Page 43 of Wicked Is the Duke
"It's been in your family all this time?"
Henry smiled. "The first duke received Blackmont Crest as a gift from the crown. It's been occupied by Blackmonts since that time."
She looked around the large entry hall and the grand staircase leading to the public and family rooms. It was magnificent.
"I already love it. It reminds me of..." she broke off her thoughts. That had been another time, another place. This was her life now.
He pulled her into his arms, her breasts crushed against his chest. He bent his head and kissed her. Henry was a bossy kisser when he wanted to be. His lips were firm, and he was so good at kissing.
She pulled back. "Henry, the servants," she whispered.
"Know to blend into the woodwork," he replied darkly. "Come, I'll take you to your rooms."
She gazed at him longingly. He was meticulously dressed as always, wearing a crisp white shirt. His charcoal suit coat hung perfectly.
"Show me the way, Your Grace," she said with a giggle. He headed straight for the stairs, taking her by the hand. At the top of the stairs, he headed to massive oak doors. Attended by a footman, he opened the door and, after they passed, closed the door quietly.
The room was tastefully done in pinks and cream, the carpets blue Persian, the draperies though faded were a dark rose, and the furniture made from Rosewood. As she walked around, Anna felt at home and comfortable.
"It doesn't matter. We'll be leaving for London in two days. By the time we return to Blackmont Crest, your rooms will be finished."
She walked around the room, making note at how feminine it was. A large fourposter bed was set against one wall on the far side of the room. In the opposite corner sat a writing desk along with a couple of leather chairs and a couch.
"This is very much a duchess's suite, though I can tell it hasn't been redone in some time," she said.
"It's exactly as my mother left it," he replied.
She sat down on the couch and gazed at him, bidding him to join her. Instead, he shook his head.
"I'll leave you. I need to take care of some matters. I'll be in my study if you require anything of me. If not, I'll join you for luncheon."
She tried not to look too disappointed. After the two wonderful days they'd spent together, she didn't want to ruin things. Instead, she nodded.
"Very well. I'll see you then."
He hesitated for a moment. "What are your plans?"
She shrugged. "I have none, though I thought I could familiarize myself with the house. I shall need to meet with the housekeeper and cook at some time, plenty to keep me occupied."
He kissed her on the forehead, turned, and walked out of room. Anna watched her husband until the door shut behind him. This hadn't been what she expected from him when they first returned. She wasn't sure what she expected. Being left alone wasn't part of the plan.
Still, he had business matters to attend to. Even with a competent estate manager, Henry liked to see firsthand what was being done on the estate. She knew there were crops and animals to be raised.
She also knew he had business interests other than what the estate managed to produce. That alone might keep the village, tenants, and estate running, but his greatest income aside from the ducal estates lay in his other businesses.
Her maid appeared from the dressing room. "Would you care to bathe and change, Your Grace?"
"Yes, draw a bath, and make sure my green muslin dress is ready."
"Can I get you anything else, Your Grace?"
"A cup of tea would be wonderful," she replied.
Her maid nodded and returned to the dressing room. Anna removed her boots as she watched the maid leave the room. They'd been the only sensible thing to wear at the cottage, if and when she was wearing any clothes.
She smiled as she thought of her time with Henry the past two days. He was a caring lover, showing her what pleased him, and at the same time making sure she enjoyed her pleasure to the fullest. He'd introduced her to other positions, things she would have thought sinful until he showed her how erotic and satisfying they were. A bed, Anna found out, was not always needed. She wondered how many of the chairs in this room would they use and when. A wave of desire shuddered through her body as she walked toward the bathing chamber.
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