Page 57 of A Lady Igniting Wicked Passions
She could see that at least two ended unevenly, as though partly demolished. She could also see that one section of the wall had apparently fallen down. Trees and bushes were enthusiastically growing beyond. The hard-packed earth of the road became cobbles that the carriage rattled over, and they were bathed in shadow as they passed beneath a towering, ancient archway.
Beyond was an open courtyard, surrounded by high walls. A large, square building stood at one end of the courtyard, with an imposing entrance, supported by columns, and featuring tall, wooden doors.
As the carriage stopped, Aaron leaped from it and extended his hands to lift Arabella down. She squealed with delight as he swung her to the ground and then promptly picked her up to carry her towards the double doors. They were fissured and ancient in appearance. They were opened from within by a servant who stepped aside as Aaron stepped over the threshold and placed Arabella on her feet. He extended his arms.
“Welcome to Ashenwood Castle. The true home of the Dukes of Ashenwood and of course, the Duchesses. Forget that frightful house in London. This is our legacy.”
The hallways were wide with tall ceilings of massive, wooden beams. Paintings hung on the walls, though as with the house in London, there were many gaps.
“I think I should speak to Aunt Victoria about replacing some of our artwork,” Arabella said. “Julian is a renowned landscape artist. I’m sure he would consider Ashenwood an excellent study,”
“You are welcome to,” Aaron replied. “Most welcome. Now, we have little time to wash off the dust of our journey and make ourselves presentable for Ascot. Allow me to show you our suite of rooms here. You have a dressing room of your own, of course, as do I.”
“Though I would not mind a bit to share a dressing space,” Arabella said, laughing as Aaron led her at a gentle run along the long hallway.
“Then, I shall have your clothes moved into my dressing room and I shall watch while you prepare yourself,” Aaron replied.
“Nothing would give me greater pleasure than to change in front of my husband,” Arabella replied as they ascended a broad staircase.
Over the next half an hour Aaron fumblingly helped his wife to dress. She enjoyed stripping down to her bare skin before him and taking her time in changing her underclothes, which had become sweaty during the journey. In particular, she enjoyed placing one foot at a time directly against his loins while he helped her to put on her stockings.
The expression she knew was on her face as his hands slid up her legs was mirrored on his as she flexed her toes and felt his body push back against the pressure. The application of a dress proved more difficult and, with both of them in hysterical laughter, an experienced lady’s maid had to be summoned to assist.
Aaron left the room to dress himself, denying Arabella the chance to see him nude. As they hurried down the stairs once more, hand in hand, she whispered.
“I am owed a display of nudity from my husband. I would like to make an appointment now to personally undress you at the end of this evening.”
Aaron flashed her a boyish grin and dashed a kiss from her lips. Arabella felt as though she were being swept into another adventure. This was how their uncommon courtship had felt and she welcomed the return of the feeling. She and Aaron were adventurers, that was what had drawn them together and what made them distinct from the others of their rank in society.
She was the kind of lady who sought refuge from socializing and found herself in a passionate clinch with a stranger beneath the eyes of society matrons. He was the kind of dashing duke who sought thrills by racing carriages in Hyde Park, or simply dropping everything to head off into the countryside without so much as a by your leave.
The carriage awaited them, and they were soon on the road once more, heading towards the town of Ascot and its famous racecourse.
Chapter 34
As Aaron had expected, the county set were in full attendance to the meeting. Crowds of ladies and gentlemen indulged in a polite shuffling and shoving as they crowded into the grounds and stands for the racing. As a duke, he was afforded special treatment; a steward carving a path through the throng for them, towards the owners’ enclosure.
Aaron knew he would find Ethan there and was keen to get a look at the beast which, he was gambling, would help him clear his debts. As they slowly moved through the crowd, Aaron became aware of the hostile glares being directed at them.
A murmuring whisper could be heard behind them, almost drowned out by the general hubbub but just audible in close quarters. There was a distinct turning away by those closest. Chins were lifted and faces turned away at the announcement to make way for the Duke and Duchess of Ashenwood.
Aaron did not care but a glance at Arabella made his heart sink. After Arabella had desisted with her persistent questioning in the carriage, Aaron felt that they had rediscovered something of the romance of their earlier meetings.
The mad adventure of a tryst in the trees at Hyde Park or Aaron trying to distract a suspicious servant while Arabella hid behind a chaise in her father’s wine cellar. Watching her undress, filling his senses with the beauty of her body had unlocked something within him.
It was something like the carefree attitude that he had once possessed. One he had not felt fully since entering into business with his uncle. Not since the whole sorry business of dwindling money and mounting debts had overtaken him. But, with Arabella by his side, a spark of joy had ignited in his heart once more.
Now though, he saw her spirits fall as they moved through a sea of disapproval. He could see the burden of it alighting on her shoulders and weighing her down. He gritted his teeth, wanting to lay waste to all of them, drive them and their judgement away. There was an overwhelming urge to run away.
To take Arabella’s hand and to run until there was no-one near either of them to judge them. But that was a child’s dream. He had not been raised to run away when difficulties arose. They were ushered into the owners’ enclosure and Aaron saw Ethan, standing beside a tall, black mare. Aaron looked at Arabella as the gate of the enclosure was closed behind them.
She was pale and looking down, a stricken look on her face.
“Do not pay any mind to them. They do not matter to us, and their opinions are meaningless,” Aaron assured her.
“I did not think it would be so difficult. I felt as though their dislike was pushing me down into the ground.”
“What do we care?” Aaron asked, gently. “They do not understand us or care to. And we do not care to understand them. You are a duchess and we will put our rank to good use. We will make a difference in this world and people will forget the circumstances of our marriage.”
