Page 29 of The Duke and the Hellion Bride (Duchesses of Convenience #7)

Chapter Twenty-Nine

D iana and Magnus took the carriage home together, while Theodore chose to ride ahead on his lone horse. It was as they came closer to the manor that Diana saw Theodore ride ahead, disappearing over the horizon as if he had somewhere he needed to be.

“Where is he off to?” Diana asked.

Magnus frowned as he watched his friend vanish. “Where Theodore is concerned, who knows? I told you he was odd.”

Diana laughed snuggled in closer to Magnus, caring little for his eccentric friend. Still, she could not believe what had happened, and how it had happened. Still, she could not believe how everything had turned out and that from this point onwards, happiness was what awaited her. His arm was around her, holding her close, and never had she felt more comfortable. Life truly was perfect.

And it became even more so when they arrived at the gate of the estate, able now to see the front of the manor. In that moment, the question of Theodore’s sudden exit was answered, for he stood outside the manor waiting for them, and with him were Evelyn, Josephine, and Adeline.

“Evelyn!” Diana gasped when she saw her. “So, that is how...”

Magnus shrugged and attempted to look coy. “I would have preferred the narrative that I was so overcome with feelings of sorrow that I endeavored to come after you and change your mind, regardless of circumstance...” He grimaced. “Alas, you cousin was the reason.”

“She went to you?”

“Aye, she appeared in my home last night and told me everything. And although I am beyond grateful, I cannot help but feel a little sorry for her.”

“Sorry for her?” Diana frowned, not understanding his meaning.

He nodded through the carriage window where Diana saw immediately what Magnus was speaking of. Evelyn stood behind the two girls, her hands on their shoulders to keep them from charging the carriage. But beside her was Theodore, and he spoke joyously to her, his expression animated. Evelyn rolled her eyes at something he said and shook her head, but she did not look at all put out by his clear interest. Not even a little bit.

My cousin the spinster, looking to have spun her final web. At least if Lord Northwood has anything to say about it.

The second that the carriage came to a stop, the girls sprung from Evelyn’s grip and charged ahead, screaming their heads off in delight.

“Diana!” Josephine cried as Diana opened the carriage door.

“Diana! Diana! You’re back!” Adeline joined the chorus.

Diana beamed for them both, her heart swelling at the sight of their happy faces. They were not her own offspring, but in the moment, she did not care because it felt as if they were. In a small way, she felt a little guilty for having asked Magnus if he wanted to produce an heir with her, as if these two girls were not enough to satisfy for her need for a child. Yet at the same time, seeing how she felt for them, and how they felt for her, she also knew that the two were ready for that next step.

“Girls!” she said happily as she climbed down, taking them both in her arms in one big hug. “Did you miss me!”

“Where have you been!” Josephine huffed. “Father would not say.”

“Nowhere worth worrying about.” Diana crouched down to better look at them. “I am just glad I am back.”

“Me too!” Adeline agreed, refusing to let her go as if doing so might see her leave again.

“Girls, give her some room,” Magnus chuckled as he came in behind them. “And where is my hug?”

“We saw you this morning,” Josephine said.

“Which means I do not get a hug?”

The two girls scrunched their faces, but they relented and soon the four of them were holding one another in a giant embrace. A family is what they were, one that would never be parted again.

It was as Diana stood that she saw Evelyn slowly edging toward her, Lord Northwood behind her as if for support. Evelyn wore a look of reservation, tinged with smugness, likely knowing she had done the right thing but still not sure if Diana would agree.

“I suppose I have you to thank for this?” Diana said flatly, feigning annoyance.

Evelyn shrugged. “Well, I knew you would be too stubborn to do anything about it. And someone had to make sure you didn’t go ahead and ruin the best thing that has ever happened to you.”

“Evelyn...” Diana’s chin began to wobble. “I don’t know how I can ever thank you.”

“Oh, I am sure you will think of something,” Evelyn grinned.

