The Compromised Duchess

Chapter 20

Laurel stirred in her sleep and snuggled closer to the warm body by her side. A hand tightened round her waist, pulling her closer and she sighed in satisfaction. She felt warm lips on her neck and a hard thigh slid over hers. The strange contact jolted her awake. Opening her eyes slowly, she cautiously lifted the hand from her body, sliding inch by inch away from Thomas' body until she was free. She took a deep breath and swung her legs over the side of the bed and rising, then stole a quick glance at him.

He was watching her, his expression filled with amusement. “Going somewhere wife?” he asked with a smirk, “Pity, I was quite enjoying your warm presence. However, I must say I quite enjoy the view”

Her face flamed as she glanced down at herself, realizing she stood as naked as the day she was born, her gaze snapped back to his face and to her chagrin, his eyes were sweeping over her body, a grin of pure male appreciation on his devilishly handsome face. She groaned and snatched up the discarded coverlet from last night and wrapped it around herself, all the while hunting for her nightgown. Where the devil was the damned thing?

“You are a cad” she snapped, her green eyes shooting daggers at him, “That is no way to speak to a lady”

His eyebrows rose nearly disappearing into the lock of unruly hair that fell over his forehead, “I was merely paying my wife a compliment, come now, surely you cannot mean we are bound by the rules of propriety even in our marriage bed?” he rolled onto his side and propped himself up on an elbow to look at her, “After last night, and the early hours of this morn, I believe we can safely move past those restrictions”

Her face flamed again and he chuckled in amusement. “Oh do be quiet Thomas”. She spied a piece of the gown peeking out from underneath his body and sighed. Obviously, if she wanted to retrieve her clothing, she was going to have to physically touch him again. “You needn’t sound so self satisfied, it is irritating to say the least”

He threw back his head in laughter and Laurel was sorely tempted to smack his face. “Oh, little one” he chuckled, wiping tears of mirth from his eyes, “I shall enjoy being married to you.” He sobered a little and patted the space beside him, “Come back to bed, ma petite Cherie, let me ease away your awkwardness”

She backed away from the bed, shaking her head, “No, I will not come back to bed” she huffed, backing away until her shin rubbed against the edges of the dresser at the other side of the room, “And I am not feeling awkward. I am simply eager to acquaint myself with your house and everything it holds. The sooner I do so, the easier it will be for me to take charge here”

He frowned and shook his head, “That can wait little one, right now you should be acquainting yourself with your new husband”

“Oh! You say the most ridiculous things” she cried, “are you trying to prove something?”

He sighed and pushed aside the covers, lifting his legs to swing out off the bed. Laurel quickly looked away as he began to advance towards her, completely unabashed at his unclothed state.

“W-what do you think you are doing?” she said in a panicked tone,

He came to stand before her, placing a hand under her chin and turning her head to face him. “I have nothing to prove little one,” he said softly, bending to place a kiss on her temple. “I merely wish to give you pleasure, and make you comfortable in my presence.”

“Oh” she said quietly, discomfited when her body instantly responded to his nearness, her legs closing the distance between them of their own volition, her mouth already yearning for his kisses again.

He studied her intently for a few seconds, then lowered his head t claim her lips once again. Laurel surrendered to desire, winding her hands around his neck and submitting willingly when he pulled her down to the rug and covered his body with hers.

*********

Much later, Thomas quietly disentangled himself from his sleeping wife and rose, then bent to scoop her into his arms and carry her back to the bed. She didn’t stir when he gently laid her down and covered her up with a quilt, pressing a tender kiss to her soft cheeks before striding to the armchair where he had discarded his clothing. He dressed quickly, amused that a satisfied grin stuck to his lips. Without a doubt, marriage to Laurel would prove very interesting and amusing if this morning's interlude was anything to go by. She could be so innocent in some things and yet so willing and eager to learn in other matters. Her passion last night had definitely not been feigned, but had been as real as the plain gold band on her finger.

He hurriedly washed himself, and donned fresh clothing, having to manage without the services of his valet, then opened the door of his study and stepped in. He strode to his desk, stealing a glance at the time as he approached and he grimaced. It was already two 'o' clock in the afternoon.

“I have spent the entire day abed” he muttered to himself, as another stupid grin crossed his lips. His stomach chose that moment to protest, so he decided to abandon the day’s work and seek sustenance for himself and Laurel.

He made his way downstairs, his steps light and his tone cheerful as he responded to greetings from the various servants he passed on his way to the kitchen. He knew he could have simply remained in his study and order breakfast to be sent up to him, but today, he wished to address his staff in readiness for the formal introduction to the new Duchess of Roxborough.

“Good mornin, yer Grace” Mrs. Warring, bustled up to him as soon as he entered the cavernous kitchen. He grinned down at the short, plump, white-haired woman, who had been in the family since before his birth.

