“And shall you take that approach with our sleuthing agency as well?”
“Oh, I thought you had forgotten that.” Quinn watched a sheen coat her eyes.
“I cannot forget your plans, your dreams, any more than I can forget you. Your golden tresses and pink flamingo lips.”
She pushed back from him slightly to look up into his eyes. “Pink flamingo? Really?”
“Yes. And come to think of it, labeling them as such could have been the exact moment I should have known how much trouble I was in for.”
“Faugh! That’s ridiculous.” His eyes met hers, glittering with laughter. “You have no idea how much trouble you’re in for.”
Chapter 20
KATSTRETCHEDOUTINbed, cozied up to Quinn, her hand resting on his chest. They were intheirroom. Quinn had insisted that they would share a room. There would be no separate bedrooms for their marriage even though there were plenty to spare. The estate was massive. Sprawling. She hadn’t even had time to hear about all of its rooms and hidden secrets nevermind tour the estate park and beyond. And the horses? Apparently there were race horses as part of the package. She wasn’t sure how much Quinn knew about horses, it had to be more than she knew, of that she was certain.
Muffin would probably like it here. If they decided to make this home their main residence, that is. Likely, they would spend the season in London and the off season here. She sighed. It was a lovely prospect. Despite the fact that no duke had been in its dwelling, the estate was in nearly perfect form. That man of business, whatever his name was, had done a splendid job.
However, the bare minimum had been readied in the bedrooms, since most of the day’s effort was put into preparing for the wedding celebration. At least they had clean linens, a warm coverlet, and each other.
Everyone, from the tenants to the villages to the vicar, appreciated the party. Drinks had been imbibed. Music had been played. Food had been consumed. That left little for anyone to complain about. Though a few had questions and shot curious glances at the couple, most smiled and wished them well. It was only to their benefit to be on good terms with the Duke and Duchess of Greyshire.
Kat couldn’t count how many times she overheard someone telling Quinn that he haddone things the right way. She had her work cut out for her now to ensure all the platitudes didn’t go to his head. As if he were the one who had planned everything and not her.
True, she would probably be relying on him to do some of the planning for their sleuthing agency. They had already decided that it would be a partnership. Nothing else had been confirmed though. The name. Who they would hire. What kind of work they would take on. But in time, that would come.
Earlier, she had tried to act nonchalant about how much she truly cared about the sleuthing agency. It wasn’t just a passing thought for her. It was the answer to the question she had been asking herself about her motivation and purpose. She tried to pass if off, so as not to overwhelm him, knowing that she might need to warm him up to the idea even more. So in an earlier conversation, she had said, “Who knows how far it will take us.”
And his reply had enthralled her completely, “Or how far we will take it.”
He was invested. He believed in it. In her. He knew her. He could probably even detect her true feelings about it. What he said meant he was willing to work at it. And what more could a wife ask of a husband? Passion, commitment, intimacy. She had found all three in him. And as fate would have it, he turned out to be a duke. Not in all of her wildest schemes would she–could she–have managed that. She knew he would be a good duke. His morals would keep him above reproach.
How had she ever passed over him before, thinking he was boring? He was the most delightfully intriguing man she had ever met. And from here on out, she had the rest of her life to figure him out. There would be challenges, of that she was sure. Children in their future. Three. Maybe four. Of course, a list of names was already populating itself in her mind. They had a new dukedom to manage. Including horses. And a new sleuthing agency to start. But all of those challenges felt life-giving. Purposeful. She felt as though she was ready to jump in and start each morning because she knew who she would end each day with. Whose arms she could always rest in.
Yes, there would be challenges. They didn’t matter in this moment though. Here, in his arms, she was calm. Sated. Relaxed. Without cares or concerns. She was a married woman. She was in love. Completely. Indelibly. How that had happened, was due to a little bit of fate and a whole lot of choice.
Being married, was like, well, really it had only been a few hours, but it felt as though a chase was over. She could breathe. Claim what belonged to her. And be claimed.
Being married, was– “Oh, I must write Charlotte a letter.” She pushed her naked frame from the warm linens, an impression left behind on the mattress.
“Write? Right now?” Quinn’s voice was groggy from being half-asleep.
“She’s probably desperate to learn of this news. About how Egan’s proposal was a mistake. It could change everything.”
“Somehow I truly doubt it.”
“What do you mean? If the proposal was a sham, she needs to find someone else. She needs to start putting some effort into it. Like I told her before. She doesn’t want to become a spinster.”
“I hardly think it’ll come to that.”
“You’re so sure of yourself.”
Quinn laughed. “That and Davin.” He sat up and pulled her between his thighs, burning flames shot through her hips, and a shiver tingled through her spine. “I’m sure of Davin as well.” He kissed the top of her shoulder.
“All the same–ooooh.” The trail of kisses up her neck led her thoughts astray.
“All the same, I must write to her.”
“Not now.” He groaned. And then, as if awakening, he added, “But when you do, be sure to identify yourself as her sister.”
