“My gamekeeper has become our quartermaster, and he has shown us both how to use a shield as a weapon.It is rather effective, but very heavy.Even made out of wood.I can’t imagine carrying a metal one, but at the rate of my progress, it will be many years before I am made a knight and awarded one.”
Sunny laughed softly at her witticism.“I will reorder my expectations accordingly so as to not be disappointed when I am forced to be a page or a squire for many years as I work up in the ranks.”
“Avalon Palace is as beautiful as its name suggests,” Mantheria said, changing the subject slightly.“Like the Arthurian legends, it is a place of myths.But I do not enjoy my time there.It reminds me too much of Alexander and now of your kind proposal and my cruel response.I would not mind if we only visited it for a few weeks of the year to make sure that it remains in good condition for when Andrew comes of age.”
She was talking of a future together where they were a family.Sunny’s heart leapt in his chest.Hope filled his soul with light and joy.“Of course.Of course.Andrew’s needs will definitely be the priority of our family.”
“As we must with his other properties,” Mantheria continued.“Even the best steward becomes a bad one if he doesn’t have good oversight, and I have overseen all of the ducal funds since Alexander became ill.I think I have gotten perhaps too used to ruling the roost.”
Sunny was no fool.A man didn’t marry a Stringham woman and expect her to be a meek and obedient wife.Mantheria would demand to be treated like an equal.Perhaps more than an equal.“You are welcome to rule my roost.Although there is only one estate, and it is not nearly as fine as your current ducal seat.Most of the properties were sold when I was just a lad to pay off my father’s debts.I am now solvent, but I am not wealthy like you.Nor am I blessed with yours and Matthew’s financial skills.I would gratefully accept your assistance, should you offer it.And I know that Matthew can twist a turn of phrase until a contract does whatever he wants it to ...which is to say, I want you to keep your dowry and dowager portions.I do not wish to marry you for your fortune.You are enough treasure for me.”
A woman’s money and property became her husband’s when they married, unless a great deal of negotiating was done during the marriage contracts, and her fortune was secured by the Chancery Court with a male trustee.Sunny knew that Mantheria’s dowry had been returned to her after the separation from her husband.Technically, her trustee was Matthew, but as far as Sunny knew, he never exercised his privilege over Mantheria.It would have gone badly for him if he had.“I do like being in control of my fortune and investing it how I see fit.But I will not be selfish with my funds; I will probably refurnish your estate and bring it up to the highest standard.I cannot help myself.I like things to be nice and new and in good order.”
Sunny would be proud if Mantheria turned Sunderland House into a beautiful showpiece—no, into a home.He picked up her hand and kissed the back of it and then the palm.“You may do whatever you like to our home, as long as you promise not to add anything black.The poor estate has been under mourning crepe and holland covers for too long already.”
“And I am pleased that you wish to spend time with Andrew and to teach him archery.And I have taken your advice and enrolled him in the local grammar school for next year.But once we move, I am certain we can find a good one near Sunderland House.I think that you will be a wonderful stepfather, but as his mother, I wish to reserve the right for the final vote in all matters concerning my son.”
Sunny knew that her brothers were her co-guardians, but they would not interfere with her decisions.He nodded his head.“Of course, but I hope that you will be willing to listen to my advice.I have perhaps a bit more experience with being a child duke than you.It comes with a unique set of challenges that I wish someone had helped me through.I would spare Andrew a crooked nose, if I could.”He touched his own nose, which was made crooked from Wick’s fist at Eton.
“I would appreciate it,” Mantheria said, her voice tight.“As you can see, I have difficulty relinquishing control.”
“Then don’t.I will not play the lord over you.”
“What about the duke?”she said with a slight smile.
“Never, my duchess.”
My duchess.
It was possessive, and Sunny loved the sound of it.
“I should like to marry you, Sunny, if you’ll have me, knowing that we might have difficulties and that I might disappoint you in the bedroom as a wife.”
“You have made me the happiest of men, Mantheria.”
His beloved didn’t smile, but her cheeks turned pink.“Would you please kiss me again?”
“Any time.”
Sunny used his hand again to cup her cheek and gently guide her mouth to his.Their second embrace was just as lovely and thrilling as their earlier kiss.This time, she did not remain passive, allowing her own tongue to tangle with his.The movement inflamed him, but he kept his desire under control, for he loved her, and he wanted to always respect her wishes.Besides, the slower they moved, ultimately, the more pleasure he felt.
She surprised him by placing her hands on his cheeks and then tracing the line of his cheekbone to his jaw.Her fingers were fine and silken to the touch.Sunny moaned in pure pleasure.Next, her inquisitive fingers went to his shoulders and made a slow burn down his back.He hoped that she could feel the muscles from his hard farmwork.Her hands felt his waist and then moved to his solid chest.
Sunny kissed her harder and deeper.He felt her in return, but he kept his touches light and fleeting, like he was worshipping a Roman goddess.Mantheria pressed against him, which Sunny hoped meant that she was enjoying their embraces as much as he was.The little noises she was making were driving him mad, but he kept control of himself for her.
* * *
Sunny did not haveto say a word for Wick and Matthew to realize that he had been lucky in love at last.Perhaps the happiness in his face gave it away.
“You owe me one hundred pounds,” Wick said to Matthew.“I told you not to bet against my best friend.”
Matthew held up his hands like he was in front of a highwayman.“In my poor defense, Mantheria did say that she was never going to marry again, and she was most adamant about it.Still, if Sunny makes our little sister happy, it is the best one hundred pounds I will spend this year.”
Andrew came back up to the three men after fetching the arrows from the target.“Mama is going to marry Sunny?”
Sunny turned to his soon-to-be stepson.“Yes.I hope that I have your permission as the head of your family.”
Andrew huffed and handed Sunny an arrow.“Mama is the head of our family.But you are welcome to join my army.”