier than she could have ever imagined she would be. Daniel was asleep nearby in his cot as he wanted to share the nursery with his new-born sister.

Mrs. Blight was in her adjoining bedchamber while Jane nursed little Emily, named for Jane’s mother. Graham had agreed to her request to forego a nursemaid. The children had Mrs. Blight and their parents. No other servants were needed to raise their offspring.

There had been quite a discussion about Oliver’s preference to recline on the hearth in the nursery at night, but Jane had put her foot down. Like Daniel with his sister, Jane believed the cat was watching over the children.

She placed her now sleeping infant in her crib and quietly exited the nursery. Her rooms were close by and Mrs. Blight knew she could disturb Jane day or night if she was concerned about Daniel or Emily.

The dowager did indeed reside in the dower house but spent a lot of time in the nursery with her new grandchild and had been known to pat Oliver if no one was looking.

“Good evening, wife,” her husband said silkily as she entered her bedchamber to find him already in bed.

“Good evening, husband,” she replied playfully, giggling at their nightly ritual.

“How is our girl?” Graham said as she took off her dressing gown, placed it on a nearby stuffed chair, and slid into the bed next to him.

“Sleeping like an angel.”

“And our boy?” He leaned in to kiss the side of her neck and trace one long finger along the lacy edge of her negligee above the swell of her breasts.

“Adamant that he must sleep near his sister. He is very protective of his sister.” She felt her pulse ratchet up and suddenly grew very warm.

From the moment they’d touched hands in her little cottage, she’d felt a passion for this man that she never knew she’d experience. Their wedding night had been a revelation and she wanted him more every day she knew him.

“And how are you this evening, my darling?” Graham asked with a chuckle as she took his hand and moved it to cover one cloth covered breast.

“Happier than I deserve,” she replied with a sigh, as her husband finally kissed her. “Oh, Graham. I love you and our children ever so much.”

Her husband lifted his head to smile down at her. “And we love you. I can’t believe what a wonderful wife and mother to my children I’ve been blessed with.”

“No regrets that you didn’t find a suitable duchess in London?” she asked coyly.

“Suitable?” He chuckled. “You’re more than suitable. An angel during the day and a vixen at night is more than any man can hope for.”

“Vixen?” She felt her pulse ratchet up another notch. “I thought I was your muse.”

“Muse, vixen, wife and lover.” His eyes darkened as he leaned back in to kiss her. “You’re everything to me, my love.”

“And you to me,” she whispered against his lips. “Always.”

THE END