Page 17 of Claiming his Cursed Duchess

Rosaline felt a surge of adrenaline. She wouldn’t allow him to intimidate her.

She met his gaze, her eyes flashing with intelligence and wit.

“Oh, I am certain there is more to you than meets the eye, husband. And you ought to know, I am not easily intimidated.”

A spark ignited between them, a dangerous tension that crackled in the air. Rosaline felt a strange thrill, both fear and excitement simultaneously.

“Do you believe I try to intimidate you, dear wife?” The duke matched Rosaline’s tone, more focused on her now than he had been even when they exchanged vows.

Those intense blue eyes sent a shiver through Rosaline, who could not stop herself from smiling.

“I believe you are unused to having totryto intimidate anyone.” Rosaline purred, watching as Adam shifted, taking note of the way his shirt and jacket rippled over his muscled chest and shoulders.

“Oh? I shouldtryto intimidate my own wife?” Adam asked, eyebrows raising as he leaned forward slightly, as if her couldn’t help himself, and Rosaline felt the same draw toward him.

“You should not intimidate your wife at all.”

Adam nodded slightly, mulling that over. “A unique view in a ton such as ours,” he eyed Rosaline over, watching her stiffen slightly as she awaited his verdict. “But not incorrect. Good partnerships, including marriage, should not be characterized by fear and intimidation.”

“You surprise me, Your Grace.” Rosaline tilted her head to one side, “By all accounts of the ton, I thought myself wed to a truly fearsome duke.”

“By all accounts of the ton, I thought myself wed to a truly cursed lady,” Adam replied, and Rosaline’s mouth gaped open. “Come, duchess, do you believe all the rumors of the ton? I certainly do not subscribe to them.”

“I admire your dedication to the truth over the ton’s salacious stories.” Rosaline finally managed, and the duke scoffed slightly, his gaze returning to the scenery outside the window.

“Are you always this frank with strangers?” Adam asked after a moment, turning back to Rosaline.

“Only the ones I marry,” Rosaline quipped, blue eyes sparkling with mischief, and for the first time, she saw the duke truly smile.

She leaned forward, so their faces were inches apart.

He was quite handsome, in a brooding sort of way. She could feel the heat rising to her cheeks, a sensation she hadn’t experienced before.

For a moment, she thought he might kiss her, a reckless, impulsive act that would defy all reason despite their marriage.

But then, the carriage lurched to a halt, and the spell was broken.

Rosaline stepped out, her head held high.

She had always been proud, and this day would be no different.

The duke emerged from the carriage behind her, his jaw set and his eyes narrowed. His gaze swept over her, taking in her elegant form and defiant spirit.

“This is a marriage of convenience, duchess,” he said, his voice low and commanding. “We will appear united in public, but in private, we will have separate lives.”

Rosaline’s heart raced with a mix of relief and irritation. A separate life. Well, that would suit her just fine.She tilted her head, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

“A most agreeable arrangement,” she replied, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

Adam’s brow furrowed.

“And we will produce an heir,” he continued, his voice barely a whisper. “But that is a matter for the future.”

Rosaline avoided his gaze.

“You are my duchess now, wife,” Adam said, his voice low and dangerous. “You will behave as such.”

Rosaline scoffed inwardly.