Page 66 of The Haunted Duke

Some of the light in Evander’s eyes fled as she said that fiend’s name, and she immediately regretted bringing it up.

“I am sorry,” she apologized. “I did not mean to—”

“No,” he cut her off, caressing his thumbs over the back of her hands. “You do not need to ever apologize to me. And you certainly do not need to thank me for helping restore your mother’s house. She and Alexander are my family now. They deserve a fine home, and I am happy to give them one.”

Happiness flooded Helena’s heart as she leaned in to kiss her husband again. Evander accepted her kiss willingly, but when she tried once more to lift her hands to his cravat to loosen it, he stopped her and ended the kiss. Their lovemaking was passionate and more pleasurable than she could have ever imagined, but even after a week of being married and living together in his London home, he still would not let her see him without his clothes.

Every time he closed off to her, she wondered if she was doing something wrong. Whether there was some part of herself she was not giving him, something that might finally make him trust her completely. She loved him. Of that much she was certain. Whether love was enough to get past his walls, though, she had no idea.

“Will you stay with me a little longer?” she murmured, pressing a kiss to his jaw. Her fingers found the knot of his cravat as she spoke, working it loose before he could think to stop her.

He caught her wrist gently, guiding her hand away and pressing a kiss to her knuckles instead.

“Later.” He gave her an apologetic smile as he nodded toward his desk. “I am afraid I have some work to take care of this evening,” he said, going to his chair.

Helena followed him and braced her hands on his desk.

“That has not stopped us before,” she pointed out. “You made love to me on that very stack of papers just yesterday after afternoon tea.”

Evander let out a chuckle as he picked up his pen and opened one of the folders atop his desk.

“And I will happily do so again,” he assured her with a rueful grin. “However, you are to have dinner with my mother and sister, remember? Such an hour is quickly approaching, and I would hate for them to come looking for us if you were to be late.”

Despite her disappointment that Evander yet again had stopped her from undressing him, she drew on a smile and nodded.

“Yes, of course,” she agreed. “I suppose to be caught in such a position by the women in your family would be a misery unto itself.”

Evander let out another chuckle as he agreed.

“I will gladly attend to any needs you might have later tonight, after our guests are gone,” he promised. He then leaned up on his arms and gave her another quick kiss.

Helena bit her lip as she drew back from the kiss, smiling. Even if she was disappointed that she had yet to see Evander disrobed, she relished their nightly routine. Though they dressed and undressed in their separate rooms, they always slept together every night. Even clothed, she loved the feel of falling asleep in his arms.

“I shall hold you to that,” she playfully warned.

Upstairs in her room, she warmly greeted Aggie, and the two chatted easily as Helena was helped into one of her new evening gowns. Her mother and Alex were not the only ones to have experienced Evander’s generosity. On their first day back in London, Helena and Mary-Anne had been whisked away by the Mason women to the best modiste in the city, where several new dresses had been put on account under Evander’s name.

For the evening gathering, Helena chose a deep blue silk gown that matched the signature shade of all the Mason family members’ eyes. Still, even though they all shared such a trait, it was Evander’s eyes she loved the most, and she thought of him as she was laced into the dress.

Back downstairs, Helena arrived in the women’s parlor just in time to greet Bridget and Elara. Nora was already there, advising the servants on where to place the many trays of delicious-looking, bite-sized treats.

“I hope you do not mind that I chose a less formal dinner,” Nora said, waving to the many trays. “I myself prefer to nibble through conversation.”

“No, it looks wonderful,” Helena laughed, grateful that, unlike Patricia, Nora required no strict formalities when it came to gatherings.

“Sister!” Elara exclaimed, rising to press a kiss to Helena’s cheek before she had even properly sat down. “I do hope you know I intend to use that word as often as I please now that it is finally true.”

“I shall never tire of hearing it,” Helena admitted, warmth blooming in her chest as she took her seat.

“Do enjoy it while you can,” Elara went on with a mischievous glint in her eye, settling back into her chair. “For I feel I must warn you properly, now that you are truly one of us. Mason men are dreadfully impossible creatures once they have set their hearts on something, and my brother has always been the very worst of the lot. You have my deepest, most heartfelt sympathies.”

“Nonsense, my sons are the best the ton has to offer!” Nora added, feigning indignation.

“Nora is not wrong, though they can be a bit overbearing at times.” Bridget picked up a treat from her seat.

“I beg to disagree. So tell us,” Elara said eagerly. “How are you adjusting to your new life? Is my big brother treating you well?”

Helena nibbled anxiously at her cucumber sandwich, weighing her thoughts as she swallowed. She enjoyed the company of the Mason women very much, but she was still unsure how honest she could be with them. The last thing she wanted was to give offense. Still, she could not help but lean toward the truth.