“A good day to you Mrs. Warring,” he responded, leaning down to place a fond kiss on her papery cheeks, “Thank you for the excellent meal last night even on such a short notice. You really did marvelously”

The old lady turned pink with pleasure and beamed up at him, “Twas a pleasure to serve ye on the most special day of yer life, yer grace, now I take it ye be wantin yer lunch?”

“Indeed, Mrs. Warring” Thomas replied, a rakish grin on his face, “I find I am quite famished”

She nodded and sprang into action, barking orders to the kitchen maids,who scurried to obey, while hurrying over to the fire and lifting the lid of the pot that hung suspended from a bar over the fire, to inspect its contents.

“Will yer grace be dining in the formal dining room or in his chambers?” She asked, taking a large spoon to stir the contents of the pot. The wonderful aroma of lamb stew filled the kitchen and Thomas sniffed appreciatively.

“Her Grace and I will take the meal in our private sitting room,” He replied, sniffing again as his stomach rumbled loudly, “Make sure there is more than enough for both of us, for I am sure she will be as hungry as I am”

“Certainly yer grace” Mrs. Warring replied, bustling about fetching things for the meal.

Thomas withdrew and went in search of Everton, giving instructions for the staff to be assembled in the servants lounge in an hour’s time. Then he returned to his study to deal with the day’s correspondence.

As he inspected the letters that his butler hand neatly arranged in his receiving tray, his eye caught a missive from the Prime Minister and he set the others aside to open it. A deep frown passed over his face as he read the urgent summons.

“Damnation,” he muttered in disgust, flopping down into his chair, “Of all the inconvenient times for this....”

He reread the letter and sighed, running a hand through his disheveled hair. Apparently, news leaked out about the missing papers and the Spanish Prime Minister had already begun issuing veiled threats at the French. And the French were also beginning to make noises at possible retaliation in the event of an assault.

There was a brief knock on the door, and Everton appeared, three footmen in tow bearing the meal. Thomas gestured for it to be sent to the sitting room, then resumed his musings.

“Everton?” He called when the butler made to leave, “stay a moment please”

Like all well-trained butlers, Everton's face remained expressionless though inwardly he was somewhat surprised.

“Of course Your Grace” he replied and stood patiently while his master gathered his thoughts.

“I need you to contact Rufus Squirely again” Thomas began, his eyes still focused on the letter, “I don’t care how you do it, but he is to be brought here, either of his own free will, or by brute force. Threaten him with bodily harm if need be. It appears the little weasel has been dipping his filthy fingers in one too many pies”

“Certainly sir” The butler replied with a slight bow, “Would you want him brought today..or perhaps, tomorrow morning?”

Thomas thought for a while...he needed to see to his wife’s comfort, and make sure she settled into her new home with ease...and he loathed the thought of having to spend even a minute away from her presence today.

“Tomorrow should do it” He answered, after a moment’s thought. “But it must be before eight

'o' clock for I have to be at St. James by then.”

“Very well, I shall see to it” Everton replied, “Will that be all, your grace?”

“For the moment, yes” Thomas replied, folding the letter and slipping it back in its envelop, before tossing it aside on his desk and rising, “You may go now”

Thomas strode into the bedchamber, smiling when he saw that Laurel had kicked off the quilt in a fit of restless sleep and now lay on her stomach, her head hanging off the side of the bed, hair all over the place. What amused him most was the fact that her mouth was wide open and he could hear her soft snores as she breathed. He approached the bed, and stood, arms clasped behind his back as his gaze traveled over her delectable backside, the smooth ivory skin, and long, long legs that caused his pulse to quicken and he was solely tempted to take her again.

But he knew that when she awoke, she would be sore from his previous attentions, so he restrained himself and simply reached out to place a hand on her bare shoulders, shaking her until she groaned and sleepily batted his hand away. He grinned and tried again. This time, she reached for a pillow and flung it at him, all the while muttering curses at him for disturbing her slumber.

An idea struck him and he crossed to a small table where a jug of cool water was placed and returned to stand by the bed. He dipped his left hand into the water and sprinkled some on her body.

“What....who...” she gasped when the water made contact with her face and sat up in shock, her hair falling forward to cover her face. She tossed her head and spit hair out of her mouth, using her hands to part the strands so she could glare at him, “You awful monster!” she shrieked once she was over her fright, “Are you trying to drown me?”

