Considering the events of the previous night, he couldn't help but feel elated. He had retired for the night with a sense of hunger, wishing he could have joined Amelia in her bedchamber and continued what they had started.
The memory of her climax brought a foolish grin to his face. Gideon had experienced his fair share of romantic liaisons, yet witnessing a woman's pleasure had never been as satisfying as it was with Amelia. Usually, it washewho would take control, using other women to sate his cravings. But seeing Amelia writhe beneath him last night had been enough to satiate his own lust.
More, she’d begged.
And Gideon fully intended to grant her wish.
He stepped out of his bedchamber with that same sappy grin on his face and a pep in his step. Excitement coursed through him as he made his way to the morning room past bemused footmen. He couldn’t quite believe how his mood could have improved so quickly. Late last night, Gideon had braced himself for a night of heavy drinking to drown his sorrows while thinking up another plan of action. All attempts at pinning Lord Appleby on a game set wager had been inhibited by the Earl’s wariness of the Masked Rogue, and returning to the castle empty-handed had weighed heavily on him.
He was almost on the verge of tossing away his revenge plot.
Yet, this morning was different, promising even, all thanks to the enchanting brown-haired lady who seemed to have made it her mission to stay as his wife. Gideon had wished to be rid of her, but she had quickly become the one constant in his life. Knowing no matter where he may be, tomorrow, next week, or even a year from now, he could return to someone he was beginning to trust, brought to him a different kind of contentment.
For the first time since his brother died, Castle Stanhope had begun to feel like home. All because of her.
And to his welcome surprise, the lady in question was already in the morning room when he stepped past the threshold. As impossible as it felt, his grin widened at the sight of her. Shedidn’t notice him right away, engrossed in pouring herself a cup of tea with one hand while reading a book in the other. She was clad in a pale blue morning dress that Gideon had approved to be in her closet upon her arrival. As his duchess, he hadn’t wanted to run the risk of her tarnishing his reputation in any manner, even though he did not intend to remain married to her for long. But now, seeing her in something that he had chosen for her stirred something inside him that he could not quite name.
It was these little things he was finally beginning to notice. Was this how it felt to have a wife? For a moment, he studied her, adorable in the manner in which she tried to balance the two things in her hands.
Amelia became aware of his presence a few moments later and graced him with a gentle smile. “Good morning,” she greeted.
“Good morning, darling,” Gideon responded, delighting in the subtle blush that blossomed on her cheeks. He settled into a chair across from her, set beside a small rectangular ornate table. “I imagine you slept well?”
Her blush deepened, and she shyly averted her gaze. It was quite a stark contrast to how bold she had been the prior night. “I did,” she answered softly. “And you?”
“Rather well, much to my surprise,” he huffed, reclining against the backrest.
Amelia’s head perked up a little. “Really? Why does that surprise you?”
Gideon shrugged, then reached for a piece of toast. “After the…” he met her eyes for a second, “well, let’s just say I anticipated a night of restlessness. No less owing to the fact that I had a little too much to drink.”
“Then why did you wish to get in your cups like that?” she asked. “Did it have anything to do with whatever business you had while you were away?”
“Yes, it did. Matters… did not proceed as I had hoped.”
Amelia nodded, taking a sip of her tea. Gideon could all but feel the question that was coming. He chewed idly, sitting back in his chair and waiting for her to find the courage.
“What sort of business was it?” she asked at last, glancing up at him. When she caught his direct stare, she flushed again but she didn’t look away. “If you don’t mind me asking, of course.”
“It is nothing you need to be concerned about,” he answered dismissively.
“I am not concerned,” she responded easily. “Merely curious. Considering your condition last night, I believe that’s a natural response.”
“Ever heard the proverbCuriosity killed the cat?”
“I am no cat.”
“You sure purred like one last—” Gideon caught himself, but it was too late. Much to his humor, Amelia’s gaze immediately fell to the sugar bowl as she picked up a teaspoon and stirred in some extra sugar to her teacup. Taking another sip, she winced at the sweetness.
When she understood he was waiting for her response, she finally replied. “It seems you are evading my questions,” she continued, ignoring his last remarks. “…So I take it that it had something to do with the Masked Rogue?”
Gideon sighed. He could tell that she would not let up until she received at least even a smattering of information. “If you must know, then yes.”
“I see.” She bit into her toast, chewed thoughtfully, and then spoke again. “And, judging by your less-than-sober state last night, I gather things did not go quite as planned?”
“You are far too observant for your own good, Amelia.” Leaning forward, Gideon rested his elbows on the table, crunching the toast in his jaw. “Hmm, I wonder. What is your fascination with the Masked Rogue? Why all these questions?” Suddenly, he pulled his elbows from the table and his eyes widened. “Don’t tell me, is it that you wish to experience—”
Amelia glanced at him open-mouthed and then froze. “What do you— No! That’s not it at all! It is just, I have heard the whispersabout your… alter ego, just as anyone else in London has! And frankly, I don’t approve of what you’re involved in.”
