Page 13 of A Bride for the Cruel Duke (Claimed by Regency Devils #1)

Chapter Thirteen

“S o, this is my new life,” Caroline said to herself as she wandered across her bedroom. It was the night of the wedding, she had arrived home less than an hour ago, sent to her room because the duke had had a long day and did not wish for supper. He had made sure to inform her that if she wished for it, she could ask the staff to fetch her some food, but there was no indication that he wished to join her.

Despite how short he had been with her, Caroline also felt relieved. This right here was further proof that the duke had not been lying to her, giving her some hope that at least she would not have to fight against her own pesky temptations.

Caroline was quick to undress for bed, choosing a simple shift to wear from her still-to-be unpacked luggage. I will have the staff help me with it tomorrow. Or perhaps I shall do it myself? It is not like I will have anything else to do. The room was bare, save for her bed, a couch by the fireplace, and a desk for writing. It did not feel like home yet, but she supposed that would change.

With nothing to do, Caroline decided to turn in for bed, only for a knock at the door to have her stiffening. She stood in the middle of the room, turned to face the door, her heart rate rising because she guessed who was on the other side, but couldn’t imagine what for.

“Are you decent?” her husband’s voice spoke through the closed door.

What is he doing? Caroline looked about the empty room as if she meant to run. There was nowhere to go. Nowhere to hide. Just her and her alone. Again, she remembered the last time the two were alone like this, and where that had led to. Surely, he was not here for that? But then what was he here for?

“Your Grace,” the duke spoke again. “Are you decent?”

She had no choice. Even if she did, what difference would it make? She was married to the man now, trapped under his roof, and this right here was but the first time of what she was sure would be many instances of them being alone together. Likely, he just wished to make sure she had everything she needed. But what if... No. She shook her head and dispelled that notion.

“Come in,” she said softly, standing up tall and doing what she could to appear composed.

The door swung open and in walked the duke, her husband. He had dressed down from the suit he was wearing for their wedding, now in little more than a pair of breeches and a nightshirt. It hung loosely from his thick shoulders, an opening at the front revealing the matting of hair that covered him. Her eyes drifted to it unconsciously and she widened them when she realized what she was doing, looking away.

Then, she realized what she was wearing... not much at all. Feeling self-conscious and exposed, she folded her arms over her chest as if to cover herself.

“Ye—yes?” she stammered. “What is it?”

The duke remained by the doorway as he studied her. The light from the fire was soft, barely reaching where he stood; the effect was to cast him mostly in dark shadow, which made him seem somehow larger and more intimidating. The crackle of the fire. The pop of the wood. Her heart thudding in her chest. The silence grew...

“I wished to make sure that you have everything,” the duke said simply. “Do you?”

“I do,” she said. “Thank you.”

“If you require anything at all, the staff will be sure to acquiesce.”

“I will remember that.”

“Good.” He continued to look at her, his dark eyes noticeably falling to her bust. The look in his eyes as he took them in made her skin prickle, and once again she remembered his lips on her own... his hands around her waist... his teeth biting into?—

“Is that all?” she said quickly, forcing herself to focus.

The duke tilted his head, still looking at her. Then, he crossed the room, walking right past her, where he sat down on the couch by the fire. She turned to follow him, caught between panic at what he was doing and that pesky sense of excitement that seemed to follow her whenever she and the duke were alone.

“Come here, please,” he said simply.

“Ex—excuse me?” she stammered.

He raised an eyebrow at her. “I would like to speak with you.”

She obeyed without even realizing what she was doing. Her feet moved as if of their own volition until she was standing by the couch.

“Sit,” he then commanded of her.

Her brow furrowed and it took all her self-control not to do as he said. “Sit? I do not... I do not understand.”

“You may continue to stand,” he said. “But I find it awkward. Please…” He gestured to the couch again.

She pushed her lips together, not at all certain of what he was getting at. Despite the nervousness she was feeling, anger was still very much a present emotion. He had the inane ability to bring it out in her, such that she was forced to wonder if he liked doing so.

Caroline sat awkwardly on the arm of the chair, being careful not to get too close, careful to be in a position where she could leap to her feet if need be.

