Page 41 of A Virgin for the Duke of Scars
“What are you thinking, dear wife?” Aaron asked as they started their walk.
“I was thinking how different this is from my previous life,” she began. “A week ago, I was being disciplined for riding out past sunset. And now, I am here on your arm, having apicnic.”
“Disciplined for riding?”
“Not for riding exactly, but for staying out past sunset. It was the day we first met, if you recall. It was late when I returned to the convent. I would have been disciplined for not helping with theevening chores. For being overly selfish when the Lord would ask me to serve my sisters. But then my mother showed up.”
Aaron scoffed. “If it were not so inappropriate, I would have let you ride through the city on horseback. You are welcome to ride my horse around the grounds at Blackwell.”
He guided her through the park, away from the benches and people. Theresa realized he was guiding her to a secluded spot. It was surrounded by willows on all sides, creating a bubble where they could be alone, sheltered from the curious looks of passersby.
She was about to sit on the grass in her dress, but Aaron laid out a blanket for her.
“It would not do for my wife to leave with grass stains on her dress. Some may wonder if we wereinappropriatehere in the park.” A smirk curved his lips.
“And will we be?” Theresa asked.
She secretly hoped that he would be inappropriate with her. But what was inappropriate between husband and wife?
She was unsure what marriage entailed, but she knew that many things were permissible. What they had done the other night seemed to be permissible, and she could definitely do it again.
“Only if you so desire.” He ran a finger along her jawline, and she felt heat pool in her core.
The only thing she could picture was the way he had bent her over his desk, the way he had made her shatter into a million pieces, only to put her back together.
She was desperate for his touch, even if she did not want to admit it so openly.
The truth was, she had no ideahowto admit it openly.
He had so many rules for what they could and could not do. She had never properly learned about the intimacies between a husband and wife. After all, she was set to be married to the Lord and no one else. She had only been a short while away from taking her vows.
She watched as he slowly reached for her, giving her the chance to turn away. She wanted his touch. And yet she pulled back.
“Have you changed your mind then, wife?” Aaron’s voice was thick with emotion. What it was, she could not tell.
He gestured to his mask, and she realized that he thought she regretted their intimacy. That she did not want to be with him in public.
“Oh, not at all,” she said quickly.
“Is this about your rules?” He asked, frustration bleeding into his tone.
Theresa knew the feeling. She felt the sweet ache between her legs, craving his touch again. The last thing she wanted was to stop him.
“No, but… should we do this today? We’re supposed to be fasting.”
An amused half smile crept onto his lips as he looked at her. She was serious, but he seemed intent on mocking her for her piety.
He reached out and brushed a finger over her cheek. His touch was tender, but Theresa could feel the yearning in it.
“If I could, I would have you for breakfast every day. But if you don’t want to, then?—”
“No, it isn’t that at all!” Theresa blurted out, belying her eagerness.
She would be with him on a day reserved for fasting, and she would pray for forgiveness later.
Aaron’s smile widened as he reached for her waist and pulled her into him.
She looked over his shoulder and noticed that someone was walking toward them.
