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She pulled her hands from his, needing to gather her thoughts so she could make her case.

Why did he have to be so handsome?

“I would never let a man who is not my husband take such liberties with me,” she spat. “I have more respect for myself than you could imagine. Yes, I have had a temporary lapse in judgment, and that is why we are married, but I have learned a great lesson from the one experience where I chose not to listen to the voice of reason.”

She eyed her ring pointedly, so he would not miss the meaning of her words.

“I shall hold you to your words, wife.” He smiled wickedly. “You are forbidden from ever taking a lover. I can permit many things, but I will not stand for anyone else touching you.”

His long finger trailed down her cheek to her chin, before his thumb brushed over her lips. Her mouth went dry as she wondered if he was going to kiss her.

“I agree to your terms, husband. I shall not take a lover.” Feeling emboldened by this change in him, she took a step forward, looking him in the eyes. “But if you will not permit me to seek comfort elsewhere, thenyoushall provide it. It is only fair, is not it?”

“You are an incorrigible woman,” he groaned, before pulling her to him and taking her lips in a kiss that made the heat between her legs turn into a fire that had her feeling uncomfortable in her clothes.

She felt him move them towards the table, only vaguely aware of him pushing the plates aside as his lips assaulted hers with a desire that showed her the truth of who he was.

He was not only taking pleasure in this kiss, but he was also branding her, so she would know not to break their agreement.

This was not the gentle, exploratory kiss they had shared in the Yardleys’ home. This was more like a battle of wills, and Eveline fought just as hard, burying her hands in his hair as she felt him slide his hands around her legs to lift her onto the table.

The new position brought them even closer and made it easier for her to hold onto his broad shoulders, which she had always desired to feel.

Her husband was a large man, and the difference between them should have scared her, but she found herself feeling excited by it even as he pushed her backward, leaning over her.

She would never be able to eat in this room again without remembering what had happened between them.

But she was irritated that his hands did not wander further, one cupping her cheek while the other supported his weight.

She buried her hands in his hair as he nipped her lips once and then twice, before soothing them with his tongue.

“Open your mouth for me,” he murmured.

And she obeyed and tasted the blueberries they had for dessert on his tongue. She couldn’t help the moan that escaped her as their tongues fought for dominance.

When he pulled away, it felt much too sudden, but she didn’t protest and allowed him to help her up.

“I believe I have comforted you effectively this evening, wife?” he asked suddenly.

His question was teasing, and the glint in his eyes made her want to pull him to her again, but she nodded, righting herself as he moved off her, sitting on the edge of the table.

With his hair as ruffled as it was and his shirt wrinkled, she thought him the most handsome man she had ever seen, especially with the lopsided smile he was sporting.

She suddenly felt shy as she realized that she must look a fright, as somewhere in their interlude, the pins in her hair had come undone. If any of the staff saw them now, they would no doubt know what had happened between their Duke and his Duchess.

“Good,” he said smugly. “I shall escort you to your chambers then.”

William smiled to himself as heard Eveline squeal for the tenth time that evening, followed by sounds of her feet kicking her bed excitedly.

She had obviously tried hard to keep him from hearing, but the walls between their chambers were not so thick that sound couldn’t travel between them.

He had found himself smiling too as he replayed their kiss in his mind. He had barely hidden his desire from her, and he frowned now, worried he had begun a dangerous game by revealing his jealousy to her.

In as much as she dared him to believe that he could enjoy simple pleasures such as flirting and falling in love with his wife, he knew that nothing good would come out of it except death and loss, which would haunt him or her for the rest of their lives.

A note had arrived from Theo a little after dinner, telling him to make sure that he took care of his beautiful wife and that hethought she was good for him, but it only served to warn him that he was struggling to maintain his self-control around her.

He had been unable to hide his jealousy around his annoyingly perceptive friend, who had no doubt behaved the way he had to stir up trouble. William had foolishly fallen into his trap because he had been blinded by jealousy.