Page 11 of Duchess Needed
“What comes after?” Phoebe echoed, wondering what Anna was talking about.
“The wedding night, Phoebe. Isn’t that what comes next? I’ve been wondering about it. Do you know what to do, during that time? I’ve heard that it could be quite intense. But I do not know why. What happens during one’s wedding night?” Anna asked.
Phoebe continued to stare blankly at her sister for a moment, then heat filled her cheeks as she recalled what the duke had said to her before he had left. She could still feel his touch and something in her had wondered what would have happened if —
Phoebe cleared her throat and sat up straighter, sparing a glance at her sister. It would be embarrassing to admit she did not know what happens on one’s wedding night, even to admit her curiosity about it.
“Well… that is because it is meant to be a vulnerable moment between the newly weds,” she began uncertainly. “It is expected to bring them closer — at heart especially. Both husband and wife are meant to come together a-and share their deepest secrets. It is meant as an effort to begin the marriage on a blank slate for them, so that no secrets lay between a man and his wife.”
“Is that so? But then… how does that result in children?” Anna questioned, looking thoroughly confused.
“Well — I was getting to that. You see what truly matters is the state of one’s heart. If you desire such with your husband, I imagine that once the mating dance is performed, it would yield… children.”
“Really?”
“Yes — now, can we focus on the task at hand please?” Phoebe snapped lightly, trying to deflect the subject.
Anna didn’t look thoroughly convinced, which Phoebe was not going to allow to manifest as a problem of hers and swiftly got them back on track with the wedding preparations.
Still, a part of her was stuck feeling the light pressure of the duke’s thumb on her lips.
After most of the matters were settled, Anna walked off to busy herself with other affairs and Phoebe saw it as a good opportunity to handle some of her own. With Rowland off on business as well for the rest of the afternoon, she had the opportunity to do as she wished, without anyone watching.
Quickly, she went to her room to put on her cloak, and once the coast was clear, she slipped out of the house through the back door.
The path was as familiar as the routine and she took the same path she always did, determined to avoid being seen by too many people, even if it meant her journey was a couple minutes longer. She kept her hood low, ensuring that she looked and behaved as plainly as possible in an effort not to attract any attention.
Eventually, she arrived at her destination, slipping into the establishment through the back door as paper boys took their exist with fresh batches of newspapers tucked into the bags that hung from their sides.
The noise in the building was the same as always – loud and full of all sorts of information. The air smelled of paper and ink, and people walked around, quickly trying to put together all that they needed to in an effort to put out the stories that would supply news to the ton.
Phoebe kept her hood on even inside as she walked past people, headed down a familiar hallway, until she came to an office. She knocked twice and entered when she was prompted to do so.
“– another thing, Paul – oh. I have matters to attend to, so get out,” the newspaper editor, Mr. Lambert said as soon as he saw her.
“But sir, you said it was important to sort this out –”
“I did, but when have you ever listened to me unless it serves you, you selfish bastard? I am sure you can figure out something. Now – shoo.”
The other man left in a huff, slamming the door behind him.
Mr. Lambert tutted in irritation, then he gestured to the chair in front of him.
“Good help is so hard to find these days. Everyone thinks more of themselves than the greater good of others around. Unlike you, Miss Danvers.”
She sat down and lowered her hood, greeting with a smile. “Good afternoon, Mr. Lambert. Here are the sketches you asked for last week.”
Phoebe pulled out a few pieces of paper from the bag she had brought along with her and handed them over to him. Mr Lambert was a lean, short man at least three decades older than her, but seemed a little older than that with his grey hair that peaked out from the small hat he always wore, even indoors. She had never known her grandparents, but the newspaper editor always felt like a grandfather to her, with his warm and encouraging disposition. He had sharp dark grey eyes that could pick out the tiniest details amiss and he made it clear his age had granted him immense wisdom he felt inclined to share.
He was incredibly easy to ready when he was not guarded against a visitor, and she had caught him stroking his thin mustache whenever he was pleased with the results of the work he had requested from her.
He did it then as he looked at the sketches she had given him, barely surveying the pieces of paper before he glanced up at her and grinned.
“Excellent work as always. It really has been quite rewarding, having you as a part of my employees,” he remarked as he continued to stare at them.
Phoebe felt relieved to hear that, because it meant she was still of value to him.
It had been quite a while since she approached him and begged for some sort of work to do in hopes of being able to earn some money in order to support the family – specifically for Anna’s debut.
