Page 46 of The Duke's Pet

He seemed to enjoy the movement of her tail. “There is no one there. This is a private, walled estate.”

“But James or Mrs. Cook.”

“Will not see you.” His eyebrows pulled low and his lips thinned. “You must stop this constant worry.”

“It’s just that...” She swallowed and her temper, which didn’t often show itself, heated her blood. “It really is too much to ask. It’s simply too odd for me to be out there naked and dressed up like a kitten in the most lewd of ways, and—”

“Stop! Do not refuse me. That will be against my wishes and so far you have excelled in carrying out my wishes.” He straightened and jerked his head at the table. “Apart from my painting being ruined.”

“I said I was sorry about that.” She straightened her arm, propping herself up on the sofa. She had no intention of leaving this room naked, except perhaps to scoot back to the bedchamber.

He sighed. “And I am sorry too, for bringing it up again. The matter has been dealt with.” He stood, still holding her hand. “Up you get.”

“No... Sir. I’m not going outside.”

His jaw tensed and his eyebrows pulled low. “And I say you are.”

“It’s ridiculous of you to ask that of me.”

He was silent; it wasn’t calm silence, it was like the quiet before a storm.

She filled it. “Do what you will in here, but outside, where others can see me, that is—”

“Not for you to decide.” His voice was a roar, his cheeks pinked. “I have paid to have you here as mine and you will obey.”

Her stomach rolled over. He was so damn big looming over her and determination glinted in his eyes.

I can be determined too.

She shook her head and clenched her fists. Made no move to stand.

He ran his hand into her hair and gripped it, tugging the roots and sending a sting over her scalp. “Stand.”

He pulled and to avoid her hair detaching painfully, she rose. She was hot now, not from flames but from anger. He really was going to make her do this, go out into the open where anyone could see her.

She glared at him, unblinking.

“Your defiance is what I consider to be incredibly bad behavior,” he said, leaning close. “And bad behavior, as you learned yesterday, will be punished.” He paused.

She hitched in a breath, wanting to tell him he was a strange and harsh man but holding it in. A sliver of common sense told her that wouldn’t be wise, despite her temper prodding her to say the words.

“Though as it is only our first full day together, you have this one chance, now, to obey and redeem yourself. If you do, then perhaps we can also put this little outburst behind us.”

Jemima glanced at the window. The seemingly endless lawn glistened in the sunlight. There was no sign of life, not even a blackbird.

“Good,” he said, releasing her hair and taking her hand. “This way.”

She followed as he led her to the door. Her limbs had stiffened in her slumber, or was it from the tension and anticipation of being outdoors in this state?

A moment of hesitation couldn’t be helped as she stepped into the huge, empty hallway. What if there was an unexpected guest? However would she or the duke explain her appearance and lewd accessory?

“You see.” He gestured around the hallway. “There is no one here but us.”

She glanced up at a taxidermy head of a stag she hadn’t noticed before.

“Oh, and him of course.” He leaned close and brushed his lips over her cheek. “Try and relax, enjoy. For I am enjoying being with you.”

She found that strange when he’d ignored her for hours.

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