Lily and the Duke (Sex and the Season #1)(88)

“Not at all, Price. Thank you for coming.”

As Cameron rose to leave, a gentle knock on the door startled him.

“Come in,” Daniel called.

Rose entered. “You wanted to see me, Your Grace?”

“Yes, Lady Rose. You know Mr. Price, do you not?”

“Of course,” Rose said. “It’s nice to see you, Mr. Price.”

“My lady.” Cameron bowed politely. She was a vision, honey-colored hair plaited and coiled around her head, with wispy golden curls framing her face. Blue eyes the color of sapphires, lips as pink as the roses in his mother’s garden, and skin like pale peach velvet.

“Mr. Price has agreed to write a waltz for Lily’s and my first dance together as husband and wife,” Daniel explained. “It will be written for the pianoforte, and I was hoping you would do Lily and me the honor of playing it.”

“I’m flattered,” Rose said. “But surely the orchestra would do it more justice.”

“I think not,” Daniel said. “It would mean a great deal to Lily, and to me, if you would do it.”

Rose blushed. “I would need time to prepare the piece for public recital.”

“Mr. Price will have the piece ready in four weeks. That will give you a week or so. Is that enough time?”

“I-I’m a decent sight reader,” Rose stammered, “but I’ll need more time than that, especially depending on the complexity of the piece.”

“Then you’ll need to work closely with Mr. Price.” Daniel turned to Cameron. “Make sure that Rose has access to your work in progress.”

Cameron cleared his throat. “That’s not how I normally work.”

“I’ll be happy to compensate you for the extra effort,” Daniel said. “How much more do you require?”

“No, I didn’t mean… You’ve been more than generous already, Your Grace.”

“Then surely it wouldn’t be too much of an imposition to work with my charming future sister-in-law, would it?” Daniel smiled.

“Of course not, Your Grace.” He bowed and turned to Rose. “I will be in touch, my lady.” He walked briskly out of the study.



* * *



Lily let Rose help her bathe and dress in one of her best dinner gowns, and then she waited patiently for Daniel to arrive. Lily had been on the mend for over a week, and Daniel had arranged for them to take a private meal together. He strode in a few minutes later, dressed formally in his burgundy velvet coat, a dark grey cravat, and snug black trousers. His hair was freshly washed and hung in gleaming waves at his shoulders. Lily’s breathing became shallow and hurried as she stared at him. He took her breath away.

He walked toward her, his green eyes full of smoke, took her hand, and kissed her upturned palm. He drew her to her feet and captured her lips with his. They hadn’t shared a kiss—a real, honest to goodness kiss—since before her accident. How she had missed it! She let her tongue wander into his mouth, tasting his masculine sweetness.

“I’ve missed you.” Her voice was a breathy rasp.

“I’ve missed you, too,” he said, “and I love you.” He slid his tongue down her neck, between her breasts. “God how I love you.” He caught her face in his hands and took her mouth again, until several servants interrupted them, ready to serve their dinner.

They started with Swiss potato soup and olive-and-oyster canapés, and then feasted on vegetable marrow stuffed with shrimp, French stewed quail, and spinach Alsace. Lily was stuffed but forced down a few bites of cheese and fruit. She asked Daniel if they could save their lemon cream cake for later.

“I couldn’t eat another bite. Really, I don’t think I’ve consumed this much since I’ve been here.”

“That’s fine, love. Would you like some more wine?”

Lily giggled. “Maybe just a little. I feel lighter than air tonight, Daniel, despite the amount of food I just put away. I’m so happy to be here with you.”

“You read my mind, as usual,” he said, as he poured her wine. “Tell me, what would you like to do with the duchess’s suite? My mother has several decorators in Bath whom she uses. I could bring them out for you to meet if you’d like.”

“I feel terrible kicking your mother out of her rooms,” Lily said.

“You’re going to be the duchess. She understands that.”

“Still, you and I could be perfectly comfortable here.” She looked around the sitting room. “This suite has grown to mean a great deal to me.”

“My mother wouldn’t hear of it. She wanted to move out of her suite right after my father died, but I told her to stay. I didn’t want to move into the duke’s suite then, but now I do. I want to be the duke, Lily, and I want you to be my duchess. It all seems within the realm of possibility with you. It never did before.”

“That’s sweet of you to say.”

“It’s the truth. I want you to stay in this suite until we’re married. I’ll move into the duke’s suite. But I’ll continue to spend my nights here with you, if that’s all right.”

“I’d love that. But shouldn’t I return to Hampshire with my family prior to the wedding?”