Page 34 of The Duke and the Accidental Bride

Duncan nodded his understanding. “Anything else?”

“A gift,” Richard shrugged. “When in doubt, buy her a gift. You would be surprised how a woman might melt at the thought.” He slapped a hand on Duncan’s shoulder and grinned. “If you are smart, you will buy several in advance to pull out when the time is right!”

Duncan stored the advice for safe keeping. Something told him that he would be needing it soon.

Tonight, he and Isabella would be alone for the first time since two nights ago. Only this time, if things turned heated, he wouldn’t be able to kick her out or avoid her. They would be living together. The rules had changed, and Duncan could not help but sweat at the implications.

Chapter Twelve

Isabella waited patiently in her bedroom. She sat on the edge of her bed, watching the closed door, feeling her nerves grow by the second.

Her heart was racing so fast that it hurt her. Her legs shook and she fidgeted with her hands in a vain attempt to dispel the energy coursing through her body. She almost stood and began to pace, but remained where she was because she did not want to create any noise that might draw attention to herself.

Ha! As if he does not know where I am. And as if he is not expecting me to be here, waiting for him like a good, obedient wife.

The wedding breakfast had finally come to a close. It had gone on for longer than Isabella had thought, dragging into the early hours of the evening so that the sun had already set. As was always the way with these things, there were a few who refusedto leave when the time was appropriate, managing to convince her husband to share in a final drink or two... or three.

It was men’s business and Isabella was happy to leave them to it.

That was an hour ago now, time spent fretting as her mind fixated on what was to come. Downstairs she could hear the Duke saying goodbye to the final guests, which meant that soon he would be coming upstairs, into her room to claim what was his by right.

Over my dead body.

It was a bold statement but one that had less bite to it than Isabella liked to admit. She had seen what the Duke became when she denied and fought him, and she wondered how he might act if she was to try and escape her wifely duties.Not that I have to wonder too hard.

It sent a shudder through her. As she pictured that look in his eyes. As she remembered his warm breath on her skin. As shefelthis wet lips on her and his hand around her throat...

Another shudder and this time she jumped to her feet as if to dispel it. As if to fight it.

She did not want to lie with the Duke! She did not want to put herself through that! The way her body reacted to thoughts of him were brought about by intimidation, hatred, disgust!Certainly not... not anything else, to which she did not speak because she did not understand it.

The sound of footsteps walking down the hallway snapped Isabella back into the room.

She gasped and froze where she stood, staring at the door, listening to those footsteps growing closer and closer and closer.

I will just tell him that I am tired. That is all. Surely, that will be enough to convince him to wait at least one more night...

The footsteps grew closer. They reached the door. And then... they continued, past the door and down the hallway. The sound of another door opening echoed from beyond and then shut closed as the Duke walked inside.

“Huh...”

Isabella’s shoulders sagged and her quickly beating heart slowed. She stared at the closed door in confusion, refusing to recognize the way her stomach had dropped as if from disappointment.

“Well then...” She looked about the empty room awkwardly. “I guess that settles that.” A firm nod and she turned her back on the door.

Her husband did not want to be with her tonight. As was the case with much of today, he seemed set on ignoring her. Perhapsfor good. He had heard her complaints about this marriage, and he had taken to them, understanding that the two could not possibly work together. Hopefully, he would continue to behave in this manner from now until... well, forever.

Isabella forced herself to smile, still ignoring the strange way that her stomach turned, because she needed to believe that this was a good thing. She could not escape marriage but if she could escape her husband then that was the next best thing.

Although....

She looked to the closed door again. Through it. Toward her husband’s chambers.What now? Are we going to live in this house as strangers? Until one of us dies? Surely that is not his plan?

Isabella was many things but at the top of that list was stubborn. Good sense told her to leave tonight be and wait for tomorrow. Then, once the dust from today had settled, she could approach her husband and ask what he had planned for this marriage. If he did plan on avoiding her, she would like to know about it.

Yes... that was what this was. The reason she felt so strange. She simply wished for closure and nothing more.

It was this sense of closure that she chose to focus on. A need to confirm with the Duke that she was safe to sleep tonight and that he would not try anything. That she would wake tomorrow knowing what to expect. That was all she wanted.

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