Page 37 of Married to the Ruthless Duke

“It is our wedding night,” she stated, feeling a hot blush spread across her face.

“I am aware,” he noted. “And that is why I informed you of all you need to know.”

“But it is expected of us to…”

“To?”

Damn this bastard.

He knew what she was referring to, and she could tell because he had a supremely smug look in his eyes, but he just wanted her to say it if only to get some sick sense of satisfaction.

“To consummate our marriage.”

“Oh,” he said, his voice full of surprise. “Indeed, but as it is only a contract marriage, there’s no need.”

“But if we don’t… is there really a marriage?”

“Yes, there is,” he deadpanned. “We have the license to prove it.”

“The servants will talk.”

“If it helps, I could sleep here, and we’ll put up a good act.”

“Your Grace,” she huffed, exasperated.

Why would he be so stubborn about this?

“Helen,” he sighed, “you do not even want this.”

“I… I…”

“I will never force a woman into my bed, Helen.” He laughed darkly. “No matter how much I want her, and no matter the dark rumors circulating about my character, I am not a beast.”

“I…” Helen started but found herself at a loss for words.

“What is it you wish to say, Helen?” he asked all too calmly, staring at her while he leaned against the wall.

His green eyes had gone impossibly dark in the dim light of the candles and the fireplace, and his body was tense as though primed for a fight, but the impossible man did nothing.

She didn’t want to seem desperate, admitting that she desired him beyond what duty demanded of her, but it seemed if she said nothing, the damned man would walk away even if it killed him.

“I… didn’t think you forced me,” she stated with a shaky voice.

He raised an eyebrow at her.

“But that doesn’t negate the fact that you didn’t come willingly into my arms but only did so to perform your duty,” he replied, pushing off the wall as if he were leaving. “I don’t take a woman to bed for duty’s sake. When I take a woman to bed, it is to make love.”

At his words, her cheeks reddened, and she looked away, unable to meet his gaze. She had not expected him to put it so plainly. She wasn’t unaware what the word meant, as her handmaid had explained in detail to her, but the intimacy of the act had stunned her.

She had never been fully undressed by anyone except her maid, and to even imagine a man fully in the nude was near blasphemous.

She shook her head as thoughts of Alexander naked tried to creep in, looking up to see him standing in front of her.

When had he even moved?

“You seem shocked by my words,” he stated, staring down at her.

She stared back, feeling her cheeks redden again.

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