Page 58 of A Bride for the Cruel Duke

“Won, possibly,” he agreed. “But you would have been naked when you had.”

Caroline’s body ran warm. Two nights ago... what might have happened if she had removed her chemise?I am glad I resisted, while I am somehow furious with myself for doing so.

“And no, nothing like that,” Anthony then assured her. “I promise.”

“I can’t wait,” she said sincerely, to which Anthony smiled.

As for where they were going tonight? It was Anthony’s third ‘chance’ as he referred to it to court her properly and prove resolutely that this marriage was more than a mere desire to produce an heir. Truly, the whole thing felt redundant by this point, as Caroline felt they had passed that point, with all that was left for them to go to bed together.

But she did not complain. Nor did she try and stop him either. If he wished to take her out and spoil her, who was she to try and resist? All this, as she saw it, was further proof of what this marriage had become. No more fighting. No more arguing. And they were much more than merely companionable…

As to where they were going? He had surprised her just two hours ago, announcing proudly that he’d procured tickets for the opera.

Caroline had been overwhelmed by the notion. As one of six children, it was rare for her mother to take them to the opera, as the cost was beyond her, not to mention the challenge in acquiring seven tickets for such an evening. A shame too, as Caroline had always loved the opera, harboring a romanticism toward it, relishing the spectacle, and admiring the beauty. She was nothing if not excited.

“Here we are...” Anthony sat up in the carriage as it began to slow. “Are you ready?”

“Ready?” Caroline frowned. “What for?”

He chuckled. “You really are new to this, aren’t you?”

She looked at him flatly. “I am not some bumpkin. I have been to the theatre before, you know. Obviously.”

“This isn’t the theatre.”

“And there is a difference?” she shot back.

It turns out, there was.

It was the crowds that Anthony had been referring to. The sheer volume of people crammed onto the street outside the theatre as they pushed and shoved to get inside. Even a duke and duchess were not immune to the chaos, meaning that Anthony was forced to take hold of Caroline as she climbed from the carriage and not let her go.

His hand was around her waist as he led her. A firm grip. A commanding one. He was power and strength incarnate, and he led her through the masses, which parted for him as if on instinct. Not once did he indicate he might let her go. And not once did she wish for him to. The feel of his arm around her, she had never felt so safe, despite the crowds.

What was more, she was surprised that it didn’t excite her in the same way that his touch usually did. Sure, she enjoyed the feeling of his arm around her. But it was more than amorous. It was, she assumed, how a wife should feel in the embrace of her husband.

Their seats were in the balcony, a private booth for just the two of them, allowing them to enter via a private door around the side of the theatre. Once they were ushered inside, he moved his hand from her waist, quickly taking her by the hand to lead her down the halls, up the steps, and into the booth.

There, they sat together, his hand still wrapped around her own. And even then, now that they were safe and secure, he held her hand tightly as he rested it in his lap, and Caroline found herself glad for it. It was not uncomfortable. It was not awkward. It was right. It felt natural. It was as a wife and husband should sit.

Despite their being alone, Caroline had nothing to fear about what might happen, as the show started not long after they were seated, providing a perfect distraction. Again, however, it didn’t really matter. All this evening felt like was a night out between husband and wife, and thus she relaxed, enjoying herself like she did not think she ever would around him.

For four hours the show went on, and she was enraptured the entire time. Her mouth hung open. Her eyes were wide. Her breath held, it seemed, for the entire show. At one point, she caught Anthony watching her, smirking as he did.

“What?” she asked him warily.

“Nothing,” he said, still smiling. “I am simply glad to see you are enjoying yourself.”

“More than enjoying myself. This is... I love it.”

This saw his smile grow and he squeezed her hand tighter.

When the show ended, Caroline was more upset than she thought she would be, wishing it could have gone for another four hours. That was until Anthony reminded her of the surprise.

“You haven’t forgotten, have you?” he said, pretending to look upset.

“Oh...” Caroline suddenly became aware of where they were. With the show having ended, their little booth had turned suddenly dark. They were alone. Nobody could see them. And with her hand placed firmly in his lap, she could not escape the feeling that something was about to happen. And that she would not want to stop it. “I... I just assumed you were joking.”

“Joking?” Anthony squeezed her hand tighter, meeting her eyes fully. He held them and her heart began to race. “I would never.”

---