It was clear to Sophia that staying in this room was futile. She felt restless when she lay awake, and her nightmares haunted her the moment she fell asleep…
It was time to distract her mind.
Sophia fastened the belt of her robe tightly as she began to descend down the hallway with measured steps, careful not to make any noise.
But then she realized that she had no reason to be so surreptitious. After all, this was her estate now, too, and a duchess should be allowed to wander the halls at whatever time she pleased.
She remembered the first few months after the accident had happened. She would wake up crying in her bed, and her aunt would rush to her side. Aunt Rose had a book ready for moments like that as often as they occurred. She would read to Sophia until she went back to sleep.
Sophia decided to do the same. Perhaps burying her nose in a good book would help distract her mind.
As Sophia approached the library, she noticed that the light was on inside. She almost retreated, but since she had already opened the door halfway, she decided that it would be too rude to turn away now.
“Who goes there?”
“Your Grace, it’s just me.” Sophia came out of the shadows and revealed herself to the Duke, who had a look of confusion on his face.
His eyes darted over to the clock which indicated that it was well past midnight and then back to her. Sophia noticed that he was reclining comfortably with a book in his hands.
“Have you seen the time, Madam?” The Duke raised an eyebrow. “I did not take you to be nocturnal like this.”
“I try not to be,” she replied and took a seat in front of him. She figured that now that she was here, she might as well make herself comfortable.
“I can imagine that it must be quite the change of setting, having to move away from your home and settle into a new one entirely. I do not blame you for taking your time to adjust; it is only your first night here,” he observed in that same measured, perfectly rational tone that she had grown to associate with him.
“That is true, Your Grace. But it is not your first night here. You seem to be quite nocturnal yourself.” She pointed at thebook that lay on the table between them. “Is this a common occurrence?”
The Duke simply shrugged his shoulders.
“I find the nighttime perfectly suited to relaxing. It is free from all the noise that usually informs my day,” he said and then looked at the window. “Almost everyone is asleep, and there are only a few who are awake at this hour.”
“Like you and me,” Sophia replied. Her intention was not to flirt with the Duke, but she realized too late that her words sounded quite flirtatious.
The Duke met her gaze for a moment, holding it for just a second before she looked away, blushing.
“Indeed,” he replied, “like you and me.”
Sophia cleared her throat loudly and hastily picked up the book that the Duke had been reading just moments ago.
“I am looking to read a book myself,” she said. “Would you happen to have any sort of recommendations for me?”
“That highly depends on what sort of literature you prefer.”
“Oh, well…” Sophia racked her brain for an acceptable answer. She did not want the Duke to think less of her if she told himthat she loved to read only romance novels. “I… love books about war.”
“War?” The Duke’s tone was surprised. “I must say that is quite a surprising area of interest.”
“Why, yes… I am quite fascinated with it. The Napoleonic wars, the…” She fumbled her words for a moment, and the Duke’s expression changed from surprised to amused.
“Pray tell, Madam. What are some of your favorite books in the genre? I am sure that I must have a copy of them as my collection is quite impressive.”
“We should move on from the topic,” Sophia said hurriedly. “I am sure that we will have ample time to discuss our favorite books in the future, now that we are married.”
The Duke gave her a confused look but then decided to not push her on the subject further.
“As you wish, Madam.” He crossed his arms out in front of his chest. “Would you like to return to your chambers and perhaps give sleep a chance again?”
Sophia shook her head immediately, filled with horror at the prospect of returning to her room alone.
