Chapter Six #2
Worry went through Evangeline’s chest. “It’s doubtful he’ll remove to Cornwall soon with the wretched weather. Constant rain makes mud that never dries. Also, I have the odd feeling he is waiting for something to happen here in Town.”
“What?”
“I don’t know. It’s another of his secrets.”
Yet on the other hand, she was looking forward to going to Cornwall, for she’d always wanted to visit. In fact, she had an elderly aunt who lived there… somewhere, whom she hadn’t seen since she’d married Marklesfield. With any luck, perhaps she would adore the sea and all of its changing moods.
Would it remind her of Darkemore?
Anne pinned her with a look. “What of possibly having children?”
She shrugged. “I am probably past that age. And I suspect the beatings I received from my first husband have done damage to my body.” Unexpected emotions balled in her throat. Tears rose into her eyes. “I can’t think of that else I’ll go mad.”
“Perhaps it isn’t as bad as you fear. One of my friends had an aunt who bore children until she was five and forty.”
“Thank you for that.” She reached out and touched Anne’s hand.
“Darkemore and I haven’t discussed a possible family.
I think that is beyond his ken. And I rather doubt he’d prove a decent father.
” Men with that many demons and secrets and the past he undoubtedly had would prove distant or at the very least grouchy.
“However, he’s already made inroads into not impregnating me.
” In a low voice, she told her friend how he’d withdrawn when they’d coupled.
“Oh.” Surprise lay stamped over Anne’s face. “That is an interesting tidbit. Perhaps he is respecting you until you have had a chance to discuss such things. Regardless, I wish you luck.”
“I appreciate that, for I have a feeling I’ll need it.”
Later that afternoon
Darkemore came to call around teatime. Anne had gone home by then, and most of Evangeline’s possessions had been packed.
“I didn’t expect to see you today.” The sight of him accelerated her heartbeat, for despite what he was and what he represented, his looks had the power to steal her breath.
“Fate is fickle, and there are things I needed to speak with you about.” He came further into the room, sent his gaze roving about the space, before finally landing it on her. “How have you been the past two days?”
“Well enough. I have kept busy supervising the packing of my belongings.”
He frowned. “That is what servants are for.”
“I am aware of that, but some of the items are personal and fragile. I didn’t wish to leave their care up to chance.
” She had very little belonging to her from her time before she’d married Marklesfield.
And during the ten years of her married life, she’d collected a few things that brought her joy or gave her an escape during that horrible time.
Yes, it would be easy enough to leave them behind, but to her, they represented overcoming challenges and continuing in adversity.
“Fair enough.”
“Will you sit with me?”
The duke shook his head. “I am not planning to linger.”
Of course he wasn’t. With a sigh, she stood up from the chair where she’d been reading, and she left the book on the cushion. “What did you mean to talk with me about?”
“I’ve secured the marriage license and had planned to wed you tomorrow. However, my housekeeper informed me that the household needed more than half a day to plan, and that my guests would need more notice, so you and I will wed the day after tomorrow.”
“Ah.” A modicum of relief twisted through her insides. “That is quite logical. I would imagine your household staff needs a grace period to ready rooms as well as to prepare a wedding breakfast.”
An odd sort of melancholy pervaded his person.
It was almost as if she could feel it seep off his body.
“Regardless, I would like to know who you wish to witness the ceremony so I can courier over invitations. I’m inviting some of my friends from the club.
There is no one else in my life I want as a witness. ”
Her heart squeezed in sympathy. That was so utterly sad.
“All right. I suppose Mrs. Cunningham, and my other close friend, Miss Blankenship, my brothers, but realistically, James would be the only one to come since Harold is in the country just now. Of course, be advised that James opposes the match.”
“Why?” The inquiry came out on the heels of a growl.
She shrugged. “He wished to match me with one of his friends. For the control and easy access to purse strings, no doubt.”
“Then he will prove disappointed. I won’t have my coin going to support a dissolute gambler.”
“In that I am in complete agreement.” When she offered him a grin, he didn’t return it. “One last guest would be Viscount Echerson. He has been kind to me since Marklesfield died.”
“Why the devil do you want him at our ceremony? Isn’t he a potential suitor?”
“He might wish that, but I have no such designs on him in that way. There were times when he visited that Marklesfield curbed his anger and annoyance, which meant I wasn’t beaten those nights.”
Anger darkened the duke’s face, but she didn’t think it was directed at her. “I won’t tolerate you betraying our vows to be with him.”
“You aren’t listening to me, Darkemore. I do not want the viscount.”
“Do you believe he will attend?” There was an odd sort of anticipation in his voice, but since his back was to her, she couldn’t see into his face.
“He might. I haven’t spoken with him for a couple of weeks, so I don’t know his schedule.”
“Bah.” When he fell into pacing in front of the windows, ignoring her, Evangeline shook her head.
“Are you stewing or fuming? Imagining scenarios that will never be true?”
“I am brooding.”
Was he truly worried she would throw him over for the viscount? That was a queer thing to even think about, but of course, she didn’t know him very well. “Then let me run downstairs to consult with the cook.”
He frowned. “Why?”
“Because if you are indeed brooding, you might as well help her chickens hatch some eggs. At least then she can make a cake.”
“Ha.” Surprisingly, he chuckled, and the sound tickled through her chest. The mirth briefly put light in his eyes and lifted his features. In that, he was a tad more approachable. “Thank you for that.”
It gave her hope. “I have found that humor can often help us through even the darkest of times.”
“I must say I have never relied on that, but perhaps I will with you at my side.”
“I will try my best to make things… more tolerable if you won’t accept better.”
This time, he growled for a different reason. “None of that is your responsibility, for I only desire you for one purpose.”
She huffed out a breath. “Intercourse.” It wasn’t a question.
“Perhaps, but that is not what I meant.”
“Then what?”
“That is not in your purview just now.” Instead of explaining it, the duke quickly closed the distance between them. After he rested his cane against a chair, he hooked his good hand about her nape, swiftly drew her against his body, and then claimed her lips in a sudden but quite intense kiss.
Over and over, he moved along her mouth, leaving no bit unexplored, and when he was finished, he encouraged her to open for him.
With a sigh, she held onto his shoulders, but she thrust and parried with his tongue, not willing to let him dominate the kiss.
She’d meant what she’d said two days ago.
If he wanted access to her body, it would only happen if she asked him to, but that didn’t include kissing.
Yet in that embrace, his power and drive was obviously evident. It even felt as if he was holding himself back for whatever reason. How to tap into that and let him know that he needn’t hide behind… whatever he needed that made him shrink from society.
Just as she was ready to divest him of his jacket, the duke wrenched away.
He was a bit breathless, the same as she.
“Remember, Evvie, you are mine. I will send out the invitations, but if the viscount makes trouble, I will toss him into the gutter.” In his typical fashion, he retrieved his cane, mumbled his goodbyes, and then exited the room.
The whole exchange left her reeling. “Good heavens, what have I gotten myself into?” At least this union would prove lively and wild if a bit dangerous and frightening.
Was she strong enough to survive it?