Page 11 of Her Duke to Beguile: Lady Be Wicked
He pulled out of her and then lifted her into his arms. George cradled her against him as he nestled them on to the bed. He pulled the covers over them both and kissed her forehead. “You’re mine now. I’m never letting you go.”
She chuckled lightly. “As if I would ever leave you.”
George’s heart lurched in his chest. He couldn’t imagine a life without this woman. “I love you,” he told her.
“I love you too,” she replied, then yawned.
He smiled. He’d worn out his wife. A more gentle and kind husband would allow her to sleep, and he would, in time. He wanted her again, though, and he intended to have her. George would have her as much as she allowed before the night was over. He leaned down and pressed his lips to hers and started making love to his wife all over again.
Seven
The carriage came to a stop in front of Cranbrook Castle. They had left early that morning to return home. Waking up and preparing to leave had been difficult after a night of lovemaking, but somehow he’d managed to pry his eyes open. He had helped his new wife bathe and then dress. They had packed little for their overnight stay in Scotland, so preparing to leave hadn’t taken that long. Once they were on the road, he contemplated having his wife again in the carriage but decided against it. She was probably sore from all the attention he’d given her the night before.
“Are you nervous?” he asked her.
She stared out the carriage window at the castle and nibbled on her bottom lip. “A little,” she admitted. “Yesterday I was a mere governess.”
“And now you’re my duchess,” he told her. “The staff will treat you well. I promise.” He’d sack them all if they did anything less.
“It’s not the staff that concerns me.” She blew out a breath. “Your nephew and the countess might not look upon me favorably. I have climbed well above my station by marrying you.”
He probably should be concerned about that, but he couldn’t muster the necessary feelings regarding it. He’d done as he wished and everyone else be damned. The only person he was truly concerned about was Eleanor. “I left a note for my sister. She will be expecting me to return with you as my wife. Trust me, she will not be difficult. Lady Craven never acts out of place.” Besides, it wasn’t his sister that actually concerned him. If Lady Felicity Abbot hadn’t departed, she would make a fuss. The lady didn’t understand the meaning of propriety.
George stepped out of the carriage and assisted his wife down. They strolled into the castle together. No one was there awaiting them and he was glad for it. The servants were all acquainted with Eleanor. He’d speak with his housekeeper and butler and inform them of her change in status. The duchess’s bedchamber would need to be aired out and prepared for her.
They hadn’t gotten far into the foyer when they were greeted by the butler. “Pardon me, Your Grace,” he said, then bowed. “I was delayed in arriving.”
“It’s all right,” he told him. “We are not in need of assistance. But since you’re here…” He glanced down at his wife. “There are some things I require done immediately.”
“Yes, Your Grace,” he said. “What do you require?”
“I’ve married,” he told him. “The duchess’s rooms need to be cleaned and prepared, and all of Her Grace’s belongings need to be moved. I trust you will see it done.”
“Of course,” the butler told him. “I’ll speak with Mrs. Hopson and make the arrangements.” With those words, the butler spun around and walked away from them.
Voices echoed in the distance, and George had a bad feeling. It wasn’t just his sister he heard. Which meant that Lady Felicity Abbot still remained. They were in the sitting room. He sighed. “We should speak with my sister,” he told Eleanor. “Then you can rest from our journey. Your room will take time to be prepared. If you wish, you may rest in my bedchamber until then.” He grinned. “I’d prefer that you do, actually. We can rest together.”
Her lips twitched. “Somehow, I don’t think resting is what you have in mind.”
George wiggled his eyebrows at her. “You know me so well already. I do wish to rest, but you’re right.” He tilted his head to the side. “There are many, many things I wish to do that have nothing to do with sleep.” He lifted her hand and placed it in the crook of his arm. “Come,” he said with resignation. “Let’s speak with my sister, and then we can retire for a few hours away from prying eyes.”
They walked into the sitting room. He’d been correct. Lady Felicity Abbot had indeed remained. Her greedy gaze raked over him, then Eleanor. Displeasure filled her face as her gaze settled over his arm looped with hers. “Sorry I’m delayed,” he told his sister. “I trust you received my note?”
“I did,” Lady Craven said. She smiled at Eleanor. “I understand congratulations are in order. I must admit I was surprised by your news. Was there a reason you were rushed to Scotland?”
“Only by my desire to have what I wanted most,” George told her. He turned toward Lady Felicity Abbot. “May I introduce my wife, the Duchess of Cranbrook.”
Her face soured. “Your Grace,” she greeted. “It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”
George prayed that the woman would depart soon. Now that she realized she could never force him into a marriage, he didn’t want. He had the woman he desired most at his side. Perhaps it was reckless to rush into a wedding, but having that scheming woman under his roof had made him act rashly. He didn’t regret his decision, though. Eleanor was his wife, and that was all that mattered to him. “If you’ll pardon us. We only just returned from our journey. We’re going to rest until the evening meal. We will join you then.”
“Yes,” Eleanor said. “We are quite tired.”
He barely held back a laugh at her words. George was nowhere near tired… George led Eleanor out of the sitting room. He didn’t want her near Lady Felicity Abbot longer than necessary. Something told him that the lady wouldn’t leave until she had her say. He didn’t understand the woman. Why did she insist on trying for something that would never happen? He only hoped that she left his wife alone.
They reached his bedchamber, and he opened the door. Eleanor walked inside and he followed behind her. He closed the door and clicked the lock into place. George didn’t want anyone to disturb them. He planned on spending the rest of the afternoon with her in his arms, and maybe they would be both too tired to join his sister for dinner…
Eleanor finished plaiting her hair and winding it up into a simple chignon. Her new husband had tried to convince her to remain in bed with him. They could have a tray brought up for dinner, but she refused. That was not how she wanted the servants to view her on her first day as the duchess at Cranbrook Castle. She had been the governess the day before. If she stayed in bed and ate her dinner there with her new husband, what would they think about her? She wanted their respect, or at least something resembling that.
