Page 38 of The Odyssean Duke

Then, it was gone, and she sat sated and well-used on the surface of the desk. “That was—that was unlike anything I have ever felt before,” she gasped out.

“Then, your husband handled you poorly, indeed,” the Duke of Rothbury said.

He produced a handkerchief from his jacket and gently wiped the inside of her thighs, cleaning the wetness that was there. His Grace tucked the handkerchief away and slowly smoothed her skirts until they covered her completely. Evelina gasped for air, watching him with a strange, heady mixture of pleasure and bewilderment.

“What—how did you…” she trailed off, a sense of foreboding sweeping through her. “Have you done that for many women?”

“A few,” he said. “It need not bother you, though. I told you that I will not leave your bedroom until we have produced an heir, and I am a man of my word. I shall show you that pleasure every night.”

Evelina blinked and took a deep breath. Did she dare ask how those two things related, or would he laugh at her? He knew that she had been previously married, so he must assume that she had at least lain with a man before. Evelina thought she might die if she had to correct his assumptions, but now, she wondered if her silence might prove to be detrimental to them both.

“How does that…” she trailed off and looked away.

Evelina’s eyelids were heavy, and she thought that she might like nothing more than to sink into a long sleep. She wondered how many questions she would invite from Theodora if she announced an intention to retire and rest so early in the day.

“We will do that,” he said. “Then, I will sheath myself inside you. We can do it more than once, even.”

His Grace’s eyes gleamed, as if he relished the prospect. A thick lump wedged itself in Evelina’s throat, as she imagined the Duke of Rothbury showing her this same pleasure over and over. The thought sent a jolt of longing tracing along the path of her spine.

“I have not given you my answer yet,” she said, her voice trembling. “I might still decide that I do not wish to marry you, especially after you have acted in such an untoward manner.”

“You did not seem too vexed by that mere moments ago, my lady.”

“May a lady not change her mind?” she asked, raising a brow.

It was not Evelina’s best retort, but she silently told herself that she might have done worse.

“You may,” he said. “If you do intend on changing your mind, however, it would be courtesy to do so soon. I have told you that this is an urgent matter, and that has not changed. I can pursue other prospects.”

Evelina bit her lip, thinking. He could, and the steel in his eyes indicated that he would if she forced his hand. Evelina pressed her thighs together, as the impulse to cover herself rose within her. She took a deep breath.

“What is your answer?” His Grace asked. “My patience is at its end, my lady. I will wait no longer.”

It was as if a great weight pressed on her chest. Evelina clasped her hands together and forced herself to remain visibly calm, even as her heart fluttered in her chest like a caged bird.

“Yes.”

CHAPTER 16

“Ihave made a grievous error,” Evelina announced, as she cast a critical eye over the gift which had been delivered only moments before.

Calling it agiftseemed scandalous. She tentatively smoothed the lace over the gown. That was the least objectionable part of His Grace’s gift, a pristine white gown with white-on-white embroidery and froths of elegant lace lining the sleeves and the waistline. It was to be her wedding gown. She wondered where he had gotten it from, for the fashion was the latest style; Evelina did not imagine it had come from a relative.

The other items were slightly more alarming. His Grace had seen fit to provide her with a pair of white drawers, edged with delicate floral lace. Evelina stared at them, choosing to bury her curiosity at having never worn such a garment and instead focused on being angry at this man’s audacity.

Well, she was angry and bewildered. If His Grace had requested that these garments be made for her, how had he determined hersizes, and what magic had he used for a seamstress to produce them so quickly? Perhaps, they would not even fit.

“What is the error?” asked Theodora, as she entered the drawing room.

Face burning, Evelina quickly gathered the items and forced them into Emma’s arms. The maid was so startled by the sudden movement that she stumbled backwards.

“The duke,” Evelina said.

Theodora’s curious eyes snapped to the clothing in Emma’s arms. “What is that?”

“His Grace has seen fit to send me a gown for the wedding.” Evelina leveled a glare at Emma, making it apparent that the young woman was to leave with the clothing quickly.

Emma curtsied and hurried from the room, as a mouse might have upon seeing a particularly vicious cat.