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Nor did Nicholas, when she took the letter to him in his study.

****

“May he rot in Hell.” Nicholas set the letter down and held his arm out in invitation for Amy to come and sit on his lap behind the desk. She took the offer with such undue haste she almost tore her wrap on the desk’s chipped corner.

“Do you want to go back, Amy?” His hand rubbed a slow circle on her hip.

“I’ll need to help my aunt pack before the new heirs take over. With the changed wills, my stepmother must be—”

“There’s no changed will,” Nicholas said, putting a finger over her lips. “Very soon, the lawyers will materialize to inform us that your father never quite got round to signing the new arrangements, and your stepmother has failed to quicken. Your brother will get the title as we discussed before. Most everything else still goes to you.”

Amy sat up straighter, pulling away from his hushing hand. “How would you know any of that? It’s not possible. Especially not about the baby, and her marriage arrangements—”

“Amy.” Nicholas caught her hand, and the arm around her waist tightened like a brace. “Your husband has been a very, very well-paid whore for most of his life,” he whispered in her ear. “Do you think I didn’t learn how to ferret out secrets?”

“Nicholas—”

He cut her off with a kiss. “Your father was an arrogant bastard whose servants, past and present alike, sang like robins. Your stepmother never missed her menses, and your father’s been too drunk since you ran off to fix the matter. Not to mention he’s been too busy beating those who couldn’t escape him. You are his rightful heir. His will and the entailments on the estate are very clear that what doesn’t go to you will pass to any male child you have.” His hand pressed against her abdomen. “And we will have one, my love. As much time as you spend in my bed, it’s only a matter of time.”

She looked down, worried. “W—what if it isn’t? It’s been months, Nicholas. What if—”

“Shhh.” He rocked her sideways, as if she were a worried child facing down a thunderstorm. “If you don’t quicken, we’ll go on a winding trip to find some unwanted baby boy and pretend you gave birth far away, in some wild place.”

“But he wouldn’t be—”

“Mine?” He stroked her lower lip.

“Ours, I suppose?” She swallowed. “But what if you resented the need, or me or—” His finger pressed across her lips, stopping her speech.

“Mia, you’re my bride.” He whispered, leaning in until his breath fluttered across her skin. “You’ve given me yourself entirely. However creatively we must create a child together will change nothing. Our goal is to save this estate for ourselves. Hang the family tree.” His lips ghosted along her temple, her ear, the side of her throat. “I found the only woman I ever intend to wed. Feel free to lose your looks, your teeth, and your sense as you will, Amy. You shall never be rid of me.”

“I’m not sure I’ve ever had either the first or the last, darling.”

He chuckled. “Then you may prove barren, spendthrift, and faithless as well. I don’t give a damn. You’re mine. You’re only going to escape me by death.” His hold tightened on her hips. “Though I admit, if you’re faithless, I’ll be much, much more difficult to live with.”

“I have faith only in you,” Amy whispered back, finding his lips with her own and clinging to his waistcoat lapels. “I can’t bear the idea of being with anyone else.”

“Oh, my sweet girl.” Nicholas pulled back, his eyes bright and so soft it was as if she’d told him she loved him for the first time. This was the look she’d seen other men give their bride on a wedding day, or when announcing their engagement. But her husband never hid that his emotions and heart worked ... differently. He claimed her lips again with the gentlest kiss, his big hands framing her face, holding her still for his reverent plundering.

Unlike those blushing virgins with their good beaus, Amy was soon wiggling on Nicholas’s leg, welcoming his hands on her breasts, followed by his lips. “My sweet little angel,” Nicholas repeated, hauling her up so she was sitting against his chest, his erection was a hot, desperate pressure under her eager, well-teased cunt, though their clothes were still between them. He drew back, and she felt the tug as he pulled her hairpins, so a wave of golden hair fell between them before Nicholas smoothed it back. She didn’t intervene, only giggled as he moaned and tugged her hair.

“You’ll have to be with other men someday, my darling,” he said with a fond smile some time later. “Our world is going to be far too complicated for idylls. But I want you to know now that I will only call you faithless if I don’t know you’re taking the other man to bed before you do.” He kissed away her shocked protest. “No. No, sweetheart. I need you to trust me in this, Mia. Even with your father’s money, we will need a living to get by for a while. I’ll do my best with business and investments, but the surest thing I know is what has gotten me this far.”

“I know.” She ran a hand through his hair and searched his face for answers. “It’s only that I ... I can’t imagine another man. It makes me feel cold.”

“What if the other man were Markham? You like him.” Nicholas traced a slow line down the side of her throat. “And I know he’ll be careful with you.”

“Nicholas!”

“Oh. Your beautiful little face...” He grinned, his eyes glittering, and one hand swept down to grab her backside, squeezing. “Don’t worry. We won’t cross that bridge for a while yet, mia dolcezza. Not until you feel ready.”

“And if I never do?”

Nicholas nuzzled her hair until her laughter returned. “You thought you’d never enjoy a lot of things this time a year ago.”

“Mm. My lord has a point there...”

“And elsewhere.”