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Together, he and his wife would create their future together. A future that would be free of bitterness and abuse, unlike his childhood.

He could not help but be grateful to his wife. She had shown him what was possible, and now, because of her, he knew he could enjoy a fruitful life.

His heart skipped a beat when her eyes finally fluttered open.

She yawned and stretched as she regarded him, a smile forming on her face.

“How long have you been staring at me?” she asked, giggling.

“If I am being honest, ever since you slept,” he teased.

Eveline’s eyes widened in mock shock. “And why, pray tell, would you stay awake simply to watch me?” A teasing smile tugged at the corners of her lips.

William shrugged. “Perhaps to protect you?”

“And what would you be protecting me from?”

“Trolls and witches who roam the night, looking for duchesses to abduct,” he deadpanned.

She gasped dramatically. “Oh, how shall I ever repay you for being gracious enough to protect me.”

“Perhaps a kiss on the lips?” he suggested.

“That I can certainly do,” she responded.

“Or, perhaps, a taste of your forbidden fruit,” he added, pointing at her legs.

Eveline threw back her head, laughing with reckless abandon.

“Oh, you are the most corrupt Duke in all of England,” she proclaimed.

“That is a rather heavy accusation, Duchess,” he murmured. “I hope you have evidence to back it up.”

“What happens if I do not have evidence?” she asked, her eyes twinkling with mischief. “Tie me and lock me up in your dungeons?” She gasped suddenly. “Oh William, do you have a dungeon?”

“In fact, I do, and I shall lock you in until you fall in love with me.”

“And what shall you do to me, then?” she asked as she wriggled out of his grasp.

“I suppose it would be better if I just show you,” he purred.

In one swift motion, he flipped her onto her back.

“Oh, Your Grace,” she gasped dramatically. “Whatever shall you do to me?”

“Nothing that you don’t like.”

He took one of her breasts into his mouth and kneaded the other while she wriggled beneath him.

And with that, the day had a rather pleasurable start.

Even as he wrestled playfully with her, William knew this was how he wanted his days to start—giving pleasure to his wife and worshipping her body.

CHAPTER 21

Eveline worried as she emerged from the house dressed in her riding habit—a shirt, a red jacket, and a skirt of the same color. She imagined she looked like a fool in her outfit. However, it was a necessary part of horse riding.

She had just rounded the corner to the stables when William spotted her. He beamed as she approached.