Page 42 of The Scarred Duke's Bride

Freya was standing by the table where trays of food had been laid out. She had a folded paper in hand. He cocked his brow. “Is that the letter?”

Freya nodded.

“Have you read it?” Eric stepped into the room, closing the door behind him.

“I thought I would wait for you.” Her eyes were looking particularly large and verdant. Eric wondered whether it was because he hadn’t seen her for a while or maybe his memory imagined them smaller than they were.

He came to a stop beside her and looked down at the letter. “What do you suppose the old man wants now?”

She snorted with derision. “Can’t you guess?”

He huffed, plucking the letter from her hands and breaking the seal. He unfolded it and began to read it aloud.

Freya and Mr. Campbell,

My trusty valet tells me that you have experienced your first courses as a married couple. I do believe that as a result, the next two weeks are a particularly fine time for you to exercise your marriage relations.

To that end, I have instructed Silver to confine you to quarters until such a time as he is certain that marital relations have taken place.

Eric stopped reading, looking up at Freya with wide shocked eyes. “Your father is mad.”

Freya swallowed, nodding slowly. She gestured for him to keep reading.

You might be tempted to disobey my instructions, but I remind you of our agreement, and if you do not do this, then the terms will be instituted immediately.

Freya gasped, and Eric looked up and, noting her pale face, raised an eyebrow. “Are you all right?”

She nodded jerkily. “C-continue.”

Eric looked back down at the letter and shook his head. “There’s nothing else, only salutations.”

Freya drew a shaky breath and flopped down on the bed. “What are we to do?”

Eric looked towards the food table, grateful to see a bottle of portanda brandy. He put down the letter and walked to the table, picking up a glass. “We drink.” He poured her a full glass and got one for himself. They sat side by side on the bed.

The silence grew between them until it felt like a separate presence, consuming all the air in the room. Eric took a deep breath and turned to Freya with a smile. “So, I do hope you’re feeling better now.”

She cleared her throat and nodded. “I am fine. I’m sorry for my ramblings. I think that my courses did something for me. My emotions were simply ungovernable.”

“Do not apologize. I rather enjoyed your letters. Very telling. For example, I had no idea my nakedness affected you so.”

Freya snorted, looking away. “Do not flatter yourself. I have never seenanymale naked.”

“Is that so? What a treat for you then.” He sipped his brandy, smiling for no reason. He found that he was rather enjoying sparring with Freya.

“I would not go so far as to call it a treat. A shock, yes.”

Eric threw back his head and laughed.

ChapterEighteen

Freya was feeling rather bleary-eyed. Between them, she and Eric had finished the brandyandthe port. Eric had proposed a game of cards to pass the time, but they could find none in their chambers.

“All right, then how about this game? I ask you a question or dare you to do a deed; you get to choose which.” Eric said.

“Oh, is that so? Do I also get to ask questions?” Freya retorted.

“Of course, you do.”