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“He told her that he could show her exactly what her feelings meant and why they had plagued her for so long. He held her close and kissed her deeply as his hands traveled down her body and then slowly moved up her dress until they reached her—my word. What is this? What have ye made me read?”

“It seemed important to me. Seeing as you have never pleasured yourself, I felt it was in my best interest to educate you. Or are you upset because I did not choose to show you instead?”

Catherine felt what was left of her patience snap, and she slammed the book shut.

“I dinnae ken why I have chosen to have faith in such a raffish man as yerself! Ye’re absolutely cruel, makin’ me read somethin’ so improper! Have ye nay shame? Get yer neb out of them scandalous pages and try bein’ a proper husband for once, instead of a fumblin’ fop wi’ a mind in the gutter! Why must ye always be so vexing?” she hissed, breathless and angry at the end of her rant.

Sampson blinked at her, looking more amused than angry at her outburst.

“It is never my intention to upset you. But somehow, I always seem to put you on edge,” he said with a shrug, sitting up.

“I find that very hard to believe,” she scoffed. “Ye’re the one who told me that ye dinnae want to have an heir! I am doin’ my very best, every day, to be a good wife to ye. This is what I am here for. So, why must ye insist on makin’ fun of me? On makin’ a fool out of me?”

Catherine had known it was a bad idea to give in to his request and read to him. She knew this was what it would come to eventually, but she wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt.

Especially when she recalled how much she had yearned for him.

A little bit of time wouldnae hurt, she had told herself, trying to believe that perhaps he would take her seriously and not cause too much trouble for her tired and fragile heart and soul.

But as he did every single time, he regarded her as nothing more than a jester in his court.

“You misunderstand, Duchess. Just because I do not wish for an heir, does not mean we cannot find ways to enjoy each other’s company. Beyond conversations and those looks of disdain you are so fond of,” Sampson murmured, moving closer to her.

The back of his hand lightly caressed her cheek, and he leaned in to whisper softly, his warm breath tickling her ear. “You’re thinking much more than necessary. Do not worry if you lack experience. I am more than happy to show you the many ways of achieving pleasure. You can trust me.”

His words were like honey, sticky and sweet, sinking into her mind and enticing her.

But she was far too angry with him to give in to temptation.

She wanted to catch him off guard. She wanted to show him that she couldn’t be messed with as he believed. But then she remembered the unsettling things she had learned hours ago and let her intuition lead.

“Ye have such high expectations for someone who has refused to walk the little steps with me. We havenae even shared a meal, and yet ye want me to easily jump into bed with ye. Is that all ye ever did with the women who came here to keep ye company?”

For the first time since Catherine had known Sampson, his expression turned serious.

He dropped his hand, his smirk still in place but looking a little different with the irritated glint in his eyes.

“Yes,” he said nonchalantly. “That is all I’ve ever looked for in a woman.”

Catherine could have guessed the answer. In fact, she had already anticipated it. So, it wasn’t surprising. But it was quiteupsetting.

It felt as though her blood had begun to boil in her veins.

She needed him to understand that he could not continue to treat her this way and say such things to her.

“Alright, I will play yer game. If ye answer one question, I’ll do whatever ye wish.”

Sampson’s expression shifted from mild annoyance to curiosity. “Only one question?”

“Just one,” Catherine confirmed.

“Deal. Ask away, Duchess.”

Catherine cleared her throat and looked him in the eye. “Tell me about yer braither.”

Almost immediately, his expression darkened, his eyes becoming more guarded as the seconds went by, and the carefree curve of his lips turned stiff.

Regret flooded her veins.