Page 25 of The Blind Lyon (The Lyon’s Den Connected World)

Annette gave into a shiver, for despite the calendar saying it was early May, it had been a rainy day, with more of the same that evening, which had put a chill in the air.

Thankfully, Peregrine had asked one of the footmen to build a fire in the drawing room, and that is where she and the duke had passed quite a lovely evening.

With a sigh, she set down the copy of Romeo and Juliet she’d been reading aloud from. “Shakespeare certainly had a way with words, didn’t he?”

“He did.” Peregrine sat in a wingback chair near her location while she reclined on a low sofa. “Every time you read from this play, I can’t help but think I’m there in fair Verona, embroiled in the tensions between the Montagues and the Capulets.”

“I appreciate that his work spans over many genres: comedy, romance, suspense, tragedy. It means no one has the chance to grow bored with his work, and I’ll wager he felt the same when he wrote all those pieces.”

“Perhaps this is true. I am always curious as the mindset of a writer.”

“I’m amazed at how they have the capacity to create whole worlds and characters out of nothing but words.” She stared into the fire as the flames danced. “The way a writer can make a reader care about the characters is amazing.”

The duke’s rich chuckle tickled through her chest. “Perhaps you should try your hand at writing a book.”

“Me?” Annette snorted with laughter. “I don’t think I’m that clever, but I do need something that will fill my days. Unless it’s unseemly for a duchess to take up a hobby?” She really had no idea.

“A duchess can do whatever she wants. If not hobbies, then you can become a patron of causes and charities. Start a literacy program to help educate women who haven’t had the privilege of being taught to read or write.”

“True.” Slowly, she nodded even though he couldn’t see the gesture. “There is a certain amount of freedom found in that.”

“I can make some inquires for you, if that is something you are interested in.”

“Thank you.” When the orange cat came into the room, she greeted him and tried to encourage him over by tsking her tongue. “Since we haven’t talked about it before, what are your expectations for me as your wife?”

“My only hope is that you find some sort of happiness in your new life with me.” His expression sobered.

“I have found that putting expectations on someone usually limits them, especially in my experience. Find some interests. Be an example. Shine your light, Annette. And as time goes on within our union, perhaps we will find a common path to walk together.”

“That is such a beautiful way of thinking.”

“Thank you. Being handed adversity early in life tends to change one’s perspective.”

For a few seconds, Romeo glanced between her and Peregrine, then he eased over to her sofa, touched his head to her dangling hand before jumping on the sofa so she could pet him and scratch behind his ears.

“What a good boy you are, Romeo,” she murmured to the ball of fluff, and when he purred in response, she grinned. If every day of life could be as idyllic as this, perhaps she would never hide in her room again. “Masterson, if you wish for me to read you some poetry, I wouldn’t be opposed to that.”

“I think I have something better in mind.” So saying, Peregrine stood up from his chair, and another few steps took him to her sofa where he held out a hand. “Fancy a dance?”

Warmth went through her body. “I would, actually.” How was it possible that this man was so romantic?

The second she slipped her fingers into his palm, he wrapped his hand about hers and tugged her off the sofa.

“I adore how active you are. You have taken what would have made many men shut themselves away and used it to your advantage.”

He nodded. “I am blind, not dead, and I’m still interested in many things life offers.

” Once he led her away from that grouping of furniture, he swept her into his arms to hold her into a loose embrace.

“One of those interests is dancing, especially if I am familiar with the location as well as the partner.”

As like the last time they’d danced, this one was no different.

Immediately, Annette felt cocooned and cushioned within his arms, protected like nothing could harm her or even reach her while she was with him.

The duke’s steps were flawless; clearly he had grace and the form for such exercise.

They moved together as if they’d been doing that all their lives.

The longer they danced in small circles, the more she was in danger of losing herself in this man.

Perhaps that was the point of the honeymoon period that followed a nuptial ceremony.

There was nothing else to concentrate on except one’s new spouse.

After she slid her hands up his broad, hard chest, she looped her arms about his shoulders in an effort to layer herself against him.

