He turned her around to face him, tugging the neckline of the gown lower so that the plump tops of her breasts were bared.
An enigmatic smile flashed across the doctor’s face, as he glanced down. Violet nervously licked her lips, willing herself to hold still even as she started to tremble.
He ran a finger down her sternum, pausing at the valley between her breasts.
Then, he tapped his fingers against her chest, moving from one side to the other as Violet held herself as still as a statue. The strange impulse to squeeze her thighs together rose inside, and she fought the urge to squirm slightly where she stood.
The doctor stepped back, staring at her thoughtfully for a moment, before moving behind her to quickly refasten her stays and buttons. Within moments, she was again presentable, and Violet sighed in relief, wiping her damp palms surreptitiously against her skirts.
“When did you last have your courses?” the doctor asked.
“Excuse me?” Violet, stammered, blushing furiously once more.
“When was your last monthly bleed?” asked the man again, somewhat impatiently.
“Um, a fortnight ago, I think,” Violet managed to reply.
“Very good. You are at the right time in your cycle then,” he replied, circling her until he was once again before her.
“There is no sign of consumption or weak lungs. Yes, you will do very nicely, I think.”
He smiled at her, and Violet felt herself smile shyly in return. Glowing from the hint of praise in his words.
If only it was so easy to please her mother and father. It seemed they could hardly look at her without a disapproving scowl crossing their features.
After the strange examination, Violet was dismissed. The duke remained for only a moment longer to talk to her father before he too took his leave.
Violet watched the duke and the doctor mount their horses at the front of the house from behind the curtain of her upstairs bedroom as a wary feeling of hope bloomed in her heart.
Could it be true, could the infamous Duke of Ashton be considering taking her as his bride?
But why?Violet wondered with a frown, nibbling at her lower lip in consternation.
Surely, the man could have his pick of regal ladies if he travelled to London.
Finally, Violet shrugged, dropping the curtain. The ways of the peerage, and men, were a mystery to her.
She was also well used to others deciding things for her. There was no reason her marriage would be any different.
CHAPTERTWO
William Cavendish,Duke of Ashton, strode briskly into the entrance hall of Worsley Manor, tossing his gloves at a hovering footman as he headed for the sanctuary of the study. He was vaguely aware of his friend following in his footsteps as he headed straight to the sideboard and poured them both a glass of rich, ruby-red port.
“A toast,” Ashton grimaced, handing a glass to the doctor. “To my upcoming nuptials.”
Richard flashed him a wry smile, saluting Ashton with his glass as he lowered himself into a nearby armchair. Stretching out long legs with a sigh and crossing his boots at the ankles.
“You approve of the chit then?” Richard asked mildly, although Ashton knew the question was loaded with a weight of importance.
Ashton sighed, leaning an arm on the mantle above the fireplace as he sipped his drink, considering his answer for a moment.
“She seems a meek little thing, I grant you, but she takes instruction well. Surprisingly so, under the circumstances.Yes, I think she will suit our purposes perfectly.”
“Yes,” nodded Richard. “Biddable, but sweet enough. And quite pretty.”
Ashton shot his friend a knowing look, then smiled smugly. “I’m glad you think so. But yes, she is rather fetching, more so up close. At the very least, it should not be too hard to fulfil my duty and sire an heir on her.”
Richard frowned into his glass at the uncouth statement, and Ashton smirked in his direction. Doctor Hamilton could be surprisingly prudish, considering his lifestyle. It was endlessly amusing.
