OFFER: A BRAND NEW SERIES AND 2 FREEBIES FOR YOU!
Grab my new series, "Lustful Lords and Ladies", and get 2 FREE novels as a gift! Have a look here!
A few months later
A few months after their nuptials, London was a stark contrast to the serene countryside where Sophia and Henry, Duke and Duchess of Wales, now resided. Their tranquil days, soaked in matrimonial bliss, were spent far from the clamour of London’s high society. But on this brisk autumn evening, they found themselves back in the city, the shimmering gas-lit streets reflecting a bustling energy they had momentarily forgotten.
Francis, the ever-affable Earl, had invited them to a grand dinner party at his townhouse. The occasion attracted a who’s who of London’s aristocracy, a reunion of familiar faces for the newlyweds. Sophia, resplendent in a midnight blue gown, sparkled under the chandeliers’ glow. Henry, every inch the dashing Duke, stood by her side, their mutual adoration apparent to all.
As they sipped their champagne, Lady Aston, an aging matriarch with a sharp wit, squinted at Henry through her spectacles. “Your Grace,” she began, her tone lightly teasing, “do pardon my failing memory, but there is something very familiar about you. I can’t seem to put my finger on it, but it almost feels like I’ve seen you… somewhere before?”
Henry shared an amused glance with Sophia, a silent conversation passing between them. Their shared secret was still a source of many private laughs. Sophia, suppressing a giggle, laid a reassuring hand on Lady Aston’s arm. “Oh, Lady Aston, we’ve all been acquainted for quite a while now. Perhaps you’ve simply seen Henry in passing at other events,” she offered diplomatically.
Just as Lady Aston appeared ready to press further, Francis deftly stepped into the conversation. “Nonsense, Lady Aston,” he interrupted with a hearty laugh, “I assure you there is no scandal here, not on my watch. Let’s not allow wild imaginings to cloud our evening. A toast, perhaps!” As he lifted his glass, the room echoed with a chorus of approval, effectively changing the subject. As his eyes scanned the guests, they lingered for a moment on Mary, the hint of a private smile flickering at the corner of his mouth. “Welcome to my humble abode. Please make yourselves comfortable.”
But as the night wore on, another conversation point sprung up, one that drew Henry and Sophia into the spotlight once again.
From across the room, Lady Forrester, a jovial woman with a sharp wit, raised her glass towards the couple. “To the Duke and Duchess of Wales,” she toasted, a mischievous glint in her eye. “May their love continue to flourish and perhaps grace us with the pitter-patter of tiny feet soon.”
A hearty laugh resonated around the room, the guests raising their glasses in unison. Sophia flushed a delicate pink at the suggestion, her gaze flitting to her husband. Henry merely squeezed her hand under the table, a silent promise that reassured her.
“Indeed, Lady Forrester,” Henry responded, playing along with the merriment. “The Duchess and I are looking forward to every moment of our shared life, be it the quiet nights in the countryside or the sound of little feet causing mayhem in our halls.”
His response was met with an approving murmur, the guests excited at the prospect of their beloved Duke and Duchess starting a family. Sophia squeezed his hand back, her eyes reflecting a shared excitement and anticipation for the future they would build together.
The dinner party continued in full swing, the collective joy and chatter painting a picture of utmost contentment. Throughout the evening, Sophia and Henry relished the unique blend of comfort and excitement that their dual lives brought. As Duke and Duchess, they commanded respect, yet their shared secret allowed for a private intimacy that was truly their own. There was a palpable ease in their interactions, a clear indication of their genuine affection.
“Remember when we would hide from these events?” Sophia leaned into Henry, whispering softly. His arm tightened around her waist, drawing her closer as he nodded, a smile playing on his lips.
“Those were simpler times,” he agreed, “but I wouldn’t trade our life now for anything.”
As the evening gradually wound down, they found themselves in a private corner, reminiscing about their courtship days. They had experienced a unique journey of love that had bloomed in a footman’s uniform, thrived amidst the ton’s high expectations, and eventually, matured into a deep, passionate bond. Now, as Duke and Duchess of Wales, they relished the tranquillity of their country estate. But this foray back into the London social scene was an undeniable thrill.
“London is not so terrible,” Sophia mused, “not when we’re together, darling.”
Her words hung in the air, heavy with shared understanding and deep affection. Her gaze met Henry’s, her eyes reflecting the flickering candlelight. Their lips met in a soft, lingering kiss that spoke volumes of their love.
