Page 26 of Duchess Needed
Edward had intended to ask how she was, oddly distracted by the flush in her skin. It was almost annoying, that after the night they’d had, their first interaction would be him scolding her about how she was meant to act, and it did not feel right.
He could not understand why it left him feeling so incredibly unsettled.
“Would that be all, Your Grace?” Arnold asked.
“Yes – wait. Tell Maude that I will be joining the duchess for dinner tonight... The duchess should be duly informed as well.”
The butler bowed. “Of course, Your Grace.”
Moments after he had been left alone, Edward exhaled, wondering if things were meant to be this complicated. It had only been a few days since he had been wed and it was as though he was already encountering difficulties.
He was unsure of what he had expected, but he knew that nothing about his current predicament had been predicted – especially how his body had reacted to Phoebe.
The week he had offered was meant to be a courtesy to her, because he still did not understand how a woman so beautiful, blessed with a delectably body had gone unnoticed and unattached for so long. While he was surprised she had never entertained a lover, there was a strange satisfaction that manifested in him at the thought of being her first.
The first to feel her, to taste her, to know her. It was all meant to be a simple means to an end until he had an heir, but he relished in the thought of having her warm his bed – perhaps more than once.
His breeches tightened and with a single glance downward, he tossed his head back, groaning in annoyance.
“I must have taken leave of my senses,” he muttered resolutely, absentmindedly wondering how many more hours were left until dinner.
Edward might have arrived early.
The table had been set and the courses prepared, but the duchess had not arrived yet. He wondered if perhaps she was going to avoid him still, but perished the thought as soon as it had formed in his mind.
He might not know a lot about his wife, but he knew she was not one to avoid her problems. There was no reason for her to keep any distance from him – at least not to this extent.
The doors to the dining hall opened and Phoebe walked in, looking rather lovely in a deep blue dress. For a moment, all he could think of was her body writhing in his grasp as he pleasured her with his fingers. His ears rang with every gasp and moan thatbreathlessly left her lips. It stuck him deeply, how beautiful she had looked then, and even now.
Now, though, she was a regal vision as she curtsied to him slightly.
“Good evening... Edward,” she greeted softly.
At least she was getting better at saying his name rather than addressing him formally.
“Good evening, Phoebe. You do not have to do that. We are, after all, equals as man and wife,” he told her causally.
She nodded and took her place at the other end of the table, settling in her seat delicately. Edward was struck by how far away she seemed and reached for his glass of wine in a bid to distract himself.
The first course was served and as they ate the excellent chowder and bread prepared by their cook, the awkwardness in the air threatened to choke him until he spoke up.
“How are you adapting to... your new home?”
He tried not to wince at how generic the question sounded, and tried to justify it to himself by remembering that while he had some idea of how she was doing, he had not heard it from her lips, so it hardly mattered.
Phoebe glanced up at him and lowered her spoon.
“Fine, I suppose. It’s... it is not without its challenges but I am learning as quickly as I can. The staff have been remarkably supportive, so I cannot claim that I am doing things by myself. It is going well.”
He nodded at her response, still feeling uncomfortable. The second course arrived as he said,
“Well, I think you are doing a commendable job thus far. If you need anything – be it assistance or material things, do not hesitate to let me know. You are not to worry about a single thing, as my wife. Those are the terms of our deal, and you are allowed to take advantage of them as you please.”
She nodded curtly, not looking at him as she replied,
“Thank you, Edward.”
He considered bringing up another subject of conversation, but it would hardly change the fact that there was still tension that needed to be addressed.
