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“Evander!” I protested as he took my hand, pulling me to him. “We cannot. It is too dangerous, and we are almost there…”
“Then only a kiss,” he replied, and I could feel his breath upon my lips. “I beg of you, wife, deprive me not.”
When he leaned in, I did as well, closing my eyes, not depriving myself, either, my arms circling his neck as he encircled my body, holding me tight to him. He lied. It was not only a kiss. It was his touch, too.
“Evander, we cannot.” I moaned as his lips found my neck, shivering as his tongue licked along my skin. “When we arrive, but not in the…the carriage.”
“Very well.” He bit my earlobe. “When we arrive, I shall have you calling my name out loudly, wantonly, for all the world to hear.”
“Evander!” I snapped, and his reply was to cup me between my legs. I stared into his heated gaze.
“Yes?” he asked.
I had learned much, but I was sure, as the sun in the sky, that there was still more he had to teach me.
It excited me—his lack of propriety and civility—for carnal desire was like nothing I had ever experienced.
“I look forward to it,” I whispered and kissed his lips once more.
“You shall be my undoing,” he muttered to himself.
I giggled, taking a moment to adjust my dress and gloves. He waited for me to finish before he parted the curtains, the brightness of the sun harsh for a moment but then stunning as I saw in the distance his estate, elevated on high land, surrounded by trees on every side.
Everely House was even more significant than our family home in Belclere, and one could get lost in Belclere. Everely House was actually once called Everely Palace. It was gifted tothe Eagleman family by Queen Anne and was one of England’s largest estates, spanning more than 1,800 acres. The grounds had several gardens and its very own beautiful lake. There were even two great rivers that ran throughout the county, from which some towns fished, though it was not easy due to the rocks. Everything here was green, vast, and beautiful. It all felt far too much for one man and one mistress to be lord and lady over, and yet it was ours. I had once hated all the lessons from Mama, but now, as we approached, I had never been so grateful, as the sight of this place could make one quake in fear.
“Do you like it?” he asked.
“How could anyone not like it?” I was amused, my gaze still glued on the approaching building before us. “It is a sight of splendor.”
“Good,” he replied.
I took the time to double-check my clothing and adjust my hat. It was much more challenging than I realized to prepare without my normal maid, the ones provided by the inns were never as adequate but I managed. Now I was worried I would not seem fitting. All the house would come to greet us.
“Do I look all right?” I asked sincerely.
His eyebrow rose. “You look perfect, as you always do. Why?”
“I cannot look as I always do, for I am not as I always was. I am now the Duchess of Everely. I must be proper.”
He chuckled. “You have nothing to concern yourself with. I fear Everely House has not seen proper in quite some time. You are more than enough.”
The carriage came to a stop. In front of the house, I could see the rows—yes, rows, it was double the number I was used to—of people now waiting. I took a deep breath to calm myself, and he snickered.
“Do not laugh at me,” I said quickly.
“Forgive me,” he said. “You are taking this all very seriously.”
“As I am meant to,” I reminded him.
He stepped out before outstretching his hand for me. The staff curtsied or bowed their heads.
“Welcome, Your Graces,” a tall, white-haired man said to us.
I was sure I had seen him at Evander’s home in London.
“Aphrodite, this is Mr. Hugh Wallace, my head butler. I sent him on ahead with your maid to prepare for us,” Evander explained. And then to Wallace said, “I do hope there were no issues.”
“No, Your Grace.”
