The House of Pleasure by Jess Michaels

Author:Jess Michaels [Michaels, Jess]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-1-947770-17-1
Publisher: The Passionate Pen LLC
Published: 2019-11-12T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 7

Duncan stood in his parlor at his fine townhouse overlooking Hyde Park, watching his new wife as she chatted with his brother. His new wife. God’s teeth, what a concept! And yet just a few hours ago, the vicar had declared the two of them married.

Hannah was a vision, of course. Lovely in the fine yellow gown that draped over her lush curves perfectly. Her maid had spun flowers up into the dark mass of her hair, and the chestnut glory of it was impossible not to look at. He had chosen a comely bride. And he wanted desperately to make her come.

Their guests had begun to depart after a long afternoon of celebration. His brother, her father and her close friends, the Sinclairs, were all who remained. Once they’d gone, he would be alone with her for the first time since they agreed to become man and wife.

His for the taking.

“I know I have said it before, but it bears repeating,” Rowan Sinclair said as he approached Duncan and took a place beside him to look at Hannah and Ian. “Congratulations.”

Duncan shot him a side glance. He and Rowan had known each other in passing over the years. He had always liked the man and felt the same sentiment from him in return. Now…well, now Rowan seemed to hesitate. That was likely because Sinclair was married to Hannah’s best friend.

“Thank you,” Duncan said. “You and I were always in a second sons club, weren’t we? Both escaped now, with our independence intact.”

Sinclair pursed his lips as if that sentiment didn’t sit completely comfortably. “Your elder brother is a different breed than mine are,” he said at last. “You are lucky to have him. And her.”

There it was. Duncan faced the man. “You worry that I do not have her interests at heart.”

Sinclair shrugged but didn’t correct his assumption. “Hannah has been through a great deal. I only want to see her happy. And I want to be certain her unhappiness does not cause my own much beloved wife any grief.”

Duncan glanced at Hannah again. She was laughing at something his brother had said. Her face lit up, was so much more relaxed than he had ever seen her before. She was stunning, and he longed to keep that expression on her face for the rest of her life. For the rest of his.

“Hannah and I are making a new path together,” he said, his voice rough as she noticed his regard and blushed. Her gaze darted over him, filled with the same longing in his own heart and body. “I will do everything in my power to make her happy.”

Rowan nodded slowly. “And I hope that will be enough for you both. Now the day grows long and I think I will convince my wife it is time to let the happy couple have some privacy. I hope you will both call on us soon.”

“We shall,” Duncan agreed.

Rowan smiled, then left Duncan to go to where Sophie was standing looking out the window at the garden behind the house.

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