Page 32 of The Duke and the Wrong Bride

“Exactly.” He smiled. “It can be exhausting. Oliver is the only person who still treats me like he used to. I like to think it keeps me grounded.”

She smirked to herself. “Oh, don’t get ahead of yourself. You’re still a pompous duke in my eyes.”

He looked at her flatly, and she grinned wickedly. But there was nothing argumentative about it, nor was it meant to be. She was simply making a joke, which he was beginning to realize was just her way.

“Is that all?” she asked and half pushed her chair back as if to stand up.

“Actually…” That was supposed to be the only reason he’d asked her in here. A success, he thought, as they’d managed to speak to one another without bickering or succumbing to barbs. But he was enjoying himself, and he was enjoying seeing her happy. For that reason, something else came to mind. “I’ve been thinking about what you said a few days ago.”

“About? I say a lot of things.”

“About going out,” he clarified. “Leaving the estate.” He raised an eyebrow at her. “Dressed in women’s finery, this time. The Season starts next week, and there will be plenty of balls and galas to attend, as there so often is.”

“Don’t sound too excited about it.”

“Oh, I’m not.” He laughed. “But you are. So, it was my thought that in the next day or two, I might invite a seamstress to the estate, and she can make you a new wardrobe.”

Charlotte leaned back as if struck. “Really?”

“Really. I can’t have my wife leaving the house looking like a pauper. How would that reflect on me,” he added with a wink.

“I’d hate to reflect poorly on you.” She smirked. “Lord knows you have a hard enough time as it is.”

He shook his head at the jest. “And your parents, too. They wrote to you this morning?”

“They did.”

“It sounds like they miss you. If you would like, we can invite them over one night for supper. Show them that they haven’t sold you into bondage, as they most probably think.”

She snorted. “I doubt they care.”

“But I care,” he said firmly, meaning it. There were enough rumors circulating about him, so why not nip those he had actual control over in the bud? “Let them see how fine a match we make, how happy we are…” He then smiled at her, feeling a small thrill when she matched it. “You are happy, aren’t you?”

She tilted her head at the question, a smile tugging at her lips. No doubt she had a wicked response, one designed to put him in his place and show him that she hadn’t succumbed completely to his thrall. But then, most oddly, the smirk faded, and her smile turned soft.

“I am,” she said simply. “Very happy.” And it sounded like she meant it, too. “So, supper soon?”

“I just have to finish up here. Maybe fifteen minutes.”

“I’ll see you then.” She rose from her seat, continued to smile the whole while, then turned and swept across the room, through the door, and then around the corner.

And Henry watched her go. He wasn’t as aroused as he had been when she first entered the room. He wasn’t as hungry for her or as determined to reenact what had happened earlier in the stables. Rather, a new sensation could be felt in his chest, one he didn’t entirely understand, except to say that it felt good. It was such a simple conversation, but to him, the significance was huge.

For the first time ever, Henry was actually excited to see what this marriage might bring. A concept that just two days ago would have been all but impossible to imagine.

ChapterEleven

“Imust say, Your Grace,” Charlotte’s father gushed loudly, “this estate isn’t at all what I thought!”

“Phineas!” Charlotte’s mother scowled and slapped his hand.

“What?” He picked up his goblet of wine and took a large sip. Charlotte watched on, waiting for some to spill down his front, breathing a sigh of relief when it didn’t. “I didn’t mean anything by it! I was simply pointing out that it is quite old. A little worn, too, wouldn’t you say?”

“Yes, but there is no need to say it.” Charlotte’s mother sighed. “Honestly, you don’t need to say everything that comes to mind.”

“You saw the gardens!”

“I thought they could use some work,” she agreed. “But it was dark when we arrived, so maybe that affected their grandeur.”

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