Page 43 of Wedded to the Duke of Sin (Dukes of Passion #2)
EPILOGUE
TEN MONTHS LATER
“ I still can’t believe you let Gregory beat you at cards,” Thomas said, lounging back in his chair as the ladies withdrew after dinner. “The notorious Duke of Ashthorne, losing at vingt-et-un ? Most shocking.”
“Perhaps I have changed.” Dorian swirled the brandy in his glass, watching candlelight dance through the crystal.
The intimate dining room glowed with warmth—both from the fire crackling in the hearth and the easy companionship of their closest friends and family.
“Changed?” Gregory snorted from his position by the fireplace. “More like you were distracted. Every time Alice smiled at you from across the table, you forgot to count the cards.”
“I did nothing of the sort.”
But Dorian couldn’t quite suppress his smile, remembering how lovely his wife had looked tonight in deep green silk that brought out the color of her eyes. Marriage had only accentuated her beauty, adding a contentment that made her practically glow.
“Speaking of distracting ladies,” Gerard interjected smoothly, “when exactly do you plan to make an honest woman out of Lady Joanna? The betting pool at White’s is getting quite substantial.”
Gregory’s face flushed slightly. “Next month, actually. Though if any of you breathe a word before I formally announce it…”
“Your secret is safe with us,” Dorian assured him, though he made a mental note to tell Alice later. His wife would want to help Joanna plan the wedding. “Though I must say, for someone who once claimed to be immune to marriage, you seem remarkably eager.”
“Yes, well.” Gregory straightened his cuffs with careful precision. “Some ladies are worth changing one’s mind for.”
“Don’t I know it.” Thomas grinned, his wedding ring catching the light. Marriage to Evelyn had transformed Alice’s rakish brother into a devoted husband who enjoyed estate management, of all things. “Though you still owe me five pounds.”
Their light argument was interrupted by Wilson announcing the ladies’ return.
Dorian’s heart skipped a beat as Alice entered first, followed by Joanna and Evelyn, who were deep in conversation about the latest fashions. Sarah followed next, her son Edmund cradled in her arms, while Seraphina brought up the rear.
“I hope you gentlemen haven’t been too scandalous in our absence,” Alice said, settling beside Dorian on the sofa.
Her hand found his automatically, their fingers intertwining.
“Merely discussing Gregory’s imminent surrender to matrimony,” Dorian murmured, pressing a kiss to her temple.
“Surrender?” Joanna’s eyebrows rose as she joined them. “I thought I was the one making the sacrifice by agreeing to put up with his impossible opinions about Mozart.”
“My opinions are perfectly rational,” Gregory protested, though his besotted expression rather undermined his indignation.
Sarah laughed softly as little Edmund grabbed at her necklace. “Some sacrifices are worth making,” she said, her eyes soft as she gazed at her son.
The baby had Lawrence’s eyes, a fact that never failed to tug at Dorian’s heart.
“Speaking of sacrifices worth making,” Seraphina spoke up, “Gerard and I have an announcement to make.”
The room fell silent as Gerard took her hand, beaming with barely contained joy.
“We’re expecting our first child,” he announced. “The physician confirmed it yesterday.”
A chorus of congratulations filled the room. Alice squeezed Dorian’s hand and gave him a gentle smile.
“While we’re sharing news,” Dorian said once the excitement died down, “I received a letter from Leo this morning. He’s returning to London.”
“The prodigal Duke of Blackmere returns at last?” Gregory broke into a grin. “The Season will be quite interesting with all three of us in residence.”
“Heaven help London,” Alice murmured, though her smile was fond. “Three dukes with a talent for causing scandal? The ton will be beside itself.”
“The ton survived our escapades at Cambridge,” Gerard pointed out. “Though having Leo back… How long has it been?”
“Nearly two years,” Dorian replied. “Since Lawrence’s funeral.”
A brief shadow passed over them at the mention of Lawrence, but it held more healing than pain now.
Sarah smiled down at her son, who was falling asleep against her shoulder. “He would be pleased to see us all like this. Especially now that justice was finally served.”
“His uncle’s conviction was never in doubt,” Gregory said, his usual playful manner turning serious. “Not after his confession at Hampstead Heath. The evidence of the poison purchases, combined with the testimonies… The judge was particularly moved by the physician’s account of Lawrence’s slow decline.”
“Twenty years in Newgate,” Thomas mused. “Though I heard that his first night there was particularly uncomfortable.”
“The other prisoners don’t take kindly to men who murder their own blood,” Gerard added quietly. “Or those who threaten duchesses.”
Alice’s hand tightened around Dorian’s. “The important thing is that Sarah and the baby are provided for. The trust you’ve established will ensure they want for nothing.”
“Yes, and I’ve spoken with Treyfield’s heir—a second cousin James. He’s a decent sort, nothing like his uncle. He’s agreed to recognize little Edmund as family, even if not officially. The boy will have a place at the estate, and proper opportunities as he grows.”
“That’s more than most in his position would offer,” Sarah said softly. “When I was at Madame Rosa’s, I never dreamed my son would have such prospects.”
“You have done remarkably well and have blossomed as a confident woman,” Joanna interjected. “The way you handled that dismissive steward last month was masterful.”
Sarah flushed at the praise. “I never dreamed of it when I was at Madame Rosa’s. I was just trying to survive. Never thought that I would be responsible for raising an earl one day. Sometimes it still feels unreal.”
“You’re a natural,” Alice assured her. “Lawrence would be so proud of how you’ve taken to estate management.”
“Though perhaps we should discuss your son’s evident appreciation for Mozart,” Gregory couldn’t resist adding as he nodded toward the baby, who had finally drifted off to the strains of a pianoforte sonata drifting up from the music room below. “Clearly, he has excellent taste.”
