Page 9 of A Virgin for the Cruel Duke

“Even if that is so, they have left and gone back to their own lodgings and hopefully we shall be rid of them for a while.”

“Yes, they did leave very early didn’t they? I thought they would linger a little to gloat, or to see what would happen next. I’ve always found the ladies to be very keen on gossip at least.” Herbert wrinkled his nose a little. “Also did you notice theirattitudes throughout? We were all respectfully serious, as the occasion demanded -”

Stephen snorted a little at this as he had indeed seen his siblings debating who could take the first piece of the wedding cake and it had not been even a little serious.

“As I wassaying,” Herbert continued, grinning at him. “We were serious, but they were positively giddy. They had the look of people who have bet on a horse that has taken the cup, or someone who has sold a ringer for more than they could have expected to get for it. And no one, not even Dudley cast me an angry look. It was like their souls were too full of happiness for them to remember how much they hate us.”

“Love is a great bringer of peace,” Stephen said and Herbert had to dive his head under his blanket for a moment to regain his composure. “I assure you, I am aware of all the strangeness of their behavior and still today went better than I could have dared to hope. Rosenberg seems determined to keep the peace despite his son and nothing interrupted the ceremony as I was rather worried it might.”

“I held my breath when the minister asked if anyone knew why you two should not be joined,” Herbert admitted. “I was sure someone was going to leap up and protest. I thought about doing it myself, honestly I did. You should not have to throw away your happiness for the family.”

He frowned a little, it hadn’t been far from his mind either and he hadn’t dared glance at Herbert in case he should dosomething so ridiculously impulsive. “But it did not happen. And I have considered all possible ways that this might go wrong. I have planned for each possibility. I have this in hand, Herbert. Trust me. I will be fine.”

He had more than the matter in hand, in fact, he thought as he remembered the satin-soft warmth of Elizabeth’s skin under his fingers. Why could he not get her out of his mind?

“ButStephen,”Herbert said, concern on his face and Stephen stood up.

“Enough, Herbert. I have told you that I have the matter in hand. You must trust me on this.”

They looked at each other for a moment and slowly Herbert nodded, which Stephen was pleased to see. He knew how much his brother had been bothered by the arranged marriage and how he hated that this was the price of peace, but if things were ever going to work he would have the trust of his family tomakethem work.

“Now, I shall leave you to your rest and to your chocolate. Do try not to spill it on the sheets.”

Herbert laughed, and Stephen left, glad he could leave his brother in a happy mood. Of course now the candles were being lit in the hall and he was forced to think about the fact that it was nighttime. It was nighttime on his wedding day. There was a bed that he was obligated to be in, and he couldn’t ignore it anymore. In fact, there were parts of him that were very interested in not ignoring it.

Even as he arrived at the door to Elizabeth’s chambers, Stephen was still not sure what he intended to do. He had thought about it (oh he hadthoughtabout it) but he had not been able to make up his mind even when his only knowledge of her had been that brief interlude in the drawing room.

Now he had her skin’s touch still on his own like a ghost seducing him.

She was a beautiful woman, her curves and the sweet, luscious softness of her lips and the way her eyes stared up at him and he could imagine them veiled by her hair, messy and wild and underneath him as he – well.

It was his duty to visit her on their wedding night. His duty, nothing more, nothing less.

And though she might be his wife, she was also his enemy, she was in his home, and she might as easily be a viper as a woman. It was impossible to know. His blood might be heated, his body might warm to her but every instinct he had said not to let her near him when he was vulnerable.

There was a lot vulnerable about making love to a woman, a lot that the wrong woman could take advantage of.

He pushed open the door to her chamber, not bothering to knock. He might surprise her in some - activity - perhaps. While he didn’t necessarily expect to find her making a poisoned drink or hiding daggers around her room, it was possible that she might be doing something that might allow him to understand her true nature.

It was a fine room, one that befitted her new rank and position. They did not share chambers of course, and it was not only because he was carefully avoiding giving her the opportunity to stab him in his sleep. Even with a Barnes woman he had to admit that being on enemy grounds like she was, would be a scary and lonely experience and giving her a little space that was hers was the least that he could do.

His wife was on the bed, draped in a sedate white nightgown that made her look smaller and more soft, voluptuous in the candle-light. Her expression was startled but her cheeks flushed as he walked in, a soft pink glow that spread from her neck up her face.

He smiled to see it and she immediately frowned at him and leaned forwards to gather the things she had been pouring over, a few books, a hair set, a collection of baubles that barely needed hiding. As she leaned forwards a little of the neck of her nightgown fluttered open and he saw the white swell of her breasts veiled beneath.

Godbut hewanted her.

“Is this my welcome?” he said, taking a cold tone. “My, Elizabeth, one might almost suspect that you weren’t expecting me.”

“I am so sorry, Your Grace,” she said, putting her things into a case at the side of the bed and not even looking at him. “In our conversation before, you completely failed to mention what time I should expect you to come.”

“Should a bride not be constantly expecting her bridegroom on their wedding night?” He stalked to the side of the bed, closer to her, closer to her warmth and the heat that he could feel between them. “Perhaps, wife, you should try to pretend a little interest in our marriage.”

Stephen was aware that he was being unfair. She had performed well throughout the day, though she had seemed listless and quiet at the breakfast. But he needed to see more of the real her, he needed to see anything about her that he could use to convince himself that she wasn’t worth his attention.

Perhaps then he could get back to his usual duties and get her out of his head.

“Oh no, have I not been cheerful enough?” she said, her voice acidic. “I shall attempt to rectify that at once and give you at least three more smiles an hour.”

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