Page 61 of An Accidental Bride for the Duke
She is ready to go to bed with me. More than that, she wants to.
This should have excited him. It did that. He too wanted to sleep with his wife and finish what they had started so many times already. But did he deserve such a thing? It would be a huge step forward in their relationship and once that step was taken, there would be no going back.
All this was to say that Philip was feeling as confused as ever. But where this marriage was concerned, what else was new.
Chapter Twenty
It felt to Iris that Philip must have known what she was going to tell him. In her eyes, that was the only way to explain what he planned for this evening. A romantic dinner, just the two of them, the first such one of their married life.
Oh yes, they ate together often. Breakfast and supper both. But this felt different. It felt more important. As if Philip was accepting this marriage finally.
But is it still the right thing to do? It feels so final. So… monumental in the grand scheme of things. I am ready, I know it, but is Philip? Will he see it the same way that I do?
Iris knew that she was overthinking it. All she could do was attend this romantic supper, enjoy the moment and the duke’s company, and then see how she felt. No pressure. No expectations. Let the evening dictate how it was to end…
So it was that she presented herself at the dining room on the hour that she was told to do so.
“Iris…” Philip was standing by the end of the table, waiting for her. When he saw her step through the door his eyes lit up as they navigated her body. “You look… incredible.”
She blushed and looked away. “As do you.”
“Oh, this?” He brushed the shoulder of his dark suit. “I suppose I clean up well enough. Just trying to keep up with you.”
A rolling of the eyes but she could not keep from smiling. “Consider it a success.”
Iris was dressed in a gown for this evening, perhaps a little formal but she felt that the occasion called for it. She had but one green gown and, knowing how the color suited her, did not hesitate to wear it. It was tight fitting around the waist with a flowing skirt. Its neckline scooped low above her bosom, showing off plenty of bare skin. Her necklace held a ruby at its center, her earrings were chosen to match, and her hair was worn in tight ringlets. All that was to say that she looked as elegant as ever.
Philip too, smart and formal in his all-black suit with a dark red waistcoat. Thick hair neatly combed. A smell wafting from him that was sweet. And again, a look in his dark eyes that told her without question how important tonight was.
I cannot help but feel that this is a night that will either make or break us. A test, it feels like, to see if this marriage has legs. Personally, I am not so inclined to worry. Not even a little bit…
Philip approached her and cocked an arm. “May I?”
She laughed and linked her arm through his. “You may.”
He led her down the table. It was set for just the two of them. Crystal candelabras were lit across its center. Silverware gleaming in the orange light. White porcelain that shone and glistened. And there was music… although she could not see where it came from.
“The room next door,” Philip answered her silent question.
“Next door?” she frowned.
“I find it helps soften the music, so it’s not quite so abrasive.”
“Have you done this before?” she said with a cocked eyebrow as if in derision.
He laughed as they reached their setting. “If you don’t mind…” He unlinked his arm so he could pull out her chair. She took it graciously, settling in as Philip sat across from her, rather than at the head of the table.
“This is all…” she indicated about the room.
“Not too much, I hope.”
“No.” She smiled warmly. “It is perfect.”
Iris had been wondering all day about what she would tell Philip. If she thought that they were ready or if it might be worth waiting a little while longer. Now, she wondered no more.
It was clear to her that Philip was taking this marriage seriously. That he wanted her to know that he was. That if they were to sleep together, it wouldn’t change or ruin anything. If anything, it would only bring them closer together.
Once seated, Mr. Tibbitt—acting as their server for the evening—poured them both a glass of wine. After which, he left them to check on the kitchens, which he promised would be ready to serve their first course soon. Through the doors he hurried, leaving them alone.
