Page 21 of The Blind Lyon (The Lyon’s Den Connected World)

Life had shifted for Annette since venturing out of her room two days ago.

For the past couple of days, she was able to spend time with her husband in person instead of separated by a door. Some of those meetings were quite scandalous and in the same vein as what they’d done after dancing in the garden.

Not that she’d minded. Though it was still a daily battle to keep fear and grief at bay, it was easier to do that when ensconced in his arms with his lips on hers. He was all too eager to do that for her.

And the duke, being the duke, still brought her a small bouquet of flowers each morning so she would have something pretty to enjoy with her breakfast.

This morning, however, Romeo had proved himself far too annoying by trying to ingest the floral offering, and when she’d rebuked him, he’d hissed, snagged her hamsteak with a claw, then ran out of the morning room with his ill-gotten gains.

When she explained to Peregrine what had occurred, he’d merely laughed and asked what did one expect from orange-colored cats?

Now, as the longcase clock on the second floor chimed the noon hour, she went searching for her husband, eventually locating him in his study at the back of that floor.

“Peregrine? Am I disturbing you?”

He sat behind a massive desk of dark, walnut wood. The room, much like his suite, had been rigged out for a powerful man, this time in shades of cream, tan, and black. Since it was once more raining outside, the candlelight reflected off his tinted spectacle lenses.

“Of course you aren’t. I am merely gathering a few things I’ll need for the meeting with my solicitor in an hour.”

“Oh? Are you going out?” She’d hoped he might wish to continue having her read Midsummer Night’s Dream to him, for the story was both compelling and frivolous, and he did adore Shakespeare.

“I am.” He smoothed his fingertips along a leatherbound folio.

“There are a few documents I wish to have drawn up and made legal now that we are wed.” When he gestured at her, Annette came into the room then stood near his chair.

“In fact, I wish for you to have an inheritance should I predecease you. Then I’m going to set up an account in your name at the Bank of England for you to withdraw from for whatever you need, personally or for the running of the household or even redecorating.

I want you to feel that this townhouse is your home as well.

As long as you promise to describe to me what you’re doing. ”

“Dear heavens, that is quite generous.” She could hardly fathom the trust he’d put in her as well as the freedom of having access to coin. “I don’t know what to say.”

“Why say anything? Just accept that I will take care of you now and always.” Before she could respond, he tugged her over, and with his hands at her hips, he lifted her then set her arse down on his desktop, beside his folio, chuckling at her squeak of alarm. “I’ve missed you since breakfast.”

Heat filled her cheeks, especially when he scooted close to her in his chair.

“How is that possible? We indulged in intimacy before even going into breakfast,” she said in a barely audible whisper, but she rested her hands on his shoulders as his arms came around her and he pulled her to the very edge of the desk.

“Can you blame me? I rather think I’m making up for lost time.”

“You are both surprising and sweet.” Annette framed his head with her hands and then pressed her lips to his.

Being with this man was far too easy now that she had conquered the fear that had kept her from leaving her room.

However, the thought of losing him always lurked at the edges of her mind, and it was terrifying, for with each new day, knowing there was a future before them left her gasping for breath in a good way.

“As are you,” he said as he guided his lips down the side of her neck to follow the edge of her bodice. “Hmm, do we have time to get up to scandal right here on this desk?”

The words sent flutters into her lower belly. “Surely you wouldn’t…”

“My dear, I am a duke, and blind besides. I would dare to do just about anything.” As he spoke, Peregrine cupped her breasts, rubbed the pads of his thumbs over her nipples until they hardened, and when she gasped, he chuckled again. “I am rather enjoying having my wife out of her rooms.”

Before she could answer, a discreet knock sounded on the still-open door, and a masculine throat cleared. Annette glanced over her shoulder at the butler, who looked away with a slight smile. “Hullo, Mr. Kern.” Dear heavens, how much had he witnessed?

Immediately, Peregrine dropped his hands to her knees. “Is everything all right, Kern?”

“Yes, of course, Your Grace.” He coughed softly. “Your carriage has been brought ’round and is waiting. And do be careful. It is currently raining.”

“When is it not, my good man? I’ll be there presently.”

