Page 54 of Taken By the Beastly Duke

" My apologies for keeping you waiting"

" No need my dear. I just got here myself" The duchess reassured her.

" Shall we?" Anthony said leading the way. He helped them into the carriage but for some reason his hand lingered on hers as he helped her into the carriage sending the butterflies in her stomach into flight leaving her flustered and she remained that way throughout their journey since she was stuck beside him on the carriage seat.

When they arrived at the modiste shop and they alighted from the carriage she breathed a sigh of relief but her relief was short lived when she felt his arm around her waist. She instantly froze

" Be at ease wife," he said to her in that deep voice of his sending shudders down her spine. " We do not want to alert mother on the true state of our marriage now do we?"

" I am afraid that ship has sailed, husband, especially considering your week long absence"

" That can be easily explained but it won't be very easy to explain if we are seen to be openly uncomfortable around each other" he explained

" Besides," he said his voice taking on a teasing tone " It seems that you have missed me. Haven't you kitten?"

" You wish" she said in a vehement whisper.

Instead of being affronted by her reply, he chuckled darkly then leaned towards her ear

" The lady protest too much, Doesn't she?"

At the sight of her frustrated expression, he laughed even more.

She walked faster to meet up with the Dowager Duchess who was already inside the modiste greeting the dressmaker. Anthony's arm around her could as well be a metal band with how it restricted her movement.

When they finally got into the modiste shop. The modiste a buxom French woman with a ready smile welcomed them warmly herding Victoria to the back of the shop to choose from the abundance of materials there. She had an abundance of exotic clothing material ranging from the softest silk to the richest brocade.

Taking up a lace made of pure gold she laid it on Victoria body nodding with satisfaction

" Tres Bien" she said with a satisfied node " The color makes your eyes brilliant no?"

She didn't wait for Victoria agree already rapping out instructions of the best designs to be made for the new Duchess to her girls.

Victoria had to endure several long minutes being pinned and prodded as she was fitted for several clothing materials ranging from the most beautiful ball gown to the charming day dresses.

Victoria was in no way the fashion enthusiast that Diana was, but she agreed that the modiste choice on colors and material were spot on and made promises for extraordinary gowns.

A small part of her was excited to take the ton by storm wearing some of the daring creations of the talented Frenchwoman. She secretly wondered what Anthony would think of it. She should guess that he would find it interesting even though he was making a studious effort to ignore her in recent times.

" What about the undergarments your grace?" The woman's heavily accented voice came startling her out of her reverie

" None of that for me. I have enough " she said feeling her cheeks heat up as she remembered the sheer scraps of lace that rested in the deep recesses of her wardrobe.

" One could never have enough," she said leaning in conspirator, her voice turning sly " Especially with that Virile gentleman out there. It is safe to say that they usually dwindle in numbers. If you know what I mean" she said waggling her eyebrows suggestively.

Victoria's blush only deepened with her embarrassment. Every happily married female in her acquaintance seemed to think that a sheer nightgown was the key to making a husband crave his wife.

While she agreed that Anthony had looked interested when he saw on one on their wedding night, he had hardly turned into the primal man that were rumored to tear their wives night dresses in their desperation to become one with them.

" I do not require any. Thank you Madame " she said with a reassuring smile and with that statement.

She strode out of the fitting area to the reception area where Anthony sat one long leg on top of another. His eyes were glued to the newspaper in his hands, a finger prying a page open every now and then. The thought of those long fingers on her body, did interesting things to her belly and she adjusted uncomfortably.

She must have made a noise because he looked up from his newspaper fixing her with his midnight blue eyes. His serious expression turning into one of surprise

" That was remarkably fast" he said folding the newspaper and uncrossing his feet to stand to his full height.

" It is a well known fact that modiste fittings could be a whole day adventure for ladies."

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