Page 55 of The Icy Duke Claims a Bride

“I don’t know,” Catherine admitted, perplexed by this possibility. “Mother said that men were selfish beasts, unable to control their urges, and that Father had several other mistresses whom she knew nothing about. She said that women always suffered in marriage because men did not control themselves.”

“She said such things to a child?” Hugh asked in amazement. “But you never saw these other mistresses?”

“No, only ever Lady Harvey. Father never hid his relationship with her, even if he hid others. I suppose he was honest in his own way.”

“You were angry on your mother’s behalf,” Hugh observed. “You loved her very much, and it’s natural that a child would take their mother’s side. But you’re an adult now, and you might understand matters differently if you sit down with your father and hear his side of the story.”

Catherine considered this for some minutes, temporarily safe in the cocoon of Hugh’s arms, his heart beating steadily for her.

“I don’t want to be like my mother,” she admitted then. “I don’t want to hate my marriage and be miserable all my life.”

“Do you hate being married to me?” he asked cautiously. “Have I made you miserable? It did worry me yesterday when you seemed so upset at the thought of carrying my child. I should never want to make my wife so unhappy.”

“No,” Catherine said, raising her head to look him in the eye. “I have not been unhappy with you at all. The thought of carrying your child is strange because it is unfamiliar, but it does not upset me at all. If I were to bear a child, I should be glad that it was yours.”

“Good.” Hugh laughed a little. “That’s some comfort, I suppose. But what has been making you so wretched, then?”

“It is only that I felt… I should be unhappy. I could not see how marriage could feel so good or right. I am afraid sometimes of how much you excite me. It makes me feel helpless.”

“You’re safe to be helpless with me as often as you like.” Hugh grinned now, consequently lifting her mood. “I love to hear you pleading and calling out my name, especially naked in my bed with your hair loose and your legs wrapped around me.”

“Youarea beast, Hugh Vaughan!” Catherine laughed and playfully slapped his chest until he took her hands and kissed them.

“Forget everything your mother told you about men and marriage, Catherine,” he urged. “She loved you, but she was a very unhappy woman,andshe was wrong. There’s no need for you—or your father—to be unhappy.”

“That’s what your grandmother said, too, although I didn’t understand her fully at the time. She told me the story of how my parents’ marriage was arranged against their will. My mother was initially engaged to my father’s brother, who died, and everyone knew that my father was in love with someone else…”

“What a mess,” Hugh said, shaking his head.

“Ironically, the same man responsible for that mess effectively arranged our marriage, too, didn’t he?” Catherine mused.

“Second time lucky.” Hugh smiled. “Rest assured that I do believe I could be a much better husband to you than your father was ever capable of being to your mother. I am certainly interested in no other women.”

Catherine wanted so badly to believe him, but certain questions were not entirely banished from her mind.

“Not even Lady Brightling?” she asked as lightly as she could.

Hugh sighed and took off his mask. “Sarah and I stopped meeting a long time ago. She never wanted me as I truly am and certainly never wanted to see me without my mask. It was not an offer I ever made, not to her nor to other women. Many would have screamed at the very prospect, but you, you actually kissed me…”

Catherine looked at Hugh’s perfectly imperfect face and caressed it lightly with her hands before kissing his lips again.

“You always wanted to look at my bare face,” he finished after her kiss. “You see me, and I see you.”

She kissed him again, warm and calm as the energy of desire began to flow between them once more.

“We should stop this here.” Hugh sighed. “I know it’s that time of the month, and I won’t force any unwelcome attention upon you.”

“It isn’t really,” Catherine confessed. “I only pretended I had my monthlies because I was unhappy and scared of how much I wanted you.”

For a moment, Hugh looked astonished, but then his expression changed rapidly. “You wanted me? Right,” he said, suddenly jumping up and marching away from her.

Catherine feared that he was angry at her lie, but rather than storming out of the library, he locked the door and looked back at her with sensual intent that made wetness pool between her legs.

“I want you on that sheepskin rug this minute, Catherine.”

Catherine smiled and rose from the chair a little uncertainly. “But what about Father and Jemima?”

“They can wait a little longer, or explore the gardens without us. I have my priorities, Catherine. Satisfying my wife is currently at the top of those priorities.”

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