As the carriage arrived to take them home, their laughter echoed in the quiet night, a testament to their deep-rooted bond. Tonight, they had returned as Duke and Duchess to the city that had once been their playground. This was the first of many more shared adventures. Their love story was far from over; it was merely beginning a new chapter.
“London awaits, my love,” Henry whispered into her ear, helping her into the carriage, his eyes filled with promise.
“And I can’t wait to explore it with you,” she responded, her eyes dancing with anticipation and a hint of mischief. An exciting night awaited them, the privacy of their quarters promising a canvas for their shared desire and affection.
As the carriage pulled away from the townhouse, the couple left behind a memorable evening. But what lay ahead, the promise of shared adventures and a lifetime of love, was an infinitely more enchanting prospect.
Their carriage rolled through the gaslit streets of London, the journey allowing Sophia a moment of reflection. Her thoughts turned to her dear friend Mary, who had bravely carved her own path amid society’s rigid expectations. Since Sophia had left, Mary had taken it upon herself to create a change in the social circle, fostering opportunities for young ladies who dared to dream beyond the traditional roles set out for them. Her friend’s resilience was both inspiring and heartwarming.
Likewise, Francis had taken strides in his own life. As an influential earl, he was starting to use his position to address the plight of the less fortunate, setting up charities. His noble endeavors reflected the man of character he was.
A chuckle from her husband broke Sophia’s reverie. “Penny for your thoughts?” Henry asked, his eyes twinkling with affection.
“Thinking about Mary and Francis,” she confessed, her voice filled with pride. “Their endeavors in our absence have been commendable.”
Henry squeezed her hand, a shared sentiment passing between them. “They certainly make us proud, don’t they?”
Sophia nodded, a plan forming in her mind. “I think we should arrange to entertain them with breakfast soon,” she proposed, the idea bringing a smile to her face.
“An excellent idea, Sophia,” Henry agreed, his gaze reflecting her enthusiasm. There was a moment of silence, broken only by the gentle trot of the horses outside. Then, Henry cleared his throat, a gleam in his eyes.
“Sophia,” he began, his voice barely above a whisper. “I think there’s something you should know. Francis…he’s confided in me. He’s grown quite fond of Mary, and well, he wishes to court her.”
A gasp escaped Sophia, her heart skipping a beat at his revelation. “He… he did?” she stammered, a blush creeping into her cheeks. Her mind filled with images of Mary and Francis, the underlying connection she’d observed between them suddenly making sense.
Henry nodded, chuckling at her reaction. “Yes, he did. Caught me by surprise too, but he seems quite sincere about it.”
Sophia’s heart swelled with happiness at the thought of her dear friend finding love. “Oh, Henry!” she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with joy. “This is wonderful news!”
Her enthusiasm elicited a soft laugh from Henry. “Indeed it is, my dear.”
The shared reminiscences, the prospect of love blooming among their closest friends, sparked a warm glow in their hearts, turning the carriage ride into a journey down memory lane. Yet, the intimacy of the carriage’s confines also ignited a different kind of anticipation. The memories of their shared past fueled their desire for a shared future.
Upon their return to the townhouse, Henry whisked Sophia into his arms, carrying her up the grand staircase to their chamber. The door closed behind them, shutting out the rest of the world, leaving them in their shared haven.
Their hands were explorative and gentle, every touch sparking an intimate connection that transcended their physical bond. Sophia’s breath hitched as Henry’s hands traced patterns on her skin, his touch igniting a fire within her. Their union was an echo of their shared journeys, an intimate dance filled with whispered promises and tender caresses.
Lying in each other’s arms as dawn peeked through the windows, Sophia and Henry reveled in the serenity that their love brought. Each silent exchange, every shared gaze strengthened the bond that they had nurtured since their unusual beginning.
“You have shown me a love I never thought I’d experience, Sophia,” Henry murmured, his words lingering in the silence of the room. “In any life, under any disguise, I would choose you.”
His confession touched her deeply, their shared journey serving as a testament to the truth in his words. “And I would choose you, Henry. Always,” she responded sincerely, her eyes reflecting the depth of her love for him.
The sincerity of her confession acted as a catalyst, reigniting the spark that never seemed to fade between them. Henry’s eyes darkened, a familiar heat igniting between them. Slowly, he traced a path down her neck, his lips marking a trail of desire that left her yearning for more.
