Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 107756 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 539(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107756 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 539(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
“Are you mocking me?” She frowned.
I shook my head. “No, I truly mean it. The tenants do not know how fortunate they are.”
“I desire to fulfill my duties.”
“You have fully triumphed in your marital ones.” I leaned in closer, brushing her hair behind her ear. “I am still enraptured with you from last night—you astonish me.”
“Evander, do not speak on it,” she whispered, hiding her face from me.
“Now you are shy?” I teased, lifting her chin.
She glared at me as if angry, but it was more from embarrassment. “In the moment, it did not feel…”
“What?”
“Unnatural.”
“Does it feel unnatural now?” I asked.
She shook her head. “No, it is just…I never imagined myself acting like that. Then I go about being a lady again? All the world sees me…as proper.”
I laughed outright, kissing the sides of her face, then her lips. “No one should ever know what occurs between a husband and wife. Your sinful moments are for me and me alone. Forever.”
I kissed down the side of her neck, coming to her breast.
“Evander,” she muttered, leaning into my touch. “I cannot be distracted. I must go.”
Sighing, I raised my head. “Very well.” I kissed her lips once more. “I shall go with you.”
“Really?”
“Yes, really. I have not been to town in quite some time.”
“Then I should make haste,” she said, taking her dressing gown as she moved to her private room.
Rising from the bed, I stretched. I did not wish to go, but I did not want to be away from her, either. More importantly, I worried for her, especially now that I had gotten Fitzwilliam’s letter and knew that Datura had settled down not more than ten minutes from this house. They were up to something, I was sure. But when would they attack? And how? I preferred them to strike at my heel now so that I could finally be done with them instead of this unknowing that tortured me.
“Evander?”
“Yes?” I turned back to see her head poking around the door.
“Emeline shall be coming with us.”
“You wish to bring her?”
She nodded. “It will be good for us all to go together. After all, we are a family now, right?”
Her kindness humbled me. “Of course, but I am not sure she is awake.”
“I will send someone—actually, I will get dressed and go myself.”
“Whatever you wish.” I smiled.
She grinned and went back into her room.
The more dedicated she was, the more I felt a desire to watch over her, to keep her close. Oh, dear lord, a lifetime of this?
Nothing would make me happier, truly.
Aphrodite
“You should be aware of some gossip I heard, Your Grace, from around town,” Eleanor whispered as we walked the empty hall to Emeline’s room. “I believe it is what brought the dowager here.”
“Tell me.”
Eleanor frowned heavily, her face severe. “Apparently, the talk is that you are cruel…to the young miss.”
I gasped. “I beg your pardon?”
“They said that you detest her presence, as she is evidence of the duke’s…past wife. And you take your anger out on the child.”
“That is horrid.” Why would I abuse a child because of her mother? Even if it had not all been a tragic set of circumstances, Emeline was still not to blame. “It is very good that she comes with us. Seeing us all together will help kill any such talk. But you must seek out the source.” I paused, looking her over. “There has been much said about the dowager, but she would not create such tales herself, correct?”
“Truly, I do not know, Your Grace. Different people tell me different things. I thought to bring this to you since it came from the town.”
I understood what she meant. I exhaled as she opened the door for me. Inside, Mrs. Watson was once again doing Emeline’s hair, though Emeline was nodding off slightly.
“Your Grace.” Mrs. Watson curtsied to me.
Hearing her nanny speak, Emeline’s eyes opened and she shifted to see me. I hoped she would be more relaxed, but instead, she looked nervous, quickly rushing off the chair to stand beside Mrs. Watson’s skirt just like when I had first met her. Had she heard the talk? Abena often eavesdropped on the staff when she was playing through the house, too.
“Your Grace, she was not feeling well last night. Maybe it is best to leave her to rest this morning,” Mrs. Watson said.
I hid a frown and walked right up to Emeline, sinking down in front of her. “Good morning, Emeline.”
“Good morning, Your Grace.” She barely managed to get the words out before she tried to step away from me.
“Emeline, I promise I shall never hurt you. You are under my protection, and that means I care about you a great deal. There is no need to be afraid. If you wish to stay home today, that is fine. If you want to go into town with us, that is fine, as well.” I held my hands out to her. “Whatever you wish to do, we shall do.”