"I mind that you felt the need to conceal such an achievement from me," he said softly. "Though I understand why you might have feared that revelation of your independence would somehow threaten your position in my household."
"I was not certain how you would react to the knowledge that your supposed dependent was actually... less dependent than she appeared."
"I would have reacted with the same admiration I feel now," Devon replied with quiet conviction. "Your independence, financial or otherwise, does not threaten me, my darling wife. Indeed, it only increases my respect for your strength and determination."
The sincere acceptance of her unconventional activities and financial independence sent relief flooding through Arabella'sentire being. She had feared that Devon might see her literary career as somehow inappropriate for a duchess, or her modest fortune as evidence of deception on her part.
"What will you do with your earnings now?" Devon asked with obvious curiosity. "As my wife, you have no need of such funds for your own support."
"I had thought," Arabella said hesitantly, "that perhaps they might be used to establish a fund for supporting other women in reduced circumstances. Ladies who find themselves in need of employment or assistance, but who lack the connections or resources to secure respectable positions."
The generous impulse was so characteristic of the woman he had married that Devon felt his chest tighten with renewed admiration for her character.
"An excellent idea," he said with enthusiasm. "Though I suspect three thousand pounds will prove inadequate to the scope of need you hope to address. Perhaps we might consider it the foundation of a larger charitable endeavour?"
"We?" Arabella asked with obvious surprise.
"Did you think I would allow my wife to undertake such worthy work without my support?" Devon replied with slight humor. "I have considerable resources at my disposal, my darling duchess, and I can think of no better use for them than advancing causes that matter to you."
The offer was so generous, so completely in line with everything she had come to love about his character, thatArabella felt tears spring to her eyes once more.
"You would truly support such an endeavour? Even if it might be seen as somewhat... radical for a duke to involve himself in charitable work specifically aimed at women's independence?"
"Especially then," Devon replied with growing enthusiasm. "It is past time that men of my position used their influence to address the inequities that force women into impossible circumstances. Your own experience has shown me how quickly a lady of impeccable breeding can find herself at the mercy of fortune-hunters and social hypocrites."
The passionate conviction in his voice reminded Arabella of why she had fallen in love with him in the first place. Not merely for his physical appeal or his elevated rank, but for the strength of character that lay beneath his sophisticated exterior.
"I love you," she said with quiet intensity, reaching up to touch his face with gentle fingers. "Not just for your generosity or your support of my unconventional activities, but for the man you are beneath all the titles and wealth. You have a good heart, Devon, and that is the greatest treasure you could offer me."
"As you have the greatest mind I have ever encountered," Devon replied with matching fervor. "Together, my brilliant wife, I believe we might accomplish great things."
The prospect of building a life together based upon mutual respect and shared values filled Arabella with such profound happiness that she could barely contain it. Here was everything she had ever dreamed of but never dared hope for; a marriagebuilt upon genuine partnership rather than mere convenience or social expectation.
"Speaking of accomplishing things together," Devon said with a slight smile that made her pulse quicken with renewed awareness of their intimate circumstances, "I believe we have barely begun to explore the full potential of our... partnership."
"Have we not?" Arabella asked with growing boldness, her own hands beginning to trace the contours of his chest with more deliberate intent. "Then perhaps we should continue our... exploration."
"Perhaps we should," Devon agreed with obvious satisfaction, his mouth descending to claim hers once more as they lost themselves in the wonder of being able to love each other completely and without reservation.
The night passed in a blur of whispered endearments and passionate discoveries, each touch and kiss deepening their understanding of what they could be together. By the time dawn began to paint the sky with shades of rose and gold, they had mapped every inch of each other's bodies and souls, creating a foundation of intimacy that would sustain them through whatever challenges lay ahead.
***
As the first rays of sunlight streamed through their bedroom windows, Arabella found herself curled against Devon's side, her head pillowed on his chest whilst his arms held her with protective tenderness. The scent of their lovemaking still clung to the air, mingling with the aroma of roses from the gardenand the more exotic fragrance of sandalwood that seemed to emanate from his very skin.
"Good morning, my wife," Devon murmured as he felt her stirring against him, his voice rough with sleep and satisfaction.
"Good morning, my husband," she replied with matching contentment, tilting her head up to press a gentle kiss to his jaw. "How do you find marriage thus far?"
"Infinitely better than I had anticipated," Devon said with obvious humor. "Though I confess myself somewhat surprised by my wife's enthusiasm for the more intimate aspects of the married state."
Arabella felt her cheeks warm with embarrassment at the reminder of her own passionate responses during the night, yet she found herself unwilling to apologize for behavior that had brought them both such pleasure.
"I find that marriage has revealed aspects of my character that I had not previously suspected," she said with attempted dignity, though her eyes sparkled with mischief. "Perhaps it is the influence of my husband's... expert instruction."
"Expert instruction?" Devon's laugh was rich with masculine satisfaction. "My dear duchess, you proved to be such an apt pupil that I begin to suspect you require very little instruction indeed."
The compliment sent warmth flooding through her entire being, and Arabella found herself marveling at how completely her life had transformed in the space of a single day. Yesterdaymorning she had awakened as a desperate woman about to be sacrificed to a fortune-hunter's greed; today she was a beloved wife whose happiness was the primary concern of one of England's most powerful men.