“Unlike his godfather,” Joanna teased, though her eyes sparkled as she looked at her fiancé.
“I still think that Haydn is superior—” Gregory began but was cut off by their collective groans.
“Not this argument again.” Evelyn laughed. “Thomas, darling, perhaps you could distract them with that story about the new rose variety you’re cultivating?”
“Who would have thought,” Gerard half-mused, half-chuckled, “that the notorious Lord Colton would become such an enthusiastic horticulturist?”
“Love changes a person, Your Grace,” Thomas said, gazing at his wife with blatant adoration.
As the evening drew to a close, their guests gradually departed—Sarah with a sleeping Edmund, Gregory with Joanna and her parents, Thomas with Evelyn, and Gerard and Seraphina with promises to visit again soon.
“That went well,” Alice said as the last carriage pulled away. “Though I thought Gregory might start another debate about Mozart when Joanna mentioned the wedding music.”
“Some battles are worth conceding,” Dorian murmured, drawing her into his arms. His lips found that sensitive spot beneath her ear. “Though I can think of more interesting ways to spend the remainder of our evening than discussing musical preferences.”
“Can you, indeed?” She was already melting into his touch. “What did you have in mind, Your Grace?”
“Let me show you.”
His mouth claimed hers in a kiss that held nothing of their earlier restraint. Alice wrapped her arms around his neck as he lifted her, cradling her against his chest.
“Have I told you how beautiful you looked tonight?” he murmured against her throat as he carried her to their chambers. “Your dress was positively torturous throughout dinner.”
“Was that why you lost at cards?” She gasped as his teeth grazed her collarbone. “And here I thought Gregory had improved his game.”
“Minx.” He shouldered open their bedroom door. “Though I must say that watching you beat him at chess was rather arousing.”
“Everything arouses you,” she teased, though her breath hitched as he laid her on their bed.
“Only you.” His eyes darkened as he followed her down, bracing his weight on his forearms. “Always you.”
His mouth found hers again, and she lost herself in the familiar heat building between them. His fingers undid the buttons on her gown as she tugged at his cravat, both of them eager to eliminate any barriers between them.
“I love you,” he whispered against her skin as the silk finally fell away, “more with each passing day.”
Her lips were sweet as his tongue invaded her mouth. He wanted her— needed her.
Her hand slid down his chest, over his abdomen, until it reached his cock. She wrapped her fingers around his girth and stroked it gently, coaxing a groan from him.
As her hands stroked his shaft, he forgot the world outside, unable to think of anything or anyone other than her.
Unable to hold back, he tugged her hand away and slid between her thighs. She was wet, ready for him.
“Dorian,” she whispered, “don’t stop.”
That was all he needed to hear. He slid deep into her snug, hot depths and then stilled, breathing deeply lest he climax too soon. His girth stretched her, and she arched into him. Then, he began a slow rhythm, savoring the feel of her.
He buried his face in the crook of her neck and breathed in her scent. He kissed her ear and quickened his thrusts, plunging deeper inside her. She nipped his shoulder, and he thrust harder into her.
He dipped his head and flicked his tongue against her nipple. Alice let out a small scream and bucked against him as her walls clenched around him. But he didn’t stop, thrusting in and out of her until he could no longer hold back.
With a final thrust, he released deep inside her. Then, he collapsed next to her, his breathing harsh, his heart pounding in his chest.
Alice lay in Dorian’s arms, her head pillowed on his chest as their breathing returned to normal. His fingers traced lazy patterns on her bare shoulder as the moonlight spilled through the windows, turning their chamber into a private sanctuary.
“I should take you to Mozart concerts more often if this is the result,” he murmured, pressing a kiss to her temple.
“I thought your mind was on cards during dinner.” She smiled against his skin. “Though you did seem rather distracted.”
“By you.” His arms tightened around her. “Always by you. However, I noticed that you didn’t touch the wine tonight. Or at the Rutherfords’ ball last week.”
Her heart skipped a beat. Trust him to notice such details.
She lifted her head to meet his eyes in the moonlight, finding them soft with something that looked like hope.
“There’s a reason for that,” she said quietly.
“Is there?” His smile suggested that he already knew.
She took his hand and guided it to her belly. “We’re going to have a baby.”
The joy that bloomed across his face made her breath hitch. “What?”
“The physician confirmed that I’m about three months pregnant.” Happy tears pricked her eyes. “Are you pleased?”
“Pleased?” He pulled her closer, peppering her face with kisses. “My brilliant, beautiful wife is carrying my child. I’m beyond pleased. I’m…” he trailed off, overcome with emotion.
“I love you,” she whispered, burrowing into his embrace.
“And I love you.” His hand rubbed her still-flat belly. “Both of you.”
They lay in contented silence for a moment, basking in their shared joy, until Dorian chuckled softly.
“What?”
“I was just thinking that with Leo returning and a baby on the way, life is about to become very interesting.”
“Life has been interesting since the moment I met you,” Alice reminded him, pressing a kiss to his jaw.
“No regrets?”
“Never.” She settled back against his chest, listening to his steady heartbeat. “Though I do hope that our child inherits your talent for dramatic rescues. It might come in handy.”
His laugh rumbled beneath her cheek as he pulled the covers over them both. “As long as they inherit your courage and wit, we’ll manage splendidly.”
Alice smiled as she drifted off to sleep. From a marriage of convenience to this profound love, they had faced every challenge together.
Now, with their family growing and their future bright with promise, she knew that whatever came next, they would face it the same way—side by side, heart to heart, forever.
The End?