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Relief
Francis Braxton glanced around the sitting room; everyone had gone down to the kitchen to make a meal for Ellie when she got back.
There was just Rosslyn standing over by the windows watching for her son's car. Francis went to stand next to her."They shouldn't be too long, not in that car anyway."Rosslyn turned to look behind her and, seeing that everyone had vanished, sneaked her hand into his. Francis squeezed it gently."Everything will be alright now, my love. Don't worry. Ellie is a strong girl, and Jasper has everything sorted."Oh, I do hope so." She held his hand up against her heart. "As soon as this wedding is over, my love, we are going to tell them about us. Jasper will be married, and he will want to live at the manor, especially when children come along. It's their turn to look after it all now, Ellie will be the duchess, and we can go and live in the Dower house and do our own thing. ""I'm sure it will all be fine, darling. I'm surprisRelated chapters
The Disreputable Duke Things To Be Considered
Ellie was still sleeping when Jasper walked into the bedroom. She had been asleep all afternoon, which was good because he had been able to finish his phone calls about things for the wedding."Say something, don't just stand watching me." She said, looking at him with one eye open."Are you hungry?" Jasper said, laughing, "Would you like a drink?""What time is it?" she asked, stretching her arm out to him. He took her hand and began to grin. His darling Ellie was in for a shock on Thursday Jasper was determined everything would be a complete surprise for her."What's so funny?" she said, pulling him to her.Jasper straightened his face. "Nothing, I'm just happy to see you. Do you want a drink?""Yes, please, but a kiss would be nice too.""Hmm, you want a kiss?" Jasper ran his thumb over her bottom lip. "You are very tempting, my love." he said, dropping a kiss to her lips and pulling away."Ellie scowled, "What is that it?""I love it
The Disreputable Duke Margaret
Kylie was standing in a pop-up tent getting a spray tan. She had begged the girl who was doing it for the lightest tan possible, the last thing she wanted was to be 'Tangoed'. She stood there in paper knickers, wondering what Richie would say when she appeared to him in a totally different colour. She did know that he loved her creamy skin and those horrible freckles. Oh well, if he didn't like it, it was tough.It was Ellie's turn next; she had wanted to go and see the chapel as soon as they got to the manor."Oh, Ellie darling, let's not go just yet." Rosslyn said, "Francis has got workmen in, something to do with the electrics and half the floor is up. He said it would all be finished by tomorrow afternoon for our rehearsal. "We don't want you tripping over the holes in the floor; they have had to take lots of the stone flags up." Rosslyn held her breath. That was the last place that Ellie needed to go, the florists were still there decorating the chapel,
The Disreputable Duke Strange and Puzzling
Richie watched for a few seconds, he was appalled at what he was seeing, and his lungs refused to work, to take a breath in or give one out. He moved away from the doorway to flatten himself against the wall. His fists curled so tight that it hurt, his knuckles bone white. All he could hear was Margaret's breathing, as it was getting faster and louder with every second and the slight squeak of the bed as she moved, rocking on the mattress. His head rested against the wall, and his eyes screwed up tightly.Suddenly her gasps turned into his name. "Richie." Richie froze against the wall; surely she didn't know he was here?"Oh, Richie!" The squeaking of the bed got louder. The sweat trickled down his shirt collar, and nausea in his stomach roiled."Oh my God, Richie!" Margaret screamed.Richie clamped his hand over his tightly sealed lips to stop the vomit from erupting as he flew down the hallway. He took the stairs three at a time, and fortunately, he
The Disreputable Duke The Wedding Morning
Jasper woke early on his wedding day, he'd not had a great deal of sleep, and his head didn't hit the pillow until gone three in the morning. He was just very excited about what was going to happen today. He found Richie in the kitchen, glaring at a cup of cold coffee."Hey mate, couldn't sleep either?"Richie looked up. He was miles away. His thoughts were of sitting on the beach, watching Suki playing with the sand and admiring his beautiful girlfriend. He wondered if he would still feature in either of their lives by the end of the week. "No, I did sleep for a while, but yesterday was quite a day." He shrugged. "There are so many things that need to be said, and I need to sort out." He looked up at Jasper. "But today, it can all go to hell. How are you feeling?"Jasper held his hands out, shaking them forcefully. "Just excited and praying that she doesn't find out before it's time." He laughed."I think we have everything covered. Kylie will stick with h
