Page 37 of A Bride for the Rakish Duke

He stepped back and bowed his head, though Lydia’s eyes fell on the length straining against his tight trousers. Italmostmade her pull him back to her, but she could not lose sight of her lessons now. As she understood it, the key to seduction was giving just a little, withdrawing it, then giving more the next time. And so on and so forth until there was nothing, not even an annulment, that he would not give her in exchange for one night.

“Rest well,” was all he said as he headed out of the bedchamber.

She waited until she heard his door close and went to the bed. There, she flopped down and stared up at the ceiling, unable to believe what had just happened. It was as if one of her saucy novels had come to life, and she had been part of it.

She puffed out a breath, feeling more relaxed than she had since before the wedding. “Do not rush,” she whispered. “If you rush, you will fail.”

Closing her eyes, wishing she had one of her books at hand, she smiled as she conjured up visions of her favorite character—a swashbuckling pirate who knew how to wield his sword. But as one of her most beloved scenes played out in her mind, it was no longer her original imagining of that pirate hero that fulfilled her fantasies, but Will…

And she guessed she only had herself to blame for that. By the time the month was over, she would either have a husband or the memory of one.

Unable to sleep a wink, his mind dizzy with thoughts of Lydia that would not be cast aside, William slipped out of bed and padded toward the adjoining door.

Ridiculously, and for reasons he could not explain, he just wanted to speak to her, to end their evening on a less… incendiary note. Perhaps then he would be able to find peace enough in his mind to fall asleep.

Gently, he knocked. “Lydia, are you still awake?”

No answer echoed back.

Holding a breath, he turned the handle and poked his head inside. In a pool of moonlight that did not seem to disturb her, Lydia lay fast asleep on the bed, her nightdress alarming him instead of enthralling him. It was much too cold in the room—she would catch her death if she slept like that.

Carefully, he tiptoed into the room, picking up two heavy woolen blankets from a nearby side table. Tucking one under his arm and unfurling the other, he approached the bed. Not wanting to disturb her or get a scolding for being in her chambers when he should not, he painstakingly laid the blanket over her slumbering form, taking his time.

Her breath shivered, and she curled up, as if she knew the blanket was covering her and could feel its sweet warmth. William smiled at the charming expression on her face and eased the second blanket over her, halting every time she stirred in case she suddenly awoke.

But she slept on, and he walked to the windows, drawing the curtains so the moonlight would not cast its glare on her eyes anymore.

It was not the conversation he had hoped for, but as he returned to the adjoining door, he already felt more peaceful.

“Rest well,” he whispered, and slipped back to his chambers, closing the door behind him.

CHAPTER 15

“You are very quiet today,” Nora remarked.

Lydia’s attention snapped toward her friend. “Pardon?”

“I said you are very quiet today.” Nora frowned. “Is something the matter?”

It was a warm summer morning, and the two ladies had joined Nancy to promenade at Hyde Park. Emma was supposed to meet them too, but the baby growing inside her had other ideas. She had sent her regards and apologies and urged Lydia to visit soon to tell her all about the opera. But, for now, Lydia needed to be busy until she had liberated her mind of last night’s events.

Nancy nodded. “Yes, you have been rather… distracted. Is all well?”

“I am tired, that is all,” Lydia hurriedly replied. “I did not return to my husband’s townhouse until late last night after the opera, and I could not sleep with all the… um… music ringing in my head. Otherwise, I promise, I am quite well.”

It had taken her an age to drift off the previous night, but she must have fallen asleep at some point, for the dawn had awoken her. She had been surprised to find herself covered in blankets, but she put it down to her Will-addled mind that she had forgotten she had pulled them over herself. Either that or a maid had come in and covered her. Still, though she had physically rested, no one had informed her brain.

Nora seemed unconvinced. “Has that husband of yours done something? I do not mind getting myself in trouble if you would like someone to teach him some manners.”

“He has done nothing,” Lydia insisted. “He keeps his distance, and I keep mine. In truth, I do not know where he is this morning, nor do I care. So, as grateful as I am for your offer, I do not need you to knock anyone on the head today.”

With a shrug, Nora appeared to accept Lydia’s words. “Well, if youdoneed someone to do that, just ask. I can be ready with a heavy object at a moment’s notice.”

“That is good to know.” Lydia feigned a laugh, looking toward a squirrel as it ran around and around the trunk of an oak tree.

Itwastrue that she did not know where her husband was that morning. She had gone down for breakfast, fully expecting an awkward encounter, but he had not been there.

The butler had informed her that Will had gone out and did not know when he would return. So, she had eaten breakfast alone with absolutely nothing to take her mind off the sensations he had made her feel.

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