It would be best to show him now that even if he taunted her and teased her, she wasn’t going to be the kind of woman to back down.
“I’ll prepare for breakfast, thank you.”
Selene dipped her head and entered the room. She moved to the wardrobe and pulled out the clothing for the day. She helped Isobel dress without a word, only meeting her eyes when Isobel sat at the vanity and Selene started to work on her hair.
“I’m sorry about last night, Your Grace. I misunderstood the Duke’s words.” Selene’s voice was barely more than a whisper.
“It is fine.” Isobel offered her a smile as Selene slipped the last couple of pins in place. “Yesterday was just another day. Allow today to be a new one and let us not carry our burdens forward.”
“Thank you, Your Grace.” Selene dipped her head once more, her black hair shining in the sunlight, before stepping back. “Is there anything else I can assist you with before breakfast?”
“No, thank you.”
Selene left the room, easing the door shut behind her and leaving Isobel alone with her thoughts. As she glanced at herself in the mirror, she hardly recognized the woman staring back at her. For the first time, she didn’t have bags under her eyes.
So, this was what a few stolen hours of rest feels like.
Isobel stood up and went to the balcony doors, pushing them open and stepping out into the cold morning air. Her room overlooked the back terrace and the stone steps that led down into the gardens. There was a lake further beyond that.
It was hard to believe that this was her life now.
A knock came at her door, and she turned, stepping back inside and closing the balcony door behind her. “Come in.”
The door opened and the Duke of Foxdrey stepped in, his dark hair damp, his blue eyes taking their time running over her. “What a shame it is that you couldn’t wear the wedding dress every day.”
Isobel’s cheeks warmed and she stared at him even though she wanted to look away and break the tension between them. “Is there something I can help you with, Your Grace?”
“Is that how it is to be between us?” Andrew shut the door behind himself.
With that simple action, the room got smaller, the air warmer. It was hard to breathe, especially when he crossed the room to her in slow steps. She stood taller, tilting her head back slightly to meet his eyes.
“I see no reason for it to be any other way.” Isobel’s breath came a little quicker, her chest nearly brushing against his as he loomed over her.
She didn’t know why he caused such a reaction in her, but it became so much harder to think when he was standing that close to her.
“Very well then, Duchess. If that is the way it is to be, then I shall continue along with the same manner. Unless you wish to say the word.”
“And what word would that be?”
He smiled playfully at her. His fingers drifted up to skim along her jaw, sending sparks dancing across her skin. “I have business to attend to today. Mrs. Brendan, the housekeeper, will be the one to show you around the house and inform you of your duties.”
“My duties?” Isobel swallowed hard. Her job as a duchess was the part she was worried about.
While she had experience running a household, she had yet to plan any extravagant parties. And there would be charity work she was expected to do.
At least the thought of giving back to the people around us fills me with excitement rather than dread.
The Duke’s smile broadened. “Yes, your duties. You are the Duchess of Foxdrey. As such there will be things you are expected to do. You should’ve known that this was going to come with the marriage.”
“I did, but I thought there might be a couple of days to settle in before beginning my tasks.” Isobel tried to hide the waver in her voice, but it was hard with the overwhelming feeling of her life changing entirely getting to her.
“There will be time to learn,” the Duke said, his tone low and suggestive, gaze warm as his thumb swept across her jaw once more. “There are many things I could teach you.”
A pit opened in the bottom of her stomach, anticipation building, warmth flowing. “I don’t need you to teach me anything.”
"There are things you couldn't even imagine you don't know, wild cat." His hand cupped underneath her jaw loosely, giving her space to pull back from him if she wished.
She didn't retreat. Instead, she lifted her chin, meeting his gaze with that familiar defiance even as her breath quickened.
