Five Minutes Alone With You

epilogue : against the door to the nursery

Simon watched as his wife carefully laid their son down into the bassinet within the nursery, her face softening as she brushed her fingertips over the babe's cheek. He often did the same, so mesmerized by his son, by the perfect child born from the union of the two of them. To think, so long ago, that he had thought to deny himself this joy, this happiness...

To think, that he had once thought he would rather be alone.

Daphne lifted her gaze up from the baby, as though she knew his thoughts, and she smiled towards him, then settled a blanket over the boy. The baby did not move, as he was well and truly asleep, and he watched as his wife touched the baby's chest one last time before walking towards the door that separated the nursery from the Duchess's bedchambers.

Simon had already closed the door that led into the Duke's bedchambers, knowing that would be the first place anyone looked for them. It was where he and Daphne still shared a bed every night, even when she was round with child. It was where he took her as often as she allowed, enjoying wave after wave of passion between them. It was where he held her after she gave birth, encouraging her and whispering to her how proud he was.

The Duchess' bedchamber was now more of a lounging room. The bed was the one that she gave birth in, but there were long chaises to enjoy the fresh air coming from outside, and it was where Simon often enjoyed having his wife in the morning, after the baby was laid down for his nap.

Daphne reached the doorway where he stood, and Simon stepped back, smiling at his pretty little wife as she came into the bedchamber, closing the door behind her. They both waited a breath, to make certain that the noise of the door closing would not awaken their son, although it never did.

When she finally turned to look up at him, Simon quickly caged his wife in against the door, his hands going to either side of her head, and his lower body pressing her hips into place.

"The midwife said last week that you are well, but I did not want to ask until you agreed that you are ready for my attentions once more," Simon groaned, his body already hardening for her.

Daphne's head had fallen to the side, exposing her throat to him, and he began peppering kisses there.

"My body... it is struggling to return," she gasped. "I had not thought... that you would... Simon-"

Was that what it was? He had been without his wife for nearly three months, and he was hard for her at every moment. She was still the most beautiful of women, and now that she had birthed his son and heir, he wanted her even more.

He did not even care that it was a boy, of course. All that mattered to him was that his wife was alive and well, that their son was in perfect health, and that they were both happy. That all of them were happy.

"I desire you," he insisted, his mouth finding that spot beneath her ear. "Always, Daphne. I always need you. My body aches for you. Say the word, my love, and I shall fall to my knees here and give you such pleasure."

His teeth dragged against the little spot that always made Daphne's knees go out, and it seemed to work, her hands going to his chest, tugging at his shirt, his vest, and then his cravat, still worn loose after all this time.

"You will do no such thing," she growled between clenched teeth. "In me, you total arse! I need you in me, Simon!"

He was a good man, a good husband. He always did as his Duchess commanded. Always .

"As you desire," he growled, kissing her hard, using his mouth to keep her pressed into the door as his body shifted back, his hands going to his clothes.