“Very good, Your Grace.” Then the butler left, leaving them once more alone.

Annette brushed a shock of hair away from the duke’s forehead. “I look forward to your return.” Fear tingled down her spine, for what if something happened to him while he was away? Briefly, she rested her palm against the side of his face. “Be careful.”

“I will.” He took her hand and pressed a kiss to the back of it. Shivers of need went through her. That man far too romantic. “No need for concern. All will be well, and didn’t you say Lady Ashbury is coming to call this afternoon? At least you will have company.”

“Yes.” Though that made her nervous as well. What if the viscountess realized she was naught but a fraud in her position? “Let us hope she can help me be accepted in society, as well as prove convincing as your duchess.”

“Public opinion is empty and means nothing.” Nothing but honesty reflected in the deep blue pools of his eyes. “I believe in you, Annette. After what you’ve already accomplished? Being a duchess will come easily.”

“Thank you. I appreciate that.” As she slipped off the desk, the duke pulled her close, and all she wanted to do was crawl into his lap and kiss him senseless.

Was that possible for a man? If not, then she would lose herself, for in him, she was safe.

“Make certain you come back to me, Peregrine. I fear I am coming to like you rather more than I should since ours was a brokered match.”

“Now I have even more motivation to do so.” He kissed her, and for a few moments the world ceased to exist.

And she wanted more of that feeling, that connection, for she had been lost for far too long.

Two hours later, Lady Ashbury did, indeed, come to call, but she brought friends with her, and in short order, Annette was introduced to Mrs. Huxley as well as Lady Pennington.

She’d briefly met both of them on her wedding day, but since it felt as if she’d lived a lifetime between now and then, it was a good way to refresh their names.

And it was the first big test of her hostess skills.

As soon as tea was delivered, Lady Pennington poured out, which gave Annette a bit of relief on that count.

“I hope you don’t mind I’ve brought my friends, Lady Masterson,” the viscountess said while she put a few small tea cakes on her plate.

“Actually, I’m glad for it. I don’t know many people in London, so having you lot here will help with that transition.

” It took every ounce of willpower not to run from the room, propelled by anxiety and worry, but she accepted the teacup from the countess with a nod.

“And please, call me Annette. I feel it’s been an age since I had friends. ”

Lady Ashcroft nodded. “I’m Olivia.” She pointed to Lady Pennington. “She’s Adriana, and that is Hattie,” she said as she gestured at Mrs. Huxley. “We all became friends because we were matched with our husbands through the Lyon’s Den, some of us under dreadful circumstances.”

How very odd, yet it was comforting at the same to have share the same experience with these women. “Did all of your husbands fight the prospect of marriage?”

“Well, mine certainly did,” Olivia said with a smile.

“As did mine,” Adriana admitted, following the admission with a sip of tea. “In the beginning, we got on like cats and dogs.”

Hattie snorted. “My husband wanted marriage. I was the one who balked. I thought being married would take away my freedom and make me into something I wasn’t ready for.”

Slowly, Annette nodded. “That’s how it is with the duke.

He wanted the marriage because it was easier than going through courtships that might not stick or being rejected due to his lack of sight.

” She frowned into her teacup. “I’m the one who didn’t want marriage.

I’d already gone through that once before, and when my first husband died…

” Her voice caught as unexpected grief rose in her chest. “And I didn’t think I could go through that pain again. ”

“That’s understandable,” Hattie said with a nod. “We all feel like that, especially if we’ve lost people in our lives. Emotions sometimes get the best of us, but there is nothing wrong with that.”

“How long into your marriage did you feel that life was indeed better than you’d thought? Did it take long for you to feel that you loved your husbands?”

The countess and viscountess exchanged speaking glances then burst into giggles.

“Oh, my dear, with me, since we didn’t rub on well together in the beginning, it was a few weeks.

” Adriana’s smile could light the room. “And frankly, there was a time when I thought the earl and I would divorce. But then something happened that made us realize we were exactly what we each needed, and that love had sneaked in without us realizing it. There was no looking back after that.”

“You do seem quite in love.” That gave her hope.

“We are. Though Pennington is still grouchy at times and possessive, there is no one else I’d rather spend my life with.”