Chapter 7
Chapter Seven
“Iwill come to you tonight.”
That was the last thing that the Duke said to Thalia before leaving her in the middle of the foyer, moments after having arrived home. They had spoken little up to that point, and in hindsight, she wished that they had said a little more to one another.
Thalia had been determined to make it seem as if she did not need his help in any way, shape, or form. Now that the ceremony was over, and she was at her new home, she wanted to have as little to do with her husband as possible. And she had wanted him to know it!
Alas, she was quickly reminded that such things were not possible.
I will come to you tonight…
The words hung in her mind as the Duke strode up the steps and vanished around the corner.
They sat on Thalia’s shoulders, heavy and suffocating, as if trying to bury her in the floor.
They were ominous and foreboding, like monsters lurking in the shadows as they waited for the right moment to pounce.
“Your Grace?”
Thalia was not alone in the foyer, even if it felt like it. When the Duke brought her inside, the entirety of the household staff was lined up to greet them. By now, most had started to filter out and return to their stations, but a handful of maids remained.
Thalia forced herself back into the room, a shake of the head, and she pushed from her mind the Duke’s words.
“Yes?” She turned to the five remaining maids who all watched her expectantly.
“Would you like to see your room, Your Grace?” a young maid asked.
“I…” The room where her husband would come to her? The Duke’s words still hovered in her memory, and she could not escape them.
“Your Grace?”
“Yes,” Thalia said with a firm nod. “Yes, I would love to see my room, thank you. Oh…” She smiled at the young maid. “And what is your name? All of you, your names?”
Thalia was alone in this world, as per the agreement of her marriage. But this was now her home, and she was determined to make it feel so. Just as she was determined not to think about tonight.
The rest of the day was spent getting acquainted with her new life. The maid who asked to show her to her room was named Sally, and she was one of two personal maids who promised to attend Thalia in everything that she needed.
They showed her to her room, where her things were already waiting for her.
They took her through the manor, touring each wing of the home, every room, and explaining to her everything that she needed to know.
Once that was finished with, it was time for supper, and while Thalia was not surprised that her husband did not join her, it might have been nice if he had.
That thought brought with it great confusion.
The Duke was not trying to get too close to her. And that was all right. This was no love match, merely a contract of necessity. Dammit, she reminded herself of this as often as she could. She needed to believe it!
Still, it might have been nice if he put in some effort. If he treated her like she existed… like she mattered to him in any way. But as she ate alone, feeling so small in the large dining room, Thalia was forced to concede that she did not matter to the Duke. Not now, not ever.
Those first few hours of her marriage served as a stark reminder to Thalia. Of what was to come. Of what she could expect. Of why she needed to be strong.
Now I know how my mother must have felt for all those years. Lonely. On her own. Nowhere to turn and no one to help her. And it’s only my first day!
Once Thalia finished with supper, she had a bath drawn for her. And while that was indeed relaxing, throughout, Thalia’s mind continued to wander toward the future… what was expected of her tonight.
Was it possible that the Duke would simply forget? Or perhaps he would change his mind? Maybe, after the long day he had, he would be too tired and decide that such things could wait for another evening?
Thalia knew she was being naive.
Once she was dried, and dressed in a simple white shift, she sat on the edge of her bed and watched the closed door of her bedroom in wait, knowing as she knew anything that tonight was inevitable.
Indeed, no sooner was she left alone did she hear footsteps.
They came slowly down the hallway. Each one thumped off the wooden floor and she felt it reverberate through her chest. She thought to lock the door. To feign sleep. To do anything she could to dissuade the Duke.
All the while knowing that there would be no point.
The footsteps reached her closed door and she saw the shadow of the Duke beneath it. He paused on the other side, she braced herself, and the door swung open.
“Good,” he said from the other side of the doorway. “You’re awake.”
“Oh.” She started to see him there. “You… you came.”
“Did you think I would not?”
I hoped that you would not. But as I am learning more sharply than ever, rarely do I get what I want.
“No, I knew that you would,” she said.
The Duke stayed in the doorway, watching her on the edge of the bed.
