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"Tell you what, lad," Edward says "You , and when you coe, I’ll make you Butler of Guthrie House" He taps the table "That’s a prous takes a few moments to think it over Then he nods, spits in his palm and holds it out

"I accept your offer, Prince Edward"

Edward spits in his own hand, then he and Fergus--the future cranky Butler to the Crown Prince of Wessco--shake on it

Threewhen I walk into the front parlor and look at the canvas Michael’s painting "Oh, that’s co very nicely Well done, Michael"

"I look like a horse’s arse," Edward grumbles from the other side of the canvas He poses for the portrait in a leather chair, wearing a perfectly fitted gray pinstripe vest and trousers with a dark blue tie and the cuffs of his white shirt rolled up just a bit He’s leaning back, his strong arms crossed with a smirk on his lips Wella s

He hated the idea from the very start I had to bribe hireealthough I suspect he would’ve agreed anyway

The dirty, shocking pro! You look devastatingly handsome," I shoot back

"I have a new filthy word for you Lenora--taint That’s exactly what I feel like"

I roll ht behind nificent husband whenever I like"

"That reminds me" Michael puts his paintbrush down "The portrait you requested is ready, Edward"

He walks over to us as Michael slips soold--about the size of a half dollar My husband opens it and inside is a tiny painting Of aze back overeyes I look jubilant

I lookbeautiful

Edhistles "Outstanding" He smacks Michael’s arm "It’s perfect, mate Thank you"

"How did you do this?" I ask Michael, but Edward answers

"It was a candid shot, before they did your hair up on our wedding day--one of the hundreds and hundreds of photographs that were taken"

"I re to discard it, but I saved it and passed it to Michael so he could paint this for les spark across my body--from the crown of my head to the tips of my toes and everywhere in between It’s how it feels when Edward swoopsnow But ords instead of his ar to do with it?"

He reaches over and kisses s that are most precious to me" He taps his front shirt pocket "Keep it close"

And a year later, Edould add a lock of Thomas’s dark hair to the locket

THAT NIGHT, Tho his ars I can’t stop the smile that comes to my lips as I watch him Or the rush of possessive tenderness that dru on the bed with hihted by his every move "So; we’re both ready for bed Lenora has given Thoht nurse will coht But these calm, quiet hours before then, that’s part of our time with him