Chapter FORTY-NINE
Lucy rolled over and stared at the gorgeous man sleeping beside her in the early-morning sunlight. The truth was, she’d tiptoed over and opened the curtains to get a good look at him. Then she’d scurried back to bed and slipped under the sheets, a bit self-conscious of her own nakedness. Derek, however, had nothing to be self-conscious about. The man was an Adonis. She could stare at him all day.
He stretched his arms above his head and rolled over in his sleep to face her. Lucy watched him carefully. She was discovering all sorts of new and wonderful things about him, in addition to the fact that he was an absolute dream in bed. For instance, she noticed for the first time that his dark hair was slightly curly at the ends. She snuggled into her pillow and watched him, his perfectly straight nose, his sensuous mouth, his strong rigid shoulders so muscled and … ooh. She took a closer look at the scar on his right shoulder. No doubt a result of one of many battles.
This man was a survivor. The thought hit her out of nowhere. He had been born into an unextraordinary family and made himself extraordinary. And he was that. Extraordinary. Extraordinarily handsome. She covered her smile with her fingers and then reached out and traced a fingertip along the ridge of hair that trailed down his belly.
There’d been a time when she thought he didn’t belong in the aristocracy. But now she realized how noble he really was. The man had survived the hell of war, led his troops through battle, and won. He was noble. The best sort of noble. More noble, certainly, than many of the pampered members of the ton who had done nothing more extraordinary than be born into their particular family.
Derek had told her he loved her last night. Told her so while he’d been deep inside of her, making her feel things she’d never felt before. Could it be true? Could this extraordinary man really love her? How long would it take to get used to that thought? She’d told him she loved him, too. And she did. She did. She loved everything about him. His loyalty to his friends. His refusal to back down. His humor in the face of her rudeness. His handsome face and his prowess in his role in the army. Not to mention the things he knew how to do in bed. She breathed deeply, a wicked smile on her lips.
Derek rolled over a bit more and opened one bright eye. “Good morning.”
“Good morning,” Lucy replied, snuggling back down next to him.
He put an arm around her waist and pulled her close. She turned in his embrace so that her back was to him. She fit perfectly in that space, his arms wrapped around her.
“How did you sleep?” he asked.
She nearly choked. “Ahem, we didn’t sleep much, did we?”
“Hmm. You’re right.” He kissed the back of her head. “I wonder what time it is.”
She sighed. “A bit after dawn.”
“The damage is most likely done to your reputation. Therefore, I see no sense in leaving the bed until morning. I’ll have a tray brought up for breakfast.”
Lucy half turned to face him. “No! I cannot be here and have a servant bring us food.”
He gave her a slow, sensual smile. “Why not?”
“Why not? I’m probably already the scandal of the year given the fact that I’ve visited you alone at your house in the middle of the night and have yet to come out.”
He pulled the hair away from her cheek and stroked her face. “My servants would never disparage the name or reputation of the future Duchess of Claringdon.”
Lucy stopped short. The future Duchess of Claringdon? Her. She was the future Duchess of Claringdon. It was an amazing thought, but true. She grinned. “I am a bit hungry.”
He laughed and rolled over atop her and kissed her full on the lips. “You are beautiful.”
“You mentioned that earlier. I don’t quite believe you.”
He looked sober. “Lucy, what are you talking about?
“I know I’m not Cass. She’s so … perfect and I just wonder if…” She trailed off into confused embarrassment. What had she wanted to say? I just wonder if you’ll still love me in the future? If you’ll take your love away from me if I displease you? Like my parents did when Ralph died.
He stared into her soul. “Cass is beautiful, that’s true, but she’s not more beautiful than you are. You’re absolutely breathtaking. I thought that the first night I met you.”
She widened her eyes. “At the Chamberses’ ball?”
“Yes.”
She gave him an incredulous look. “No, you did not.”
“I most certainly did. I thought how it was really too bad that such a beautiful lady was so set on hating me.”
Her smile faded. “I didn’t hate you, Derek, truly. I only wanted to help Cass.”
Derek nodded and kissed her cheek. “I know.”
Lucy cleared her throat, her face turning pink. She rolled over and slid her arm around his side. “Didn’t you say something about twenty ways to make me feel good?”
He gave her a roguish grin. “Ah, yes. I believe we still have nineteen more to go.”
Lucy laughed and nipped at his corded neck. “By all means, Your Grace. Let’s begin.”