Page 36 of Denying the Duke (Lords and Ladies in Love 3)

The orchestra played in the background until the guests had finished their meal, at which time the doors were opened to the rest of the ballroom and the guests danced for a few hours.

Patience waltzed with her father, while her new husband huddled with his three friends. Based on their expressions, something serious was afoot, but she was apparently not to be a part of it. Instead, she smiled and nodded to everyone as the afternoon and early evening passed. Another light repast was provided for the remaining guests.

Alex approached her and held out his hand. “I have arranged for a meal to be sent to our bedchamber. Come, it is time to leave.”

Patience stiffened her spine for the coming confrontation. Over the past few weeks she had come to a resolution. If His Grace, the Duke of Bedford wished to marry her to prevent him from having to go through the rigors of finding, courting, and proposing—properly—to his bride, then he apparently wished for a marriage of convenience.

His convenience.

Very well, a marriage of convenience he would have.

…

Alex led Patience from the ballroom and up the stairs to the ducal suite of rooms. He was not yet comfortable here himself. Since his assumption of the title, he had spent most of his time in London, where the duke’s chambers were smaller.

Once he closed the door, he drew Patience into his arms and slowly bent his head. He took her mouth in a gentle kiss. She kissed him back, all ingenuousness and inexperience. Just as he was getting comfortable, she drew away. “I will ring for Polly so she can help me out of my gown.”

His cock stood up and cheered. “Of course, my dear. Dinner should be here by the time you return.”

She gave him a sweet smile and turned to the door connecting the two rooms. Her hips swayed delightfully underneath the gown as she strolled away from him. He would really have preferred to be her lady’s maid tonight, so he could kiss each delectable inch of her skin as he removed her garments.

Allowing for her innocence, he permitted her to go. He pulled his cravat off and tugged at the cuffs of his jacket. He’d given his valet, Thomas, the evening off.

Once he’d stripped all his clothes off, he struggled with what he should wear. He preferred to wear only a banyan, but considering this was their wedding night, and he had an innocent bride, he pulled on a pair of breeches and a loose linen shirt, opened at the neck and tucked into his pants.

He wandered over to the sideboard next to the huge window near the also huge bed, and poured a glass of brandy. He had taken a sip when there was a scratch at the door. Two footmen entered, carrying a table and a tray of food. They quickly set everything up and left the room.

Alex checked his timepiece. Since he had no idea how long it would take a bride to prepare herself for her wedding night, he tamped down his impatience and had another drink.

He was staring into the darkness through the window when the door between their rooms opened and Patience appeared. He frowned at her appearance. She had taken her hair down, and it had been brushed to a glowing sheen in the candlelight, cascading over her shoulders. Shoulders that were covered in wool material.

She had changed from her wedding

gown into a serviceable gray woolen gown. Said gown went all the way down to her wrists and all the way up to her throat. She looked like a damn governess. The only thing missing was an absurd little ruffled cap on her head.

Alex took a deep breath and told himself to calm down. She was probably nervous. He would take his time and work on relaxing her. “You look lovely, Patience.”

She smiled. Not the sort of smile he would expect from a nervous bride, more of a smirk. Nevertheless, he moved to the bottle of champagne on the table and poured them both a glass. He handed one to her and raised his. “Here is to a wonderful life together.”

“Yes. A wonderful life.” She took a sip, then placed the glass on the table. “Perhaps we should eat.”

Something was wrong. He was not sure what it was, but Patience was not herself. Or perhaps she was still angry with him over the botched proposal. Well, they would eat and then he would use all the persuasive skill he’d learned over the years to remove that ghastly gown and steer her toward the bed.

He held out her chair and she sat. As she reached for a roll, he covered her hand with his. “I hope you are not still angry with me. I know I behaved in a somewhat imperious manner, but I could not stand to see you wed to that lecher.”

“’Twas very nice and noble of you to rescue me, Your Grace.”

Alex put his fork down and stared at her. “I did not rescue you.” He ran his fingers through his hair. “Well, perhaps it appeared that way.” When he saw her raised eyebrows, he continued, “All right, then maybe I did rescue you, but you needed rescuing.”

Bloody hell. What was this all about? He knew he should have had a lengthy conversation with her before the wedding, but it had become impossible for them to be alone at all.

Patience picked up her fork and calmly began to eat. Alex gulped down his champagne and poured more into his glass. “Would you care for more champagne?”

“No thank you.” She nodded to the goblet next to her plate. “I still have a full glass.” She slid a piece of chicken into her mouth and licked her lips, then slowly chewed, all the time staring at him.

“Patience, what are you doing?”

She regarded him wide-eyed. “Excuse me, Your Grace?”