Page 66 of Pursuing a Duke
She kissed him, rolled off the bed, pushed her chemise back down, and said two words she’d never uttered to Andrew before, “Chamber pot?”
“In my bathing chamber, through my dressing room.”
Crossing the room, she ducked inside his dressing room full of his clothes and inhaled the familiar scent of sandalwood. Her eyes rested on a blue banyan, and she slipped it over her chemise, rolling up the overly long sleeves. She gripped the collar, inhaling Andrew’s pure masculine scent, and smiled. She entered the adjoining tiled room with a large copper tub taking up half the space. From there, she found a clean chamber pot sitting on a shelf. Before she left the room, she washed up at a basin and pitcher resting on a small dresser. Once back in Andrew’s bedchamber, she helped him sit up, put his breakfast tray on his lap, climbed in, and did the same with her tray. “I’m afraid everything is cold.”
“Not to worry,” he said as he sipped his coffee. There was no mistaking the smell wafting her way as she sipped her chocolate. “I see you found my clothes.”
“Do you mind?”
“Not at all.” He laughed. “Does my heart good to see you in my robe.”
“Not to bring up a very private and delicate subject, but your bathing chamber appears to be in the process of being remodeled.”
“Yes. My father started it but unfortunately died before it was complete. When finished, it will have a flushing toilet.”
She coughed as she inhaled her chocolate down the wrong way. “Really?”
“He wanted to be one of the first in his circle of friends to have one. It should be finished next month. “We can use the London sewer system now for drainage since the ban was lifted.” He suddenly roared out laughing.
“What is so amusing?”
“Us, having this conversation. Speaking of taboo subjects between a lady and a gentleman. Most ladies would fan themselves and swoon.”
“I am not most ladies. And I must say I look forward to a flushing toilet.”
He leaned over and kissed her cheek. “And thank goodness for that. The first comment—not the second. I love everything about you. Even during your first Season, you were never a delicate debutante. You were strong, opinionated, and not afraid to let it be known. Just like you are now.” He kissed her again. “Please don’t ever change. I love you just as you are. Please get this damn tray off my lap.”
Emmeline removed both trays and went into Andrew’s welcoming arm. “I imagine the doctor will be here soon.”
“If he gets here soon, he can wait,” he said as he encouraged her onto his lap and kissed her until she gave him what he wanted.
*
Since Andrew hadwoken up with Emmeline beside him, his body had desired her. He hadn’t expected to make love with her twice, and yet he could make it three quickly enough, except that she was dozing curled up against his side, making little breathy sounds, causing him to smile. When she’d inquired if he was in pain, he had lied. His head throbbed, and every muscle in his body ached and felt stiff, never mind the deep, burning pain from the bullet wound. Making love eased the pain for a short time, but it was back now with a vengeance. Even so, he would never regret the pleasure they’d both given and received. He grinned again. Lying back and watching her do all the work was an aphrodisiac. Imagining her face flushed pink, her eyes peeking through heavy lids, her breasts bouncing as she rode him, had him hard again.
He loved her so much and feared she might slip through his fingers again, that she might find another man more worthy of her, no matter how much she professed to love him. But there was nothing like the present to take the future into his hands. He extricated himself from her, which was difficult with one working arm. Not that he couldn’t use his arm; it just hurt like bloody hell. Once on unsteady legs, he went to the bell pull and rang for Clayton, then leaned against the wall, afraid he wouldn’t make it back to the bed without collapsing into a heap on the floor. And what a sight he would be wearing nothing but his undergarments.
“Your Grace,” Clayton said, his eyes widening when he opened the door and saw him. “What are you doing up? Let me help you back to bed.”
“No. Can you get me to the bathing chamber? I want to wash up and put on clean clothes. Trousers and a shirt will do nicely. Also, please open the safe in my study and bring Emmeline’s engagement ring. The key is hidden underneath the second drawer.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
After Andrew was presentable again and feeling clean and rejuvenated, he sat on an overstuffed chair before the hearth and waited for Emmeline to awaken. It wasn’t long before she did. Fortunately, Clayton had already slipped him the black velvet ring box, which currently rested on the small table beside his chair.
“Andrew, what are you doing up?” Emmeline’s voice was soft and sleepy, causing his heart to pound inside his chest.
“Why don’t you join me?”
“Let me ring for Amanda. I want to dress.”
Half an hour later, Emmeline sat on the matching chair on the other side of the small table. She was wearing a lovely blue day dress that accentuated her eye color.
He grinned at her. “You’re too far away.”
“I feel this is a safe distance,” she said with a twinkle in her lovely eyes. “Otherwise, we may find ourselves back in bed. It’s almost noon, and I imagine Doctor Higgins will be here soon.”
“You said that hours ago.”