Sophia’s hands found their way to the edges of his robe, her fingers brushing against the smooth fabric. With a quick motion, she pulled it apart, revealing his muscular torso. A sigh escaped her as Henry’s hands mirrored her actions, the layers of her dress falling away until she was left in her undergarments.
Their eyes met, a silent agreement passing between them. And then, they were lost to the world, their bodies moving in a familiar rhythm that spoke of their shared passion. His hands explored her body as if it was his own, every touch, every caress deepening the bond between them.
As they found their release, their cries of pleasure echoing in the quiet room, they held each other close, their hearts pounding in unison. The room was filled with a sense of completion, a testament to their shared love and passion.
As they began their day, their hearts beating in sync, they looked forward to the adventure that awaited them. Be it in the quiet countryside or the bustling streets of London, they knew they had each other.
Their story, which began amidst the strict norms of society, evolved into a love that defied boundaries, a bond that saw beyond status and appearances. And as they faced the new day, they held the promise of a love that would continue to shine brightly, a beacon for all those who dared to love deeply.
Readers who read this book also liked
 |
 |
 |
 |
OFFER: A BRAND NEW SERIES AND 2 FREEBIES FOR YOU!
Grab my new series, "Lustful Lords and Ladies", and get 2 FREE novels as a gift! Have a look here!
Hello, dear reader! I hope you enjoyed this story and the Extended Epilogue! Please feel free to leave your comments below. Thank you 😊
Lovely story. The one p!ace where I noticed an error is when Henry goes to Roberts house to talk to him. The conversation seems a bit jumbled up. The other thing I noticed is that you set up the wedding at Henry’s estate and then you talk about her leaving her fathers home and then they go to Henry London townhouse. She was the only child of a rich duke so it would be logical for them to get married at her fathers London home or his country estate. The rest of what you said would then make sense. Personally I didn’t like the description of Henry ripping off her wedding dress as soon as they entered the house and then carrying her naked to the bedroom. Ripping of the dress is not what most loving bridegrooms would do. He could have been eager and carried her off to the bedroom and helped undress her without violent actions. I like the story but I did not like this part.
Thank you so much for your lovely comment, my dear! I really appreciate it!
I loved this story, how they found love it regardless of their stations in life. The story moved smoothly along. Sorry that another wanted only to provide criticism. It was a great story with true love and romance. Glad the viscount got his due. Thank you.
This is, indeed, a lovely narrative, better than many I have read. I am an admittedly a nit-pickng editor. There are a few places where locations changed suddenly,going back and forth between locations, far fewer than others I have read. There was only one place an adjective was used when clearly another was intended. It appears to be a predictive text error, which substituted a similar word.
All in all an excellent job.
Thank you so much for your lovely comment, my dear! I really appreciate it!
I loved this story, how they found love regardless of their stations in life. The story moved smoothly along. Sorry that another wanted only to provide criticism. It was a great story with true love and romance. Glad the viscount got his due. Thank you.
Thank you so much for your lovely comment, my dear! I really appreciate it!
I loved this book . I didn’t want to put it down..Can’t wait for the next one. you kept my interest all the way through. not all authors keep my interest all the way through. You have what it takes I admire that. Keep up the good work. until the next one.
Thank you so much for your lovely comment, my dear! I really appreciate it!
Interesting story. I loved how Sophia and Henry found love fought for it. They deserve their happiness together.
Thank you so much for your lovely comment, my dear! I really appreciate it!
A few mistakes but a good story. Henry and Sophia are well matched. She wanted him hen she thought he wasn’t a member of the ton which showed class.
Good book
I liked the story however, the story was confusing when the Duke Henry went to Sophia’s father but no one revealed he was the footman. The Father never questioned how she had recently professed loving a lower ranking man. It all just got ignored in the story from that point on and it was unbelievable, convoluting the story.
It was a wonderfully moving love story. Well described and exciting to read. As an ARC reader, we are to point out the flaws in the story to help the author improve upon it before it is released to the world of readers on Amazon and other companies. I agree with the criticisms above and have one other to add that needs to be corrected – in Chapter 29, page263 and 264 at about the 85% mark, Sophia’s father and Henry are discussing her dowry when Robert enters and a conversation ensues. Henry moves to stand beside Sophia; the next page, he leaves to find Sophia to tell her the good news that her father approves of their engagement. She was just there beside him??? Makes the story confusing.
All in all, a great story line. Enjoyed the read.
Have left my review on Amazon but dont mind a remark or two yes I agree there are errors but an enjoyable tale nevertheless thank you I like Emily’s books