She took another bite of the bread but slowed her chewing when he moaned and rolled over, exposing himself to her in the dim light. She’d known it wasn’t always erect but was still slightly surprised at the shriveled creature it had become.
Lila obviously had a great deal to learn.
“Are you well?” She’d been so intent upon the change in him that she’d not realized he was awake.
Forcing herself to meet his gaze, she nodded.
“I did not hurt you?”
“Only a little.” She rose from her chair, wet a cloth, and crossed the room to hand it to him. “Do you mind if I change the sheet?”
He’d taken the cloth without question but then glanced up curiously. He looked different to her but she wondered if it was her imagination. His lips seemed fuller, and she noticed tiny little lines at the sides of his eyes, as though he’d spent either a good deal of time out of doors or that he did, in fact, laugh.
She hoped it was the latter. “There is more bread and butter.” Perhaps he’d worked up an appetite as well. “And some cheese… if you like.” How was it that he was a stranger, and yet…?
“I didn’t hate it.” She would try to break through some of this awkwardness. “I thought I would, but I didn’t.”
The man seemed to have not one iota of modesty. She’d expected that he would don his breeches once again and perhaps pull on his shirt, but he’d simply crossed to the tray and taken the seat she’d vacated.
Stark naked.
Although he’d pulled her gown over halfway up her body, he’d never removed it from her completely. A few damp spots darkened the material in some embarrassing locations.
Around the bodice of the night rail and lower, where some of his seed had dripped.
“I’m glad.” He spoke around the cheese he’d taken a bite of. And then an almost smile. “I did not hate it either.”
Something in his look had heat rushing up her neck. What did a lady say in response to any of this? Did it matter, since she was his wife? Somehow, she didn’t think she could offend him in any way.
He was unlike any noblemen she’d ever been acquainted with.
“How long have you been duke?”
His almost-smile disappeared completely, and his mouth set into a grim line. “Three months.”
“I’m sorry.” Had his father been ill? Had it been sudden? That would explain his morose countenance. “Were you close to your father?”
He tossed the hunk of cheese he’d been eating back onto the tray. “My father died over twenty years ago. My older brother held the title.”
Lila had removed the sheet and was opening the much finer quality linen she’d removed from her bag. Without needing to be asked, he crossed to the other side of the bed and assisted her. Despite the nature of their conversation, she couldn’t help enjoying watching his muscles flex and strain beneath his skin.
“I’m sorry,” Lila said again. “Was he ill?” Her curiosity got the better of her.
“No.” Tight-lipped, he stuffed the linen beneath the mattress. “We’d best get some rest. I’d like to arrive at Glenn Abby before nightfall tomorrow. To do so, we’ll have to get an early start.” He’d thrown the patched counterpane back onto the mattress and, without consulting her, extinguished the lantern.
Lila climbed back under the blanket, careful to give him more than half of the bed.
Overall, her marriage was a success.
Her next objective: lower his defenses. After that, she could ask him about sending for Arianna.
5
AWife in Truth
Lila openedher eyes to a room that was not her own.
This ceiling was much lower, cracked in several places and a dingy ivory. No large carved posts, no rose-colored velvet drapes.
