A Kiss at Mistletoe: Kiss the Wallflower, Book 2

by Gill, Tamara

  Chapter 13

  One month later

  Mary stared at herself in the mirror in her bedroom, a bride starting back at her. She took in the dark locks pulled into line by many pins and a pretty veil that sat over the top of her curls, lying softly over her silk and embroidered light blue gown.

  After her marriage today she would be the Duchess of Carlton. She stared at herself, her eyes too large it would seem, a frightened tinge to their appearance.

  Her stomach roiled at the thought of marrying the duke. She’d not seen him these past four weeks. He’d left Christmas Day after their betrothal announcement stating he needed to return to London to prepare for their marriage and to notify his many estates that they would visit each one during their honeymoon.

  She clasped her hands, trying to ignore the excited chatter of her mama and Louise who were in the room with her.

  “Mother, I need to see the duke. At once,” she said, her voice but a whisper.

  “What was that, my darling?” Her mama came over to her, her brow furrowed in concern.

  “I need to speak with Dale. Before I marry him. I need to speak with him alone. I will not attend downstairs until I do.”

  Louise and her mama glanced at each other, a question in both their eyes. Mary took a calming breath, knowing it would not appear well that she was asking for such a thing, but she needed to speak with Dale. Needed to know before she took her vows that he would not expect her to be the perfect duchess that she could never be.

  “I will go fetch him,” her mama said. Louise came over and clasped her hand, squeezing it a little before too, leaving her alone. Mary went and sat on her bed, waiting for Dale. The heavy, determined footfalls sounded in the hall outside her door and her stomach fluttered knowing she’d see him again.

  Her door opened and then he was there. The perfect, magnificent Duke of Carlton that made women’s heads turn at every event. If she had to marry at all she could never share him, and to think that their marriage could end as so many ton marriages did, with disillusioned couples that tolerated each other but little else would not do for her.

  She had never wanted to marry, but to marry without some sort of affection, without some sort of promise that he wouldn’t box her into the life of a proper, respectable, biddable wife was no life at all. She’d rather be ruined than suffer such a fate.

  Dale remembered to breathe as he looked upon Mary, whom oddly he’d missed the last month while away in Town. She was so beautiful, so different from the ribbon-and-lace wallflower that he’d met prior to Christmas.

  The woman who sat before him was poised, elegant, a true duchess, but the glint of independence, or rebellion flickered in her green eyes and gave him pause.

  “You look beautiful Mary,” he said, coming over to her. She stood, meeting his gaze with an unflinching strength that he admired. “You wanted to see me?”

  She clasped her hands before her, biting her lip and his body hardened at the sight. He’d missed her, not just her lively conversations and blunt, to the point opinions, but also he’d missed being with her. Alone.

  “I wanted to talk to you about us. About what you expect from me as your wife.”

  Dale sat on the bed, pulling her down to do the same. He took her hand, unable to stop himself from rubbing his thumb across the inside of her wrist. His ministrations brought a delightful flush to her cheeks and all he wanted to do was to kiss her. To take her into his arms and prove to her, that whatever concerns she might have about them, they were not warranted.

  Over the past month he’d reflected a lot on his life, on his parents’ marriage. One thing was clear above all else. He was not his father, and Mary was not his mother. They had entered the marriage with no affection and as the years went by, their discontentment, their dislike of each other had turned toxic.

  He was not that type of man. He would never be that kind of weak person who took out their frustrations, their rage on others.

  “Go on. State your terms.” He schooled his features, willing to give her anything that she wished so long as she was his by the end of the day.

  She looked down at their entwined hands, her brow furrowed. “You know my character. You know that I’m independent and opinionated, and also a bit of a bluestocking. After having been caught in a compromising situation with you and seeing that there was no other option for us to marry, I do think that we’ll do well enough as any other couple setting out on this marriage journey. But,” she said, pausing.

  He lifted her chin, needing to see her eyes. “But what, Mary?” he asked.

  Her tongue darted out and licked her lips and Dale fought to concentrate on the conversation at hand. He was totally besotted by a woman that in truth he hardly knew. He wondered at the emotions roiling throughout him, what they meant before pushing them away to listen to what she had to say.

  “But I will not change who I am to suit your friends, your title or your expectations of what you may think a duchess should be like. If I see or hear something that I think is cruel, or untrue I will seek to repair the error. I will not like people to further your standing in the ton, and I will not stop my hobbies. Any of them, even climbing rocky outcrops that I do most summers.”

  He bit back a bemused smile. She was perfect. “Is there anything else?” he asked, his tone severe.

  Her eyes flared, but instead of crumbling under his supposed ire, she lifted her chin, her determination to get what she wanted overriding her fear of his opinion. “I will not share you, your grace. Not with anyone. Ever. If I ever heard word that you’ve been unfaithful to me, our marriage will be at an end. I may not be able to divorce you, but that is exactly what will happen without all the legalities of it. If I’m to be your wife, it is my bed and only my bed that you’ll find yourself in. If you’re unable to promise me my wishes, I will not marry you today.”

