Page 11 of Duke of Emeralds (Dukes of Decadence #2)

But Patience was sound and peacefully asleep, her chest rising and falling gently with each breath. Hester felt a lump form in her throat, and she blinked back the tears that pricked at her eyes. She leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss to her mother’s forehead.

“I love you, Mama,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. “And I’ll write to you often, I promise.”

She straightened, her fingers brushing a loose strand of hair from her mother’s face.

She took a deep breath, her shoulders squaring as she turned to leave the room.

She wished she had found her awake for a proper goodbye at least, but she couldn’t dwell on that now.

She had a new life to begin, a new role to fulfill, and she would do so with pride and determination, with the love and support of her family and friends behind her.

Leonard walked her back to the carriage, his hand gentle on her arm. “I’ll write to you,” he said, his eyes soft with emotion.

Hester nodded, her fingers tightening around his arm. “I’ll look forward to it, Brother,” she replied, her voice steady despite the lump in her throat.

The atmosphere in the carriage was quiet, and Hester leaned back against the squabs, her eyes focused on the passing scenery.

“We will be going through Surrey and Hampshire,” Thomas finally spoke. “So, we’ll break our journey in two and spend the night at Hampshire.”

Hester nodded as knots formed in her stomach at the thought of spending the night with him, of being alone with him in a way she had never been alone with a gentleman before.

They arrived at the inn as the sun began to set, the golden light casting long shadows across the courtyard. The innkeeper, a portly man with a kind face, greeted them with a warm smile.

“We got word of your arrival and readied your lodgings, Your Grace,” he said, bowing deeply.

Hester’s shoulders relaxed at that. She was exhausted, and she desired nothing more than a warm meal and a soft bed. She followed Thomas up the stairs, her hand resting lightly on the banister as she took in the worn but clean surroundings.

They were led to a single room which adjoined a small but decent living area where their meal awaited them. The scent of roasted meat and fresh bread filled the air, and Hester’s stomach rumbled in response.

Thomas gestured for her to enter the inner chambers first, and she did so, her eyes taking in the simple but comfortable furnishings.

A single bed dominated the room, its curtains drawn back to reveal crisp white linens and a thick coverlet.

A small fire crackled in the hearth, casting a warm glow over the space.

“Is it to your liking?” Thomas asked, his eyes searching her face.

Hester turned to face him, her brow lifting slightly. “Would you change it for me if I said no?” she asked, her lips curling into a small smile.

Thomas chuckled, the sound rich and warm. “Just say the words, Hester,” he replied.

And she had a feeling that he could turn the entire place upside down just to get what she wanted.

“It is well,” she dismissed instead. “So long as you sleep in the sitting area.”

Thomas quirked a surprised brow, his eyes widening slightly, but he didn’t argue, simply nodded his head in acquiescence.

Hester swallowed, her throat tight with nerves. She knew that it was time they discussed the true terms of their marriage, and she made certain things very clear to him.

“Since it’s our wedding night, naturally, it is expected of us to…

be together,” she began tentatively, her fingers twisting together.

“So in the privacy of these two rooms, we will remain close enough to not start any speculations about our relationship but far enough from each other to not carry out any… matrimonial obligations,” she added, her cheeks flushing slightly.

Thomas was quiet for a moment, his eyes never leaving her face, and then he said, “I dinnae realize ye gave that much credit to what people expect and say of ye.”

Hester bristled, her chin lifting slightly in defiance.

“I beg your pardon,” she said, her eyes narrowing slightly.

“But isn’t that the reason why you married me in the first place?

Because you also give just as much credit to others’ opinions of you, if not more?

” she challenged, her hands flying to her hips.

And he chuckled, the nerve of him, but she didn’t back down, simply raising her brow slightly as she waited for his response.

“That is true enough,” he said, his eyes never leaving hers. “I need to blend into English society if I am to make a success of me stature and Dukedom,” he added, his shoulders squaring slightly.

“Very well,” Hester replied, her chin lifting slightly. “You’ve gotten what you wanted. An English bride. Now, it’s time for you to give that bride what she wants, too.”

“Which is?” Thomas asked with that amusement in his eyes; the way he always regarded her with an odd interest never failed to leave her self-conscious and blushing.

“Are,” she corrected. “There’s more than one,” she added, her fingers nervously twisting together.

“I’m listening,” Thomas said, his eyes never leaving her face.

Hester took a deep breath, her shoulders squaring slightly. “Our marriage will not be a real one,” she began. “As such, you will not come into my chambers, starting tonight. And we will avoid each other at night.”

Thomas was quiet for a moment then he argued, “And here I thought I’d need an heir.”

Guilt twisted in her gut, but she shook her head. “I… I do not want children,” she returned.

But deep down, she knew she was lying to herself.