Page 62 of A Bride for the Cruel Duke

It was a good thing that His Grace was so close, and that Violet was with him today, as it allowed for Caroline to pop in unannounced, as she had a question that she sensed only His Grace could answer, and she was desperate to ask it.

Of course, that meant fielding her sister’s questions first, mostly why on earth she wished to speak with her husband about Anthony to begin with. It was also clear to Violet how peaked Caroline’s mood was—of course it is—which had her querying with relentless hostility as to why.

Caroline had never been much of a liar, but she also wasn’t about to start telling her sister about her and Anthony’s more erotic activities.I would die to see her reaction!So, she simply told her sister that she and Anthony were happy, more than she had thought she could be, and for that reason, she wished to do something special for him. A half-truth... but enough of one, for the whole truth might have given Violet a heart attack.

“So, where is your betrothed, anyway?” Caroline asked. “I did not see him when I was brought inside.”

“Working, I would say,” Violet sighed. “But I have sent for him, do not fret. He will join us when he is ready.”

Caroline eyed her sister with a sense of sadness. She knew that Violet’s courtship was not a love match, but she had hoped that by now that might have changed. After all, their circumstances had not been dissimilar to her own—proof that the way things began were not the way they had to stay.

“I hope he will not mind me asking after him.” Caroline decided not to press the matter, simply because she did not wish to sully her good mood or make her sister feel worse.

“Oh, he will be fine,” Violet said. “Roderick is more bark than bite, and where he might seek to intimidate, I assure you it is all an act.”

Caroline chuckled. “You do remember to whom I am married? I think I can handle your husband.”

The two sisters were sitting in the back garden, enjoying a pot of tea and some sweetmeats. The weather was lovely this day, and where Caroline did not regret spending it with her sister, she found that she would have rather had been home so she could be taking advantage of her husband in ways that were reminiscent of the other night.

It is just so strange how quickly things can change. Two weeks ago, I hated the man, convinced he was an evil, wicked soul who wanted nothing more than to see me with child so he could get about ignoring me for the rest of his life. And now...

Two nights ago still sat on the fore of Caroline’s thoughts. She made sure not to think too much of them, because to do so in her sister’s presence would see her unravel. It was just so unlike anything she had ever experienced before. And not just the pleasure. But the fact that Anthony had put her pleasure before his own. That was what she focused on.

Things were changing so quickly. She’d broken her fast with him the following morning, and it was not awkward at all. It was companionable. Enjoyable. Dare she say that it was everything she had ever dreamt a marriage might be. As was their supper that evening. And again, this morning. They were growing closer every day, and Caroline was thrilled about the fact.

But where to go from here? Most people might see fit to continue with the way things were progressing, as Anthony still had two more chances to try and prove to her that this marriage could work—whatever that still meant! The point was proven in Caroline’s mind, which meant there was only one thing left to do.

She had been thinking about it a lot these last two days. Where they went from here and how they might get there. Caroline wanted to sleep with her husband, proving once and for all that this marriage was exactly what she suspected. She wanted to give herself to him completely, all of herself and her trust, consequences be damned.

The only thing was…and this is a most strange thought…it felt as if Anthony was the one resisting her. It was insane to consider! And she was quite certain she was imaging things. But was it possible that Anthony did not wish to bed her? Surely not.

For that reason, Caroline decided she needed to take matters into her own hands once and for all. Thus, her reason for seeking out His Grace, praying it would not all be for nought.

“There you are!” she heard His Grace cry out from across the garden. “What on earth are you doing out here?” Caroline looked up to see the Duke of Aldworth storming through the garden toward them, looking a tad upset.

“Roderick.” Violet remained seated, and she did not smile to see her husband approaching them. “The day is too lovely to spend indoors, so we thought we would take advantage.”

“I was looking for you in the sitting room.” He hurried toward them.

“And as I said, the day was too lovely for such things.”

The was clear tension between the not-so-happy couple. Violet appeared dismissive, as if she was purposefully not rising to her husband’s mood. And His Grace appeared annoyed, if for no other reason than he wanted to assert himself. He was nowhere near as physically intimidating as Anthony, still quite tall, but not bulky. More athletic, Caroline decided, handsome also, but in a way that most would deem as ‘pretty’ not rugged.

“Your Grace,” Caroline said with a pleasant smile, if for no other reason than to break the mood. “It is lovely to see you again.” She remained seated. “And thank you for agreeing to see me.”

“Oh, yes...” Roderick turned on her. “Your Grace, lovely to see you again. And alone?” He looked about as if curious. “Where is your husband? Not hiding in the bushes, is he?”

“He is at home,” she chuckled. “Taking some much needed time from me.”

“I am surprised he allowed you out of his sight.” He smirked to himself. “I know Anthony to be rather possessive.”

“I assure you, that is not the case. Anthony is happy to let me do as I please. He is rather kind like that.”

“I am sure he is…”

Caroline furrowed her brow, finding herself annoyed by how the duke was speaking of her husband. She recalled then what Anthony had said of the man, how they were friends but also cold toward one another on account of their emotionally closed-off personalities. Thus, she tried her best not to allow herself to be annoyed.

“I was hoping that I might be able to ask you a question. I would not wish to impose myself, but there is nobody else to whom I might query.”

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