Page 68 of Debating with the Duke (Second Sons of London 2)

“Mrs. Arthur was kind enough to take me on a thorough tour of it. I must say, it is the largest country house I have ever visited.”

“You aren’t a visitor here, Addie,” he said. “It is your home now.”

She stiffened. “I am aware of that.” A veil seemed to drop over her.

For the next half-hour, they discussed the house itself and she suggested a few changes she wished to make.

“Only if you are agreeable to them,” she insisted.

“The household is your domain. Make whatever changes you wish in order to see you are comfortable here.”

“I also want to see to your comfort, too, Ev,” she said quietly. “The Duke of Camden should enjoy his home.”

He looked at her and felt a wide gulf between them, not understanding why it was there or how he could breach it.

She ended the awkward silence between them by saying, “Will we be keeping country hours now that we are at Cliffside?”

“We will keep whatever hours you wish.”

“You don’t know what country hours are, do you?”

“No,” he admitted. “But I am a former army man and used to taking orders.” He smiled sheepishly at her. “I suppose as far as Polite Society goes, I look upon you as my commanding officer. I hope to learn as much as I can from you—even what country hours are.”

She quickly explained to him that it meant adjusting both meal and teatimes so that both occurred earlier in the day.

“Usually, when living in the country, people go to bed earlier. Thus, the changes.”

He thought about her in bed and desire flickered within him. Since they were alone, he asked, “Are you very sore today?”

A blush tinged her cheeks and she said, “A little bit. Nothing to concern yourself with,” she assured him. “If you wish to come to me tonight, I am agreeable.”

It seemed so impersonal, so detached, arranging for him to visit her for sex. Everett hoped he could somehow melt the ice she seemed to be encased in.

“Yes, that would be agreeable. If it is with you.”

“I said it was,” she said abruptly. “You may come to my bed anytime you wish, Ev. I know what my duty is as your wife. That is to provide you with an heir to the dukedom.”

“I’d hoped that you would enjoy me coming to visit you.”

Her pink cheeks deepened to red now. “Yes, I quite enjoyed . . . what . . . we did last night.”

“You don’t have to be shy discussing it with me, Addie. I told you that it will take time for us to learn one another’s body and what pleases us.”

“I am uncomfortable discussing this with you,” she said briskly. “You can do what you did last night. It was perfectly adequate.”

She rose. “I will see you at dinner.”

Everett watched his wife leave the room, totally confused by her behavior. It seemed she had been one woman before marriage and was quite a different one after. He knew last night had been an eye-opening experience for her but hoped she truly had enjoyed it. He struggled with finding a way to find the old Addie. The one he loved. This new one seemed so foreign to him.

He returned to his study and brooded until he was summoned to dinner. Their conversation seemed stilted, most likely due to the presence of the two footmen in the dining room. He knew she would not agree to dismissing them and didn’t even bother to ask.

When the meal finally ended, he escorted her to the library, where they both sat and read silently. At least he sat. Reading seemed to be impossible. So he stared at the page and turned it every now and then, not wanting her to know how upset he truly was.

The clock chimed eight. She rose. He did the same.

“I am going to my bedchamber now,” she told him. “Please give me a quarter-hour before you arrive. Then we should be finished by nine o’clock.”

Addie did not wait for him and left the library quickly without another word. Confusion filled him as he made his way to his own bedchamber and found Roper waiting for him. He removed his coat, waistcoat, cravat, and shirt, tossing his banyan on. He had Roper remove the Wellingtons since it was an arduous process. Barefooted, he paced the room for another few minutes before he decided to leave his trousers behind, as well. By now, his body was on fire, eager to join with hers and he made his way to his wife’s room.

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