Page 38 of Three Nights with the Beastly Duke

Lavinia blushed deeply and turned her eyes to their feet. “I certainly have not,” she replied, her voice taking a soft, seductive note. “But it has been too long since I have been in your presence during the day. It is good to see you, husband.”

Arthur paused, both of them turning toward one another. Every night he visited he would return a little earlier and leave a little later. In fact, with each passing erotic visit, he was finding it harder and harder to leave her bed.

“I want to know you, Arthur,” Lavinia went on, her eyes and voice pleading with him to listen. “I know you’re still angry about how we ended up here, but if you would forgive me, I could show you how much I enjoy being with you.”

Arthur felt what little ice he had left around his heart begin to melt. It was exactly what he’d been contemplating every night after he’d left her room. Was he truly still hurt by Lavinia’s stunt, or was he just being stubborn? His pride had gotten him into trouble many times in the past, and it was possible that it was doing so again.

“You are right,” Arthur replied. “On one condition.”

“Yes?” Lavinia prompted.

“I’m a civil man, and I want this to be a good day for your family,” Arthur explained, doing his best to balance the intense feelings raging inside of him. “But after they leave, I want you to tell me what Timothy said to you. The truth. That is my condition.”

Lavinia gave him a look of understanding and nodded her head. “I accept your condition, husband,” Lavinia agreed.

“Good,” Arthur stated with a nod before they started walking again.

“Now, who is that fellow out on the lawn playing with our sisters?” he asked, changing the subject.

“Oh.” Lavinia giggled, glancing at the young man. “That is Mr. Joshua Worth,” she informed Arthur, squeezing his arm in a familiar fashion. “He is Susan’s suitor. You will like him if you give him a chance.”

“What a day of surprises,” Arthur said dryly, not overly excited at the news.

“Don’t worry, he’s much better behaved than Timothy,” Lavinia promised.

Amusement filled Arthur as he turned to Lavinia and chuckled. He hadn’t expected her to poke fun at such things, and he was pleasantly surprised.

“I see there is no love lost over the way I spoke to your friend, then?” he asked, curious.

“Not at all,” Lavinia replied, suddenly serious. “His actions were far out of line.”

“Good,” Arthur stated, his eyes drinking her in as they walked.

He adored seeing her completely bare on the covers of her bed, but he didn’t realize how much he’d missed seeing her in a gown. He loved the way the bodice hugged her waist, how her corset raised her breasts up high. Perhaps it was time to finally lower his guard and let his wife in.

* * *

“You have a lovely home, Your Grace,” Kenneth praised as they all sat around the large dining table.

Lavinia finally took her eyes off her husband so that she could look at her father. She hadn’t meant to stare at Arthur the way she had, but there was something alluring in the way he did things. How careful he was when he cut his meat, how elegantly he brought the fork to his mouth. It was all perfect, but also somehow stifled. As if to use his true strength would break the very table they ate on.

“I thank you, and you and your family are welcome anytime,” Arthur replied politely.

“Do you mean that, Your Grace?” Agnes asked, looking at him giddily.

Lavinia watched as her husband smiled at her youngest sister, and her heart warmed.

“Why, yes, I do,” Arthur assured. “Why? Do you have a plan in mind?”

“We could have a party,” Agnes replied excitedly, snatching Lavinia’s hand beside her. “Oh, sister, could we have a party?” she pleaded, leaning toward Lavinia with an imploring look.

Around them, a chorus of laughter rose up from everyone at the table but Timothy, who had remained silent since Arthur’s arrival.

“I’m sure we can have one in a few weeks’ time,” the Dowager Duchess responded, speaking for both Lavinia and her son. “Your sister will need help and time. She has never thrown a ball of this size before.”

Though Marianne’s tone was polite, Lavinia felt the dig all the same. She had thought that once she and Arthur were married, the Dowager Duchess would warm up to her as much as she’d warmed up to Agnes, but thus far, she’d been proven wrong. Though she was never icy, nor did she speak to her the way she spoke to Timothy, it was clear to Lavinia that Arthur’s mother still held her transgressions against her.

“My mother is right,” Arthur agreed, giving Lavinia a pitying look. “It is a much more sophisticated affair when throwing a party as a duchess.” He then turned to Agnes and winked. “Rest assured, though. Your invitation will be the first one sent out.”

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