“Are you comfortable?” he asked her.

“I am.”

“Liar.”

“I just want to know what you are doing? I did not expect to see you in my room tonight.” She spoke forward, refusing to look at him. But she could feel him watching her, his eyes lingering on her bosom as they had been since he walked through the door. “Or ever,” she finished.

“I thought that it might be obvious.”

Her eyes widened when she saw the look in his eyes. No… surely, he does not mean… but he promised . “I… I thought that… you said—whoa!” she yelped as his large hands wrapped around her waist and pulled her from the armrest, onto his lap.

“There,” he said. “Much better.”

Caroline sat frozen on the duke’s lap. Unsure what she should say. What she should do. And why it felt as comfortable as it did. His legs spread just enough for her to slip between them. His hands around her waist were strong but also protective. And his breath on the back of her neck... a shudder ran down her spine and right to her thighs.

“What... what are you doing?”

“This marriage does not have to be so hostile,” the duke began, his voice deep but a whisper. His breath still traced the skin on her neck but the grip around her waist tightened. “Even if you seem intent on making it so.”

“M—me?” She moaned as his thighs tightened around her. “And what of you? You’re the one who?—”

“Careful now,” he continued, and she could feel him lean in closer, his lips brushing the back of her neck. “That sounds suspiciously like the beginnings of an argument.”

“You make it so easy to do…” Her body shook and she felt him poking into her buttocks. “Perhaps if you want…” More shaking. “… us to be more companionable, you ought to take a look at yourself.”

“And if I promise to treat you more kindly, will you do the same?” One hand on her waist, the other gripped her thigh now. “No more arguing. No more fighting. Peace and quiet.”

She did not answer. Her mind was in a dozen places. His breath and lips on her neck. His hand on her waist. His fingers digging into her thigh. Her body was quivering, and it was all she could do not to lean back as she so wanted, opening herself and letting him take her as he so clearly meant to do.

“Well?” he asked and his grip around her tightened further.

“I… I…” she moaned when the hand on her waist moved up and cupped around her breasts. His fingers pinched her nipple through the shift, sending a spark of pain right into her chest. Or was that pleasure? “I think I can…”

“Good girl,” the duke whispered, his lips finally finding her neck. And then, his hand moved from her breast to her throat once more. A soft grip, moving further up and finding her chin which he turned around so that she was facing him.

He did not speak after that. He did not need to. She could see in his eyes what he wanted, and despite what Caroline thought she knew about herself, in that moment, she wanted it too. He sat himself up and moved her face down to his lips, his mouth opening and then kissing her in ways that she had spent weeks dreaming about, a memory that had faded, now brought back to life in the most glorious of ways.

They kissed with passion. They kissed with fire. They kissed as if they were animals, a race to devour the other first. Lips mashed. Tongues lapped and wrestled. Caroline lost herself in that kiss, turning around more so that his other hand could find her breasts.

He did just that, taking it and squeezing it. He moaned and pulled back, she gasped, he then buried his head into her neck and began to suck roughly. The sensation drove her insane.

“Urgh...” she moaned as he licked and sucked at her neck. “What... what are we doing?” A final effort at protesting.

“I think you know.”

“I thought this was... a marriage of... convenience...”

“I…” He looked at her as if he didn’t understand what she said. “Of course it is.”

“Then what are you doing?”

Still, he looked confused. “You are my wife. I am your husband. It is our wedding night. I would have thought it was obvious?”

Until that moment, Caroline had been so close to giving in. How unexpected his sudden appearance had been. How quick he had been to take her. In her mind, it had almost been as if the moment had happened through pure lust and desire. The duke had been in his room thinking about her, unable to control himself, wanting her as she wanted him. They both knew it was wrong to do but they could not help it!

Perhaps it wasn’t the best of excuses, but Caroline had known how weak she felt around the duke, and for a few seconds there, she was almost able to believe that this was akin to some sort of accident…

But the spell cracked and shattered as soon as he spoke. Caroline remembered suddenly what she had been promised, what was expected, and what she told herself that she wanted. Certainly not this!

