Page 29 of Duke of Myste
The clock on the mantel chimed eleven, then half-past. Jane had nearly convinced herself that Richard had no intention of visiting her chambers when a soft knock sounded at her door.
Her heart leapt into her throat as she crossed the room, conscious of her state of undress. Her thin nightgown suddenly seemed woefully inadequate, despite its modest cut.
Richard stood in the corridor, still dressed in his evening clothes, though he had removed his cravat. The top buttons of his shirt were undone, revealing a glimpse of his throat, which seemed strangely intimate.
“I apologize for the late hour,” he said, his voice carrying that same measured control it had all day. “But there are matters we should discuss.”
“Now?” Jane asked.
“If you are not too tired,” he replied, his gaze fixed on her face.
Jane swallowed hard, then stepped back to allow him entry. “Of course.”
Richard entered but remained near the door, maintaining a distance that seemed deliberate. “I wanted to ensure that you are comfortable with the household arrangements,” he began,his tone formal despite the intimate setting. “Mrs. Winters can make any changes you deem necessary.”
“The arrangements are more than satisfactory,” Jane assured, wondering if this was truly what he had come to discuss at nearly midnight.
Richard nodded, seeming almost relieved. “Good. That’s… good.” He hesitated, then added, “I also wish to inform you that I have no expectations of you regarding… other aspects of our marriage. Not yet.”
Jane felt heat rising to her cheeks at the direct reference to what she had been anxiously contemplating.
“I… thank you,” she managed, unsure whether she felt relief or something more complicated.
“This is not how either of us would have chosen to begin,” Richard continued, his gaze meeting hers with unexpected directness. “I believe we would both benefit from getting to know each other better before attempting the more… intimate aspects of matrimony.”
“That seems… sensible,” Jane agreed, though part of her wondered why the logical, pragmatic Duke would delay consummating a marriage that had been prompted by scandal.
Wasn’t securing the legitimacy of any potential heirs a primary concern for a man in his position?
Richard’s expression softened slightly. “I did not come here tonight for… that, Jane. I merely wanted to ensure you were settling in comfortably. We have much to discuss regarding our new life together, but that can all wait until morning.”
“I appreciate your consideration,” Jane said, finding she genuinely meant it.
Richard took a step toward the door, then paused. “There is one matter. My sister will be returning from the country estate next week. I thought you might appreciate the time to adjust to your new position in her absence.”
“Annabelle mentioned she was away,” Jane admitted. “I look forward to seeing her again.”
“Harriet can be… overwhelming,” Richard said, a note of fond exasperation entering his voice for the first time.
“So I’ve gathered.” Jane found herself smiling slightly at his obvious affection for his sibling. “Annabelle seems quite devoted to her.”
“The entire household is,” Richard acknowledged. “Despite—or perhaps because of—her tendency to upend established order at the slightest chance.”
The brief glimpse of the man behind the ducal mask intrigued Jane more than she cared to admit. “I think she is someone I might enjoy knowing.”
“I suspect you will be partners in crime before long, turning my hair grey,” Richard snorted.
For a moment, their eyes met, his filled with surprising warmth. In that unguarded instant, Jane felt the weight of their situation even more.
The moment stretched and wrapped around them, heavy with unspoken thoughts and possibilities. Then, Richard straightened, his expression returning to its usual neutral state. “I shall leave you to rest. Good night, Jane.”
“Good night, Richard.”
As the door closed behind him, Jane remained standing in the center of the room, her thoughts in turmoil.
She had expected coldness, perhaps even pressure of consummation from the stern Duke she had reluctantly married. Instead, he had shown consideration and restraint, respecting boundaries she hadn’t even set.
Perhaps, she thought as she finally slipped beneath the covers, there was indeed more to Richard Riverstone than she had initially believed. Whether that made their situation more or less complicated, however, remained to be seen.
