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With each graceful step she took down the aisle, his breath caught in his throat. She was a vision of beauty, her form draped in an exquisite gown that seemed to shimmer in the soft candlelight. Her eyes sparkled with a quiet determination, her lips curved into a gentle smile that spoke of both strength and grace.

He had to admire her courage. If anyone had taken one look at her, they would have thought that she was the happiest bride in the world. He knew that made her dangerous. He might not be able to read her mind, and therefore, he might not know what she was thinking. However, he could not ponder on that right now. He was absolutely captivated by her. As she drew nearer, he found himself unable to tear his gaze away, completely entranced by her presence.

He tried to remind himself why he was marrying her. It was not to fall for her. That would be dangerous, far too dangerous. All he wanted from her was an heir. Then, they would both be able to lead their lives separately if they wished. It would not be the first time that a duke and a duchess would live in separate abodes in a city, or even two different cities, only writing to each other occasionally. But the thought of not having her near at that moment drove him mad with jealousy that she might bestow her affections unto some other man.

He swallowed heavily as she approached him and placed her hand softly into his.

“You look… beautiful,” he leaned closer to whisper, feeling strangely awkward. Why was it so difficult to give her a simple compliment?

“Thank you,” she replied, managing a little smile.

She was still smiling as he clasped her hand with his, but he immediately noticed the rigidity of her body. He understood because he was the same. They were putting on a show for everyone, and he hated it. He sensed that she hated it as much as he did. He would rather have had a small wedding, attended only by close friends and family of which he had so few.

Together, they turned toward the minister. He spoke of love and bonds that tied two people in this world and the next as the ceremony proceeded with solemnity and reverence. They exchanged vows that bound them together in love and devotion. Their words echoed through the hall, filling the space with promises of fidelity and support, of shared dreams and shared sorrows.

As he held her trembling fingers, he slowly slid the ring onto one. It was a perfect fit. She proceeded to do the same, lifting her long eyelashes to him.

“…kiss the bride…”

That was all James heard, and he did not need to hear it twice. His body seemed to take over, and he gently took her into his arms, pressing his lips onto hers, completely drowning out the fact that they were not alone, that what felt like a thousand eyes were on them, curiously watching everything they did. The kiss was quick and chaste as he reluctantly released her, and an avalanche of applause followed suit.

What came after was an onslaught of well-wishers, congratulating them both. He knew that was something he needed to endure, so he shook hands, kissed cheeks, and smiled without listening to a single word anyone was saying. The only thing he was aware of was that Penelope was by his side, radiant and innocent. In her naivety, she was completely unaware of the tumultuous desires that raged within him, threatening to consume him whole.

For a fleeting moment, between shakings two different hands, he entertained the idea of ravishing her that very night, of claiming her as his own in a primal display of dominance. But he reminded himself why he was entering into this union in the first place. He forced himself to suppress the primal urges that surged within him, steeling his resolve.

Nothing should change.

Everything would remain as it was and as it should be.

CHAPTER6

It was time for the first dance of the newlyweds. Penelope stood before James, trembling, trying to steady her nerves. She wanted to look anywhere else but at him, feeling too drawn to him, feeling that if she kept her eyes focused on his, she would lose control of herself and kiss him. She silently reminded herself of what she had been taught at the nunnery.

The pleasure of the flesh is a sin.The phrase echoed inside her mind, but each time she heard it, it was less and less audible.

As the soft strains of the music filled the air, he reached out for her hand. She allowed him possession of it. She wondered what else she would allow him the possession of, if only they were not surrounded by so many people, but rather, if they were in the sanctity of her bed chamber. The thought made her blush fervently. It was not something she should have been thinking of.

His other hand gently pulled her closer to him, and they started to move. He was natural at leading them, their movements synchronized in a graceful waltz. With each step, she felt more and more drawn to him, without knowing why. She knew nothing about him. She did not even know the simplest things about him and his character, such as whether he was a good person or not.

She reminded herself that he went on with the wedding without forcing her father to face any repercussions for hiding the fact that he would not be marrying Vanessa as they had agreed upon. He did not shout. He did not act aggressively in any manner. He merely agreed to it. However, that was not necessarily a sign of a good character. It was a sign of a calm, cautious character, and she knew those sorts of people were the most dangerous. The thought of her husband being dangerous made her feel an entire concoction of emotions, and she could not make head or tail of it. She decided not to dwell on it for now. Time would show all. It always did. She just had to be patient.

“You have been married for an entire minute,” she suddenly heard him say as he drew her in close as the waltz demanded of him, moving in perfect harmony to the rhythm of the music. “How does it feel?”

Their gazes locked at that moment, and she wondered if it was the same desire that she could see in his eyes. She swallowed heavily, feeling nervous. She knew her hands were getting clammy, resting in his, and embarrassment completely took over, adding to an even more fervent flushing of the cheeks.

“The same,” she managed to muster.

Her comment made him smile. “Exactly,” he agreed. “Nothing needs to change… apart from maybe just a thing or two.”

Her doe eyes widened, wondering if she understood him correctly, for that had been her unspoken fear, the one she refused to even acknowledge, let alone talk to someone about it. She had never kissed a man. She had never had a man touch her in a way that a husband touched his wife, but despite this utter lack of knowledge, she knew what happened after the wedding. Night would come, and it would bring… change.

Nothing needs to change… apart from maybe a thing or two.

Exactly. That had to be what he was referring to. Starting to breathe heavily, she tried to come up with an idea that might buy her some time before their marriage was to be consummated. Although, as a wife, it was her duty. Had not she agreed to do all of her duties when he asked her?

“Yes,” she managed to muster, deciding that it would be easier to simply agree rather than fall into a conversation that might lead to an argument in front of everyone.

No. She had to buy herself time, ponder her options cautiously, and then come up with a strategy that would help her remain untouched for as long as possible.