“No!” she cried out, pushing herself back with such force that she tumbled over and landed heavily on the floor. But she was quickly back to her feet, scurrying up and taking a hasty few steps backwards, expecting the duke to chase her.

He did no such thing.

He remained on the couch, a confused look on his face that suggested he had no idea what had gotten into her. As if he could not comprehend why she was behaving in this way.

“No,” she said again. Her body was flushed, her breathing wild and heavy, and her mind was still back in that chair. It was all she could do to keep herself calm. “I said no .”

“And I heard you,” he said. “I just don’t understand what it means.”

“The word no?” she said. “You do not know what?—”

“I know what the word no means,” he spoke over her. “I just do not know why you are saying it. Or why you are behaving this way.”

“This is...” More heavy breathing. “This is not what was promised.”

“Promised?”

“A marriage of convenience!” she cried out, more to dispel the emotion that flooded her than anything else. “You promised that this would be a marriage of convenience!”

“And it is,” he agreed. “Do not mistake what this is. This is not an effort to seduce you or break from what I said. I am not so dishonorable that I would lie to you so that I might trick you into sleeping with me.”

“Then what is it?”

“You are my wife, I am your husband, and this is our wedding night.” He continued to look at her as if only just now understanding why she was so upset. “I would have thought it was obvious what this was. The very reason that one marries in the first place.”

She balked at that, leaning back. “What are you...” It took a moment. Their eyes met. He raised an eyebrow. The meaning dawned on her. And she cried out and took another step back. “No! You cannot be serious!”

“I assure you I am nothing, if not serious. Why do you think I married in the first place? Not for love. Not for companionship. Not even for expectation, as you might have guessed by now I do not care for what others think of me. I married for one reason and one reason only. To produce an heir.”

Caroline could not help in that moment but remember her mother and father’s marriage. Not what her mother had told her, however, but what she had seen with her own two eyes. The words the duke spoke sounded suspiciously like something her father would have said; he who was so mean and cruel to her mother. And her mother, unable to deny him, would have done exactly as was asked.

Is that what Caroline wanted? A wife whose only use was to bear children for a man who hated her. Whom she also hated. If her parents’ marriage was anything to go by, it would lead to a lifetime of unhappiness. Never mind a marriage of convenience. This would be a marriage of servitude.

All this was clouded by the confusion she felt toiling away at her desires for the duke. That she had enjoyed their kiss so much more than he clearly had hurt her, even if she didn’t fully understand why. He felt nothing for her and if she was to give in... guilt and shame would be nothing to the pain and loneliness I’d be forced to suffer.

She shook her head. “You... you told me this marriage was for convenience. You promised!”

The duke took a moment to himself, brow furrowed, confusion still apparent. He was not upset with her, at least. In fact, if she was to guess it, he almost looked regretful.

“It seems there has been a misunderstanding.”

“You think!”

“What I told you originally was not a lie, and nothing I promised you will change. As I told you, under my roof you will be free to do pretty much anything you wish. As long as it does not bring shame upon my name or this household, this marriage will be a simple affair. However...”

He rose from the chair, his towering frame standing so tall it was as if he might go through the ceiling. She gasped, her neck craning back to look at him. “The simple fact is, I am a duke, and as a duke, it is expected that I will produce an heir. I thought you understood this?”

Caroline could not believe what she was hearing! She was furious because she had known that this was too good to be true, embarrassed because she could not believe she had fallen for his tricks, and hopeless, because she did not know what she could do to stop him. If there is anything at all.

“I...” Her voice began to tremble. “I am surprised. You do not seem like the type who would care for a child.”

“A child?” He frowned as if he didn’t understand the word. “We are not speaking of starting a family together. What I wish for is an heir.”

“Which is a child!”

He considered. “Yes, in a manner of speaking. But you are a lady of the ton, Your Grace?—”

“Caroline,” she snapped.

“Excuse me?”

“My name,” she said. “It is Caroline.”

He chuckled. “As you wish, Caroline. The point I am making is that you know, as do I, that things are expected of us. This marriage alone is proof of that. Such is the way of the world that if we did not have a child together, it would be considered strange. We have no choice.”