The Disreputable Duke I Do
Jasper, Richie Gabriel and Nick set off for Shettleham at midday. Jasper insisted on driving."Driving calms me down. It's routine. If I sit in the back, I shall be going spare."The Rolling Stones kicked in with Jumping Jack Flash on the iPod, and Jasper began his last drive as a single man.Ellie and Kylie had lunch with the rest of the family; Rosslyn had decided to have it in the formal dining room as there were so many of them. "I thought this might be nice, Ellie, to have all your family together, it's a pity Jasper isn't here, but he'll be here for dinner this evening." "Your hair looks fabulous," Ellie said to her mum, "What did you think to the hairdresser Roni?"Roni turned to Ellie; she was immensely enjoying the fuss and performance of the day. "He's good; your hair will look fabulous. Are you going to have it up?""I have no idea. Isn't that why we have this day to sort these things out?" Ellie shrugged, "The more I think abo
The Disreputable Duke No Knickers.
As Jasper took hold of Ellie's left hand, the emotion of the past few months caught up with her, and the tears began to roll down her face slowly. He slipped her plain gold wedding band onto her finger and held it there as he spoke the vow."With this ring, I thee wed, with my body I thee worship, and with all my worldly goods I thee endow; in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost; Amen."Ellie never heard Quentin say the final words of the ceremony. The next thing she knew, Jasper was gently lifting her veil, his face wreathed in smiles before he kissed her. She could hear the congregation clapping and cheering as Jasper kissed her thoroughly.He eventually let go of her. "I told you that the next time I kissed you that you would be my wife." he said with a grin, "Just didn't expect it to be so soon, did you?""Hah, you'll pay for this one day," Ellie whispered, trying very hard to keep a straight face.Jasper laughed, "Fighting, talk
The Disreputable Duke The Wedding Night
Francis Braxton opened the main doors to the ballroom and announced in his best butlers voice."My Lords, ladies and gentlemen, please be upstanding for his grace the Duke of Shettleham and her grace the Duchess of Shettleham."As Jasper and Ellie went to their places at the table, Gracie nudged Gabriel, who she had opted to sit next to"Why is Francis calling Aunt Ellie Grace? That's my name.Gabriel spent the next ten minutes explaining the terms of the nobility to Gracie."So she's like the Queen?""Almost, not quite as high up. We shall have to call your aunt, Her Ellie-ness." He said, making Gracie laugh.Richie reached for Kylie's hand under the table. She had been relatively quiet, not usually her bubbly self."Are you alright, Kylie?""Yes, it's just been a long day." She turned her head to smile at him, "it will be nice to get home." Kylie hesitated, "We need to talk." She said very quietly.Richie looked at her. "Is
The Disreputable Duke Irritable Morning
It was dark in the bedroom, but around the window, there was the yellow-orange tint from the street light outside. Ellie always thought that glowing shade looked exciting, as if there was some incredible stage show hiding behind the drawn curtains, but one that always vanished when you opened them.Ellie lay with her back to Jasper. She could tell he was still sleeping; his breathing was deep and even. If Ellie turned over and snuggled up to him, his warm solid arms would go around her, his legs would intertwine with hers, and her head would rest on his chest. It's where she felt the utmost safety, not that she had anything to feel unsafe about, but just the usual worries of every day dissipated as soon as he held her to him.Ellie got out of bed very slowly. The last thing she wanted to do was to disturb her husband. She needed to get in the bathroom, get showered and dressed before Jasper awoke and reached across for her. She usually loved their time together in
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The Disreputable Duke Discussing Punishments
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The Disreputable Duke Where's Jasper?
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The Disreputable Duke Husband Hunting.
The Disreputable Duke An Unexpected Guest.
