Page 69 of Duchess Needed
Maude gasped and both of them turned to her, watching with amusement as she bowed and apologized profusely before slipping out of the room in a haste.
“She must be thrilled,” Phoebe remarked before she ate the spoonful of soup.
“I am sure she is. I know I certainly am,” Edward nodded, scooping up more soup.
“Because you are one step closer to accomplishing what might be your final filial duty?” Phoebe teased lightly.
Edward huffed, smiling fondly.
“No. I am about to start a family with the love of my life. It has been so long since I have wanted to relish in the joys of being alive and you make me want to live, Phoebe. What more could I ask for?”
Touched, Phoebe reached out to him, endeared when he offered a hand to her to hold almost instantly.
“Whatever happens, we’ll face it together. I will always be by your side, Edward. Always,” she promised seriously.
Edward’s smile grew and he raised her hand to his lips, pressing a kiss along her knuckles as he said,
“I know. And I am all the more excited for what is to come.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Phoebe stirred slowly, her mind still pleasantly foggy with sleep as she rolled from one side to the other.
It was a lot warmer than she was used to and when her eyes fluttered open, she soon discovered why that was, smiling unabashed as her husband pulled her to his chest, burying his lips in her hair.
“Morning,” he mumbled, his deep voice making her shiver slightly.
“Good morning,” she whispered in turn, playfully nipping along the curve of Edward’s jaw.
“Is it bad that I want to remain like this for a while longer? As strange as it sounds, this feels as though we are on our honeymoon,” he sighed, pressing chaste kisses to her forehead and chin.
“I know what you mean,” Phoebe nodded, staring into his deep green eyes. “I cannot tell you how much I have dreamt of this moment. Simply having what seems like the most mundane occurrence. I wanted the simplicity that came with marriages, no matter how mediocre it might sound. I just wanted to be able to have something more than the restrictions that came with an arranged marriage.”
The confession felt as though she was cutting her chest open, but unlike before, she had no fear or concern over being honest with her husband. She knew that she was in the safest place and position to be as honest as she desired.
Her feelings were validated when he drew her close for a kiss that sent sparks dancing along her spine to her toes. She relished the gentle press of his lips to hers, the way he sweetly leaned back and dove in for another kiss seconds later, how he cupped her cheek tenderly and held her in place.
Phoebe could not think of anywhere else she would rather be then.
“I think... from our first night together, I had wondered what it would be like to see your face, first and foremost. I suspected it would make my morning and I can confirm that it has. I do not believe I would want it any other way, henceforth. I want this – us together from dusk to dawn, time spent learning more about each other and growing together. I want to be the best husband to you and love you like you deserve. I want to give you the world. So, do not hesitate to ask anything of me. Please,” Edwardsaid, his hand on her hip that occasionally dipped to pat her buttocks distracting her slightly from his words.
“You are doing a splendid job already, because you are my world. I want nothing more than your attention and affection – along with the life we will build together. Let us not dwell on the things of the past, but walk towards the future together,” Phoebe told him gently.
“I would love nothing more,” he replied, claiming her lips once more.
Unexpectedly, their morning passed like that, wrapped up in each other’s embrace, stealing kisses and relishing in the new found bliss they had discovered in each other’s company.
“I wonder if we should begin to prepare the nursery,” Edward mused as they had a late breakfast in the sun room.
It had taken them quite a while to get out of bed, and it was even harder than that to keep their hands off each other. Now that there was no need to pretend that there was no burning need in their veins and their feelings were not only accepted but also encouraged, they felt utterly unrestrained and hungry to learn even more about each other.
“So soon?” Phoebe questioned from her place by his side, attempting to reach for the bowl of fruit.
Edward lifted the bowl and brought it closer to her and she flashed him a smile of gratitude as she plucked out a grape and popped it into her mouth.
“Do you think it is too soon? I believed one can never be too prepared for such an event. We are talking about our child,” he stated, reaching for a crumpet.
“I do not disagree with you, but I feel as though it is still rather early. The child is barely the size of an orange at this time. We have many months to ready ourselves for the hurricane of change it would bring. For now... I would rather focus my efforts on getting to know my husband even more.”
