Page 50 of Ravished By the Beastly Duke

She quickly rose to undress, blushing all the while as she remembered what his hands had done earlier. She would never have thought herself so wanton as to engage in something so sinful in someone else’s home, but her desire had gotten the better of her.

“Now, my waking and sleeping moments will be haunted by you.”

She reddened as his words echoed in her mind.

He had been gentle with her, coaxing her into trusting him to give her what she wanted, his words like honey pouring over her skin. He had been everywhere all at once, and just when she had thought she would die of too much pleasure, her body had burst into a million stars.

She considered herself most fortunate to have married the Duke of Mayfield. She had seen many women look drained after their weddings, but looking into the mirror now, there was a glow about her that could have only come from happiness.

She so dearly wanted to tell someone about the new developments between her and her husband, but with her sisters and friends so far away and unmarried, she did not think them very good candidates to discuss such matters with.

But her heart was giddy, and her body still hummed with relief. He had said he would never grow to love her, but if he kept touching her as he did, she was sure that would be enough for her in time.

CHAPTER 15

“Your Grace, we could simply have the modiste come here instead,” Gracie pointed out as the carriage pulled out of the estate.

Eveline, however, was set in her ways. Before she got married, her trips to the modiste’s with her sisters were often adventurous, and now she wanted nothing more than to relive the experience on her own.

The Duke had gone out to attend to some business matters, and while her wardrobe had been quite sufficient when she had been a maiden, it had taken the Duke commissioning a dress for her to realize that her dresses might be a tad insufficient for the events she would have to attend as a duchess.

Moreover, she was eager to see her husband’s expression when she donned the new dresses. She could not help but wonder about the artistic manner in which he would divest her of her clothing. After all, he seemed to have quite the talent for undressing her.

Eveline blushed as she remembered their activities at the ball they had attended. She bit her lips longingly, and she could not help the smile that spread across her face.

She was woken up from her reverie when the carriage came to a stop in front of the modiste’s.

As soon as she was helped out of the carriage, the overwhelming noise and smell of the market hit her. While many noblewomen would find it off-putting, she found the vibrancy rather fascinating and enchanting.

She had just entered the modiste’s shop when the modiste herself hurried to welcome her. Apprentices abounded in the shop, working on various fabrics that would soon grace parties and balls thrown by the ton. The space was a spectacle of color.

“Welcome back, Your Grace,” the modiste, Miss Fran, greeted.

Miss Fran was an elderly modiste who had been sewing dresses for the Jennings sisters for as long as Eveline could remember. In fact, according to Ava, Miss Fran had made their mother’s acquaintance before her death.

“Thank you, Miss Fran,” Eveline responded.

“Why, you look absolutely radiant!” the modiste gushed. “Marriage certainly suits you.”

Eveline smiled in appreciation. She was happy that other people could see just how radiant she had become ever since she got married.

The Duke made her incredibly happy, and she was glad that other people could attest to it, too.

“I know your mother would be happy if she could see you now,” Miss Fran continued.

Eveline felt her heart lurch, and her smile faltered. Even now, the topic of her dead mother still affected her.

“You think so?” she asked.

“Oh, of course, Your Grace,” Miss Fran said. “She loved you and your sisters so much, and she was often concerned, wondering if you would all find good men.”

Eveline smiled again. “I am glad I made her proud.”

“Trust me, Your Grace. Your mother is certainly looking down on you proudly. Now, why don’t we get started on some fabric that you might find to your liking.”

Eveline followed her to the cabin at the back of the shop, where measurements were taken and fabrics and designs were chosen.

She smiled as memories of her poring over several fabrics and designs with her sisters flooded her mind.

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