Page 21 of Duke of Emeralds
“In case you didn’t notice, I haven’t had a proper meal all day,” she excused, her cheeks warming under his gaze.
Thomas chuckled once more, reaching for the decanter of wine and refilling her glass. “Thank you,” she mumbled through a mouth full of mash.
“It’s me turn now,” Thomas said.
Hester swallowed, her brow furrowing slightly as she studied him. “Hmm?” she let out, her fingers nervously twisting together.
“I listened to all yer rules, Hester,” Thomas said. “I believe it is only fair ye listen to mine as well, don’t ye think?”
Her curiosity and anticipation rose as she waited for him to continue.
Thomas leaned forward slightly, his eyes never leaving her face. “I need you to be a duchess,” he said, his voice steady and sure.“That is all I require. For two months, we will stick together like this…
“Close enough to not raise any doubts,” Thomas continued, repeating her words to her, “but far enough from each other to not carry out any matrimonial obligations.
“And after we’ve been seen together plenty in society, we will be free to each go our separate ways, live apart, and do as we wish with our days,” Thomas finished.
Hester nodded her agreement, wondering what this new feeling within her was. Disappointment? Why? Wasn’t this what she wanted? She had been the one to suggest these rules in the first place, hadn’t she?
After dinner, she rose to her feet. “Good night, Hester,” Thomas said, rising to his feet with her.
“Good ni—” she began but took a mindless step back and stumbled over a nearby ottoman.
Her husband’s arms reached out and caught her almost on instinct, his hands strong and sure around her waist, but Hester flailed to get a grip in her alarm, her hands flying to his shoulders as she tried to steady herself.
Thus she only succeeded in pulling him down with her, and they fell onto a nearby sofa in a tangle of limbs and fabric. Hester wassandwiched between the cushions and her husband’s massive body which cradled her.
She swallowed nervously, and her heart thundered in her chest. Curiously, she felt no desire to get him off her, no sense of alarm or discomfort. Instead, warmth and safety spread through her, a feeling of rightness that she couldn’t quite explain.
Thomas made no move to get off her, either, and their eyes held. Slowly, he reached and tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear, his fingers gentle and sure as they grazed her cheek ever so lightly.
Sweet warmth coursed through her at his touch, and so did a sense of longing.What am I doing?
More importantly, what was he doing? she wondered as his head lowered to hers. She could feel the warmth of his breath on her cheek, the scent of sandalwood and citrus that was uniquely him filling her senses.
Is he going to kiss me?Anticipation rushed over her, and she felt her lashes fluttering. His gaze held hers once more, and a magnetic pull seemed to suspend time between them.
But then, with a gentle exhale, he pulled back, lifting himself off her and leaving her even more breathless than before.
“Ye should rest, Hester,” he said, glancing back at her as he straightened his coat. “Tomorrow’s journey is long, and we must reach Dorset before nightfall.”
With that, he turned and took his leave. Hester stared at the door long after it had closed, grappling with the foolishness of her thoughts.
Had she truly believed he was about to kiss her? What nonsense!
CHAPTER 12
Hester straightened and peered out the window as the carriage rolled down the winding road toward Lushton castle. It was a rather charming edifice with flowering vines crawling up the stone walls.
“Thoughts?”
She turned from the window to regard Thomas, who was leaning back in his seat as though nothing could ever trouble him. Her nerves had been in knots since the events of the night before, and she thought it unfair that he was unperturbed by it.
“I shall voice them after assessing the castle in its entirety,” she replied.
When the carriage stopped, he alighted first and held out his hand to her without ceremony. Hester was grateful for the barrier of their gloves, and she took satisfaction in the distraction the castle provided her. It truly was remarkable withits tall turrets reaching toward the sky and intricate stonework that was only visible up close.
“Come.” Thomas placed her hand in the crook of his elbow and led her up marble steps to the open front door.