“We owe you more than you can imagine.” Magnus came in behind Diana, one hand rested firmly on her waist. Since they had left Lord Herrod’s, hardly a second had passed in which he was not holding her in some way. Not that Diana was complaining.

“What about me?” Lord Northwood chimed in.

Magnus snorted. “Lord Herrod should be the one thanking you. He might be dead, otherwise.”

“What does that mean?” Evelyn cried out, looking between the two men. “What on earth happened?”

“Perhaps I can fill in the blanks,” Lord Northwood said. “Besides, I can only imagine how tired the two of you are...” He raised a knowing eyebrow at Diana and Magnus. “Such that myself and Miss Goldsmith will gladly watch the children for the rest of the day. Give you two a chance to... to rest up...” His eyebrow raised further, and Diana felt herself flush furiously at the implication.

“Perhaps you are correct,” Magnus agreed, his grip on Diana’s waist tightening. “Diana, what do you think? A short nap, perhaps? You must be exhausted.”

She turned to look at her husband, seeing in his eyes an expression that she knew as well as any other. One that existed in her dreams. One she had thought of every day since leaving him. One which made her stomach flutter and her heart race, and her body turn hot as her knees began to shake because it was a look that could mean only one thing.

“Ah, yes,” she agreed, meeting his eyes with a wicked grinned. “A short nap, I think. Shall we...” She indicated toward the manor.

The girls complained to see the two go, but Evelyn and Lord Northwood were rather adept at keeping them back as Diana and Magnus made their way inside.

From there it was a short walk up the stairs, down the hallway, and into the master bedroom. Diana was the first through the door, prickles already breaking out across her body with the sense of anticipation. Love and romance were all well and good but right now, there was one thing on her mind, and it was perhaps the complete opposite of romance.

The door closed behind her and she spun about, fully intending to throw herself at her husband. But he stood back a small way, stopping her before she even had a chance to start.

“Diana,” he began. “Before we do anything else, I need for you to know something.”

“Oh...” She blinked, suddenly unsure, a little annoyed, for all she wanted was, well, her husband. “What is it?”

“I told you already that I love you, and that is as true then as it is now.” He nodded and swallowed. “But it is more than that, and I need you to know how sorry I am for what happened. How --”

“I told you, it is not something you need to apologize for.”

“I do,” he pressed on her. “For how I behaved the last time we were together. I was scared. I was unsure. I ran because I did not stop and think what these feelings mean. And I need you to know that although I have changed, there will be times where I might... where I might falter. Where I might question myself. But when this happens, you must know it will have nothing to do with you. You are the beacon that keeps me steady, that brings me home, the reason that I am standing here right now. I don’t always do the right thing....” He laughed nervously. “But for you, I will try. And where an heir is concerned --”

“I am going to stop you, please.” She held up a hand. “I appreciate what you have said. More than you can imagine. But Magnus...” She sighed. “I have not seen you in days, we are finally alone, and if you do not take me right now and throw me on that bed, then I am afraid I might have to do so myself.” She pumped her eyebrows at him, relishing the shocked and then amorous look that swept across his face. “And to be honest with you, I just can’t see that being anywhere near as fun. So...” She tilted her head and looked right at him. “Are we doing this or not?”

The compassionate, heartfelt expression melted from Magnus’ face in an instant, replaced by one that could only be compared to a predator in the wild who found himself lucky enough to stumble upon wounded prey.

He leapt for her. Hands, taking her by the face. Pulling her into him as his body pressed close. Head tilting, leaning in, lips finding her mouth and kissing her fully as if his life depended on it. Perhaps it did?

His touch sent sparks erupting across Diana’s entire body so that she very nearly collapsed. She might have, was he not holding her up. Kissing one another as if trying to devour the other, for a few long seconds that was all they did. Wet, sloppy kisses that went beyond mere attraction. Kisses that told of a deep desire – a need to be together. Tongues lapped and wrestled. Teeth nibbled and tore. Their breathing become one, as did the beating of the hearts and truly, Diana could have stayed that way and kissed him forever.