  The duke stared at her, his face giving little away as to what he was thinking. His hand still held hers, his thumb making her insides quake with remembering how they were together when alone. How very clever his hands were when on her person.

  She took a calming breath, waiting for him to speak. How had all her hopes ended up being tied to a man she knew very little beyond a month ago?

  “They are a lot of stipulations.” He stood, walking a few steps from her. His back was rigid, proud and Mary knew what she asked was a lot. Possibly too much for a man of his rank and power to allow. But she could not give herself over to anyone unless they allowed her to be who she was. A rough and tumble girl from Derbyshire who didn’t play by the rules, and never wanted to.

  “But I find myself at liberty to agree to your terms. I should not expect anything less from my duchess,” he said, turning toward her, a wicked grin on his lips.

  Mary let out a relieved sigh, standing and throwing herself into his arms. His arms came about her, strong and fierce and within a moment she found herself kissing him. Their lips entwined, his hands over her back, her bottom and then one thigh as he lifted her up against his heat.

  She moaned, kissing him with a fierceness that left her breathless, very much looking forward to tonight when they were alone. The idea frightened and exhilarated her at the same time. Whatever the duke evoked in her was new and absolutely wonderful.

  “Do you really mean it?” she asked, pulling back and wrapping her arms about his neck.

  He nodded, his eyes dark with unsated need. “Oh yes, I mean it. I did not think I wanted a duchess, nor one that I knew would push and pull me in all directions, but that was until I found you. I will never hurt you. I shall never dishonor you. You have my word on that.”

  Mary smiled, her eyes smarting with tears. “I suppose we should go downstairs and get married then, your grace.”

  He lowered her to the ground, kissing her softly once more. A kiss that seemed filled with a promise of forever. “I suppose we should.”

  He stepped to her side, holding out his arm. “Shall we, Lady Mary?” he asked, the proper gentl
eman and duke once more.

  Mary threaded hers arm through his, a rightness settling over her like a balm. “We shall.”

  Epilogue

  Spring 1801 - The Season

  * * *

  Mary stood beside her husband whose hand lay gently on the arch of her back. His thumb brushed slowly back and forth, and she smiled, knowing he was teasing her on purpose.

  “Behave,” she said, smiling up at him.

  He grinned back. “I do not know what you’re talking about.”

  She shook her head, watching her friend Louise take part in a country dance, the first of many now that they were back in Town. It was bittersweet for Mary, as Louise would soon be off to York and no longer her companion. She would miss her friend dearly.

  Mary watched with growing concern as Louise looked less than pleased to be in the arms of Lord Lindhurst. “She’s not enjoying herself. She looks positively bored.”

  The duke cast a curious glance in Louise’s direction, his lips thinning in agreement. “So it would seem.” He paused, turning to look at Mary. “Are you sure she wants to go to York. You have stressed that she’s more than welcome to stay with us, have you not?”

  Mary frowned, knowing it was what Louise wanted. “I will talk to her when we return home. Maybe I can convince her to stay.”

  The duke nodded, pulling her closer, his arm slipping about her waist to lay across the small bundle of life that grew within her belly. Their child. Just the thought of having a son or daughter left her overjoyed, and now that she was married to Dale, pregnant and utterly happy, she could not imagine her life any other way.

  Dale had been true to his word. He’d taken her to all his estates during their wedding trip and she had explored his lands, ice fished when weather permitted and anything else that took her fancy. Not once had he tried to cut her wings, and now a new adventure grew within her, a lifetime of surprises and happy moments to come.

  She could not wait.

  “What are you thinking about?” he asked, meeting her eyes. “You have the oddest look upon your face.”

  Mary covered his hand on her waist with her own. “I’m just thinking about how happy I am. How happy you make me. This is terribly gauche of me, but I’m glad we were caught in the library that night. I thought what I had before was all that I wanted, but it was not. I was deluding myself.”

  He kissed her temple, ignoring the startled glances thrown their way at such a public show of affection. “Have I told you that I’m also glad of that night. Not simply because it was so very pleasurable,” he whispered against her ear, making her chuckle. “But because it meant that I won you. I adore you,” he said, tipping up her chin to look at him.

  Mary stared at him a moment, having never heard him say such a sentimental thing before. “You do?”

  He nodded, his eyes darkening in hunger. “I think it’s been quite obvious for a few months now, and I’m sure the ton knows as well that the Duke of Carlton has fallen in love with his wallflower bride.”

  Mary bit her lip, her eyes blurring with unshed tears. “You love me?” To hear him say such things made her heart want to burst from her chest. Relief poured through her, thankful that she was not the only one to suffer such a fate.