Caroline could not believe what she was hearing!

On the one hand, she understood well enough what the duke was saying to her, and she knew the truth of his words. What was more, the general shock present on his face suggested that he truly did think that this was all so expected and obvious that it had never occurred to him to confirm it. Is he really that dense? Or is he just so used to getting his way that he didn’t think it would be a problem?

Not that it mattered. Not that she cared! Caroline had made a promise to herself, and she was not about to break it because of expectation or what was considered right or any of that nonsense! Right was not being forced upon by her husband. Right was not being lied to.

“I said no!” she said, her eyes burning with defiant intensity as she locked them onto him. “You made me a promise. You told me...” She bared her teeth. “You told me what I wished to hear, a lie. That is what you did. You lied to me.”

“I most certainly did not.”

“Ha!”

He groaned and rubbed his eyes. “Peace and quiet…” he then muttered under his breath before giving his head a shake and looking at her again. “You mean to deny me?”

“I do,” she said bravely. “I am.”

He studied her for a moment longer. His eyes working over her, behind which she could see him trying to figure through the moment. “And I am afraid I cannot allow that. This is…” He pushed his tongue into his lip, the clear signs of frustration growing. “This is not something that I want, Caroline. It is something that I must do.”

“And what about what I want?”

“What you want?” The duke frowned and tilted his head. “Yes, you have told me. A marriage of convenience. But even in such instances?—”

“No, not that…” It had been earlier when the duke had asked Caroline what she wanted from this marriage, a question to which she still had no answer. The only half truths she could ring from her conscience concerned what she did not want, which wasn’t quite the same, but it would have to do. “You asked me what I wanted earlier. Did you mean it?”

“Did I mean it? What do you?—”

“Do you even care,” she cut him off. “Do you care about what I desire, or are your own needs the only ones which matter? Typical.”

The question appeared to anger the duke at first. His eyes flashed and Caroline sensed she had gone too far. It had always been this way with them, since the first time they had met. Even when he was trying to be nice, she simply could not help but push… I really need to get better at that.

But then his expression softened considerably and he took a deep breath. “I do,” he said. “Although I understand why you might think the opposite. This entire arrangement…” He scoffed and shook his head. “It has been a tempestuous time for both of us, such that I understand why you think so little of me.” He raised an eyebrow at her, as if expecting her to deny this claim. She did no such thing. “As I thought…”

She grimaced. “I do not wish to fight with you either. That is not…” She clicked her tongue. “I am not such a fool to think that this is a love match or has any chance of being one. More than that, I doubt either you or I want such a thing.”

“I ask you again, what do you want?” He looked right at her, and for the first time she felt herself believing him. He wasn’t trying to trick her. He wasn’t trying to manipulate her. It was as if he cared.

“I…” She hesitated, considering the question once again. “I do not know what I want—but I know what I do not want,” she hurried when she saw his expression tighten. “I do not wish to be used. I do not wish to be little more than a…” She scoffed. “Then a vessel for children. If I was to say yes to you right now, I know exactly what would happen.”

“Which is?”

“You would forget me—worse than that, you would expect me to do whatever you command, whenever you command it of me. Called upon when you require me in your bed, forgotten as soon as the deed is done. And when the child is born, it will be the same. I will be little more than a tool with one purpose only.” Her lip curled at the thought. “I will not have it.”

The duke studied her closely, and she wondered what he was going to say.

Caroline guessed that he would care little for her worries. Why should he? Didn’t he say from the beginning he wanted little to do with her? So why would that change if they had a child together? He was likely confused, not understanding why she feared being forgotten when she had told him herself she wanted a marriage of convenience. Isn’t that the same thing?

There was the other side of the coin, also, a concern that Caroline would not dare to voice. What if she slept with the duke once and became obsessed with him? Their sexual chemistry was intense, proven as such moments ago when she had very nearly given in completely. If she slept with him one time and then he forgot about her, she was not certain how she would handle such an event. It would very likely break me. Not to mention the shame I would feel at giving in, in the first place…

“I have a proposition for you,” the duke said suddenly.

“You… what is it?” she asked with caution.

