“Are you telling me that we are bound by law so that you can prove a point?” she asked.
“It is part of it,” he admitted.
It made her heart sink a little. But what did she expect? She had just met the man. She didn’t know him, and he didn’t know her. Her mother thought there must be something to gain from this marriage, and she was right.
There was something the Duke wanted.
It was just not what the Dowager Countess imagined.
“What is the other part?” Daphne dared to ask.
The Duke’s eyes lit with mirth.
“Apart from protection,” he responded in a gentle tone, “you’ll certainly enjoy the luxuries of being my duchess. You’ll own everything I have. You’ll have your own rooms and servants. You will experience a freedom like you have never known. The choice to stay at home or to attend social gatherings will be left entirely to your discretion.”
The image he created of their future sounded very attractive. She would not have to answer to anyone anymore, at least if her husband kept his promise.
“Of course, Society expects a healthy young couple like us to produce heirs. After all, who would own my estate after I’m gone?” he said thoughtfully, almost as if the matter had just crossed his mind.
“I—I know my duty, Your Grace,” she said, suddenly feeling nervous again.
Of course.
All the lords expected heirs, especially ones with considerable wealth and power. Even if she allowed him to take mistresses, those women could not provide him with legitimate heirs. She also felt her throat tighten at the thought of her husband with mistresses.
Would there be?
Daphne bowed her head and twisted her fingers once more. She knew she should agree if he asked. She owed him that much, but she did not like the way this new thought spoiled the others.
“Duty?” His tone suggested that something she said had disgusted him, so Daphne raised her chin and met his gaze. His eyes bored into her as he said in a crisp and terse voice, “No, I won’t lie with you because of duty only. I will make you eager and begging for it first. Because I want you in my bed. But as I swore to you once before, I will not take what you are not willing to give.”
Her throat constricted. She should have felt offended, but she wasn’t. Instead, her eyes were still on his. Their gazes locked for a moment before his eyes dropped to his lips. She licked hers, even as her heart pounded in her ears.
Then, the carriage hurtled to a stop, swaying his body backward and away from her.
She felt a pang of disappointment as the moment faded.
“Welcome home, Duchess,” he said in a gravelly voice. “We’ve arrived.”
Her heart lurched. True enough, they had arrived at Wolfcrest. She had not visited the place before, but when she saw its tall, wrought-iron gates swinging open, she knew that this was the place where she belonged.
I will be safe here. The Duke…those iron gates…they will shelter me.
The crest of a silver wolf gleamed near their spires. Beyond, a long drive awaited them. She remembered how the Duke had daringly walked toward his estate at night, instead of taking a carriage or riding on horseback.
The carriage entered to bring them closer to the manor. The place looked impressive and beautiful at the same time with lights glowing like eyes against the dark backdrop.
“Do not be afraid, Duchess. The wolves here only bite when invited,” he said, grinning.
When the carriage rolled to a stop once more, it was right in front of Wolfcrest’s steps. A footman darted to open the door. As he did, Daphne felt a cold air smelling of pine and rain crash against her. She inhaled.
The place smelled and felt like the Duke of Wolfcrest. He descended the carriage, turned and extended his hand toward her. Daphne placed her hand in his, as he helped her down. He steadied her easily, making her feel light as a feather.
“Careful,” he murmured, his lips close to her ear. “You will be stepping on old stones, ones that have tripped the wary before.”
“I—I am not wary, Your Grace,” she said, even as she used his firm hand to step on the stones.
Soon, she was met with by a small procession of servants. Each of them gave her a friendly smile and a bow.
