“That was perfect,” rumbled the duke, his face smiling but hungry. “More than perfect, for a first time. I think we will find some consolation in our marriage. When we do, you will have even greater pleasure.”
He kissed Rose’s lips once more and then stood, placing her carefully back in the chair, and returning the book to her trembling hands. Rose was too dazed yet to offer any comment although she would rather he had held her a few moments longer.
“Stay and finish your book,” he instructed, his voice a strange mixture of wolfish growl and human good-nature. “You will not be disturbed. It is better that I leave you now, lest all my good resolutions be undone by your charms.”
Before the Duke of Ravenhill turned away, Rose had the chance to glance towards his groin and observe the straining of fabric from whatever was seeking to escape its bounds.
After his footsteps died away, Rose looked down at her own breasts. Were they really as comely as the duke had said? Lifting them in her own hands, she felt their roundness and weight for herself and shivered with the memory of his touch.
After a moment, Rose slipped a hand under her skirts and hesitantly touched the soft, wet place between her thighs. She could not recall ever finding her intimate parts in such a strange state before. Dorian had somehow done this to her - but what exactly had he done?
Withdrawing her hand, she picked up the book again. Perhaps Lord Basington could enlighten her further…
Chapter Ten
“Rose, how well you look!” said Madeline, embracing her friend as she stepped down from the carriage that had brought her to Ravenhill House. “Or must I address you as Your Grace now?”
Rose laughed and shook her head.
“I will always be Rose to you and Josephine,” she replied and then extended her arms to the auburn-haired young Duchess of Ashbourne who now also descended from the carriage and hugged Rose tightly.
“How fast your honeymoon has flown!” Josephine exclaimed. “The wedding feels like it was only yesterday and yet it has been over a fortnight.”
“I know, I have so much to tell you,” Rose chattered happily. “I can’t wait to show you my suite. I arranged my private rooms myself and it was so much fun. I never got to choose anythingfor myself at Westvale Park but here I can do whatever I wish… Well, I could, if I only knew how.”
Her final words became a sigh and Josephine squeezed her affectionately.
“Do not worry, Rose. You will learn quickly. I was equally clueless when I first went to Ashbourne Castle with Cassius.”
“At least you have your mother-in-law there to explain everything,” said Rose, thinking how good it would be to have a good-hearted older woman like Dowager Duchess Nerissa in residence here at Ravenhill House. “I have only the staff, who are very good but…Well, I suppose I don’t understand them any more than the running of my own household.”
“You will learn,” Madeline echoed Josephine, taking Rose’s hand in hers. “How cold it is today! Even though we took hot bricks in the carriage for our feet, I am half frozen already.”
“Yes, it looks like snow,” agreed Josephine, scanning the sky. “Brrrr.”
“Oh, forgive me!” blurted Rose, now realizing that she was keeping her guests talking outside in the icy air. “You must come in. There is a big fire ready in the drawing room and tea and cake as soon as we wish. I am so glad that you’re here!”
“Have your family been to visit yet?” Madeline asked as they ascended the steps.
Rose shook her head sadly.
“Mother was supposed to come yesterday but Father had a bad turn. Maybe next week she can leave him for a day. Edwin and Magnus can’t see the point of visiting until Mother is ready to accompany them. They said they will write when Father is well enough again for me to see him at Westvale Park…”
“Never mind,” Madeline comforted her, noticing Rose’s disappointment and worry. “I’m sure that the Wolf of West London has been keeping you well entertained!”
“Madeline!” Josephine chided, although with a smile on her face. “You are usually the person who tells me to show some respect. I can’t lose my opportunity to remind you of the same.”
“You’re not offended are you, Rose?” asked Madeline. “I say nothing you don’t already know, after all.”
Rose thought for a moment and shook her head.
“I am not offended, but I wish you wouldn’t call him that,” she said. “The wolf part, I understand. I prefer not to think about the rest of it.”
Madeline and Josephine exchanged a glance, now in the hallway and shedding their coats into the hands of waiting maids.
“I am so hungry I shall eat all your cakes and ask for more!” Josephine declared, touching the small but just about visiblebump below her waist. “You may think me greedy but I blame this little one for my increased appetite.”
“You may have as many cakes as you wish,” Rose promised. “Mrs. Jennings told me that the kitchens have baked a large batch this week because you are visiting.”
