Page 11

“ H eavens, whatever happened to you?” Jane asked the moment she entered the drawing room.

“I lost my footing,” Alicia replied, her skin still tingling with the memory of the Duke’s body pressed against hers.

Jane looked her over critically. “Were you hiking through the mud?”

“I was walking ,” Alicia said firmly, “and I slipped.”

There was a soft knock on the door before a maid entered the room, carrying a tea tray.

Alicia turned around, raising her eyebrows at the amount of food.

Although she and the Duke had finished breakfast less than an hour ago, the tray was laden with cakes and sweet treats.

It was a stark contrast to how her father had treated his guests.

The Earl of Pembrook did not believe in wasting money on frivolities. The teas Jane and Alicia had enjoyed in their youth usually consisted of dry biscuits and black tea in mismatched cups.

Alicia stared, amazed by the cakes, scones, and delicate shortbread on display. There was sugar, a choice of cream or milk for the tea, and lemon slices in a tiny matching bowl. Everything was in perfect order and meticulously displayed.

She was aware of Jane’s eyes on her as they sat down, and they both waited until the maid had poured them a cup each and left the room before speaking.

Her sister laughed warmly. “My goodness. I did tell you there were benefits to being married to a duke.”

“This is luxury, indeed,” Alicia muttered.

“Papa would die at the amount of food here. Do you remember when Lady Larson and her son came to tea? Her face was a picture of disgust at the state of our china. She looked me dead in the eye, as though I had insulted her to her face, and remarked that Papa did not understand good marmalade.”

Jane was grinning now. “Lady Larson is a terrible snob. But it is a good thing you have a sweet tooth,” she said knowingly. “Try not to eat it all at once?”

Alicia reached for the Madeira cake and cut a large slice with her fork before popping it into her mouth with a moan of pleasure.

She closed her eyes, the sponge light and soft on her tongue.

“Mm. You are right. I had no idea marriage could be so dangerous for one’s waistline.”

Jane chuckled as she sipped her tea, abstaining from the cake, having never enjoyed sweet things.

“And how is married life?” she asked, her green eyes probing as she placed her cup and saucer on her knee.

Alicia’s shoulders tensed at the look in her sister’s eyes.

Jane knew nothing of the plans she had made with Bridget and Katie. Her sister probably thought that the Duke had come to her the night before and consummated their marriage.

What will Jane say if she finds out what I intend to do?

A shiver ran down her spine as she remembered the Duke’s proximity in the woods, the press of his body against hers, and the wicked glide of his fingers.

She clenched her thighs together, clearing her throat.

“It is as I expected,” she hazarded, hoping Jane would drop the topic.

“As you expected?”

“Yes.”

“And what did you expect , exactly?” Jane furrowed her brow, her gaze turning sharp.

It would doubtless make little sense to her loyal sister that Alicia was so calm and composed this morning. Only yesterday, Jane had walked into her bedchamber in this very manor and found her distraught at the prospect of wedding the Duke. Alicia’s apparent calm must seem very odd.

But I cannot tell my sister of my plans; she would never approve.

Alicia loved Jane with all her heart. Her sister would fight for her, no matter the cost. But she was also traditional in her views and would see her marriage to the Duke as unbreakable.

Jane might be saddened that Alicia was trapped in the gilded cage their father had created for her, but what was done was done. If Alicia told her of the ideas she had concocted to repel the Duke, there was no question Jane would try to talk her out of it.

Alicia’s eyes flicked to the cakes on the tray before her, a new idea forming in her mind.

I could discover which is his favorite and instruct the cook to stop making it forthwith!

“Alicia, did you hear me?” Jane asked, sounding concerned now.

Alicia shrugged a shoulder, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

“It is… It has been an adjustment. But the Duke has not been unpleasant. The housekeeper is giving me a tour of the manor this afternoon, and hopefully, that will give me an idea about my new duties. I do not believe I have ever seen so many rooms as there are here. I am quite lost.”

Jane nodded, and Alicia blew out a soft breath of relief at the change in topic.

“I can understand that. When David first took me around Riverton House, I thought I would never get my bearings.”

“But you did?” Alicia asked.

“I did. In time. Do not chastise yourself for not feeling at home yet. You have not even spent a full week here.”

Alicia helped herself to another large slice of cake as her sister rolled her eyes at her.

“I do hope that you and David will visit often,” she murmured. “It is rather unnerving to think that this is my home now. What am I to do here?”

“Oh, there will be far more than you can imagine to do in a house of this size. My advice is to cultivate a good relationship with the housekeeper, as she will be your eyes and ears in this place. And I hope the Duke will help you, too. David was invaluable to me in the early days of our marriage.”

Alicia tensed as she heard the sharp tap of footsteps approaching the room, and her heart began to thud painfully against her ribs.

They both went still as the door opened and the Duke entered the room. He looked the same as he had in the woods, yet Alicia was still floored by the sheer size of him. He loomed over everything, and her breath hitched as he came to sit beside her on the settee.

“Lady Riverton,” he greeted solemnly. “It is a pleasure to see you again so soon.”

Alicia shot him a sharp look.

Is he displeased that she’s visiting so soon after the wedding? How wonderful. I shall arrange several more visits for Katie and Bridget.

