Ordained

Chapter One Hundred and Twenty

Emmeline knew she had had enough to drink when her movements became a little sluggish. It felt like someone had slowed down her arms a little, her blinks taking tiny eternities. Emily had an arm tightly around her waist and the pink glow in the Baroness' cheeks told Emmeline that her friend was also tipsy. Lavender was fanning herself with lazy motions, the fan moving far too slowly to be doing any good.

"I haven't eaten enough." Emmelien announced, putting down her goblet. Emily blinked, nodding.
"I agree. You have been too sick to keep anything down. You!" She gestured to a passing servant. "The Grand Duchess requires food."

Just then Cassius slid down into the sofa beside them. "Then the grand duchess shall have food." He grinned, nodding to the servant who took off at top speed.

Emmeline rolled her eyes but that made the room spin a little. Looking up at Cassius she could see that he too looked a little over excited. "I'm not the grand duch-" She began but he silenced her with a kiss.

Lavender made a shocked sound, whereas Emily only let out a sharp ha of laughter. "Your grace!" Emmeline gasped when Cassius released her. "What will people think?" She demanded, sobering up a little from surprise.

Cassius just laughed, a deep laughter from his stomach that she so rarely saw. Perhaps he too had had too much wine. "They will think that the pairing did a wonderful job of finding me a wife. Uncle will be happy, the nobles will pretend to be offended, and we shall be happy."

Emily raised an eyebrow, her handsome features alight with humour. "Simple as that."

Lavender giggled. "Simple indeed."

Emmeline swatted at him playfully but relented almost at once as he pulled her against his side.

...

There is a moment, or perhaps several moments, when you can look at the one you love and know what they are thinking. Emmeline couldn't stop herself from catching Cassius' eye over and over, that lingering tension, that anticipation in her stomach that seemed to tighten all her muscles. Once was a happy accident, twice could be argued as intentional, three times was as good as a promise. On the fourth time they exchanged one such look Cassius could take it no longer. Leaping from his seat he pulled Emmeline up and almost into the air with his haste.

"We have had a long day and have much to attend to tomorrow. Emmeline would you like to go home?" He announced, pressing his lips to the back of her hand and loving the expression that cast over her features in response.

"Yes." Was all she uttered. It was all he needed to hear, calling goodbyes over their shoulders he dragged Emmeline through the crowds to the palace entrance, hating how long it was taking. After five minutes of this he gave into his impatience and scooped her up, ignoring her small shriek of protest. Was it polite? No. Was it proper behaviour of a Grand Duke? Definitely not. Was his mother and uncle likely to reprimanded him? Probably. Did he care? Absolutely not.

Emmeline's protest turned into laughter as he strode into the night air, holding her close against his chest. He didn't even bother calling for carriage, again to Emmeline's renewed objections. What need was there for a carriage tonight when their home was so close and his arms felt so strong carrying her? Disappearing into the darkness together he stopped her questions with a hard kiss, finally cutting the tension that had been building between them for hours. Emmeline's hands wound themselves tightly into Cassius' dark hair, her fingers glowing white through the black in the moonlight. Her answering sigh against his lips had him picking up the pace, long legs closing the distance between themselves and his chambers inside the townhouse at record speed. 

...

If they saw servants when they returned home, neither of them noticed. Emmeline giggled but didn't look back when she heard the door crash as Cassius kicked his chamber doors open and then firmly shut behind them. Alcohol had made her brave as she hopped down out of his arms and began tugging at the ties on the back of her dress. Or perhaps it was just to look of utter adoration on his handsome features that had her feeling like there was on questioning her pair's love for her. Perhaps that made her feel brave as she began to loosen her dress with difficulty.

Cassius stood back and watched her for a second, in the firelight she seemed more beautiful than ever. Her complexion was flush from the cold outside, her hair beginning to fall loose from its style. Unable to stop himself he closed the space between them, his mouth covering hers as he reached behind her and began to tug hard at the ties keeping her clothed.

"Are we going to-" She gasped as he moved to pepper her throat with kisses. Immediately he shook his head.

"No." He breathed against her skin, loving how she shuddered in response. "Not till we are married, and definitely not after this much wine."

Emmeline seemed to relax a little at his words, and he knew at once that she must have been nervous. Scooping her up into his arms, nothing but her slip between his bare chest and hers, he carried her to the bed.

"Come here." He commanded, pulling her close as he slipped under the covers beside her. Her answering giggled like music in his ears. 

................

Author's Note:

So I'm really not into writing smut so sorry if that's what you were hoping for, but probably not in this book. 

Sorry guys 

S x