Page 66 of The Phantom Duke

Maria found herself smiling. “I do not know if that is something I long for or not. They say familiarity breeds contempt.”

“While novelty is excitement,” Damien sighed, letting his fingers trail down Maria’s arm to rest against her neck.

She was struck by the gentleness of his touch compared to the power his body held. It was strength kept under tight control. She reached up to place her hand over his, pressing his fingertips to her lips.

There was nothing now to stop her opening the curtains all the way. He gazed down at her as the beam of sunlight slowly widened, flowing over the back of his head and his shoulders, illuminating the lower half of his face but not yet touching his eyes.

Maria stopped, drinking in the sight of him for just a moment. “It does, such excitement as I have never experienced. I will not push too hard. I do not want to make you uncomfortable,” she said, letting the curtain go.

It fell back, the sunlight retreating.

“I will go and visit with my friends today, I think. Perhaps we will take advantage of the bright weather for a picnic in Hyde Park or a visit to Vauxhall Gardens.”

“Do so,” Damien said.

The contact was broken. He walked to the door, letting the shadows envelope him.

“Will I see you for dinner?” Maria asked, hopefully.

Damien stopped at the door.

“Perhaps.”

CHAPTER 18

“It is all so confusing,” Maria said, sighing. “I thought that he would consummate the marriage, but he did not. Do you think he detests me?”

The Ladies Corset Chronicles Club were holding their first meeting away from the home of the dowager countess. Maria had decided to exercise her rights and have the meeting at Winterleigh. Of course, it was not to be compared to the bright, airy home of Evelina Burville, but she had dined alone on the previous evening, and she had felt compelled to assert herself in a small way.

Evelina had arrived before Anna, and Theodora had lingered by the carriage. The horse had seemingly sustained some minor injury, which had only been made known once the sisters began traveling. Theodora, who had a special fondness for horses, wanted to ensure that the animal was well looked after.

And so, Maria had taken the opportunity to speak candidly with Evelina, who knew far more about the pleasures of marriage than she.

“Well,” Evelina said after a moment. “I understand your frustration entirely, but I cannot say as though I am surprised.”

“No?”

Evelina shook her head. “Regrettably, many men do not care about pleasing women.”

Maria bit her lip and wrinkled her nose. “That sounds dreadful.”

“It is,” Evelina agreed, “but that is the way of men. They care only for their own delight.”

“I am uncertain that I would…” Maria trailed off, searching for some way of describing her enigmatic husband. “I do not know if I would claim that he cares nothing for my pleasure. I believe he does…in his own way.”

“Ishis own waysufficient for you?” Evelina asked softly.

She inhaled sharply and looked away. “It is not, but maybe I can learn to?—”

“No,” Evelina interrupted. “You should not have tolearnto endure that which is not pleasurable to you.”

Laughter filled the air, and Maria straightened in her chair. “Thank you for your guidance.”

Evelina cast her a concerned look, but she seemed to realize that Maria had no inclination to discuss the matter further with Anna and Theodora present.

“It is simply ages since we have attended a ball!” Theodora exclaimed, as she entered.

Anna, who walked beside her, nodded. “In truth, I had not even realized it. But you are quite right. It has been months, at least.”