Jane blinked as her cheeks grew warm again.
“D-Do not worry. It was only a kiss after all,” she huffed with an air of indifference.
Thomas narrowed his eyes at her.
“I see. Of course. It was just that… a simple kiss,” he murmured, dropping one of these hands while the other slid from her face to the back of her neck.
Jane shivered, her spine straightening slightly on instinct. The corner of his lip twitched and Jane fought the urge to dwell on it, willing herself not to react. He continued to adjust her posture and she had managed to stay strong.
That was until he rested a hand on her thigh and she gasped. This time he smirked, moving his hand from her thigh to the hand resting on it and moving slightly from its previous position. Then he returned to his easel and resumed his painting, as though nothing had happened.
Jane felt embarrassment threaten to smother her at her reaction, wishing she could melt right where she sat.
What on earth was happening to her body?
After a while, Thomas set down his paint brush and announced.
“That’s enough for today. I can fill in what’s left by myself.”
“Oh,” Jane sat up, feeling her body sing with exhaustion. “I wish I could say that I had a nice time, but my whole body feels incredibly stiff. I do not know how other people do this.”
“They are trained to do so. This was your first time. I must commend you on your efforts. You did quite well.” He commented casually.
Jane beamed as she rose to her feet and walked towards him.
“Thank you. Can I see it?”
Thomas held a hand out to her, stopping her in her tracks.
“Maybe some other time. I do not like people viewing my unfinished works,” he informed as he rose to his feet as well, wiping his hands with a rag stained with paint. “Come, I will take you to your room.”
Jane nodded, stepping aside so he could lead her out of the room. The house was completely silent as they walked down the corridors and she couldn’t help but hope Reuben was having good dreams.
It seemed Thomas shared a similar train of thought with her, because after a minute or so, he asked,
“How is Reuben? Was he well behaved with you?”
Jane nodded, keeping her gaze ahead of her.
“Quite. He seems like quite a lovely child. Very well behaved and obedient. He did not say a word to me, but he seemed to understand everything I said. Which I believe tells me that you have a good child. If only a tad hungry for affection. He seems to crave closeness, which I find adorable. But it also makes me worry that…”
She fell silent and he urged softly, “That what? Is something wrong?”
Jane shook her head. “No. Nothing is wrong. With any luck, it is all in the past. I must confess… I am rather taken with him already. He is such a sweet child.”
Thomas nodded. “I am glad you think so. I will leave him in your capable hands.”
“I will do my best to continue to care for him. As much as a I can.” Jane promised, meaning every word.
Thomas came to a stop in front of a door, and pointed to it,
“Your chambers, duchess.”
Jane curtsied gracefully. “Thank you, Your Grace.”
“Stop that.”
She blinked at him, confused.
