An embarrassing urgency fuelled Ewan’s movements as he turned Beatrice around and began to pull none-too-gently at the ridiculous buttons on her gown.
Her breathless laugh only made him more desperate.
“How many bloody buttons does one gown need?” he groused, even as he leaned forward to press a kiss against the back of her neck.
His action brought her head back against his shoulder, and he took advantage, leaning forward to plunder her mouth.
The way she was nestled against the very part of him that needed her the most drove him mad.
“How attached are you to this gown?” he asked, bringing his head up.
“Not at all,” she gasped, and in that moment, he couldn’t have loved her more.
With a deep sound of satisfaction, he rent the material, sending the impossible pearl buttons flying around the room and clattering to the floor.
“I need to speak to you about something.” Beatrice turned to face him.
He loved that she could still blush, even as she willingly shimmied out of her ruined dress.
“Yes,” he said immediately before crushing her to him once more. “Whatever it is, my answer is yes.”
He bent to trail kisses along her neck.
“So, you don’t mind if we move back to your home in Scotland, then? I’ve already taken the liberty of expanding it and building a house on the grounds for your parents. Your mother insisted that we should have our privacy.”
Ewan was barely listening but eventually, her words cut through the haze of desire that surrounded him and his eyes snapped up to her.
Straightening, he could only frown in confusion.
Beatrice stepped out of his arms, and he tried desperately not to be distracted by the sway of her hips beneath her shift.
She plucked up a stack of papers that he hadn’t even noticed and held them out to him. She was nibbling on her lip and her eyes were wide and wary.
Still confused, Ewan wordlessly took the papers then scanned his eyes over them.
His heart stopped clean in his chest before it took off again at a gallop.
“What –“
He couldn’t even get the words out, but he didn’t have to before Bea jumped to an explanation.
“You said that my money was mine and that I should do whatever I wanted with it,” she reminded him. “So, I had my mother release it to me while you were away.”
She reached out to clasp the shaking hands that still gripped the deeds.
“I know you wanted to prove to me that your love is sincere. That you didn’t want my money or my help. But your home is such a part of you. And I want it to be a part of our children’s lives, too. I want our marriage to be a partnership in every way, Ewan. I want to share your burdens and your triumphs. And I couldn’t just stand by while you lost your heritage because you wanted to prove yourself to me.”
He could only gaze at her as the reality of what she’d done sank in.
“Please, don’t be angry,” she hurried on. “I know how important it was for you not to take my help. But –“
Angry?
Releasing an oath, he dropped the deeds then swept her off her feet, spinning her in his arms before crushing her mouth beneath his own.
“Angry?” He finally spoke, looking at her in sheer wonder. “How could I be angry? I cannot believe you’ve done something so wonderful. So generous.”
She smiled in relief.
“I’m glad you approve.” She grinned, her eyes sparkling. “Now as May Queen, I have a royal decree.”
His loins immediately stirred to life at the delicious mischief in her gaze.
“Oh? And what’s that?”
She leaned forward and whispered against his lips.
“Make love to me.”
Ewan nearly expired on the spot. He would never understand how he’d gotten so lucky as to have this woman’s love.
“As you command, your majesty,” he growled, and set about doing just that.
The End.
Dear Reader,
Thank you for reading Married By May! I hope you enjoyed Beatrice and Ewan’s journey to happily ever after. If you enjoyed this story, please consider leaving a review. Reviews help other readers determine to try my books or not, and I love reading what you thought! If you want to learn about my new releases, or when my books go on sale, please follow me on BookBub, or subscribe to my newsletter.
Keep reading for a special preview of The Hidden Prince, the first book in my Royals of Aldonia series!
The Hidden Prince
Nadine Millard
Prologue
The Royal Palace
Aldonia
“I hope I needn’t remind you how imperative it is that you take care of your sister. This idea of yours Alexander, to travel as though you are not royalty. It’s madness.”
Alexander Philip Farago Wesselbach, Prince of Aldonia, and bored second son sighed as he listened to his father’s ranting.
It had been almost a full hour. Quite the feat. Even for King Josef.
Alex had informed his father that he was travelling to England for the Christmas season, then on to wherever in Europe he felt like visiting. Though his mother Queen Anya would have preferred that he stay home, Alex had been determined.
For the past few months he’d been suffering something of a personal crisis. His life as the second son, the second prince, had been one of luxury, debauchery and irresponsibility.
His brother Christopher the crown prince and future king had always been the impeccably behaved one, training for the mantle of king since he’d been in leading strings.
Alex had come second and therefore was neither as important nor as prevailed upon to act in a certain manner at all times.
Harriet, their younger sister was of course expected to act as a lady should, suffering the strictures of polite Aldonian society.
But Alex – Alex had been able to do whatever he wanted, wherever he wanted. He’d spent his early twenties touring Europe spending his time with the most infamously wild writers, artists, and rakehells he could find.
The royal decree had
