embrace as she fell over the edge to experience a woman’s pleasure for the first time.
She whispered his name. “Ronan. Ronan.” And clung to him tightly. Sweetly.
He followed soon after, spilling himself inside her, lost in his own surge of pleasure.
Heat roared through him.
Hunger and craving for his Queen Pea fired his blood, as he knew it always would. Their coupling had changed him, for he was no longer merely himself but a part of her as well, bound to her in body and heart.
Once they both began to calm, he smiled down at her and kissed her with a gentle longing.
Now spent, he carefully pulled out of her and fell onto his back, drawing her atop him and closing his arms around her.
She had the most incredibly beautiful body.
And the loveliest mouth, now curved in a wondrous smile.
He arched an eyebrow and grinned. “What are you thinking, Queen Pea?”
“I’m not thinking at all. My brain and body have completely turned to pudding. But I can still feel, and there is so much feeling gushing out of me. I love you, Ronan. I’m so grateful to have you in my life. I don’t know what I’ve ever done to deserve the gift of you.”
“Mutual, sweetheart. But you’re the gift. Hell, I have no idea what I’ve ever done to deserve you. But never doubt that I shall always treasure you.”
“Who would ever have thought, even a month ago, that we would be married and end up like this?”
He stroked her hair, brushing back her soft curls. “I hoped for it. So many times, I wanted to say something to you. When I pulled the bean out of that Twelfth Night cake, it seemed to pulse in my hands. I knew you would be the one to pull out the pea. You had to be. No one else could ever be my queen. And no one else ever will be. You are the only one who will ever claim my heart.”
“As you will only ever be my King Bean. I think I must find a wallpaper of beans and peas and hang it in our bedchamber, what do you think?”
He knew she was teasing. “Do whatever you please, so long as you share my bed and fall asleep in my arms. And always love me.”
“Loving you always is the easy part. Perhaps we won’t need that wallpaper. Maybe just a small painting on the dining room wall of a pea and a bean and a Twelfth Night cake.” She curled herself around his arm, as she’d taken to doing these past nights when every other part of him was covered in that unguent. “You are the best Christmas gift I ever had.”
“Mutual, Queen Pea. Sweet dreams, my love.”
CHAPTER TWENTY
London, England
May 1821
Dahlia stood beside Ronan in the entry hall of their now decorated home, delighted to be hosting their first party, an afternoon tea. The day was bright and pleasant for what Dahlia hoped would be a casual gathering of friends and family. She was so proud of the work she’d done to bring out the beautiful features of the house and restore it to its original glory.
Adding to the festive air was the fact that so many of her cousins and even her sister, Holly, were sporting telltale tummy bulges that boded of new little Farthingales and Braydens soon to come along. “Your Uncle George is going to have his hands full come summer,” Ronan murmured against her ear.
She was delighted for Holly, and her cousins, Honey, Violet, and Belle. Not to mention Dillie and Daisy were also expecting. But what brought tears to her eyes was the news that Ronan’s cousin, James, and his Sophie, were going to have their first child. After all their years of marriage, they had almost given up hope. “We dared not say anything to anyone until now,” Sophie confided, “but I am four months along. We’re still afraid to talk about it, for this is our miracle baby, isn’t it? However, we wanted the family to know.”
“Congratulations. Have you told Uncle John and Aunt Sophie?” Dahlia did not get a response before their families flocked around Sophie and James, carrying them off into the parlor. But she expected her aunt and uncle had been the first ones told, probably weeks ago. They were the two Sophies - Sophie Farthingale and Sophie Brayden, who was also known as Lady Exmoor - and they had grown to be very close friends.
A few minutes later, Heather came