Her Wicked Proposal novel Chapter 13

Emily St. Laurent lounged in the library of her London townhouse, a book in one hand and the other stroking her beloved foxhound Penelope. The dog was nearly ten months old and no longer the sweet pup she'd been when Emily had received her as a gift, but a proud grown-up dog.

When Emily had been abducted by Godric and his friends, Cedric had traveled to London and bought the puppy for her, hoping it would keep her at Godric's estate and dissuade her from running off.

It hadn't stopped her. She'd escaped anyway, taking the dog with her.

Penelope was her closest friend after Anne Chessley and Cedric's sisters. The dog let out a contented sigh as she rested her head on Emily's knee. Emily smiled and shut her eyes for a moment. The April sun was warm as it poured through the tall windows of the library, embracing her face.

"Emily." Goosebumps broke out over her skin at that deep voice.

She opened her eyes to find her husband towering over her where she lay on the couch.

"You're back!" Her cry of joy woke the sleeping hound.

Penelope barked excitedly, and Godric ran a hand over the dog's body with a rough pat and scratch. Penelope jumped from the couch and sat obediently at Godric's heels. He took a small treat from his pocket, and Penelope watched him intensely. Godric tossed the treat in the air. Penelope caught it and escaped to a far corner of the library, leaving Emily and Godric in peace.

"Now I've got you all to myself, darling." Godric slid her down on the couch so she lay upon her back. Then he sat on the couch's edge and leaned over her. He threaded his fingers in the loose waves of her hair and gazed into her eyes.

"Shouldn't you shut the door before...?" Her breathless whisper died as he began to unfasten his breeches and raise her dress.

"Before I ravish you? No one will disturb us," Godric promised with a wicked glint in his green eyes.

"You're an absolute fiend!" Emily moaned as he rained kisses down on her face and neck while his hands worked on her undergarments.

"And you wouldn't have me any other way." He bit her neck and Emily gasped as he plunged deep into her.

"How was the meeting?" Emily asked, causing Godric to grunt in annoyance.

"Clearly, I haven't distracted you enough, woman." He thrust in deeper and harder.

Any rational thoughts she might have had left exploded into fragments beyond her reach.

"More!" she demanded.

Her husband obliged with a devilish grin. "That's a far preferable response."

Once they were both sated, Godric nuzzled his wife's neck before speaking.

"Horatia is pregnant," he said in an oddly quiet voice. Emily cupped his chin and forced him to raise his head to look at her. His green eyes were full of wonder.

"She is?" Emily thought she felt something inside her stir to life. Was now the time?

"Lucien says the baby is due in November."

"That's wonderful!" She meant it to her very core. Horatia had suffered for so many years and Lucien had been so afraid of love that a baby, their baby, would be a miracle.

"Do you want children?" Godric asked. They were still connected, limbs entwined, noses almost touching.

"Yes, yes I do." She was suddenly shy, something that rarely happened when she was with Godric.

"I don't want to pressure you. I know you are young, but I am much older and..." Godric trailed off uncertainly, his cheeks slightly ruddy.

"I had never thought I would want children so early, I am nineteen, but I guess...I guess we don't have to worry now." Emily caressed his cheek, feeling the light patch of afternoon stubble that lined his strong jaw.

His brows drew together in concern. "What do you mean?"

"I'm pregnant. At least I think I am. My monthly courses were due two weeks ago." Before she could say more, Godric was squeezing the life out of her and kissing her.

"Lord, I hope you're right," he breathed. "I hope it's a girl."

"You want a daughter? What about an heir?"

"We'll have dozens of children. I want a daughter first, so that I can spoil her rotten. Boys aren't nearly as much fun in that regard. They don't like being fussed over, but girls do. I want many daughters, you hear me?" Godric twined a lock of her hair around his finger and tugged it playfully. "I want them all to look just like you," he added in all seriousness. Emily blushed, pleased by Godric's sweet insistence.

"We'll have several of both. I have a feeling our sons will be incredibly troublesome, just like their father." Emily giggled as Godric, still inside her, hardened and he moved his hips against hers. Godric made love to her again, until their faces were once again gleaming with a sheen of light sweat.

Godric interrupted Emily's marital musings. "Next week."

"Next week?" Emily squeaked. "But she can't! It's unheard of. You know how society can be on such matters, their penchant for cruelty. She'll be gossiped about for months! Her father barely dead and she's running off with one of the League of Rogues? I know we all know the truth, but the ton will make up whatever venomous stories it pleases."

"I have a feeling neither she nor Cedric cares about society. He's blind and she's been on the shelf for years."

Leave it to Godric to boil down two complex personalities so bluntly, she thought.

"You may be right, but shouldn't we at least caution them?"

"I won't. Damn the ton. Let them wag their chins. It will all be over when the next scandal sweeps through the assembly rooms. I'll stand by Cedric in St. George's next week no matter what. He needs this marriage, Emily. He's been broken since the accident, in spirit as well as body. But when he was telling us about his engagement, I heard hope in his voice for the first time. If a speedy marriage can cure him of his blue devils, then I'm all for it."

Emily rested her head on his shoulder, her fingers playing with the now crumpled cravat tied at her husband's neck. "You're right."

"Of course I am," Godric said imperiously. Emily pinched him in the arm and he yelped.

"You little..." He started to tickle her waist, Emily's greatest weakness, and she dissolved into a fit of giggles until she was gasping for mercy.

"Do you think they'll be happy, Godric?" Emily asked.

He ran a fingertip down her upturned little nose, and she couldn't help but admire the flush of life in his face and the glimmer of love in his bewitching green eyes. How had she been so blessed to have him fall in love with her?

"They may need some artful nudging. I believe you are the expert in that field, so I shall leave it to your careful ministrations." His hands stroked up and down her back, the intimate and tender gesture filling her with warmth.

"I am, am I? And just what artful nudging have I done lately?"

Godric smirked and slid her onto his lap. "I believe this will refresh your memory." He groaned in pleasure as she squirmed, feeling his erection beneath her bottom.

"You're of a particular single-mindedness today, aren't you, my love?"

"All this talk of babies and marriage has put me in the mood to make sure we do in fact get those babies." Godric captured his wife's mouth before she could reply. She knew they would spend the rest of the afternoon working on this newfound interest.