Page 33 of A Bride for the Beastly Duke
“Oh no, I could not. If you do not mind, I shall call you My Lord Duke.”
Edward smiled. “As you wish.” The carriage came to a stop, and he looked toward the door with excitement. “Now if you will excuse me, I shall hand you over to my butler, Notley. He will help you settle in. I shall see you bright and early tomorrow morning in my office.”
“Yes, My lord Duke.”
Lily and Ava were in the music room, practicing on the piano, when they heard the sounds of an approaching carriage. Lily looked up expectantly at her mother. “Do you think it might be Papa?”
Ava took a deep breath. “I don’t know, but we can go and see.”
Lily immediately jumped off her seat with a yell of happiness. “Yes! Let us go.”
Her footsteps echoed loudly as she ran down the corridor, Ava hurrying behind her. They reached the front door just as Notley was opening it and peered out. It was indeed Edward returning. His face broke into a smile as soon as he saw them, and Ava dipped her head shyly, even though she knew he was probably smiling at Lily.
They moved aside for footmen who were carrying luggage into the house.
“Papa!” Lily exclaimed and began to run down the stairs toward him. On the third stair, she tripped and would have tumbled down the hard concrete stairs if Edward had not suddenly been there, scooping her up into his arms.
Ava needed a moment to catch her breath, her hand over her chest with shock. Lily was screaming with laughter as Edward threw her in the air, oblivious of the danger she’d just been in or perhaps simply uncaring now that it had passed.
Edward put her down and then reached into his bag. “For you,” he declared before extracting a doll, and handing it to Lily. Her daughter screeched with delighted surprise, holding the doll up and staring at it in wonder.
“It’s beautiful,” she said. “Thank you.”
Edward smiled, looking pleased. “You are welcome.”
Ava blinked a few times, her heart still hammering. “W-welcome back,” she said softly and smiled at him.
He met her eyes for the first time and nodded. “Thank you.”
Taking her arm in his and propelling Lily along with a hand on her upper back, he led them back into the house. “Now, I am exhausted. Allow me to freshen up, and I shall meet you both in the parlor?”
Ava nodded, unable to stop blushing. “Y-yes. Lily and I should change for dinner anyway. I wish I knew you would be back. I would have asked them to make something special.”
He shrugged. “Being home is special enough.” He put a foot on the stairs. “I will see you soon.”
“S-see you.” Ava watched him walk up the stairs, resolving that Lady Lanton was right. She needed to seduce her husband.
Chapter Fourteen
Edward had been to the fair many times with his brother but never like this. When he and his brother went, they had to sneak in under the fence, unable to afford any of the delicacies despite their father being the Duke. Sometimes, the rotund lady selling baked apples dipped in honey might take pity and give them one to share.
Now he walked in, distributing pennies indiscriminately to the street urchins as his stepdaughter skipped at his side with excitement and her mother walked along on her other side, smiling.
My family.
What an intoxicating word that was. More than the gaily flowered gown Ava was wearing which blew up with the wind, showing a glimpse of her ankle. More than the way she’d let her hair free, cascading down her back and blowing in that very same wind, her face flushed and smiling… happy. It felt likeeverything in his life was perfect, just to be walking into the fair with Ava and Lily… except for one thing.
“Look, Mama. What is that tent with the stars and the moon?” Lily pointed excitedly.
“It’s a fortune teller,” she replied softly.
Lily immediately began to jump up and down. “Can we go? Please, Mama?”
Ava flicked him a glance, quirking an eyebrow in inquiry.
“Of course, we can go,” Edward agreed, curious himself to know what the future held. They walked toward the tent, Ava casting worried glances at him. As they reached it, a woman stepped out of the tent quite suddenly, making Edward jump. She smiled at them, putting all her blackened teeth on display.
“Welcome to my abode,” she said in a thick, hoarse voice as she extended her hand in welcome. Edward bit his bottom lip so as not to laugh.
