Page 38 of Raising the Duke’s Unexpected Twins

Cordelia awoke to the sound of the curtains being drawn.

“Good morning, Your Grace,” a soft voice said, and Cordelia’s brow furrowed in confusion.

She had been in such a deep sleep that it took her a few moments to raise herself up and open her eyes to see who was speaking. Her young lady’s maid smiled at her.

“It’s me, Anna, Your Grace. Good morning. I let you sleep in a little, but cook has made your tea, and I’ve brought the tray.”

“Oh, forgive me.” Cordelia smiled. “I don’t usually sleep so late.” She noted the brightness of the morning outside her window. “Thank you.”

The blonde maid brought her tray from a nearby table and slid it onto Cordelia’s lap.

“There you are, Your Grace.”

“Thank you.” She was delighted at the sight of a warm pastry next to her teapot.

“I will return once you are finished to take things away.”

“Thank you again.”

“You are most welcome.” Anna went to the door and turned for a moment. “We are very glad to have you, Your Grace. It is nice to have a duchess amongst us. Having a lonely bachelor in such a large house feels rather…lonely, I suppose.”

Cordelia lifted her brows, surprised at Anna’s kind, yet bold words.

“Forgive me, Your Grace.” She blushed and curtsied again. “I only meant⁠—”

“Oh no, you are kind to say so. I’m happy to be here as well. I’m not sure how His Grace feels about it, however.”

“He is delighted, I’m sure!” Anna said, her smile widening. “He is a kind master, and we all wanted this for him.”

Cordelia didn’t like the pleasant bloom that filled her belly at the compliment to Nicholas. At least she had not married a complete tyrant, who terrorized any young woman in his employ with his unwanted advances.

Cordelia blushed and looked down at her hands, a little embarrassed. “Well, I shall leave you,” Anna said, but Cordelia quickly stopped her.

“Anna, I wonder if you might ask Jenny to meet with me after breakfast. I fear she is far too fatigued, and she may need a bit of time away.”

“Of course, Your Grace.” Anna left, and then Cordelia was left on her own.

Slowly, she poured her tea, the daze of sleep still clinging to her mind. But there was more in her mind too. Her night had once again been full of dreams of Nicholas, the feeling of his lips on her skin, the brush of his rough, stubbled jaw along her cheek, and how he had whispered such dark things in her ear at dinner. It all made her awaken with a warm wetness between her thighs and an unfinished desire that she was not certain she knew how to slake.

“Ask me to stay,” he’d told her, but she could not and would not.

All he wanted was to bed her, and then he would be done with her, and that would be a cage in and of itself. She couldn’t bear the thought of that, for her own body was beginning to betray her. If she could no longer trust her body, then she would have to depend upon her mind to rein in the terrible temptation that now surrounded her.

He does not want you, only that. Remember that he is a rake. Remember that you do not have a true husband.

Turning her mind to thinking instead of what games she would play with the children that day, Cordelia finished her tea and Anna returned to help her dress for breakfast. But at breakfast, she was to find no Nicholas, only a sideboard full of warm food awaiting her.

“Forgive me, but where is my husband?” she asked a waiting footman.

“He is out this morning, Your Grace. He has gone riding and then will return to his club, I believe. He often eats there.”

“Thank you,” she said, annoyed at the slight disappointment she felt at his absence.

Was he really to stay away from her and from the children simply to make a point? Was it all about making sure the children did not get attached to him, or was it all about him desperate to get her to beg for him?

She ate quickly, annoyed at her own annoyance but eager to begin her first day and to speak with Jenny. In the duchess’s private sitting room, she found Jenny already awaiting her, looking nervous and uncertain as she stood from her seat by the fire.

“Your Grace, Anna asked that I meet you here.”