Trapped with the Forbidden Duke (Forbidden Lords #5)

Chapter 17

Chapter Seventeen

“ H ere we are,” Lucien announced. “Stormhold Hall.”

The beautiful building rose, illuminated against the dark evening sky. When Edwina had set off after her wedding earlier that day, she had not realized just how far away the estate was.

When the carriage pulled up outside, neither of them moved. Edwina struggled to find the right thing to say—did not know how to gather her thoughts or speak about their marriage or what to say to her husband.

How had they gone through a great deal together in one week only to now feel like strangers?

“Come,” he said. “I will introduce you to the staff.”

“Of course.”

Lucien paused. “Edwina, I wish…” He frowned down at how close their hands were. “I wish to say that I know you have sacrificed a great deal for your brother. That you had to grow up very quickly and take on more than your fair share of responsibility. You are the Duchess of Stormhold now, and that does come with a great deal of responsibilities. But I also want you to find your own life here. It is yours now, not an extension of your brother’s.”

Edwina laughed humorlessly at that. “My life, you say?”

“You have fought to protect him,” Lucien said. “You have fought well, but now you must let yourself be taken care of.”

He gave her a long, lingering look that positively turned her insides upside down before he alighted from the carriage.

Nerves coursed through her, both terrible and new. After stepping out of the fine carriage, Edwina crossed the circular courtyard in front of Stormhold Hall and approached the Duke.

“Shall we?” he asked, leading her inside.

The entrance hall was tall and wide, and Edwina could see right down the hallway to the closed doors beyond.

Gathered in the open space was the staff Lucien had ordered to be present for her arrival. Edwina tried not to show how unused she was to so many people. She realized just how many servants Lucien had to spare and why it had come at little cost to him.

“Your Grace.” The maids curtsied one after the other.

Lucien guided her down the line of impeccably dressed servants. “This is Harold, my valet. He served my father before me.”

Harold was an older man with kind eyes, and she smiled at him. He bowed at the waist. “Your Grace.”

Soon, she came to the housekeeper—something Montgomery Manor had not had in a long time. The woman had a no-nonsense air about her yet looked so patient, even though her smile was tighter than Edwina’s.

Edwina’s hackles rose, for she had heard plenty of stories about a new wife being envied by the housekeeper, who ran the ships tightly and without a great deal of interference.

But the Duke’s housekeeper curtsied to her, bowing her head respectfully. “Your Grace. Your arrival was most anticipated. I am Mrs. Galley. If you will follow me. I have prepared your rooms for you, and I will introduce you to Lily, your lady’s maid. I imagine your journey was long and you are craving some rest.”

“Indeed,” Edwina answered. “Thank you.”

“The butler is Mr. Hamilton, and should you need anything if Mrs. Galley is not present, then he shall attend to you.”

Edwina turned back to Lucien as he spoke and nodded her understanding, trying to commit the many faces to memory.

Heavens, it was somewhat overwhelming to go from a small number of servants to such a large group of them.

“If that is all, then I will retire to my chambers.” Lucien stood straighter and barely looked at her, before turning towards the hallway. “Goodnight, Edwina.”

“Goodnight,” she returned, but he was already walking away, leaving her in the company of Mrs. Galley.

“Well then, shall we?” the housekeeper prompted.

Soon, Edwina was being led up a staircase in the main hallway, and then down another hallway, and then she was ushered to her new chambers. She did not catch another glimpse of the Duke, and after housing him this past week, it was strange to wonder if they would dine together. Surely, they would.

“Does the Duke spend a great deal of time here?” Edwina asked, following the housekeeper into her new chambers.

“He does,” Mrs. Galley replied. “However, he prefers to conduct his business in London.”

“Does he travel often for it?”

“Am I to be left alone ? ” was what Edwina did not clarify.

“I am sure that if he does, you will accompany him, Your Grace,” Mrs. Galley assured her.

Edwina thought perhaps she would, but it was likely she would not, for theirs was a marriage of convenience. What need would he have for her in London while he met with his business partners? She was better off in Stormhold Hall, learning about her new duties.

From the adjoining door to her chambers, a petite maid walked out and immediately dropped into a curtsey.

“Your Grace,” she murmured. “Forgive me, I did not hear you enter. I am Lily, your lady’s maid. I was finishing preparing your bathing chamber and wardrobe.”

“Should you need anything, simply ask,” Mrs. Galley added, smiling politely. “I shall leave you to it. Lily, ensure that Her Grace has everything at her disposal.”

“Of course, Mrs. Galley.”

Once the housekeeper left, Edwina stood with Lily, who looked poised and ready for anything she might request.

“I wish for a bath,” Edwina said. “The journey was long, and I feel rather stiff.”

“In that case, I have some very luxurious essential oils that I can pour into your bath,” Lily offered. “Perhaps Your Grace might wish to loosen up so you’re not so sore… after your wedding night? It is customary for one to perform at their best.”

“Perform at their best…” Edwina repeated, her breathing quickening as she realized what her lady’s maid was alluding to.

She ought to be fluid with her limbs—easily movable, perhaps. Her stomach tightened. In her mind, she thought of every woman who draped herself over some furniture or other, their bodies bending easily, the sensual way they commanded their limbs.

Lily gave her a bright smile, not suspecting anything to be wrong—because, of course, why would there be? Every wife knew her duties to her husband.

It was only when Edwina was sinking beneath the oiled water, the scent of roses and jasmine rising from the bath, that she let herself truly feel her nerves. Alone, and in a calm space, perhaps for the first time in a long time.

She could barely process how she did not have to listen for the door closing to know that her brother had returned, or the crash of a window as he escaped again.

She was not there any longer. For the first time in many years, Edwina had nothing to be on edge over.

All she had to do was let the water soothe every knot of tension. But after being on pins and needles for so long, waiting for the next calamity and next issue to smooth over before any nosy gossiper noticed, she found herself unsure how to relax.

It seemed strange not to know how to do such a thing, but her mind did not stop whirring, and her body could not release the tension.

Inhaling and exhaling, Edwina told herself that her brother was being cared for.

Lucien’s words echoed in her head as she relished in the luxurious bath. “You must let yourself be taken care of.”

But what of him? What of her new husband being taken care of?

Her stomach fluttered, and she shivered as she drew a fingertip up her thigh and imagined it was his.

In her memories, she was back in the parlor, with her dress pushed above her hips and the Duke’s hand splayed over her bare thigh, his mouth hot on hers. She chased the recollection with a gasp as she let her legs part, preparing herself for how it might feel to be touched so intimately.

But her hand clenched around her thigh. She was not able to do it herself. She could not bring herself to, stopped by her nerves and the pressure of wondering what her husband expected.

Had his parting words at the carriage been an invitation for him to take care of her?

He had done so much for her already—surely, he was expecting something in return. He had claimed he did not want monetary compensation, but that did not mean he wasn’t expecting compensation of another sort. A duke would want to enjoy his wedding night with his wife. A wife he had already kissed. A wife whose lips had tasted the sound of his desire in a moment of weakness for them both.

The pressure mounted in her chest until her heart started pounding and her throat constricted.

Breathe . Simply breathe. You know the mechanics well enough .

And she did, but… her mind kept drifting back to her terrible attempt to seduce him on their first meeting.

Pushing aside the worry that she would come off as clumsy or awkward, Edwina strode to her bed, where her maid had laid out a more delicate, thinner nightgown and robe.

The insinuation was rather clear. This was not of the modest sort.

With shaking hands, Edwina dressed and went to the door that connected her husband’s room to her own.