Page 57 of Wicked Is the Duke
She eyed him with a look he thought a mix of disdain and teasing. "What of the other night?" she whispered. "We hired a hackney then."
"I was with you, and you know very well it wouldn't have done to have the carriage seen at such a place."
"Have I told you how much I appreciate the fact you took me there?"
He groaned. "You showed me. Many times."
"Are you complaining, Your Grace?" she whispered. "As I recall, you were a most willing participant."
His cock hardened as he recalled their lovemaking first thing this morning. He loved waking up next to her, her hair mussed, her body smelling of their couplings the night before.
"I would never complain, and I look forward to our next encounter," he replied. Lowering his voice, he added, "Which will be as soon as I return home, so prepare yourself, Duchess."
"I can't wait. Would you mind walking with me to the dressmaker? This must be important for them to call you back in."
"Yes, it wasn't supposed to take place until tomorrow. I'm guessing this is another matter entirely."
It had better be something unexpected and important, or he would have Montgomery's head. He was in Parliament, taking his position quite seriously.
"We still have time before I have to be there, or you need to be at the dressmaker. Let's enjoy our time together."
"I find one of the advantages to being a newlywed is we don't have to go anywhere or host balls. It's not expected. "
"I'm sure when we return in autumn, people will be expecting more from us," he replied.
"Until then, I plan to spend as much time alone with my wife showing her naughty things."
"You already do that, Henry," she replied, blushing.
"Ah, but there is so much more."
"You make this journey once a year. Don't you find it disheartening that these estates sit unused?"
She'd changed the subject on him without even batting a sensual eye. How had he not seen it coming?
"It's simply the way things are done. Though in my defense, I must remind you that the estate is not unused. The house may not be fully staffed, but the estate business continues whether I'm in residence or not."
"Do you have one which you favor over the others?"
He nodded. "Blackmont Crest has always been my home."
"That's not what I meant. Which one is your favorite, or do you not have one?"
"Blackmont Crest," he replied. His other estates didn't hold the same meaning to him as Blackmont Crest.
His father had always been a good father for the most part. He'd taught him and his younger siblings to hunt and fish and ride horses. His father simply didn't like to be questioned—about anything.
Then there was the cottage at the lake. A place his mother went to for privacy, but also someplace his father would secretly meet her when he could break away from estate matters. Somewhere none of them could interrupt them.
Now it would be somewhere he and Anna could spend time during the summer months when they were at Blackmont Crest.
Society made life complicated. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't get away from the unspoken protocol of the aristocracy.
His friends all seemed to have good marriages, whether they married for love or convenience. At least he thought they did. Everyone was always cordial and friendly. It was what went on behind closed doors that intrigued Henry. Were they truly living in bliss, or was everything a facade? He wasn't sure he wanted to know.
