Chapter 17
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Edward exhaled deeply, frowning as he noticed her red rimmed eyes and tired posture. She was clearly exhausted, but her grip on her own did not falter in the slightest as she turned around to face him, although her form did look almost nervous.
“I believe I asked you a question first,” he told her, as he forcefully shifted his eyes from the parchment paper beneath her hands.
Phoebe shifted slightly and looked up at him, her expression one of fear and vulnerability as she nodded slowly.
“Y-Yes. I’m afraid I was rather occupied, and I hadn’t realized how late it had gotten.” She admitted reluctantly.
“I could tell,” be noted dryly.
Edward had forgotten his earlier bout of worry and fear, as his mind was still fascinated by how focused she had been on her task.
She hasn’t even noticed the door breaking open or his presence until he was close enough to speak to her. He didn’t know whether to be concerned or impressed but he could safely say he felt both of those emotions flooding his chest.
“What is this?” he queried, looking down at the page again.
“Ah,” she quickly placed her hands over the it, barely managing to cover it completely seeing as her caricatures took up the entire page. “It’s nothing. Only a silly hobby of mine.”
Edward snorted and folded his arms. “It’s hardly nothing. I have eyes, Phoebe. You are remarkably talented. And it must mean more to you than you are letting on because you resigned yourself to your rooms for the whole day. Is that how you committed you are to your hobbies?”
“You are rather particular about your horse and the upkeep of your saddles. Are they not the same sort of devotion?” she queried weakly.
Edward stated down at her, unimpressed and disappointed until she could feel the weight of his disapproval and dropped her own gaze.
“No, duchess,” he said dryly. “I dare say those two are not the same things at all.”
She blushed and for some reason, it only made him much more anxious because his heart had yet to relax since he stormed into the room.
He could see that she was fine, hale and hearty — perhaps only a tad exhausted — but still, it seemed as though his mind was still stuck in the possibility of his fears being reality.
She could truly have been unwell. When she had not he believed that she had been hurt.
And it was not enough that she was not because he had not ever had to deal with such emotions before.
It was stifling and he knew that he needed to calm down before he lost the rest of his senses but he couldn’t seem to gather his bearings.
Phoebe had made a grave mistake and it might cost her everything.
Ever so often, she would get absorbed by a commission from the newspapers and think of nothing but the feel of the pen in her hand, the parchment beneath her fingertips and the assignment she had been given.
The time would get away from her rapidly but it did not matter much when she lived with her siblings because they were easy to convince that she needed some time alone.
She had failed to realize that her new household were less likely to simply leave her to her devices — especially if she disappeared for the whole day. At dawn she had woken up to take a walk before the staff were up and about, in a bid to calm her mind before she began working.
Afterwards, she had returned to her room, settled at her desk and began to work, fully intending to take a break eventually in order to ease whatever concerns might have risen amongst the staff due to her sudden seclusion.
But she had forgotten that it was rather impossible for her to entertain other thoughts that were separate from the task at hand she had been given and before she realized what was happening, her husband was standing over her shoulder and the position of the sun told her the day had advanced well into the afternoon.
She hadn’t even heard him knock and she was scared that he would question her actions severely.
She was not sure how he would feel about her working with Mr. Lambert, but she was not keen on finding out.
The question never came, however and he seemed to buy into her weak excuse of the work being a mere hobby.
However, just as she began to think of how to get him to leave her be for a little bit, Phoebe noticed his face appeared slightly pale. Her lips parted to ask if he was all right and that was when she noticed his shaking hands.
There was something clearly wrong.
Slowly, she rose to her feet, and walked towards him, stopping when he took a step back cautiously, his eyes wide in shock. She stopped moving and they both stared at each other for a few seconds before he blinked and shook his head, dropping his hands by his side as he stood straighter.
“Sorry, did you say something?”
Wordlessly, Phoebe approached him and took hold of his hands, gently squeezing them.
“Are you all right?” she asked softly.
His hand tightened around hers and she inhaled sharply at the warmth spreading from his touch.
She did not understand why she had decided to hold his hand, only that it seemed to be the only thing she could do to ease his discomfort.
She hoped he did not feel bothered by it but if she were to trust in the way he inhaled sharply, his hands growing steady once more, perhaps she was able to grant him some ease after all.
“Yes. Yes I am. I was merely tired. And concerned for the well-being of my wife, seeing as she had decided to shut herself in her room and ignore the knocks of the servants, along with her need for sustenance.” He told her with a narrowed gaze.
Flustered, Phoebe tried to defend herself.
“I did not ignore them on purpose! I swear, I actually did not hear a single knock.”
“That is beside the point, Phoebe. You went a whole day without anything to eat. Regardless of whatever you are doing, you must never forget to take care of yourself,” he scolded.
Phoebe nodded sagely. “You have my word, it will not happen again.”
“It had better not. You are to carry my heir eventually and I suspect it would be hard to ensure the well-being of a child if yours is not handled efficiently.” He pointed out.
He was right, of course, but being reminded that he was merely concerned about her health because she was to bear him a child stung for some reason.
“I understand —”
“And I would also prefer it if my wife did not leave herself in a weakened state as well. Heir or no heir, you are still my duchess. Take better care of yourself.” He added curtly.