“I understand your concern,” he said. “And my hope is that you understand mine. I need an heir, Caroline. It is that simple.”

“And I am not going to sleep with you simply because you think?—”

“But you are worried,” he spoke over her. “Fearful that once you give me an heir, I will shut you out. A fair assumption,” he admitted. “Considering what you likely think of me…” A shadow passed behind his eyes and he grimaced. “And how we have treated one another to this point. But it does not have to be that way.”

“What do you mean?”

“Give me a chance,” he said to her. “In fact, give me five chances.” He held up a hand and splayed five fingers open. “Five separate occasions during which I will prove to you that this marriage does not have to be the hellscape that you have envisioned. Five nights and days of my choosing to demonstrate who I am and what this marriage might be.”

“I don’t…” She shook her head, confusion reigning on her. “I don’t understand. You mean to seduce me?”

“To court you,” he emphasized, chuckling softly. “By the end of which, if you agree that I am not a monster whose only wish is to use you, then you will give me what I have asked for. An heir,” he confirmed.

“And if I refuse?”

He clicked his tongue. “Let us just hope it does not come to that.”

Caroline considered the proposition, doing her best to see through the words so she could get to their truth. Is this a trick? Some sort of trap? Surely, he cannot be serious. Based on everything I have heard of the duke, and seen with my own eyes, this is the exact opposite of what I should expect from him. And yet…

Was he really as bad as she thought? Yes, they fought often. Yes, they were constantly at one another’s throats. But he was not evil or mean. And he had never done anything that might cause her to fear him. Really, if not for the stories she had heard, told from outside sources, she might not have thought nearly as little of him as she did. Or as she had, anyhow.

The offer too, it was too good to be true. A way out, it felt like. A life raft thrown to her in the middle of the storm. It gave her control of this relationship, an excuse not to give into her amorous desires like she was so desperate to. Like she would right now, if not for…

No! She shook her head, deciding in the moment that this was the best offer she could hope for. On top of which, it would give her a chance to better know the man to whom she was now married. And maybe, however remote the chance was, it might lead to… No, no, Caroline. Do not go there. Do not even dream it.

“I agree,” she said quickly. “To your proposal. At the end of which, if I still do not wish to give you an heir?—”

“We will cross that bridge when it comes,” the duke cut her off, then he smirked. “Although somehow, I do not think it will be a problem.”

She scoffed. “You are not standing where I am.”

To that, he laughed. “Sleep well, Caroline…” Slowly, he stepped around her, his dark eyes holding her in his stare as he started across the room. “And try not to toss and turn at the thought of me just a few rooms away.”

She snorted. “Is that what I will be doing?”

“Based on how you were kissing me just now….” He winked and she felt her chest flush red. “I have given myself five chances, but I doubt it will come to that.”

“Y—you wish,” she stammered, feeling that flush in her chest grow.

“No, no…” He reached the door and popped it open. “I think you do.”

She opened her mouth to argue but he stepped outside and closed the door behind him, leaving her standing there with her mouth hanging open and confusion crashing down on her.

This entire situation… Caroline had no idea what to think of it. On the one hand, it felt like a smart move, because once he was finished trying to win her over, she would be able to simply deny him and be done with it. Once that time came, she could perhaps elect to move out, live her own life, do whatever she wished—the duke had told her as much.

On the other hand, is that what she wanted? Now that she really considered where this might lead and what the consequences might be. She did not want this marriage in the first place because she feared that she would be forced to live with a man who wanted nothing to do with her, who would use her and then discard her without thought. But if they could learn to like one another, develop a companionship, then perhaps this marriage stood a chance?

A chance at what? That was where she became stuck. Love and happiness… Caroline had never dreamed that she might be treated to such a thing. She did not even know the meaning of the concept! And with the Cruel Duke of all people. Somehow, it feels unlikely.

In the end, Caroline decided on perseverance. She would humor the duke. She would let him go through with this farce. As she did, she would endeavor not to give in because she still suspected deep down that he was not being truly honest. Then, once it was done, she would finally have what was promised. A marriage of convenience. As far as she was concerned, it was the best she could hope for.