Page 75 of Trapped with the Forbidden Duke
His slow gait had her breathless, and she could only blame it on her tight corset. She ran her gaze over him, taking in his neatly combed auburn hair, his stiff collar, and his dark waistcoat. It was such a dark green that it was nearly black, and she could not help but notice how the garments clung to his body perfectly.
A body she had already run her hands over, right before he had pressed her against the wall and pleasured her.
“What are you thinking of?” Lucien raised an eyebrow at her, his smirk widening.
“Nothing,” she said quickly. “You look well.”
“Well?” he echoed, laughing. “I was going to tell you that you look exquisite, but perhaps we are trading average compliments.”
“Do not be foolish,” she muttered, waving him off with a bashful grin. “You look handsome. Dashing. Ever-so-charming, my vain husband.”
“Mhm,” he said, stepping closer. “That is better.”
He approached her, and she could not help but think of her visit to the village a week ago, of the comments everybody hadmade about him—how kind and generous, how selfless, and how caring he was.
“Do you wish to know what I was thinking?” he asked.
“I assume you will tell me anyway.”
“Indeed.” He leaned closer, his nose brushing the underside of her soft jaw. An almost inaudible groan tore from his throat.
He likes my scent.
It was something she had noticed during their moment in the hallway—he seemed almost enchanted by her scent.
“I was thinking that your dress clings to your every curve, and I am rather jealous of it,” he murmured.
“The last time we spoke about one another, you all but reminded me of our convenient marriage,” she pointed out. “What is there to be jealous of? I am your wife in name only. All duty.”
Her tone was teasing, for what had transpired in the hallway had certainly not been duty, but she found she enjoyed goading him. She could see that he did not detect the tease at first.
“Come to my chambers tonight, and I shall show you what my duty entails.”
“Is that an invitation, husband, or a command?”
“It is an invitation if you wish to decline, but a command if you are willing.”
With that, he gave her one last, lingering look before striding out.
Edwina thought that her husband might be the death of her.
Fairfax Manor was a magical sight, with light flickering in all the front windows, as Lucien and Edwina’s carriage pulled up outside. By the crest on their carriage, everybody knew that they had arrived.
Edwina’s stomach fluttered with nerves as the door was opened for her and she stepped out, tucking her hand into the crook of Lucien’s arm.
“People are staring,” she murmured, noting those who lingered outside. “Is that due to my brother’s reputation?”
“In part, perhaps,” Lucien said. “Also because you are the new Duchess of Stormhold, and there has not been one for quite some time. And the way you look draws attention.”
Edwina forced her gaze ahead, even as he complimented her again.
Smiling secretly, she let him lead her up the grand front steps to greet their hosts.
The Earl and Countess of Fairfax stood in the entrance hall, dressed in matching shades of lavender. Rumor had it that they were a love-at-first-sight match and that Lady Fairfax had not danced with another suitor since her debut save for Lord Fairfax.
Most had assumed she was calculating, but Edwina only needed to look at her for a moment to know that their love was genuine. That realization made her steps falter as she approached them on Lucien’s arm.
“Lord and Lady Fairfax,” Lucien greeted, smiling tightly as though he was still unused to playing the role he had to in public. “It is good to see you both happily settled. May I formally introduce my wife, the Duchess of Stormhold?” He gestured to Edwina, and she stepped forward.
