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Louisa smirked to herself, apparently pleased that she was able to pry at her sister in ways that suggested everything was not quite as tranquil as it seemed.

Put simply, that’s because it wasn’t.

It was easy to pretend that she and Duncan were in a good place and there was no need to change it. But for how good it was, it was equally as confusing. There was no closeness there. No sense of companionship. Far removed from how a married couple should feel.

Even the after care, for how close it brought them when they were together and experiencing it, only came about because of the harshness of their sexual congress. Could she not have one without the other? Did Duncan even wish for such a thing?

Yet when she thought of the Duke of Hermon, there was an undeniable sense of guilt that attacked her when she considered going behind Duncan’s back. But then why should she care what he thought, if their relationship was indeed just surface level?

Troubling questions. Confusing answers. The week that was had been fulfilled, unexpected, and downright filthy in all the ways that truly mattered. But as Isabella bickered with her twin sister she began to wonder for the first time where she and Duncan went from here.

A topic which both frightened and excited her in much the same ways that her husband so often did.

Chapter Twenty

“Now, before we arrive,” Duncan began with a sternness to his voice that went beyond anything playful. It was a warning, one that this time Isabella knew she would be right to heed. “What are we going to be today?”

“On our best behavior,” Isabella said.

“And what are we not going to do?”

“Argue.”

“And...?”

“Fight. Bicker. Do or say anything that might tempt you into dragging me into one of the washrooms and reminding me what happens to bad girls when they don’t do as they are told.” She flashed her eyes suggestively and before she knew what she was doing, her hand wrapped her husband’s muscular thigh and gave it a squeeze.

“Isabella...” Duncan groaned but did not move her hand. “That is enough.”

“Oh, I am sorry.” She moved her hand further up his thigh, right to where she could see his member pressed against the thin fabric of his pants. Already stiff, she could practically see it throbbing. “Should I not...?”

“You know the answer to that.” He was leaning back, legs spread, making no move to stop her.

“Then why don’t you stop me?” Smirking, her hand moved up and cupped his package. Squeezed it. And then she leaned into him, nice and close, and whispered into his ear. “Punish me...”

Duncan’s eyes were closed, and she could literally see him fighting with his inner demons. Deep, calming breaths as he twitched and searched for the courage he needed to stop her. But they were alone, in the back of the carriage, with nobody to see or interrupt them... at least until they arrived.

“No.” He exhaled and gave his head a shake. “I said no!” He snatched her hand and threw it away. Then he forced his eyes open and glared a warning at her. “This is exactly what I do not want from today.”

She laughed. “I was just testing you, Duncan. And wouldn’t you know it, you passed.”

“Testing me?”

She winked. “Seeing if you had the self-control that I know you are going to need.”

He groaned. “You’re the one I am worried about!”

“Which is silly.” She shuffled back and crossed her arms. “You are the uncaged animal here, posing as a member of the gentry. I am just an innocent woman, unlucky enough to stumble across your path. Honestly, even being alone now as we are...” She pretended to look about as if for an escape. “I do not feel safe.”

“Good,” he growled and reared up as if he meant to pounce on her. “And for testing me like that, you will pay.”

“Is that right?”

“Oh, I think you – no!” He clenched his jaw and pulled back. “Not now. This is --” He turns his hands into fists. “This is a lot harder than it ought to be.”

Isabella laughed, enjoying making her husband squirm. “It will be fine, Duncan. It will only be a couple of hours at most. And how about this...” She raised an eyebrow at him. “If you manage to behave yourself, today --”

“Me!”