He burst into laughter and set the jug down on the rug, “I would hardly consider a few refreshing drops of water as an attempt to drown you little one”

“Well whatever you were aiming for, I do not find it amusing in the least” She snapped, snatching up her nightgown and pulling it over her head. “If you wanted to wake me, the least you could have done is a gentle shake”

“I already tried that,” Thomas replied, offering her his hand so she could climb out of bed, and frowning when she blatantly ignored it and slid out on her own. “You were so busy snoring away in bliss that my nudging proved quite ineffective”

“I do not snore” Laurel denied hotly, picking up the jug and moving towards a white porcelain washing bowl. As she passed the mirrored dresser, she caught a glimpse of her appearance and shrieked in dismay stopping so she could examine herself.

“I look like a witch” she exclaimed, as she observed her hair, disheveled and sticking up in every possible direction, her red swollen eyes with bags underneath. Her nose was red, while her mouth was swollen and slightly bruised from so much kissing. “How can you stand my presence, let alone want to make love to me when I look like something The Thames coughed from its depths.”

Thomas smiled and feigned horror, “Oh dear me, now that you mention it, where is the woman I married last night?” He demanded, “Has she been switched for this horror that stands before me?”

Laurel apparently took his words to heart, because she looked like she would burst into tears at any minute, “I-I'm sorry I look so horrible,” she sniffed miserably, “it must be such a shock for you to see me this way and realize the woman you married is nothing but an ugly monster.... I would not hold it against you if you should decide to annul the marriage. I would be afraid of me if I were in your shoes”

Thomas stared at her incredulously, wondering if she had taken leave of her senses. What man would annul a marriage simply because his wife did not look her best just up from sleep? Even worse was the thought that she seemed to think that he was that sort of heartless fellow.

“I'm disappointed to realize you have such a low opinion of me” He said quietly, every vestige of amusement gone from his face, “Indeed, I only spoke in jest a few minutes ago”

Laurel felt a stab of guilt and shame run through her as she realized her careless words had wounded her husband deeply. She set down the jug and hurried over to him, her heart sinking when he merely stared at her coldly,

“Thomas...darling...forgive me....I spoke without thinking” she cried desperately, grabbing his hands and clasping them to her chest, her eyes filled with remorse, “Please?”

He sighed and removed his hands, taking a step back, before turning away to head for the sitting room, “It doesn’t matter, Laurel” he said over his shoulder, forcing his tone to sound light and cheery, “Lunch is laid out in the sitting room, so you should wash quickly and get dressed so we can eat”

****

Laurel stood beside her husband in the large receiving hall as the household staff formed a line and passed by her, each getting an introduction from Thomas as to their names and station. She smiled and nodded as each one was introduced, doing her level best to try and recall each name, occasionally murmuring a soft reply when required. She was amazed to realize that Thomas’s entire staff more than doubled the staff at Trevelyan house, and as he had informed her earlier, he also had two houses in the country, all fully staffed. She was daunted by the task of being in charge of so large a population, but Thomas has assured her that he had employed competent house managers to oversee to the staff welfare.

“I think it will take me some time before I learn most of their names” She remarked to Thomas when the introductions had been done and they were now in the east wing as he took her on a tour of the place. “But I am pleased , for at the very least, I recall Mrs. Warring, Everton and Lucy”

He grunted something in reply and Laurel had to repress a sigh.

“Surely you are not still angry with me Thomas?” she queried, worriedly, “It wounds me deeply that you keep silent when I speak to you”

“I am not angry at all Laurel,” He replied, turning from the window to face her, a smile on his handsome features, “I am preoccupied with matters of state at the moment, that is all”

“Well then, perhaps we should put off the tour for a day then,” she suggested, “I do not want to become a bother to you”

“You say the strangest things sometimes” Thomas said, shaking his head, “You are my wife now Laurel, there is no way you can be a bother, I wish you would understand that”

“I do understand Thomas,” she whispered, avoiding his gaze, “it’s just that...oh never mind”

His eyes darkened in sudden irritation, “You were about to say something, why don’t you finish it?”

“It is not important anymore” she replied, feeling her own ire rise, “There is no need for it to be said”

Deep down, Laurel could not help feeling unsure of Thomas’s actual feelings towards her. Last night, when they had made love for the first time, she had been so certain of his love and affection for her and she had been filled with joy. She had hoped that come morning, he would formally declare his love, by saying those three words she yearned to hear..I love you..... she had even whispered the words to him this morning, but all he had done was smile, then take her to heights of passion she had not known existed.

“On second thought, maybe we should leave this for another day,” His voice broke into her thoughts, and her heart sank at the thought that he could not bear to be in her presence. “I have quite a mountain of correspondence to deal with today, and I have an important meeting tomorrow.”

She fought back tears and pasted a bright smile on her face.... “Of course, I have to have a word with Mrs. Warring about tonight’s menu, I believe I wish to make a few changes”

“Very well,” Thomas said and moved past her to the door, “I shall see you at supper”

Alone, Laurel allowed her shoulders to sag in misery, and the tears she had been holding back to run down her cheeks.