Page 19 of The Duke of Ruin
“Did I embarrass you?” Mrs. Ogden asked. “I’m terribly sorry. Sometimes I’m too plainspoken. Or so my mother says.”
Diana lifted her eyes and saw that the other woman was removing her petticoat, which she draped over the end of the bed along with her dress.
Mrs. Ogden came toward Diana, her deep brown eyes tinged with concern. “Perhaps you don’t think he’s attractive? Were you…forced to marry him? I heard that happens sometimes with the gentry.” She nodded knowingly. “It happens sometimes in my station too.”
“No, I wasn’t forced. As you said, he’s quite attractive.” Diana couldn’t dispute that. While she hadn’t seen him undressed—he was always careful to disrobe in the dark and was up and dressed before she even awoke—she’d become well acquainted with the feel of his thigh pressed along hers in the coach, the touch of his hand against her, the feel of his lips moving over hers. Perhaps notwellacquainted with his lips since they’d only kissed that one time during that silly game at the house party of course. However, the more time she spent with him, the more she wondered what it might be like to kiss him again. And for longer.
Needing a distraction, she began to braid her hair.
“So you married for love, then.” Mrs. Ogden smiled softly. “It wasn’t precisely love with me and Peter. More like lust.” She laughed again. “And when my mother caught us in the stable, well, we had to get married. It’s all worked out, though. I do love him, and he loves me.”
“How wonderful.” And truly it was. Diana yearned for something simple and true, but knew she was unlikely to find it. Even if she did muster the courage to start a new life, she doubted love would fall into her lap. Or that she’d meet it in a stable.
Finishing her braid, she decided to take advantage of the other woman’s presence. “I’m afraid I need help removing my gown. Mr. Byrd usually helps me, but it might be nice if I was already abed when he returns.”
Mrs. Ogden’s eyes lit. “I know where your mind’s at! Of course I’ll help. Turn around.”
Diana pivoted, and the other woman yanked at the ties of her gown until it was loose, then helped take it over Diana’s head. She draped it over the top of the screen while Diana removed her petticoat, then returned to help with Diana’s corset.
“This is very fancy.” Mrs. Ogden’s voice carried a hint of awe. “Must’ve cost a fortune.”
Diana didn’t know what to say. Ithadcost a fair penny. “I think I might prefer something simpler like yours. Something I could take off by myself.”
“We could swap,” Mrs. Ogden offered. “On second thought, there’s no way yours would fit me. You’re a tiny thing.”
Mrs. Ogden did have probably three inches of height on Diana, and her bosom was far more impressive. In fact, Diana suffered a bit of envy at the woman’s curves.
Diana pulled the undergarment from her body and, standing in just her chemise and stockings, nearly choked at the sight of Mrs. Ogden using her hands to lift her breasts, as if she were weighing them. Looking down at the globes, the woman said, “This is why I’m fairly certain there’s a babe. They aren’t usually this big.” She grinned at Diana. “Though Mr. Ogden seems to like them!”
Once again speechless, Diana turned to find her bag in order to fetch her night rail. Finding it, she said, “Well, good night, then. Thank you for your assistance.”
“Happy to help,” Mrs. Ogden said, going toward the bed.
Diana moved behind the screen and removed her chemise and stockings. Donning her night rail quickly, she was glad for the proximity of the fire. She hoped Mr. and Mrs. Ogden would be warm enough in the bed, but then it looked as if it had plenty of blankets. In fact, she ought to ask for one of them so she could roll it up to put between her and Romsey, but she didn’t care to explain why she wanted it—not when they had the fire and the Ogdens didn’t.
Settling herself into the pallet and drawing the blanket up to her chin, she closed her eyes and prayed that she would fall asleep quickly, preferably before Romsey returned.
That prayer, like so many others, went unanswered.
Hearing the men enter and bidding each other good night, Diana turned toward the fire. A few minutes later, the blanket moved, and she felt the warmth of Romsey’s body close to hers. The pallet, damnably, wasn’t very large.
She felt more awake than ever, her body screaming with awareness, both because of Romsey behind her and the other couple in the room. After a moment, she heard noises coming from beyond the screen. A sigh. A giggle. A soft moan.
Oh my goodness.
Diana closed her eyes tight and pulled the blanket up a bit more to nearly cover her ear.
But it wasn’t enough. A few minutes later, the moans became louder and more drawn-out. Then came a keening cry.
Diana jumped, flipping to her back, her eyes wide.
“Shhh,” Romsey said softly.
Diana looked at him. His dark eyes reflected the light of the dying fire. “What’s wrong with her?” she asked urgently.
“Nothing.”
The cry intensified and stopped. Diana began to exhale, but then Mrs. Ogden let out several successive whimpers. Diana tensed. “Surely there’s something wrong. She sounds as if she’s in pain.”
