Page 81 of Sincerely, the Duke
He moistened his lips and added, “You need to know there’s always a chance the fever will rage so high the willow bark won’t bring it down. I could have a fever I don’t recover from.”
“No,” she whispered, denying the fear his words caused. “That won’t happen. We promised each other in sickness and health. I will be with you if the fever returns again, and I will take care of you.”
Placing his hands to each side of her face, he kissedher gently. And then he kissed her again. Longer, sweeter than she could remember.
With all conviction, she was sure they were going to successfully weather this illness.
“Apothecaries, alchemists, and others are always coming up with new concoctions and combinations of herbs and plants,” she reminded him. “Too, if it comes again, I will bathe you in water from a cold spring to bring the fever down.” She ran her hand across his shoulder and down his arm as if washing him. She repeated the motion. “And again until the fever is gone.” She moved her hands slowly down his ribs, to his waist and along the plane of his hip to his thigh and back up the same route. Edwina placed her lips just above his and whispered, “I love you with all my heart and I will not let a fever overtake you.”
He tenderly touched her cheek. “You are my love, Edwina. No one else could have ever taught me the things you have or won the respect I have for you.”
Rick’s words thrilled her as he covered her mouth with his kiss. Taking his time, he kissed her lovingly, slowly. Softly and long. Sweetly and soothingly. She wanted to make love with him but for now would be happy to just be with him. It was a glorious feeling to feather her hands up his rippled ribs and across his muscular chest and shoulders.
They were quiet for a moment or two and she listened to his heart beating against her ear.
“I had a letter from Eileen this morning. She is well and wanted me to tell you that your letter of introduction succeeded in getting her an appointment to meet with Mr. Herschel.”
“I’m glad dukes are good for something.”
“You, my duke, are good for many things.”
A chuckle rumbled in his chest. “Did you answer her?”
Edwina shook her head. “Not yet. I’ve been too worried about you.”
“You’ll have to tell her, you know,” Rick said and raised her chin to look into her eyes.
Edwina tensed. “Tell her what?”
“That you are all right with her pursuing her dreams instead of her father’s dreams.”
“I won’t lie to her,” she said unequivocally. “You know that.”
He nodded. “Then make it the truth. Settle this for the last time in your mind. The debt you had to your father was an honest one, but you’ve paid it now, Edwina. Your sisters are accepted in Society. As I have to settle in my mind I have recurrent fevers. We’ve done all we can do for both. The outcome is not up to us. Give up your burden and let her have happiness.”
“Do you think she will be happy chasing after stars in the heavens rather than a husband?”
“It doesn’t matter what I think. It’s what she believes.”
Edwina inhaled a deep breath. “I still want her to come back,” she whispered.
“You probably always will, but don’t try to force her. Look at me,” he said, with the tips of his fingers under her chin. “I love you. Let my love be enough to make you happy.”
Edwina reached over and kissed the side of his cheek near his ear and the crook of his neck. “Your love is enough. It always will be, and I don’t want to ever disappoint you.”
He hugged her closely. “You have not disappointed me, my love. I am a gruff beast at times, but you have taughtme how to love, and to be careful what I say and how I say it. Most of all, you have taught me that we can trust each other.”
Rick couldn’t have said anything that pleased her more.
“I want to give you sons. As many as you want.”
“But not all at one time,” he said with a grin.
She laughed softly. “No. No. One at a—” From the corner of her eye, something caught her attention. Delight filled her. “You have a copy of my father’s book.”
“I read it while I didn’t have the strength to do anything else.”
“I don’t know what to say other than I’m shocked and—”
