Page 25 of The Lady’s Reckless Abandon (Safely in Scotland #1)

L ily had no idea just how many ways a man and woman could come together.

“That was my favorite,” she gasped as she fell next to Finn on the bed. When he’d pulled her on top of him, she’d felt foolish having to ask him what she was supposed to do, but her husband was a kind teacher. And she was a very grateful student.

“You said that the last time,” her husband chuckled.

That was true. She’d enjoyed the way he’d pulled her up in front of him while they both faced the same direction. She’d also said it after they’d dozed for a few minutes and he’d slid into her while she was lying on her side looking away from him.

She’d also liked when he’d used his mouth on her to bring her to the same heights as his body had, but she didn’t know if that should be counted in with the other positions.

“Must I be forced to choose?” she asked with a put-upon sigh that made him laugh.

“Nay, I will give you ample opportunity to try them all out over and over again.”

For as many times as they’d fallen asleep only to be awakened by the other’s touches, they should have been exhausted, but Lily had never been so full of energy. She was a bit sore but more from muscles that had been put to hard use after years of being ignored.

“Is this what we do then? This is our life? To eat breakfast, stroll the gardens, and spend the night in bed doing this?”

“Are you complaining?” he asked before placing a kiss on her forehead.

“Not at all, I think it is quite perfect, actually.”

He let his head fall back to the pillow and let out a sigh of his own.

“Alas, we will have to do other less pleasant things from time to time.”

“Like what?”

“Like seeing to our duties at the castle. And writing to one’s family.”

Her euphoria slipped away slightly when she considered his words. Since she was the only one of the two of them with any family, she was left to assume he’d meant her.

He wasn’t wrong. She would have to write to tell them she had married and was now the Duchess of Granton. A small smile pulled up her lips when she imagined her father’s surprise. Her sisters would be all a flutter. And her mother…might not care at all depending on how thorough her footman was at keeping her bed warm.

But since she wouldn’t be there to see it, she was less enthusiastic about the task.

“I meant you would need to tell your family,” he said after she’d been silently thinking for some time.

“I know.” She noticed the sad tone of his voice.

“I’m sorry you’ve no one to tell our joyous news.”

“June would have been so happy. And she would have loved you.”

Lily was pleased to think so. She would have certainly wanted to be friends with someone who cared so much for Finn.

“Tell me more about her. How much older was she than you?” She often thought the many years between her and her sisters was the reason they were not closer than they were.

“She was four months older than me.”

“Four months? But…?” That wasn’t possible. Unless…

“My sister was not my mother’s child, but she was raised as such. No one would have ever known my mother didn’t give birth to Juniper.” He explained further. “My father had a mistress before he married my mother, and while he was faithful to my mother all his days, it was a little too late. The mistress died when June was nearly four, and her uncle sent for my father then. I don’t remember my life without her. Many people assumed we were twins. Only much later, were we told.”

“Was she upset to learn the truth?” Lily asked, wondering about the child she carried.

“If she was, she didn’t say as much. She was always my sister.”

“This is why you weren’t worried about the child I’m carrying. Because you have seen that family is not always of the same blood.”

“This child will be adored, Lily. Just like any of the others we are blessed to have.”

Tears welled in her eyes, and she knew she was more than in danger of loving this man. If he had not already been her hero, she would have thought him the king of her heart now.

“And you were wrong,” he said.

“Well, I don’t think I should like to hear that from my husband very often.” She blinked away the tears and cleared her tight throat.

“I do have people to tell my joyous news. My best friends, Shay, and Reese.”

“You’ve spoken of them before. Do they live nearby that we could have them visit?”

“Nay. They are both still in London for the remainder of the Season.” She wanted to ask more about his friends, but he threw the blankets back and got out of bed. “Come now. We should inform your family of our nuptials and extend an invitation for them to visit us here at Gealach .”

She sat up in bed and stared at him before looking down at herself. She was not yet showing. At least not in her gowns. When she was bathing, she noticed a firmness in her abdomen that had not been there before.

She wondered why she had not suspected she was with child before swooning. Perhaps she had been in denial of the facts.

Still, she wondered what would happen to her body in the time it would take her family to come to Scotland.

“If you are worried over the timing, I paid the blacksmith handsomely for his forgetfulness in documenting our marriage last month.”

“Last—oh, you are quite clever, Your Grace.”

“Yes. I think so. I shall enjoy hearing my wife say that often.” He winked. “As far as anyone will know, our child will be born a month early. No one will bat an eye.”

Our child. He always called the babe theirs as if there was no doubt. She wondered if he might feel differently if the child were born a boy. Surely, he would regret such a situation. She only hoped he wouldn’t grow to resent her son if it came to be.

For now, she would take him at his word, and hope for the best. Actually, she had a lot of reason to do so.

“I often feel as if I missed boarding a ship that was destined to sink.” But it wasn’t only that her life was spared, but that she was set on a completely new course. “When I met you, I thought my life was over, but now, I feel so very lucky to have been left behind.” She laughed. “I didn’t expect to ever feel such a thing ever again.”

“We shall see if you still feel lucky after your family comes to visit.”

She rather enjoyed the solitude they had here in Scotland, away from everyone who might judge her. But worse than being exposed to her family’s judgement, would be if they didn’t bother to come at all.

How embarrassing it would be for her new husband to see how disinterested her family was with her. But perhaps they would come if the invitation was extended by a duchess.

“I will write to them and invite them to come.”

“Very well. The duchess’s seal has been put in your study on your desk.”

“Thank you.” She only paused a moment before blurting, “They may not come.” It was best to keep his expectations low, so he wouldn’t be disappointed.

Except she wasn’t only thinking of his disappointment, but her own as well.

“They will come. If for no other reason than to make sure you are not being held captive by a Scottish barbarian.”

She nodded, but doubted even that fate would rouse the proper notice from her family. After all, she’d been abandoned in Scotland and no one had bothered to come to her rescue.

That evening she sat at her secretary and carefully wrote to her parents, and sisters. She affixed the seal with a smile at seeing the cheerful “G” with a sprouting of flowers around it.

The former duchess had loved flowers, and Lily imagined her designing such a beautiful insignia as a new bride.

Lily had just finished the final missive when there was a knock at her door.

“Come in,” she said.

Finn entered the duchess’s study with a devilish smile, and she could only smile back at him in return. She allowed the love she only that morning realized she felt for him rush over her.

Finn had removed his coat and waistcoat. He wore only his shirt, open at the neck. He was so handsome. Her heart pounded.

For a moment she attempted to fight her reaction. But then she remembered she didn’t need to. She only hoped Finn knew she wasn’t one to fall into bed with every man who paid her the slightest bit of attention. Even if the last two men who did so, ended up in her bed, that habit had come to an end when she spoke her vows.

She thought to tell him what she was thinking, but then thought better of speaking when he came closer and bent low enough, she could easily reach his lips with hers.

“Are you done with your correspondence?”

“Yes. I just finished. But you should know if I had not, I would have paused the activity for you.”

He laughed. “That is good to know. Though I will try not to be a complete boor so you never get anything done.”

“Shall we retire to our room?” she asked.

He shook his head, the smile even more devious.

“Nay. We’ve no need to have to go so far when we have doors that shut.”

“Oh, my,” she whispered before he claimed her lips.