He smiled into her eyes, looking as excited and happy as she felt.
“You have, good sir. Have I returned the sentiment?” Eve grinned back, ducking her head as he stepped through the doorframe.
“I believe you have, but I’ll not argue if you feel the need to repeat it.”
“I love you, husband.” Eve leaned forward in his arms and traced kisses along his jaw. “I love you—love you—love you.”
And then Eve gasped as she went flying onto the bed. Nick didn’t wait even a moment but jumped on top of her and pinned her down.
“Words are all fine and well, wife. But are you prepared for me to show you how much I love you?”
He hovered over her and in that moment appeared quite rakish indeed.
“I am aching for you to show me how much you love me.” Eve pulled his lips down to hers. “But only if you allow me to return the favor.”
Neither of them possessed an ounce of patience and before any more words were spoken, Nick had his falls unfastened and her gown around her waist.
“I need to slow down,” he rasped along the side of her neck.
“We’ll go slow later,” Eve promised as he settled at her core.
And they would. Because she had a lifetime to live with this man.
“Love me now, Nicholas,” she commanded, thrusting herself up to meet him.
“Always,” he answered as he slid inside. “Always.”
—The End—
(Keep reading for the Full Series Bonus Epilogue)
I hope you have loved reading this series as much as Tammy and I enjoyed writing it! In case you started on book 3 and want to go back and read books 1 and 2, follow this link to My Dashing Duke and My Yuletide Earl now!
Eve’s Apple Pie
With a little help from Nick
CRUST
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for rolling
1 cup (2 sticks or 8 ounces) unsalted butter, very cold, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon sugar
6 to 8 tablespoons of ice water
Mix flour, salt, and sugar together.
Cut in butter and blend until mixture is the consistency of small peas.
Add water until dough mixture sticks together when pinched.
Separate into two separate piles
Shape into discs and chill
FILLING
1/2 cup unsalted butter
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/4 cup water
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
8 Granny Smith apples – peeled cored and sliced… Carefully, please
To bake, place the pie on a baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes at ~ 375°F
Lower the temp to 350°F and bake for 50 more minutes.
Allow to cool and serve.
Chill first—especially if you intend
to serve it up in the bedroom!
Full Series Bonus Epilogue
One Year Later
Noelle cradled baby Gabriel in her arms and hummed the tune to “Oh Come All Ye Faithful” as she watched out the window. She couldn’t help but smile, thinking that she would not be here if she hadn’t been watching out her window on that cold and snowy night one year ago.
Celebrating the holidays without both of her sisters, as well as all of their first anniversaries, had been unthinkable, and Dash had agreed immediately. He hadn’t even hesitated to suggest that they invite every single member of her family to share the Yuletide with them here at Divinity Manor, their large country estate
Noelle had sent his mother, the dowager, an invite, but it had been returned unopened. She supposed not everyone could have their hearts melted by the Christmas spirit. But she would not give up.
Perhaps next year his mother would come around.
Or the one after that.
“A carriage is approaching, Your Grace.” Baby Gabriel’s nurse peeked her head inside of the drawing room. “Would you like me to hold the baby so that you can greet your guests?”
Part of Noelle wished to take the baby outside to greet her sisters with her, but snow was falling so she reluctantly handed her tiny bundle over.
“Thank you, Miss Partridge.”
The capable woman took Gabriel and cradled him in her arms. “It’s always my pleasure, Your Grace. I’ll take him up to the nursery for now, then?”
“Of course.”
“And how is our future Baron of Blitzencreek doing today?” Dash appeared in the foyer in time to peer down at his son.
He never failed to remind Noelle that he hadn’t been lying completely when he’d met her. Because of course, Blitzencreek did happen to be one of the family titles. As well as several others that Noelle couldn’t keep track of.
Miss Partridge indulged Dash for all of three minutes when the sounds of the horses could be heard out the front door before taking her leave.
“That boy grows more handsome every day,” Dash announced proudly, dropping Noelle’s cloak around her shoulders and leading her outside with one hand on her waist.
“Just like his father.” Noelle leaned into him as they watched no less than six coaches approach up the long drive.
Dash pulled her even closer and dropped a kiss near her ear. Gabriel had been born in early October, and they’d just barely resumed relations a little over a week ago. Noelle marveled that her husband managed to excite her even more now than he had before they’d married.
To think she’d ever imagined having a Wollstonecraft marriage. How foolish she’d been.
As the first carriage rolled to a halt, the door opened and Lord Tidemore, Jack, hopped out and pulled down the step before the footman could approach. Holly’s blond head peeked out and when she caught Noelle’s eyes, Jack caught her by the waist and lifted her out just as she squealed.
Noelle rushed forward and squeezed her youngest sister but then turned to see the baby that her brother-in-law was taking hold of from the nurse behind her.
“Oh, Holly, she’s beautiful!” Noelle declared when she got a glimpse of the tiny face in the bundle of blankets.
“I’ll get her out of the cold, if it pleases you, My Lady.” The nurse seemed equally as efficient and caring as Baby Gabriel’s.
“Of course,” Noelle answered. “We can get acquainted in the nursery after everyone is
