An Affair So Right (Rebel Hearts #4)(80)

“Lord Templeton,” Banks called out.

He glanced at Theodora. “I don’t think I will ever become used to hearing that title.”

“In time you will,” Theodora promised him. “You give it meaning again.”

He smiled quickly and led Theodora to Banks, where Gently was being questioned.

Theodora leaped into the thick of it immediately, helping Gently incriminate himself further by goading him to be indelicate. He was astonished by her effectiveness, and so proud of her zeal in righting a wrong. When Gently had said enough, Banks had him taken away.

Quinn caught the investigators eye. “Mr. Banks, you will keep us informed.”

“Indeed, I will, and may I say, Lord Templeton has made a fine choice in his bride. My congratulations to you both on your impending marriage. I’ve just heard the happy news.”

“Thank you.”

Theodora blushed. “Thank you, sir.”

Quinn led Theodora to his carriage and, once alone and on the way back to Newberry House, he turned to her. She did not need him. Not really. But he could have lost her today, and knew he’d never survive it again.

He took up her hand, playing with her fingers. “Marry me, Theodora Dalton.”

“What?”

“Marry me,” he repeated. “Become my bride in truth, and not because of that nonsense my mother told you in private the day you agreed to this charade.”

Her eyes widened. “How do you know what we spoke about?”

“I listened,” he confessed. “You were right not to entirely trust her that day, and you managed her nonsense exactly the right way—and you may manage me to your heart’s content for the rest of my life, too, if you want to.”

Theodora tugged her hand back. “I don’t know what to say.”

“Say nothing yet, but think of all we could accomplish together. Your ambitions and experience combined with the wealth of the Templeton estates behind you. It could be a vastly satisfying life for both of us, I’m sure. You can even dismiss Mr. Kemp if he continues to put forth less than his best efforts. You would be his employer.”

She wet her lips. “You couldn’t want me as your wife.”

“Of course I do. I have fallen a little more in love with you each day from the first night I held you in my arms. We belong together, Theodora. After the shock of almost losing you today, I demand you never leave me again.”

Theodora fell silent, and Quinn clenched his hands together in his lap, knowing there was a risk she might never respond favorably to his proposal. He would give her time to consider the matter with a rational mind. He could be very patient to win her love.

“You love me?”

“Isn’t it obvious? I have no secrets from you. No desire to have any other woman in my life. How many men allow strange women to sweep into their home, reorganize their furniture, and take over their lives so completely as I have allowed you to do? You stood up to my mother, too, and I couldn’t be prouder of you for that. You dismissed my mistress and yet won’t take that place, and quite rightly, too, because you deserve better. I want to share your bed for the rest of my life, so…marriage seems the best way to accomplish that.”

Theodora pressed her hand to her chest.

“I’m not saying our marriage will be easy. There will be many challenges ahead. But I want you to know that I appreciate everything you do for me. I respect you more than you know. I would worship the ground you walk upon most likely, if given a chance. You make me happier than I ever expected to be.”

Theodora turned into him suddenly, wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him. “Oh, stop.”

He pulled her fully onto his lap to hold her closer. “Why must I, love?”

“Because I love you, too,” she cried before bursting into tears that lasted the whole trip back to Newberry House, where they both belonged together, forever.





Epilogue





Touching Theodora again was heaven. Making her come with his mouth a pure delight. He nuzzled between her legs, drinking in his wife’s scent, the flood of moisture on his tongue, and kissed her clitoris hard. “Tighten,” he demanded as soon as he lifted his mouth.

She clamped around his finger, and he thrust inside her with it, noting his bride was panting and her skin was damp with perspiration again. She had her heels dug into the mattress, hands fisted in his sheets, and bucked and shook to his every touch. He withdrew, came up on his knees, and brushed the head of his cock against her parted lips. “Suck.”

Teasing Theodora had quickly become his life’s work. She was bold, uninhibited, and eager for him and new experiences. There was nothing he’d asked for that she’d refused. Not even the slightest hint of hesitation for anything that guaranteed her an orgasm by the end.

As her lips closed around the head of his cock, he thrust forward a short distance. Theodora scrambled, finding a new position to better accommodate his girth in her mouth. So far, they’d used every corner, every post of their new shared apartment at Newberry House in the pursuit of passion this night.

He kept his thrusts short and controlled, biding his time. He’d made Theodora come three times so far since they’d spoken their vows, but he kept his own release at bay. He was having too much fun exciting Theodora.