change for this evening.’
‘Yes, miss—I mean, my lady.’ The girl blushed and bobbed a curtsy. ‘Ring when you need me.’
Roxanne nodded and smiled. She was dabbing a little light perfume at her wrists when the door opened and Luke entered. She stood up and moved towards him, a smile of invitation on her lips.
‘I told Tilly I wished to rest before I change for the evening,’ she said huskily. ‘I am not tired, but the sheets have been turned back. Shall we rest for a while together?’
Luke moved in closer and reached for her, his arms sliding about her waist. ‘Those of the guests who are staying have gone up to change for the evening and the others are departing. I do not think we shall be missed for an hour or so, dearest.’
‘Luke…’ Roxanne lifted her face for his kiss, melting against him as his lips took possession of hers. ‘I love you so very much.’
Then she was in his arms, responding to his kiss, and the next instant he was carrying her to the bed, placing her carefully amongst scented sheets.
Going to him without reserve, Roxanne shuddered with delight as his hands stroked up the arch of her back. Luke reached for her wrap, slipping it back off her shoulders to kiss her soft skin. The touch of his warm mouth on her breasts and then the inside of her thighs made her whimper with pleasure and she trembled, arching to meet him, lips parting as his kiss swept her away on clouds of exquisite pleasure.
Luke removed his own clothes and she saw the urgency of his need as he lay down beside her and drew her into his body. She felt the burn of his desire next to her thigh and then her legs were parting and he was between them, thrusting up into her. She gave a cry of pleasure, opening to him, wanting him deeper and deeper inside her. Her back arched and her hips thrust forwards to meet him as the desire pooled and grew into a raging need.
Together they reached for and found that wonderful place that is known only to true lovers. Luke gave a great shout of joy and triumph as he came inside her and she found her climax rolling through her as it came and came again in waves.
Afterwards, he lay with his head against her breast, their sweat mingling as they held on to each other, replete and content.
It was some time later that they left the bed. Roxanne sat at her dressing table and began to brush her hair.
‘I must go and change,’ Luke said and lifted her hair to kiss the back of her neck. He moved round to look at her and watch as she brushed her hair, perching on the edge of the dressing table, reluctant to leave despite his avowal that he ought to go. He picked up a small box casually and opened it, then stiffened as he saw what lay inside. ‘Where did this come from?’
Roxanne looked and saw the magnificent pearl. ‘Oh—that arrived just before the wedding. Tilly brought it up with some other things. Prince Ranjit sent it on behalf of his family.’
‘It must be almost priceless,’ Luke said and frowned, taking it out so that it lay on the palm of his hand. ‘You did not choose to wear it today?’
‘Of course not. I wore the gifts you gave me—and Grandfather’s bracelet. Why should I wear that pearl, Luke? It is lovely, but I think we should send it back. I have no need of such gifts from the prince.’
Luke’s expression eased, anger and tension gone. ‘I would return it except that to do so would cause offence. I shall acknowledge the gift, Roxanne. There is no need for you to do anything.’
‘I shall not wear the pendant, but if you think it rude to return it…’
‘It can stay in the strong room. Perhaps one of our children or their wives will take a fancy to it in the future.’ Luke smiled and leaned forwards to kiss her lips. ‘He said you were a jewel of rare value. I replied that I did not need to be told. I was well aware of your value to me. I was so angry that I wanted to kill him for daring to think you could be his for a sum of money.’
‘You have no need to be angry, my love.’ Roxanne stood up and put her arms about him. ‘No jewels could buy what we have, Luke. Love such as we feel for each other is a gift from God. It is all that either of us need now or in the future.
‘I am so happy,’ Roxanne said. ‘Paris will be wonderful, but all I truly need is to be at home with you and Grandfather.’
‘So you’re home again,’ the earl said and nodded with satisfaction as Roxanne came to kiss him on the cheek. ‘You look happy, girl. Paris was a success, then?’
‘Paris was exciting and I enjoyed the experience,’ she said and pulled her elegant satinwood chair closer to his. It had a shield-shaped back, spindly legs and was one of a set of fourteen from Mr Adams’s workrooms scattered throughout the house. ‘However, I am glad to be home again, sir. Luke will be down shortly. He thinks he must go to London for a few days soon on business, but he will not be away for long.’
‘You must neither of you feel tied to my coattails, girl. As long as you visit often I shall be content.’
‘Well, I dare say I shall go to London or Bath for a visit sometimes, but not just yet.’ Roxanne smiled, hardly able to contain the delight she felt inside. ‘Now, I hope you will not think this too soon, Grandfather—but Luke and I…’ She paused to watch his face, saw his frown and then a look of enquiry in his eyes. ‘Yes, I am to have a child. I know it may seem too soon to be sure, but I think…it may have happened before the wedding. We did anticipate our wedding a little. I hope I have not shocked you?’
‘A child…’ The earl looked at her eagerly, a hint of tears in his eyes. ‘You’re certain, girl?’
‘I saw a doctor just before we left Paris and he was sure that I was with child, perhaps two months or a little less. If I take good care and do not rush about all over the place, I believe you may have your first grandchild sooner than you had anticipated.’
‘An heir…’ The earl grinned at her. ‘I thought I might have to wait months, years even. You’re a clever girl, Roxanne. I knew you were just what this place needed when Luke first brought you here.’
‘I may have a daughter,’ she cautioned. ‘But if I do we shall have to try again. I must confess that I shall not mind if we have a brood of children, both sons and daughters, to fill this big house with laughter.’
‘You’ve already done that,’ he said. ‘The house has not been empty since you left for France. Your friend Beth Fox brought her son to stay for a few days and I gave him a pony of his own to keep in our stables—so I think we can be sure they will visit regularly. They might find a home here on the estate if you wished it, somewhere close enough for you to visit each other often. Besides, I’ve had a stream of visitors, neighbours and friends I hadn’t bothered with for years—even Luke’s godmother stayed on after the wedding—and guests are what this place has needed since Luke’s parents died.’
‘The tragedy was a terrible thing and it blighted all your lives, but the past has gone and we have a future filled with love and happiness to look forward to.’
‘Luke knows of the child?’
‘He is delighted. He thought I should tell you alone, but he will be down soon and then we can all celebrate together.’
She glanced up as the door opened and Luke walked in. ‘Here you are, dearest. Grandfather is pleased
