Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 86167 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 431(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86167 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 431(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
“I have news for you, Marlow,” said August, pacing to the window. “Your father spanks your mother, too. He was famous for his perversities in his day. I’ve heard the stories.”
“People tell the same stories about you and me, and Wescott and Townsend.” Marlow shrugged. “Elizabeth surely heard them along the way. She did not marry you in complete innocence. That would seem obvious from your torrid piano lessons.”
“They were not torrid spankings,” August said, meaning to clear things up. “You must never breathe a word of this to anyone, or I’ll meet you at dawn, cousin or no.”
“Your secret is safe with me.” He gave a low whistle. “All those spankings, though, and not even married.”
“There weren’t more than twenty.”
“Twenty!?”
August shushed his loud exclamation, lest the servants hear.
“I must confess, I see you and Lady Augustine in a whole new light,” said Marlow. “I’m certainly not concerned anymore. I’m sure she’ll accept you as you are, if you do not go whole-hog too soon. Take things slowly and all will be well. Bring her along step by step.”
“It’s easier said than done.”
“You’ve accomplished many hard things.” Marlow shrugged. “Marriage is hard. You must put in the work, but it’s worth it, for it will be far more enjoyable to have your needs met at home than to skulk off to some mistress, or to Pearl’s. The duke wouldn’t allow that anyway. He’d have you called on the carpet for a spanking of your own.”
August finally managed a real smile. “He probably would.” He sighed, sitting back in his chair. “I’m glad you came with Rosalind today. I feel a little less hopeless about this marriage of convenience.”
Marlow blew out a breath. “Marriage of convenience, my arse. You feel deeply for Elizabeth. I was at the wedding, August. We all were.”
“All right. Yes. I feel so deeply for her that I’m afraid to be her proper husband.”
“But you are her proper husband. Forever.”
“Don’t I know it.”
Marlow took up the small bolster beside him and tossed it at August’s head. “Stop being a dickknob. Forget about scruples and honor and trying to be perfect. You cannot fail at this marriage, cousin. It’s too much ‘in the family’ for that. No doubt the duke and duchess shall visit promptly after the honeymoon period has ended, and they’ll expect to see a contented glow about their daughter. Your job”—he caught the bolster that August flung back—“is to make sure that glow is in evidence. And spankings alone shall not do it, especially ones that have got you in a funk.”
August knew Marlow was right. “I’ll endeavor to get things back on track. If you can have a happy marriage, I can certainly figure it out.”
“There’s the spirit, though I hear an insult in your words. I’ll choose to ignore it.” He took a final swig of his drink before setting the glass on a table. “I’m sure Rosalind will have it all arranged with Elizabeth, but please come to the Glen in a week or two. We’ll go riding hell for nothing while our wives giggle and gossip about how heavenly it is to be married.” He arched a blond brow. “Spring and town life is just around the corner.”
August groaned. “Don’t remind me.”
“Now that you’re married, it will be different. You’ll see.” The brow arched an infinitesimal bit higher. “But only if you and your lady wife present a united front.”
Chapter Thirteen
Starting Along
Elizabeth lay awake in bed. She knew August was still awake, too. She felt his energy, even from his rooms across the hallway.
At dinner, his mood had been high and rather scattered. They’d made little conversation, aside from small talk about Marlow and Rosalind’s visit. August referenced her spanking once, when he asked if she was comfortable sitting. She’d replied with a curt “no,” shifting on her chair, and he’d given her a look that made her think of her conversation with Rosalind.
Has he done anything else…down there?
When his knock came at her door, she took a deep, steadying breath before she answered. “Come in.”
It was not unusual for him to appear at this hour. He’d visited her every night since they’d married, to hold her, touch her, kiss her. When he lay with her in bed, he made her feel like a princess made of something valuable, like crystal or gold. His touches were gentle, if his glances were not. He brought her pleasure, but there was more he wanted. She knew that.
She watched as he took off his robe. Since the first night, he had never worn clothes to bed. She tried not to stare at his long, naked, muscular body, with the smattering of hair upon his chest and…down there, where his thing was. His appendage. His cock, that was the word she must learn to use without blushing. It was just such a weighty thing to get used to. Literally. It was already starting to grow as he slid into bed beside her.