Fairfax twins collection.., p.54
Fairfax Twins Collection: Three Book Box Set, page 54
"I just wanted to tell you," Eunice said, stepping forward so that she was right in front of him, "That you are kind."
"Kind," Aubyn echoed, then wished he hadn't for Eunice flushed pink, apparently thinking he was mocking her.
"You are funny," she continued valiantly, "You are warm, considerate, good company, and real—you're very, very real."
Real? It wasn't an accolade that Aubyn had ever thought of, considering existing was a given, but now was not the time to nit-pick, not when his heart was hammering in his chest.
"And I love you," Eunice finished simply, her face now the perfect shade of puce, "I am sorry I didn't tell you earlier. I just didn't realise it at the time. I was so caught up with my childish fantasy, that I did not see the real man standing before me."
"I am very real," Aubyn agreed mischievously, though he regretted it as Eunice's face fell.
Lud, she did think he was mocking her.
"Are you certain you love me?" he asked, his battered heart still reluctant to believe her.
"I have never been more certain of anything in my life."
Her eyes, which had been cast down at her slippered feet, lifted to meet Aubyn's, and reflected behind her spectacles he saw all the emotions that currently coursed through him; hope, desire, love.
"Well if that's the case, there's only one thing we can do," Aubyn said decisively, reaching out to draw her into his arms.
"Oh," Eunice squeaked, glancing back to where the maid stood, but the girl had affected a keen interest in a portrait of one of Aubyn's earlier ancestors.
"Don't worry," he whispered, as she turned her face back toward his, "I'm not so uncouth that I'd debauch you in the entrance hall."
Eunice's mouth opened in shock at his audacious joke and Aubyn decided that it was best he kissed her, before she decided to attack him with her reticule. He gently pressed his lips to hers, delighting in their softness for a moment, before he pulled her hard against him.
She filled his every sense; touch, taste, scent. Kissing Eunice was like nothing Aubyn had ever experienced before and he was rather glad of the maid's discreet presence, for he was now not entirely sure that he could have resisted debauching the woman in his arms.
"Gracious," Eunice whispered, as at last he let her go, "I didn't realise..."
"Didn't realise what?" Aubyn queried, wondering if she was going to critique his skills. Heavens, he hoped that they weren't rusty from lack of use.
"I didn't realise that kissing could be so much fun," she said lightly, "How silly we were to waste all that time, when we could have been doing this instead."
Relief coursed through Aubyn and he pulled her close again for another kiss, which was broken apart a few minutes later by a discreet cough from the maid.
"My lady," she called, "We shall have to return home soon, before you are missed."
"Gemini," Eunice looked bereft, "I suppose we should. Oh, but I cannot bear the thought of being apart from you again, your Grace."
"It's Aubyn," he corrected her, with a grin, "And don't worry, my dear, we shan't be parted for too long. For once you leave, I am going straight to the Archbishop for a special licence and we'll be married before noon tomorrow."
"Truly?"
"Truly," Aubyn said, pulling her close for one last kiss, "In fact, if I can find a Reverend who doesn't mind rising early, I shall be knocking on your door at dawn."
Eunice laughed at the idea, but Aubyn quickly silenced her with a kiss. Perhaps it was not the best time to tell her he never jested—she'd find that out tomorrow herself when he arrived at cock-crow with the priest.
Epilogue
Eunice awoke to an empty bed, which once might have been startling, but in the past month had become something she had grown accustomed to. While she missed opening her eyes to find her husband slumbering beside her—or better yet, to feel him cuddling her close, his arms wrapped heavily around her—she could not deny that she found his new habit equally endearing.
The rising sun shone through the half open curtains, illuminating Eunice's path from the bed to the nursery.
Gingerly, she pushed open the door, to reveal an image which warmed her heart.
Aubyn, dressed in a banyan, stood over their son's crib, nervously watching little Edward as he slept.
"Come back to bed," Eunice whispered, "He'll be awake soon enough."
"I thought I heard him crying," Aubyn whispered back.
"He's not crying, he's perfectly fine."
As if to illustrate her point, little Edward gurgled in his sleep and wriggled comfortably under the blankets which covered him. He was the perfect picture of health and contentment.
"I still can't believe he's real," Aubyn said, his eyes filled with love as he gazed down at his son.
"You will when he's awake and screaming blue murder," Eunice replied with a laugh, though her tone was gentle.
She knew how much Aubyn had feared becoming a father. He had convinced himself that, like the late duke, he would be cold and distant with his offspring, and had been filled with trepidation as she grew bigger and bigger.
Thankfully, from the very moment that Aubyn had set eyes on Edward, he had realised that his fear had been unfounded.
"I never realised I could love anyone other than you this much," was his new favourite saying and it was obvious to everyone how much he adored his son.
"Come back to bed," Eunice whispered again, after they had both stared at their sleeping child for a few minutes, "Barty and Mary will be arriving later and you don't want to be falling asleep at the dinner table."
"It doesn't matter how much sleep I get," Aubyn argued, "If he starts bleating on about his ruddy interest in ornithology again, I'll be snoring into my soup. You know he only pretended to be interested in that, to try get Mary's attention?"
"You have told me," Eunice commented, taking his hand and leading him back into the bedroom, "But one does rather strange things when one is in love."
"Like turning up in the dead of night and proposing marriage to a duke?" Aubyn teased as they snuggled back under the covers.
"You said ten o'clock wasn't late," Eunice replied indignantly.
"That was before the baby. I know better now."
Aubyn's words were accompanied by a loud yawn and he was half-asleep as he drew her toward him into a cuddle. It wasn't the most romantic of scenes, but as Eunice drifted off to sleep, safe in her husband's arms, she couldn't imagine anyone being happier than she.
Other Works
If you enjoyed the Duke's Bride in Disguise, you might also like some of Claudia's other works.
Series
Reluctant Regency Brides Collection
The Duke of Ruin
The Lord of Heartbreak
The Marquess of Temptation
The Captain of Betrayal
Click the link below to view on Amazon!
http://geni.us/CB6GL
Regency Black Hearts Collection
Proposing to a Duke
The Duke's Brother
A Lady Like No Other
Click the link below to view on Amazon!
http://geni.us/oATZT7W
Standalone Novels
The Duke's Wayward Ward
Click the link below to view on Amazon!
http://geni.us/w9q3q4t
About the Author
About the Author
Claudia Stone was born in South Africa but moved to Plymouth as a young girl. Having trained as an actress at RADA, she moved to New York to pursue her dream of acting on Broadway in 1988. She never did see her name in lights, but she did meet a wonderful Irishman called Conal who whisked her away to the wilds of Kerry, where she has lived ever since.
Claudia and Conal have three children, a dairy farm and a rescue lab called Buddy. When she has any time left over, Claudia enjoys reading Regency as well as writing it.
Fans can write to Claudia at claudiastoneauthor@mail.com
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Claudia Stone, Fairfax Twins Collection: Three Book Box Set