“It is a pleasure to see you, too, Your Grace. I apologize to visit so soon after the wedding. I just wanted to make sure my sister was alright. I trust that married life is treating you well?”

There was an edge to Jane’s voice, but the Duke did not seem fazed by it. In fact, he seemed rather preoccupied with the cake on display.

After careful consideration, he grabbed the other slice of Madeira cake, and Alicia’s heart sank. It was her favorite. It would break her heart to ask the cook to stop making it.

But I will if it will make him displeased with me.

“The Marquess is not with you?” the Duke asked, biting into the cake.

Alicia watched his tongue curl around it just before his lips closed, and she felt her neck flush at the sight. She quickly turned back to her sister.

“He is away on business, but he sends you his best.”

The Duke bent his head as Jane looked back at Alicia, her gaze flickering over her dress and the patches of dry mud on her skirts. Her lips tightened—she did not like disorder and mess where it could be avoided.

“You know, Alicia dear, you are a duchess now. You cannot walk around the house covered in mud from head to toe.”

Alicia’s cheeks turned scarlet. She was currently sitting next to the cause of her disheveled state, not to mention the ache in her back where he had pinned her against the tree.

“On the contrary, Lady Riverton,” the Duke interjected. “As a duchess, my wife can do whatever she pleases in her home. No one will comment on it.”

Alicia glanced at him in surprise. She did not need shielding from her sister; Jane was not in earnest in her disapproval. But at his words, something shifted within her. A warmth and gratitude she had not expected.

It was almost as if he were defending her. As if he saw it his duty to champion her, now that they were married.

No one had ever done that for Alicia, except Jane. It was surprising to have an ally in her husband when she was trying her best to anger him at every turn.

“Of course,” Jane said, the tips of her ears turning red as she finished her tea.

“Perhaps we could take a turn about the grounds before you leave?” Alicia suggested quickly.

Jane placed her cup and saucer on the tray, just as the Duke grabbed a slice of seed cake and began to devour it.

It appeared he had as much of a sweet tooth as Alicia.

Why could he not hate cakes? Then, I could ask the cook to make a great many for every meal, and he would never have a dessert he likes again. Instead, I shall have to go without my favorite food!

Once they stepped out into the beautiful sunshine, Jane seemed to relax.

Alicia had noticed that throughout their time in the drawing room, her sister had been very tense. Her face was pinched and drawn now as she turned it up to the sun and closed her eyes.

“I know this marriage is not what I wanted for myself, but I am all right, Jane. You needn’t worry about me,” Alicia tried, concerned that her marriage was causing her sister’s dismay.

Jane took her arm. “I know.”

“Then what else is troubling you?”

“I am still angry with Father,” Jane said bitterly.

Alicia sighed. “Yes. I am angry with him, too.”

They walked through the damp grass, the shoots soft beneath their feet, the sun beating down on them, bathing them with its warmth.

“Do you think he is proud, sitting alone in his house with no one for company but the servants? I hope he enjoys the riches we have both afforded him.”

Jane scoffed. “I have no doubt he is pleased with himself.”

They made their way to another area within the garden, where a small circular maze had been grown from boxed hedges. Without a word, they headed for it, walking through the little winding paths, the leaves brushing their skirts.

“I might rest a bit,” Jane said suddenly, her breath coming faster as she wiped a hand over her forehead.

“Are you all right?” Alicia asked, alarmed.

“Yes, yes. Is there a bench we could sit on for a moment?”

Alicia spotted one at the lawn’s edge and carefully led her sister toward it.

Jane was suddenly pale and holding her stomach as though she might be sick. Alicia gently eased her onto the stone, watching her with concern.

“Shall I fetch a doctor? You are white as snow.”

Jane shook her head. “No. No. It’s just morning sickness. I thought the tea might help.”

Alicia clutched her hand. “Breathe deeply with me.”

Jane drew in long breaths, sitting up and resting a hand on her swollen belly. “I love my husband dearly, but his son is causing me great distress.”

Alicia smiled. “His son? It is a boy, then?”

“Oh, undoubtedly. No girl would cause her mother so much trouble.”

Alicia wrapped an arm around her sister’s shoulders as she leaned heavily against her.

“I look forward to the day you are with child,” Jane added. “Perhaps we can plan it together next time, so I am not alone in this.”

Alicia’s stomach lurched at the thought. The idea of having the Duke’s children was not something she had ever considered.

All this time, she had been fixated on annulling their marriage. But as she stared out at the gardens, the idea of little children running around the lawns, their dark hair bouncing in the sunlight, suddenly seemed rather glorious.

She sat up straight, horrified by the direction her thoughts had taken.

What on earth am I thinking? That is fiction, nothing more!

“Shall we go inside?” she asked hurriedly. “I can show you my chambers, and if you need to rest before you depart, you can do so in my room.”

“Yes,” Jane said, clasping her hand and rising to her feet. “I think perhaps a short rest would do me good.”

Alicia led her back inside, noticing the Duke watching them from his study window, his piercing gaze sending a bolt of desire through her that she could not explain.

No more. This afternoon, I will set my plan into motion, and soon he will be desperate to be rid of me.