Page 18 of The Duke and the Widow
Rosina had climbed down from the other side of the bed and covered herself with a robe, while James continued dressing himself. For James, the silence was palpable, and he reminded himself that he was being a fool. She was a beautiful woman, who was pleasing in bed. It was just a bonus that he also enjoyed spending time in her presence and conversing with her. He was reading too much into the intensity of the moment they had shared.
There was a knock at the door and Rosina shifted to confirm it was her maid. Once she had done so, she unlocked the door and let the woman slide into the room before closing the door again. James had already donned all his clothing and had just finished putting on his boots.
The woman smirked at James when she entered the room.
“Might you confirm if there is anyone in the hallway for me?” he asked of Rosina’s maid.
“Of course, Your Grace.” She poked her head back outside, then waved him to her. “It’s clear. You must hurry.”
Rosina stopped him. “Will you come here again tonight?”
“Indeed,” he said as there was no question that he would do so. He wasn’t certain he would be able to even wait until everyone went to bed to be with her again, and such a revelation would be problematic if he allowed himself to ponder it any further. “I’ll see you at dinner.”
Her maid stepped back so he could depart from Rosina’s chamber and hurry down the hall before anyone could see where he came from.
The next morning, James blinked his eyes open when his valet entered the room and began readying James’ clothing. He turned on his side, hiding his erection and willing it to subside, wondering how he could possibly be in such a state after the night he had spent with his goddess. They had coupled for hours, experimenting with a variety of positions.
But he must remember that she was not his. He didn’t even wish to marry.
Well, that wasn’t exactly true. He didn’t wish to disrupt his brothers after all the pain their family had been through. Although seeing the pain his father went through made him question if he even wanted a love match.
He had spent the entire dinner and time afterwards in her presence talking and laughing when they hoped the rest of the party didn’t notice. He found he just enjoyed having her near. He might be willing to admit that he felt just a bit more for the lady than he ought, but there was still the matter of the boys and the stability they needed.
Once he had dressed that morning, he joined the rest of the party for breakfast, taking an open seat next to Rosina. She had agreed to accompany him on the trip to town, and he was looking forward to enjoying her company just as much as he enjoyed what they did in her chamber. But it didn’t mean anything, just that she was far more than a beautiful face who was good at bedsport. He could enjoy conversation with a woman and not have it mean anything more than that.
After they broke their fast, they joined the other guests in front of the house and waited for their carriage to transport them. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky, so it was sure to be a pleasant day strolling through the shops and outdoor carts in the village.
“Is there something particular you like to shop for, Your Grace?” she asked.
“Perhaps something for my brothers.” He wondered again how they were enjoying school.
She looped her arm in his. “You still have heard nothing from them?” The softness in her tone warmed his heart.
“Not yet. I keep hoping I’ll receive a bundle of correspondence here.” That was an understatement.
“I am sure you will hear something soon, and that all is well, Your Grace.” She patted his arm, and her touch aided in reassuring him.
He drew a breath, tamping down his reaction to her. It wouldn’t serve either of them well.
“Thank you, my lady.”
She opened her mouth to speak but closed it again when Lord Demming approached.
“I thought you weren’t feeling well, my lord,” Rosina said, eyeing the man curiously. At breakfast, he had indicated he was suffering from a megrim.
He waved them off, but for a moment, he appeared almost as if something were troubling him. “I lay down for a few moments and then found I was feeling much better. I would enjoy a trip to the village, and I hope you don’t mind if I join your carriage. I don’t wish to give any of the eligible young misses the wrong idea.”
James would have much rather had Rosina to himself in the carriage, but there was no path forward other than to agree, so he nodded to Demming.
“Spending time in my company might give them a different kind of idea,” Rosina jested.
Demming gave her a small grin. “You don’t expect me to believe you are truly as scandalous as all that, do you, my lady?”
Rosina shrugged. “I don’t much care what anyone else should believe, my lord. I live for myself, not the feather-brained members of society.”
Demming and James both laughed as a carriage stopped in front of them. James handed Rosina into the carriage. Before he could climb in for himself, Demming whispered, “I wish you luck in your endeavor, Your Grace.”
“Whatever do you mean?”
