Page 32 of The Scarred Duke's Bride
“All right. Follow me.” His mother began to climb the staircase, and he stepped aside, gesturing for Freya to precede him. She nodded to him as she walked past, and they both began to climb. On the second floor, his mother turned right onto a slightly darkened corridor, lined with a red carpet and several unlit light sconces. “Your housekeeper tells me that no one has used this wing since your mother died.” She turned a bit to smile at Freya, “Don’t fret, we did not put you in the same chambers.”
Freya nodded once, but her expression remained grim. She stumbled a bit as they passed a certain door, and Eric’s hand shot out to close around her elbow and steady her. To his surprise, she rudely jerked her arm out of his hand and quickened her pace.
He frowned, wondering what was causing her bizarre behavior. His mother was assuring them both that the room had been thoroughly cleaned and aired, and they need not worry, so he put it aside for the moment.
Finally, they reached the end of the corridor, and his mother opened a pair of double doors that led to a large chamber that spanned the entire width of the manor. It was located in a corner where the walls were curved, so the chamber looked circular. It was lined by wall-to-wall windows and was brightly lit. A huge four-poster bed sat in the middle of the room, draped with a gold and green embroidered duvet and a mountain of pillows. On one side of the room was a sitting room area decorated with baroque wooden furniture. The sofa had a wooden back and legs while the bench was covered with gold and red satin pillows flanked by two armchairs. There was a low table with carved legs in front of the sofa and a red turkey carpet on the floor. The entire arrangement faced a huge fireplace, that was currently not burning. On the other side of the bed was a screen, behind which Eric saw a bathtub and a chamber pot. Wooden wardrobes lined one wall, and there was a chest of drawers close to the windows.
As comfort went, the room did not stint.
There was a knock on the door, and several maids walked in, supervised by a rotund apple-cheeked woman. “We’ve brought you some hot water in case you would like to bathe, and a few refreshments should you wish to rest before venturing downstairs.”
Eric forced a smile. He knew full well why they were being supplied with provisions in their chambers rather than downstairs in the drawing room. No doubt, Silver had instructed this household to give them as much opportunity to be alone as possible.
“Well, we shall leave you to it. Ring the bell should you need anything," his mother said, shooing the maids and the housekeeper out of the door before her.
Eric blew out a breath. “Well, I do not know about you, but I could use a bath.” He immediately began to unbutton his coat while Freya stood around staring in horror. He had decided that if he were to prepare her at all for his touch, he needed to get her used to the scar.
His shirt followed the coat. He threw it to the ground and stood there, letting her look her fill. “Would you like to bathe as well?” he prompted.
She shook her head jerkily. “N-no. I think I shall go and find my sister.”
Without another word, she hurried out of the room. Shaking his head, Eric detoured to the tray that contained an entire bottle of whisky, scooped it up, and marched to the bath with it. Divesting himself from the rest of his clothing, he lowered himself into the water and took a large gulp from the bottle. With a sigh, he lay back and closed his eyes, long legs hanging over the bottom of the bath and his hand slung out of the side, the bottle still in his hand.
He breathed in and out, trying to empty his mind of everything. He thought about Alexander, of the long late-night talks they’d had after staggering home from a tavern or taking in a play on Drury Lane or Convent Gardens. Sometimes, they picked up more than a play at Convent Gardens.
He smiled in remembrance, taking another sip. Alexander always had big dreams for the duchy. He spoke of establishing their family as one of the most prosperous members of the nobility for generations. He had no fear of being seen to work as long as his family benefited.
Eric had no intention of letting Alexander’s dreams die with him. He would do whatever he had to to ensure that what was meant for their family came to them.
I have to bide my time though. I have to go slow. So slow that she does not notice. She will get used to me, and she will give me the heir I need to secure this inheritance. After that, she will be free to do as she pleases.
He took another large sip of whisky, the water splashing he moved. He put the bottle down on the stone floor before submerging his head completely in the water. He stayed submerged, holding his breath until he began to see spots in front of his eyes. Then he surged upwards, panting hard, his skin flushed.
The bedroom door slammed, and he heard running footsteps. “Eric…?”
Freya peered around the screen, her eyes wide and afraid. He quirked an eyebrow. “What do you need?”
“I-I-I heard you panting. I thought something was wrong.”
“I thought you left.”
“I-I did. I came back for a shawl.” Her eyes wandered down his chest, and she blushed scarlet.
Eric could feel his body reacting to her reaction. They stared at each other, each frozen, waiting to see what the other would do.
Just as suddenly as she appeared, Freya’s head disappeared, and he heard her hurrying footsteps receding. The door opened and closed, and he was alone again.
* * *
Freya felt hot all over, and itchy as if she had antsbeneathher skin. She tried very hard not to think about what she’d just seen, but the more she tried to push the thoughts of Eric’s naked body away, the more they persisted. She realized that she’d never seen him fully unclothed before.
It had not been what she was expecting, even having slept by his side for a few days.
For one thing, everything seemed a lot…thicker, harder, and more unyielding than she’d imagined.
His chest was like granite! And…and…
She stopped, scrunching her eyes tight, but that only served to bring the image into greater focus rather than banishing it from existence.
