Daniel watched the flush slowly bloom in Eva’s checks as she caught his eye before once again looking out the window. She knew he was thinking about last night, and damn him for a randy fool, but he had thought about nothing else since leaving her at dawn.
She looked mouthwatering today, the darker blue pelisse caressing her beautiful breasts and fastened to the neck, the small buttons begging to be undone. Her bonnet was ruched velvet with a small brim, and several curls peeked from beneath. Daniel mentally shook his head, wondering how he had ever thought her plain. He had entered her room last night knowing she was an innocent and believing he would leave having done his duty. Instead, he had left shaken to his soul. His wife had responded to him like no other. Her innocence had caught him, her touch ensnared him, and when he had taken her, he had never wanted a woman more
Should a man lust after his wife?
He could never have imagined she would respond so eagerly to his touch. How could he, when each day she walked around carrying the burden of fear and pain that were the remnants of life with her family?
“I could simply wait in the carriage for you to return, Daniel, or there is a nice little pub -”
Daniel reached for the door as they stopped. “Think of it as cleansing your black soul, Kelkirk.” He took Eva’s hand while helping her down, then placed it on his arm.
“Yours is blacker than mine, Stratton, and in need of a thorough sluicing, if you ask me. Forgive me, Eva,” Simon added.
“Lord Kelkirk, Simon.”
“Yes, Eva?”
Daniel watched as Eva thought about her words. She rarely just rattled out whatever came into head, possibly because the consequences had not always been pleasant.
“I was brought up by three brothers and a father who spoke in whatever manner they chose, regardless of whether I was present or not. Therefore, I will not take offense if you and Daniel, in the course of your bickering, throw in a few insults or cusses.”
“Bickering!” Daniel protested. “Men do not bicker, wife - we debate.”
“I’m far too mature to bicker, Eva,” Simon assured her. “Although I can’t vouch for your husband.”
Eva laughed but said nothing further as they headed toward the church. Daniel enjoyed the feel of her small hand on his arm and the occasional brush of her body as they walked. They passed small cottages with neat gardens, the crack of sheets flapping in the gentle breeze telling him that for many families it was wash day. Several children squealed as they ran past in their Sunday best.
People were gathered outside chatting as they arrived at the tall, cream-stone church. A large, round stained glass window gleamed in the morning light, casting shadows on the steps below.
Everyone stopped talking and cleared a path for them to walk through as they drew closer. Daniel noted that like he, Simon took it in his stride - smiling left and right, nodding and then entering the church. Eva was not quite so comfortable. Her fingers now gripped his sleeve.
“What?” Daniel questioned her as he helped her into the narrow front pew.
“Those people outside…”
“You’re a duchess, Eva. That will happen if you are here or in London,” he said, watching her fiddle with her gloves. “It comes with your title and in time you will get used to it. Is that not right, Kelkirk?” Daniel added, turning to his left to try and accommodate his long legs in the small space.
“I don’t make a habit of agreeing with your husband, Eva, but in this case he is correct.” Simon’s jaw dropped as he glanced back down the aisle. “Dear Lord, don’t look now but Mrs. Potter has something live draped around her head.”
Of course, Eva and Daniel immediately turned to look behind them. Mrs. Potter was striding down the aisle dressed in a mustard wool dress which, while a little snug, was not overly outrageous. However on her head she wore a turban at least two feet high. At the top, Daniel thought he could see a small pair of beady eyes, though it was hard to tell in the church’s dim interior. Eva, he noted, was biting her lip to stop laughing, however she still made a little snuffling sound.
“Did you just snort, Duchess?” Daniel whispered into her ear.
Keeping her mouth pursed, Eva shook her head; he knew she dared not risk talking, as she would surely burst into hysterical laughter.
“Is that a tail I see poking out of the bottom?” Daniel queried. He didn’t think Eva had often had cause to laugh out loud and he wanted to provoke her into doing so. Inhaling, he breathed in her scent and was reminded of the taste of her skin last night. Not a wise move, thinking lustful thoughts when he was sitting in God’s house
“And a foot by her right ear. I’m sure I see a claw.” Simon craned his neck to get a better look
“P-please s-stop.” Eva was now gripping her gloved fingers together.
“I wonder how it is secured? Could cause no end of damage were it to dislodge and land on someone,” Simon whispered.
“Your Grace, Lord Kelkirk, your Grace!” Mrs. Potter stopped beside their pew.
“Mrs. Potter, how wonderful to see you again and in such splendid health. May I compliment you on you headgear - it is really quite something.” Daniel felt Eva shake beside him.
“Quite something, indeed,” Simon agreed. “In fact, it is beyond quite something, your Grace - it is magnificent!”
