Page 27 of Duke of Chaos

“The way you point them out, I am beginning to think you might like them,” Ezra stated matter-of-factly, then, turning back to the matter, he said, “I shall permit you access to my accounts for our guests, which is a given. You have proven yourself worthy of my trust in such matters.”

Lydia knew that his words were not a compliment but a fact. She knew what she had to do to honor her end of their bargain, andshe was determined to do it gracefully and with integrity. Thus far, she had done exactly that.

“And my rooms?”

That darkly handsome wolfish smile, one she was starting to see from him more and more, flashed back at her as he leaned a little closer.

“You shall have to make a trade for that,” he whispered, his eyes dropping to her throat.

Lydia felt a tremble pass through her as that undeniable lust for him began to rise again.Damn him! Why did he have to stare at me like that? As if I was a meal to be devoured?

“And what trade do you seek, Your Grace?” she asked. Though she tried to sound calm and unruffled, even she heard the slight tremor in her voice.

“Firstly, that you stop calling me Your Grace,” he replied.

His request caught her off guard. She had not expected something so simple.

“What do you want me to call you then?” She asked.

“I am your husband, after all,” he replied, his voice descending into a sudden serious tone. “And you are my wife. Calling eachother “Your Grace” these past few weeks has been amusing, yes, but I tire of it now.”

Though she could have taken the opportunity to tease him about growing soft, Lydia chose not to and nodded her head.

“Very well, husband,” she replied smoothly. She tried to say the word as casually as possible, but as it left her lips she felt a soft tremble pass through her.

Something between a hum and a moan rumbled from Ezra’s chest as she uttered the word, and Lydia felt her cheeks heat up again. He needed to leave.Now.

“Well, if that is all,” she sighed, then forced a fake yawn. “I believe I shall retire early this evening.”

“I have one more request,” Ezra replied, his blue eyes darkening, and before she could ask what it was he added, “Allow me to help you change into your nightgown. Surely with your bruised ankle, the task would be difficult on your own.”

Anger and lust swirled together as Lydia suddenly pictured him undressing her. Her curiosity began to wage war with her determination to keep their relationship as professional as possible as she imagined what she would feel, think, and experience if a man like Ezra would do something so intimate to her.

There was time for none of that, though. For her anger, her lust, or her curiosity. He was teasing, surely. Drawing on her most wicked smile, Lydia drew toward him and, as sensually as possible replied, “And take precious time away from your beloved paramours? Come, husband. I am many things, but I am not greedy.”

Ezra’s expression drew back to its usual blankness as he let her catty comment hang in the air. Then a deep, purely amused chuckle tumbled from his lips as he grinned at her wickedly, shaking his head. Somehow, his reaction only made Lydia’s body react even more, and she cursed herself for her involuntary response.

“The access to my accounts is yours,” he said, continuing to chuckle as he rose from the bed. “For decorating, hosting, whatever you wish.”

Lydia couldn’t fight the sense of triumph and enjoyment she took from his reaction and managed a sly smile at him together with a seated curtsy.

“I do have work to get to,” he admitted as he reached her door. With a wry smile he added, “But I will find time to tell my paramours you send your regards.”

Lydia did not expect the tiny stab of hurt she felt in her chest at his jest, but she kept her expression steady and simply curtsied again from her seated position.

CHAPTER EIGHT

Two Weeks Later

“You chose the ice blue for your costume,” Ezra mused, obviously satisfied by her selection. “I am flattered that you minded me.”

Lydia tossed him a heated glance, something she could not seem to stop doing lately, and dryly replied, “Well, I did not wish to risk having my corsets or something else stolen as repayment for a different choice.”

Ezra chuckled deeply as he once more took in her costume, his eyes glowing with approval. As he had requested, she had chosen an ice-blue gown with gold and silver embroidery. Despite her insistence on having the neckline raised a little higher, it dropped low to the swell of her cleavage, revealing the two soft mounds of peach flesh just above her nipples.

The mask was an intricate gold cat-eye piece with flecks of silver and matched her shoes. Since the mask was so ornate, she had chosen to wear only a simple diamond star pendant on a thick piece of ice-blue ribbon around her neck.

In turn, Ezra had worn his usual black-on-black suit and shirt. He did, at her suggestion, allow a silver trim to be added to his jacket shirt lapels, and his black cravat. He had chosen a mask that covered his entire face; one half painted silver, and the other half black. His ice-blue eyes glittered brilliantly behind it as they snapped up to hers.

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