Page 55 of A Virgin for the Duke of Scars
“All the same, you know now why I do not remove the mask.”
“And if it is all the same, you know why I wish you to allow me to see you for the man you are.”
She paused and looked meaningfully at the decanter of whiskey on the table, as if she could sense that he wished to pour a third glass. His hand itched to grab the bottle and drain it of its contents, but he would not do so in front of her.
“I should take my leave,” she said instead. “You seem as though you need time to yourself, and I must prepare for the party tomorrow. Thank you, dear husband, for sharing your art with me.”
“Do not tell Juliette and Grandmama,” he said with a smile. “They will be jealous, as I have not shared it with them.”
“Your secret is safe with me,” she promised, opening the heavy door. She turned and said more softly, “All of your secrets are safe with me.”
And then, she was gone, and Aaron was left to drown his memories in a glass of whiskey.
When Aaron found Theresa before the garden party, he noted that she looked even more ravishing than usual. Her long hair was tied up in delicate braids. Her dress revealed more than he wished it to reveal to theton, but not enough for his tastes.
Her smile was bright, forcing Aaron to return her sense of good cheer, though he dreaded the event of the afternoon.
He did not wish to share his wife with anyone in theton, but it was her duty as a Duchess to spend time with the people of the city. They might be able to forgive him many things, but they would not forgive him for denying them access to his new wife.
He struggled to find the words to express his feelings for her, so he settled on simple honesty. “You look beautiful in that gown, almost too good for me to want to share you with the rest of theton.”
“It is because of your generosity that I have gowns that fit me,” she said with a laugh. “You have only yourself to blame if I am well-dressed.”
He offered her his arm, which she accepted with the gentle placement of her hand on his bicep.
“Shall we?”
He took her to the back door that led out to the gardens and the stables. When they entered the dank building, Theresa immediately spotted two horses, saddled and waiting for them. The carriage was nowhere to be seen.
“I thought Juliette and Grandmama could use the carriage,” Aaron explained. “Would you like to ride with me?”
“I thought you said it was not befitting of a lady to ride on horseback through the streets.”
Theresa was teasing him, but he did not miss the surprise and mischief in her eyes.
“I figured that since you married a beast, people are already talking about you. You might as well have what you like and ride beside me so that you can see people’s faces for yourself.”
“I would never call you a beast,” Theresa said softly.
Tentatively, she reached for his face and hesitated at the edge of his mask. Aaron did not stop her from touching him, but he flinched at her nearness. He trusted her not to remove his mask, but was still surprised by her tender touch on his good cheek.
She leaned in and kissed him on the cheek, which instantly reignited his desire for her.
He looked around and saw only servants scurrying from one part of the manor to another. There was no one around to see, so he leaned in, tilted his head to the side, and pressed his lips to hers.
It was not an exploratory kiss, nor was it the heated, passionate one they had shared last night. It was short, sweet, and chaste, but he realized Theresa had leaned into his touch too much when he pulled back and she stumbled.
“Are you sure you are ready to ride a horse to the party?” Aaron teased as she steadied herself.
“It’s just that your kisses, your touches… they do something to me that I’ve never experienced before. It’s like my whole body gives in to your touch.”
Oh.Aaron liked the sound of that.
Theresa was so innocent and pure that she had never had strong feelings about a man. Had never leaned into a kiss too hard or wanted too much.
He was grateful that he was the one she got to experience her firsts with.
“Shall I help you mount your horse?” He offered, giving her his hand.