But then she found herself stepping backwards, pulling Magnus toward the bed.

Then she found herself on her back, writhing up the bed as Magnus climbed on top, mounting her as a lion might in the wild.

Then she found her hands around his pants, opening them with a sense of urgency that was matched by the way he tore open her dress at the front. This wasn’t the tender love making as had been experienced the first time. This was a new beast; one Diana was very much excited to live in.

Diana’s breasts broke from her dress and Magnus pulled them toward his mouth. His soft lips wrapped around her right nipple, suckling gently and she could feel herself harden. He then bit down, she yelped, her grinned and looked at her, moving then onto the left breast.

As he fondled her, Diana continued at his pants, wrenching them down so that his manhood sprung free and poked into her stomach. It was already hard, and she wrapped a hand around his, relishing the way his body turned stiff, and he groaned, pulling his lips free from her because he could not take it.

“Magnus,” she breathed as his head buried into her neck. More kisses. Her hand continuing to stroke him.

“Yes?” he moaned between those kisses.

“I want you inside of me.” She thought of his lips between her legs. She thought of her mouth around his member. She thought of all they could do and all they would do, in time. But under the current circumstances, there was just the one thing she wanted. Needed. That which she had thought she’d never have again. “Now.”

Magnus did not need telling twice.

It was different this time to the last. She was no longer the inexperienced girl she had been. She was no longer waiting for his command. As Magnus pulled back, Diana hoisted up the skirt of her own dress, spread her own legs, wrapped them around him without bothering to see what he was going to do.

Magnus’ eyes lit up eagerly, sensing the new power dynamic, not at all complaining as her thighs squeezed him and pulled her toward him.

“Someone is eager,” he chuckled as he found himself on his knees, getting ready to enter her.

“You have no idea...”

It started slowly as it did before. Magnus, gently pressing the end of his manhood between her thighs, into her, entering her carefully so as not to hurt her. Inch by inch, he pushed himself deeper, this time Diana welcoming him as she felt him fill her. She closed her eyes, clenched her jaw, breathed in deeply as he pushed himself all the way...

“Yes...” she moaned once she had him. “Now, Magnus... harder.”

Magnus began to thrust. Hard, deep, long, firm. He did not work up to it as last time. He did not try and move to her breathing. He ravished her, made her his, and she was only too happy to be treated like this.

Soon, Diana found herself wanting more. This wasn’t going to be enough. She wasn’t shy like last time. She wasn’t nervous. Sensing the moment, Diana pulled herself back.

“Wh --” Magnus gasped.

“On your back, thank you,” Diana said. She raised an eyebrow at him, daring him to argue. “Is that a problem?”

To that, Magnus’ response was to do exactly as asked.

Diana sat on her husband, guiding him inside of her, taking every inch of him until she was pressed firmly against his body. Then, not knowing what she was doing but somehow knowing it was right, she began to grind her hips, back and forth. She began to raise them, up and down. She moved to her own pleasure. She moved to her husband’s. She gripped him by the chest and had her way with him however she felt.

That she was able to do this was a sign of how far the two had come.

They were no longer strangers. They were no longer unsure of what they were or what they wanted. What they wanted, Diana realized as she rode Magnus, wasn’t about marriage or the future or what might be. What they wanted was, in many ways, the simplest of things. They wanted one another.

What would come would come. The difficulties they would face, the challenges, the fights and arguments, the second guessing, the typical troubles married couples were known to experience. They could not avoid that, nor should they. Because none of it mattered, and none of it could break them, so long as they held true to the love that they both felt. That was why their marriage would work.

It had started as a marriage of convenience. It had transformed into a marriage of passion. And now it was a marriage of two souls destined to be together because apart they simply could not exist. That’s what this marriage was.

And as Diana felt herself about to explode, as she felt her husband about to do the same, she met his eyes and held them, he did not blink, the determination she saw in them, the love, told her that he was on the same page as she. For that reason alone, she knew that happiness was what waited for her.

After all, wasn't that what marriage is all about?