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A happy tune was escaping James’ lips in a pleasant hum as he descended the stairs. His dreams all night had been filled with that kiss he had shared with Marina.
Perhaps it would not be the worst thing in the world to bend the rules a little. A few nights with my wife would be an enjoyable thing. Clearly, she longs for it too.
He was busy with the thought when he caught sight of Marina. Standing in the sitting room, she was holding up swatches of materials toward the curtains with Mrs. Viner at her side.
“What do you think, Mrs. Viner? Perhaps this material is too fussy?” Her question clearly startled the housekeeper who pressed her hands to her chest.
“You wish for my opinion, Your Grace?” the elderly housekeeper asked, brushing her wispy white hair out of her eyes as she moved to the curtains.
“Of course, I’d be glad of it.” Marina declared, offering two different swatches to the housekeeper.
James leaned on the doorframe and stood silently, not wishing to disturb their conversation. The other day Marina had asked him if she could make some changes to their home, and he had encouraged her to do so.
This should be her home as much as it is mine.
He was pleasantly surprised to see the materials she had requested from the draper were both cheerful fabrics, patterned and full of light. They would bring a little more joy to the sitting room they were standing in.
“Oh, but a duchess does not need a housekeeper’s opinion, surely,” Mrs. Viner said sweetly, taking the fabrics with a tentative hand.
“Nonsense, I would be glad of your opinion,” Marina declared again. “Now, which do you think?”
There was a humbleness in Marina’s manner which caught James’ attention. Many a lady might order their housekeeper around, demanding changes, but not Marina. She had kindness in her.
Perhaps she will make a good mistress of this house.
The two of them decided on a material for the curtains before James cleared his throat, announcing his presence.
“Do you like the choice?” Marina asked, holding up their selection.
“I do.” He tried to keep the surprise out of his voice. “I’m off to the gambling hall for some business; I will return later.”
“Oh, erm…” Marina hurried to put down the material and stepped forward. “I was wondering if I could join you again today?”
James hovered in the doorway. The way she looked at him reminded him all too much of their kiss. Locked away in his office at the gambling hall, he rather feared he would not be able to keep his hands off her.
Well, maybe I don’t have to.
“If you like.”
Marina smiled at his words.
A few minutes later, they were sitting in the carriage, making their way to the gambling hall. Once more, James told her of how the business worked. When he described how sometimes people did not pay back the sums they owed, and he had to be firm, she looked a little panicked.
As they reached the gambling hall, they walked in together, standing so close that they kept bumping their arms as they talked of the situation.
“How awful people should not pay what they owe.” She shook her head at the idea. “A man should not bet what he does not own!”
“I quite agree.” He held open the door for her, ushering her inside. “Yet not every man is as wise as you and I.”
“Ah! Was that a compliment?” Marina stopped in the hallway of the backrooms of the gambling hall, turning to face him with a smirk on her lips. “I thought I’d never hear one pass your lips.”
“You think me such a demon, do you?” he whispered playfully, finding he couldn’t resist. Not anymore.
“Not a demon, no; restrained, certainly.” Marina slowly reached for him, and he felt no desire to back away. She adjusted his cravat, tightening it a little. “I sometimes wonder if the rules you have placed on yourself are a little like this cravat. Restraining you from being completely free…”
James leaned toward her. At her words, the idea of abandoning some of his rules sounded alluring. He could shed them as easily as he could this cravat, take her to his office, and show her what being free really meant – then a noise urged him to move back from her.