  “I do. I think in fact that I fell in love with you the first moment I saw you in that ridiculous dress with all those ribbons and bows. You were the most adorable, unfortunate being, that how could one not possibly fall in love with such a woman.”

  She smacked his hand playfully before clasping it. “I suppose if we’re being honest with each other I should tell you too, that I find myself of similar emotions to you, your grace?”

  He looked at her skeptically. “Surely you can do better than that, duchess.”

  She turned into his arms, wrapping her hands about his neck. The duke held her close, unafraid to scandalize the ton that the Duke and Duchess of Carlton were being too forward in public. Mary played with the hair on his nape, watching him as he waited. “I love you too,” she said, leaning up further and kissing him. “I think I fell in love with you the moment I felt your hard, delicious abdomen beneath my hands in the conservatory. How could a woman be immune to such a being?”

  “You are truly too bold, duchess, but never change. Promise me you’ll never stop being you.”

  Mary leaned up once again. “I can promise you that,” she said, kissing him again, this time not stopping even when the gasps and some whistles from the gathered throng told them they should. Mary had never been one to conform to Society’s rules, and she wasn’t about to start now.

  A Kiss in Spring

  Kiss the Wallflower, Book 3

  Pre-order for only $2.99

  A broken carriage wheel at the base of the Scottish highlands is the last thing Sophie Grant needs on her trip to Scotland. Determined to make the most of her stay in the quaint village of Moy, she discovers some delightful attractions, including the Laird Mackintosh, who lives nearby.

  * * *

  Upon an invitation to the Laird's home, Sophie is thrust into a world of decadence, privilege, and wealth–everything she never had. Laird Mackintosh is tempting and beguiling with his scandalously hot kisses. However, Sophie knows he's hiding something–something that could change everything.

  * * *

  Brice Mackintosh is torn between his family’s expectations, and his newfound feelings for Sophie. What started out as a game, a distraction before he fills his obligations is turning into more. But when the truth surfaces, Brice worries that he may lose the only woman he's ever loved.

  Lords of London series available now!

  Dive into these charming historical romances! In this six-book series by Tamara Gill, Darcy seduces a virginal duke, Cecilia's world collides with a roguish marquess, Katherine strikes a deal with an unlucky earl and Lizzy sets out to conquer a very wicked Viscount. These stories plus more adventures in the Lords of London series!

  Feed an author, leave a review

  If you enjoyed A KISS AT MISTLETOE, and would like to tell other readers your thoughts on the book, then please consider leaving a review at your preferred online bookstore or Goodreads.

  Also by Tamara Gill

  Kiss the Wallflower series

  A MIDSUMMER KISS

  A KISS AT MISTLETOE

  A KISS IN SPRING pre-order

  TO FALL FOR A KISS pre-order

  * * *

  League of Unweddable Gentlemen Series

  FROM FRANCE, WITH LOVE

  HELLION AT HEART pre-order

  DARE TO BE SCANDALOUS pre-order

  TO BE WICKED WITH YOU pre-order

  KISS ME DUKE pre-order

  * * *

  Lords of London Series

  TO BEDEVIL A DUKE

  TO MADDEN A MARQUESS

  TO TEMPT AN EARL

  TO VEX A VISCOUNT

  TO DARE A DUCHESS

  TO MARRY A MARCHIONESS

  * * *

  To Marry a Rogue Series

  ONLY AN EARL WILL DO

  ONLY A DUKE WILL DO

  ONLY A VISCOUNT WILL DO

  * * *

  A Time Traveler’s Highland Love Series

  TO CONQUER A SCOT

  TO SAVE A SAVAGE SCOT

  * * *

  Time Travel Romance

  DEFIANT SURRENDER

  A STOLEN SEASON

  * * *

  Scandalous London Series

  A GENTLEMAN’S PROMISE

  A CAPTAIN’S ORDER

  A MARRIAGE MADE IN MAYFAIR

  SCANDALOUS LONDON - SERIES BUNDLE

  * * *

  High Seas & High Stakes Series

  HIS LADY SMUGGLER

  HER GENTLEMAN PIRATE

  HIGH SEAS & HIGH STAKES - SERIES BUNDLE

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  Daughters Of The Gods Series

  DAUGHTERS OF THE GODS - SERIES BUNDLE

  BANISHED-GUARDIAN-FALLEN

  About the Author

  Tamara is an Australian a
uthor who grew up in an old mining town in country South Australia, where her love of history was founded. So much so, she made her darling husband travel to the UK for their honeymoon, where she dragged him from one historical monument and castle to another.

  * * *

  A mother of three, her two little gentlemen in the making, a future lady (she hopes) and a part-time job keep her busy in the real world, but whenever she gets a moment’s peace she loves to write romance novels in an array of genres, including regency, medieval and time travel.

  www.tamaragill.com

  tamaragillauthor@gmail.com