A Shocking Proposition by Elizabeth Rolls

Author:Elizabeth Rolls [Rolls, Elizabeth]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2014-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Five

Maddy got through the rest of the service in a daze. From a distance, she heard Ash promise to love and cherish her. His voice was very clear, his hand clasping hers firmly. And then she was repeating her own vows, her voice shaking on love. Love. So easily promised. How many couples meant it? Really meant it and kept to it.

He had married her in the teeth of Edward’s accusations. Dismissed them publicly as lies.

He vowed to honor you. He has already done it.

Her heart, already besieged, shook a little at the knowledge that he had trusted her without question.

Then Ash was slipping the ring onto her finger, holding it there. “With this ring I thee wed, with my body I thee worship...”

His gaze held hers and she felt the heat swirling through her.... With my body...another vow. Spoken in a way that left no doubt he fully intended to keep it.

At last it was over and they left the church to wildly pealing bells and heavy pewter skies.

The duke and duchess took their leave swiftly after a glass of wine in the vicarage. “We simply can’t stay any longer if we are to reach home and our guests tonight,” said the duchess, pressing Maddy’s hand in farewell. “Do say you forgive us, and will come after Twelfth Night.” She smiled. “Ash is very wise to keep you all to himself for now. Ravensfell will be quieter then with most of our guests gone and just our sons and Gerald and Ash’s sisters for another week. They are all looking forward to seeing you.”

Maddy stammered a thank-you and the duchess leaned forward to kiss her on the cheek. “And don’t worry about Montfort’s idiocy. He’s done himself a very great deal of harm if he only knew it.”

Her cheeks burned. “Madam, it was all—”

“Helen,” the duchess corrected her. “And you don’t need to tell me it was all lies. His mother always did spoil him dreadfully, and just see what has come of it!” She patted Maddy’s hand. “Oh, dear. Poor Gerald is positively glaring at me from the door! I must go. Merry Christmas, my dear!” She turned to Ash, fixing him with what she possibly imagined was a severe look. “Behave yourself.”

The duke strolled up and caught his duchess’s hand, sliding it onto his arm. “Not precisely the advice to give a man on his wedding day, m’dear.” He smiled at Maddy, who was wondering if she’d heard aright. “I’ll just wish you very happy again.” He cast a sideways look at his own wife. “And assure you that he’s highly unlikely to take Helen’s bit of advice to heart, luckily for you.”

Apparently she had heard correctly. The Duke of Thirlmere had a very wicked twinkle in his eye, even as the duchess thumped his shoulder.

“Thank you, brother,” said Ash in carefully restrained tones. “Just what advice would you give me on my wedding night?”

The duke raised his brows. “I’d be surprised to learn you needed any.

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