The duke accommodated her shift in position by holding her hips and keeping her close to his form, and to be fair, their circling slowed down until they were barely moving.

“Peregrine, I…” Suddenly far too shy about what she wanted, Annette applied the veriest pressure at his nape, and when she lifted onto her toes, he claimed her lips with his. The welcome in his embrace was both sweet and passionate.

A few seconds into the kiss, Peregrine swept her into his arms with a soft growl.

“Tell me you want me, Annette.” After carrying her to the nearest wall, he trapped her against that and his chest, and she adored the intensity of the surprising gesture.

“I need to hear you say it even after what we’ve already shared.

” There was so much emotion in his voice that the graveled sound of it accelerated her heartbeat.

“Can you not tell?” Unable to keep herself from touching him, she stroked a hand along his jaw. The faint prickle of stubble rasped against her skin. A muscle twitched beneath her fingertips. For this moment, she wished to feel his lips on hers and to have his body sliding against hers.

“I can, of course, but I need to hear the words. Without my sight, I depend on actions and words.”

Fair enough. She understood that. “Peregrine, I want you.”

“Ah, God.” He crushed his mouth to hers, claiming her lips with a strength she welcomed; all her senses were consumed by him.

The muscled length of him pressed into her softer body as he kept her trapped between him and the wall.

His arms around her felt like iron bands, his fingers fire as he played them up and down her spine.

As the kiss continued, he explored her face with his lips and fingertips, and it was easily one of the most sensuous things she’d ever experienced.

His scent wafted into her nose and left an indelible stamp upon her brain.

This was her husband, the man she’d not known she’d wanted but he was the one man she needed at this time in her life regardless of how their union came about.

And she wouldn’t let fate or chance take him from her.

Annette threaded her fingers through the silky hair at his nape.

She stood on tiptoe to feel the full extent of his kiss.

Her nipples hardened beneath her shift, and she moaned. Would he ease their ache?

He didn’t, but he traced her back. Bit by bit he drew the hem of her dress up.

Cool air circulated around her exposed legs.

Seconds later, the heat of his hands seeped into her skin as he gripped her arse.

His fingers feathered over her skin, and she shifted, slightly spreading her legs when he put a knee between them.

Shivers of need raced up and down her spine.

When he drew abstract patterns over her buttocks, she wrenched away to pepper his chin with kisses. “Perhaps we should retire—”

“No time. I want you here and now.” He grasped her hips and ground his pelvis into hers. “Things have become quite urgent.”

Dear heavens! This is what the ladies talked about the other day, and now it’s happening to me!

“So I can see.” Daring to be bold, she drew a hand between their bodies and caressed the impressive bulge pressing against the front of his breeches. His breath hissed. She smiled and rubbed her hand along his length, marveling she’d managed to marshal such courage.

“I won’t last if you keep on.” He lifted her off her feet, unmindful of her squeal, and used the wall as leverage to keep her suspended with his hands beneath her thighs. “This will do quite well.”

A gasp escaped her. “You mean to join right here in the drawing room with the door open?”

“I do. What is life without a little spice and surprise?” Peregrine unbuttoned his frontfalls, and when his engorged member tumbled out, the tip prodded insistently at her inner thigh.

“The longer I’m with you, the more I’m beginning to learn that.

” Unable to help herself, she wrapped a hand around his length.

His hot girth filled her palm and jumped when she rubbed her thumb over its weeping tip, but the position was awkward, so she left off in favor of gliding her fingertips over his cheeks and through his hair.

Amusement warred with need in his blue eyes.

“In the event you wondered, I have been quite pleased with how we’re getting on.

” The duke dropped a kiss on her mouth. “You tempt me beyond reason, Annette, make my mind scattered. This coupling will be quick.” He grabbed handfuls of her skirts and bunched them around her waist. “But I can’t help myself.

As I said before, dancing is based on feeling, and when you’re in my arms, I am lost.”

That echoed much of her thoughts from before.