He cleared his throat and stepped back, crossing his arms. She noticed with detached confusion that the doctor had disposed of his cravat, his throat bared above the loose opening of his shirt.
“Now, you might have heard certain,insinuations, about the duke. He is a complex man, with very particular needs and requirements. I am going to assist you with meeting those needs. Do you understand?”
“I suppose so,” Violet murmured, not understanding at all.
Her pulse sped up as nervous energy churned in her belly, sending a tremble down her limbs.
She had heard there were rumours about the Duke of Ashton, whispers at local dances. Speculative looks when he rode through the village. What it all meant, Violet had no idea. Her parents never allowed her to engage in gossip.
“Hmm. We will see,” Richard said enigmatically, as he reached out a hand to help her rise from her seat. “Shall we?”
Violet stood and allowed the doctor to lead her through the interconnecting door into the duke's chambers.
She paused as she took in the luxurious space, noting the carved walnut panelled walls, deep red velvet drapes and the fine blue and green patterned Aubusson carpet before the fireplace. Only then did she catch sight of the duke himself, reclining with almost feline grace in an armchair in front of the fire.
Violet dropped automatically into a curtsy, even as he waved a hand for her to rise.
“We will have no more of that. You are my wife now, Violet. There is no need for formality between us any longer.”
“As you wish, Your Grace.”
“Please, call me Ashton.”
His gaze pierced her from across the room, the dark brown hue she had observed as they said their vows earlier that day seeming almost black in the dim light of the candles.
“Now, has the good doctor explained how we will proceed?”
Violet automatically started to nod, but caught herself. Instead, she bravely shook her head. She needed more clarity.
As nervous as she was about the marriage bed, she was completely unprepared for the scenario she now found herself in.
The duke sighed, raising a glass to take a long sip as he considered her over the rim.
“Richard and I have an understanding, you might say. We have a deeper bond than most. Tonight, he will prepare you to receive me. He is a doctor, my dear, and you can trust him to look after you, andassistyou in performing your duty in my bed.”
Violet felt her mouth fall open with disbelief at this announcement.
The duke wanted another man in the room, watching, while they consummated their union?
“Oh my,” she gasped, as a heady rush at the scandalous thought swamped her senses with dizzying intensity. “Is thatproper, Your Grace?”
The duke smirked, glancing at the doctor with amusement, then back at Violet. “No, probably not. But this is what I want, Violet. Do not worry that you will displease me, or anger me in any way. You are to do exactly as you are told, do you understand?”
Violet nodded dazedly, even as she felt the heat radiating off the doctor’s body as he stepped close behind her.
“Good.” A darkly sensual smile curved over the duke’s mouth and his eyes narrowed intently.
“You may begin, Richard.”
Violet started as she felt the doctor's hand brush over her shoulder, drawing the fall of her long, blond hair to the side so that he could whisper in her ear.
“Come with me, Violet.”
Taking her hand, he led her to the bed, instructing her to lie down diagonally across the covers. He arranged her so that her head was propped on a pillow, her hair fanned out around her face. Her bare toes pointed towards the duke, still seated by the fire, where he watched her with a singular focus.
“Yes, very pleasing, my dear,” said Richard, stroking her hair back from her forehead.
Violet felt gooseflesh rise along her arms and legs at the echoed endearment, as if they were one man, one mind wooing her. A strange quivering tension coiled along her limbs to settle low in her belly, making her squirm slightly.
