Page 38 of The Duke's Pet

“Was that... what we just did... natural?”

“Perfectly.” He kissed her gently. “Now say you understand that while you are here I will care for your every need.”

“Yes... I understand, Sir.”

“Good.”

“Though it is hard for me to believe,” she added quietly.

“Why is that?”

“I’ve been trapped in hard times; being here with warmth, food, it’s...”

“A relief?”

“Perhaps that is the word I am looking for.”

Or was it paradise—paradise laced with strange desire, forbidden pleasure, and lived in with the hope God would turn a blind eye.

“You will see that I am a man of my word. Firm but fair.” He lay down beside her, resting his hand over her chest, above her heart that was returning to normal pace. “And you’ll see I really do care.”

She snuggled closer to him, flesh on flesh, and glad of his warmth.

Her first day at Hillcrest had not been anything like what she’d expected and now it had ended with a delightful feeling of contentment.

* * *

Jemima woke to a stilldark room, though there was a crack of light spilling in from the curtains.

The duke wasn’t in the bed and when she sat, she spotted him moving around near the fire. She guessed it was his rising that had woken her.

She stretched and yawned.

“You are awake, little kitten.”

“Yes.”

“And you slept well?”

“I did.”

“Excellent. I suspect fair nights will help make you stronger after your hard winter.”

A warm glow spread through her. He really was caring, his last words the night before hadn’t been a dream.

She pressed her legs together, a sweet tug pulling at her pleasure spot. Neither had him touching her been a dream, that had also been very real and very enjoyable even if she hadn’t planned it to be.

His figure moved to the window and he opened the curtains.

Dazzling spring sunlight poured in, flooding the rug and flashing up the walls, which she now noticed had several paintings on them—a woodland scene and more single flower images.

He brushed his hand down his morning coat.

Her eyes widened and she sat straighter, pulling the sheet over her bare breasts.

The duke was dressed in smart attire—a starched white cravat neat at his neck, his shirt tucked and an immaculate long-tailed coat over beige breeches and his shiny boots.

He spotted her looking. “I decided it seemed fit to make an effort, as I have your company.”

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