The room was darker than it should have been, as the fire was beginning to dim. This had the effect of casting the Duke’s tall frame in mostly shadow, which in turn made him appear more sinister and indomitable than usual. Even foreboding.
He wore just a nightshirt. It was large and hung down to his thighs, which themselves were bare to the skin. The nightshirt was open at the neck, exposing his chest, revealing a matt of thick black hair. In most circumstances, it might have been a sight that would make any girl quiver.
However, as was the Duke’s way, his expression was flat as he looked at her. There was no hunger in his eyes. There was no curve on his lips. It was as if he was waiting for supper to be served, annoyed that it was taking so long, wishing that he was elsewhere.
If he wanted this, if he wanted me, maybe there would be a chance that… no, that was never going to be the case. What’s more, I do not want it to be.
“How have you found everything?” He stepped into the room and closed the door. Thalia jumped at the sound of the lock clicking.
“It has been fine,” she said, still sitting on the bed.
“The staff is helping you?”
“They are.”
“Good,” he said with a single nod, as if the information pleased him. “If they are not, please inform me, and I will see to their discipline.”
“I am sure that will not be necessary.”
He walked toward her. She felt each step through the floor, the vibrations racing up her legs and attacking at her insides. Thalia was shaking from nervous energy, and she labored under the effort to remain calm.
The Duke stopped short of her.
He looked her over, his brow furrowed slightly, those eyes working their way across her body in a way that was calculated. She tried to sit up straight, as if being appraised, and she attempted to meet his eyes but found herself unable.
“You are aware of why I am here?” he asked.
“I am.”
“And?” he continued. “What do you think?”
“I…” She hesitated, not sure what he wanted to hear. “Do you care what I think?”
“Would that surprise you?”
Elena narrowed her eyes, not certain at all where this conversation was supposed to go. Was he trying to make himself feel better? Was he hoping that she would give him permission? Someone, she doubted that very much.
“I accept it. This was what I promised, and I am not one to go back on my word.”
He nodded once with satisfaction. “Good. I would not expect you to.”
Silence then, and it was very awkward.
Thalia had no idea what she was supposed to do.
This was her first time, and with a man who she did not care for.
She knew that she should stand and go to him.
She knew that she would need to kiss him and then hope that he took over.
But as things were, she could not fathom how she might do such a thing.
If only she felt something for him… anything at all.
“You are nervous,” he said.
“I…” She swallowed. “Only a little.”
“There is no need to feel that way. What we are about to do is perfectly natural.”
She scoffed. “I am glad you think so.”
He tilted his head as he looked at her. Then, a decision reached, he held out a hand for her to take.
She eyed the hand nervously. He raised an eyebrow at her. She reached up, took the hand, and allowed herself to be pulled to her feet.
Even his hand was too cold. It surprised her, in fact, because she remembered well enough how it had felt when his fingers had brushed her back that time.
It had sent a warmth through her body, a tingle across her limbs, and for a few brief seconds Thalia had not been nearly so repulsed by her husband.
She must have worn a look on her face that told her husband what she was thinking…
“I wondered how you would react tonight,” he said, still holding her by the hand. “Especially after the last time.”
“The…” Her words caught in her throat. “The last time?”
“Yes.” Gently, he pulled her toward him. “I confess, it caught me my surprise, as it must have you. At the modiste’s store, as I helped you with your dress.”
“I don’t know what you are talking about…” She looked away as if with shame.
“I was surprised by it.” Still holding her hand, he closed the distance between them.
Then, his free hand went to her waist. “As I was surprised by myself, for that matter.” The hand on her waist squeezed and Thalia gasped.
“I did not think myself capable of feeling that way in public. Of losing myself as I did.”
“I…” Thalia could hardly concentrate. From his hand on her waist to his other hand that held her own to how close they were suddenly. “You did?”
“As did you, I think.” His voice softened as he looked at her. Still, there was no want in his eyes, no sense of hunger. But his words suggested otherwise. “I felt your reaction to my touch.”
“There was no reaction.”
“Just as I think you felt my own.” He released her hand, moved it up her waist, and rested a finger under her chin. “And that is what you must focus on, if you wish for this to work.”
“Work?”