Warmth spread through Phoebe’s chest and she couldn’t help the slight smile that tugged at her lips.
“I do not know why you look so pleased, when you are about to be punished,” he remarked as he turned away from her, walking towards the door with her hand still in his.
“I-I’m being punished?” she sputtered in bewilderment.
“Absolutely,” he nodded, speaking to the housekeeper who was waiting for them in the hallway. “Have the cook prepare a three-course meal for the duchess. Something light as the appetizer and something filling as the main course. Then a refreshing dessert to go along with some tea afterwards.”
To Phoebe, Edward claimed, “I will not leave your side until every bite is gone from the plate.”
There had been a time when his attention made her nervous, but now, she relished in being the center of his focus.
“Oh, and send for a locksmith. Or perhaps a carpenter. Send for them both.” He added, swiftly tugging Phoebe in the direction of the dining room.
In less than twenty minutes, the cook had managed to whip up a delectable meal and although Phoebe had felt fine initially, the sight of the food made her mouth water.
Edward kept his word, silently watching her eat and sometimes around the second course, she tried to distract him by asking him about his day. They hardly spent time together like this and it was strangely nice. She did not want to miss the opportunity to get to know him better.
“Oh, I simply visited a gentlemen’s establishment with Thomas for a little sparring match in the boxing ring.”
“Boxing?” Phoebe’s heart skipped a beat in fear as her eyes ran over his face. “Are you all right? Did you get hurt?”
The look he gave her was immensely offended.
“Do I seem as though I cannot take care of myself?” he questioned in a haughty tone.
‘Oh, no, dear husband. I would never make such an outrageous presumption. I am of the firm belief that there is no problem too big for you to navigate. Or in this case, no opponent too strong,” Phoebe corrected quickly.
Edward paused, then he nodded, looking rather proud of himself.
“I am glad you think so, because I’ll have you know I won the sparring match.”
“You did?” Phoebe clapped her hands together in glee.
“Yes. But for his sake we decided to have a rematch so that he would be able to hold his head up as he faces his wife. But I remain an undisputed victor,” Edward sniffed, looking wholly pleased with himself.
It was almost odd, seeing him like this and being able to have such a simple, mundane conversation. Phoebe could scarcely believe that this was the same man who had led her away from the ball a few nights ago and ruined her thoroughly as she writhed in his lap, overcome with immense pleasure.
In the days that followed, Edward had been the first and last thing on her mind. He had not held her hard enough to leave any bruises, busy she could swear she could still feel the grip of his fingers on her hips, bringing her down on his member, over and over again.
Her neck was bare of any bite or kiss marks, yet she could still feel his teeth sinking into the column of her throat. He was all she could think about and it seemed the only way she could escape the thoughts threatening to consume her was to bury herself in her work.
Which had been successful, until it wasn’t, because it seemed to have summoned him
But for now, this moment didn’t make her as nervous or as needy as the others had and she was rather thankful for it.
Even though it served as a reminder that perhaps things might have been different between them in another life — a thought she had found herself entertaining more often than not these days.
She did not know what more to do than to hope that things remain like this for much longer, surprised that she had begun to enjoy this somewhat peaceful life of hers.
“Oh,” she gasped, recalling something. “I’m afraid there is something I must discuss with you. I found out yesterday but you were away from the estate on a business meeting and I simply forgot to bring it up earlier. Your aunt sent a letter.”
Edward’s expression bad been open and expectant when she had begun talking, but when she mentioned Lady Shadborn, he immediately frowned.
“Has she finally decided to disown me then? I am only surprised it took her this long, to be frank. I expected she would have made good on her promise much earlier in my life, even before I met you.” He sighed deeply, looking surprised when the servant who served Phoebe’s dessert placed a second portion before him.
Phoebe silently urged him to dig in and after he took a bite of his apple pie, she informed him,
“I think you’ll be pleased to find out that she has no intention of being rid of you.
At least, her letter bore no such notion.
Rather, it was an invitation to her estate for brunch, two days from now.
She expressed that she would like to make amends for the interaction we had during her last visit. ”
“Really?” Edward exclaimed, taken aback. “That is quite surprising. She’s the sort to hold a grudge until it smothers her to her inevitable end as she sleeps. How strange.”
Phoebe frowned. “Edward, that is not a kind thing to say.”
“It is not a matter of kindness, but rather one of accuracy. She is not one to easily relent and call for a truce. She must have been quite impressed by you,” Edward said with a shrug.
“I hardly did anything. It was you who defended me,” she pointed out.
“Which is how I know I am the source of her ire. Not you. Regardless, what would you like to do? Do you wish to honor her invitation?”
Phoebe paused to think about it, although she had already made up her mind. It was important to her that Edward get along with the only surviving family member he had and any chance she was given to achieve that goal, she was intent on taking it.
“Yes. I do.”
Edward did not seem particularly surprised at her response. He merely nodded and picked up the pitcher of fruit punch to refill their glasses.
“Then we shall go. I should warn you though — expect everything and dismiss nothing. That old woman is as cunning as a serpent and if you are not sharp enough, she will swallow you in a moment.”