The Duke's Enforcer (The Duke’s Guard Book 8) by C.H. Admirand

Author:C.H. Admirand [Admirand, C.H.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Dragonblade Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2024-03-22T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

“What has you smiling, my darling?” the Duchess of Wyndmere asked.

The duke folded the urgent missive he’d received a few moments earlier and slipped it into his waistcoat pocket. “I thought you agreed to wait for me to come to you in the nursery.”

“Our babes are napping, and I grew impatient.”

He sighed. “I have come to expect that you refuse to follow instructions.”

She held out her hand to him and smiled. “I’m so pleased that you have ceased telling me to stay put. Could you not do the same and cease insisting that I follow instructions?”

The duke took her hand and pulled her into his embrace. Tilting her chin, he pressed his lips to hers. “I’m afraid I cannot. Your safety—and that of our children—is paramount.” When she tried to ease out of his arms, he tightened his hold around her. “You are my life, as are Richard and Abigail. Try to remember that when I vex you with instructions that are only given to keep you out of harm’s way.”

“There are times in life when we have no choice but to walk through fire to save the ones we love, Jared.”

Knowing the back-and-forth would only delay his response to the missive, he lowered his lips to hers. He kissed his wife gently, persuasively, until she melted against him. “I trust that will hold you until later.”

“You are a beast to use my desire for you to get your way.”

He traced the curve of her cheek with the tip of his finger. “But you love me in spite of that fact.”

Her sigh was audible. “You know me too well, my darling duke.”

“Indeed. It is good of you to admit. In case you were wondering, and because you did not demand an answer from me, the missive is a request for a special license.” Persephone’s smile was a balm that never failed to soothe him. “It seems to be a pattern with the men in my personal guard,” he added.

“They are so dedicated to serving you, protecting our family, that they spend all day, every day, working. It must be quite a blow—between the eyes—when they meet the other half of their heart. Do you blame them for wanting to act quickly, decisively, and follow in your footsteps?”

“By accepting a title they never wanted?”

She frowned at him. “Offering marriage to protect a woman they are attracted to and feel responsible for.”

“My darling duchess, that was not the only reason I offered for your hand.”

“Perhaps,” she agreed. “But it was the most urgent of your reasons.”

“Have I given you reason to regret your decision?”

*

Persephone cupped the side of his face, marveling at the strength her husband held in check. “Quite the opposite, Jared—you have given me two reasons to love you more each day.”

He frowned for a brief moment, then slowly smiled. “Ah…Richard and Abigail.”

“By the way,” she said. “There is something I have been meaning to speak to you about.”

“Can it keep? I need to pen my request to the archbishop and send the messenger on his way.

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