Page 78 of In Service to the Duke

Thankfully, she doesn’t seem angry or upset, but I’ve been wrong before. Standing before her, I dip into a shaky curtsy. She crosses her arms and looks me up and down, shaking her head.

“He was far rougher with you than he should have been. Come. Let us find you something to cover the marks.”

“Marks?” Bewildered, I let her lead me over to a mirror.

There, where the banyan lays splayed open, I see small bruises littering my skin. It seems as if he was not the only one to walk away from our joining wounded. I should be horrified, and yet, as I touch each one, I can’t help the blossom of arousal.

“Yes, yes,” she bites out, doing her best to smother a laugh. “It is all so new and romantic. But he still should have used caution. Such marks are only for girls who are married. Here, put on your night rail. Let me see how it looks completely tied up.”

Stepping behind a screen, I slip off the robe Blackport put me in and tug on the night rail. It feels hot and confining, but I don’t wish to do anything else to upset the family. When I step out, the dowager duchess smiles and nods her head.

“If the maid asks, tell her the physician said you were far too weak from your stomach issues and you stumbled about in your sleep. That should buy you time until they disappear. Why, I’m sure they’ll be gone far before the wedding. I rinsed your hair and helped you get clean so you could feel more like yourself.”

With another matronly smile, she squeezes my hand and slips out the door. At least with her, I might have an ally. That is, it seems as if she’s the only one who doesn’t actively hate me right now. Honestly, that’s more than I can ask for.

CHAPTER 34

ROBERT

ONE WEEK BEFORE THE WEDDING

My head pounds as I sit at the breakfast table sipping my coffee. Too much port makes for a most unpleasant morning. Across from me, my sisters prattle on, far too excited to keep still. Next to them, Miss Gillet does nothing to curb their behavior.

Irritation runs up my spine as I watch her sit there, her eyes darting between the guests coming in and out as if she’s a lost foal. Granted, the fact that our house is now stuffed to the gills with fellow dukes, their wives, and other members of the family might make this all a bit overwhelming. Even now, as the women chatter about, excited for the upcoming wedding, I want nothing more than to slink off to my study and be done with it.

However, if I do that, my friends will certainly wonder what the matter is. It’s hard enough to keep up this facade with them, but to blatantly lie would be unheard of. And so I keep quiet, glancing over at Miss Gillet with as much congeniality as I can muster while my head throbs.

“You must tell us how this happened,” Her Grace of Foxford exclaims, much to the chagrin of her husband.

“Now, now, Teresa,” he chides. “Not everyone prefers the morning as you do. Allow her to break her fast in peace.” The look he gives her is one which promises retribution, and I can’t help but chuckle.

“I don’t mind,” Miss Gillet murmurs, putting her cup down.

“Really, my dear?” I interject, unsure of what she plans to say.

Somehow, in all of this, we never did rehearse what we would tell people. Granted, as someone so easily able to play the farce, she might actually be able to come up with something rather believable.

Her cheeks pinken, drawing blood down to my cock. “Unless you’d like to regale them, Your Grace?”

“Your Grace?” my brother coughs out, choking on a laugh. “Does he still demand you refer to him as such?”

“I- Forgive me, Your Grace-”

“William or brother will do nicely, thank you,” he interjects, his smile wide and welcoming.

“Will- Brother,” she amends, looking very uncomfortable with the entire situation. “I’m still unsure of what customs I should use. I’m still learning.” There’s a sadness surrounding her, and for a moment, blind rage flows through me.

How dare anyone make her feel inadequate? And yet, I refuse to do anything to aid her. I cannot trust myself around her, not this close to the wedding. Even now, my gums ache as I watch the others prowl about.

Though they mean her no harm, she’s still fair game without my mark. Emotions well up for a moment, and I do my best to tamp them down. Setting my cup on the table, I clear my throat.

“You have done nothing wrong, my dear. I can understand how this all must be very overwhelming for you.”

Catherine, my brother’s wife, nods and sits next to Miss Gillet, grabbing her hand. “I can only imagine. Though a daughter of an Earl, I still find I slip up every now and then. Thankfully, I have William to set me on the right path.”

All of us men turn and look at him, a grin on our lips and a glint in our eyes. Though she does not spell it out, we know just what sort of discipline my brother likes to employ. And knowing what I do about my sister-in-law, she probably asks for his correction more often than not.

“You’re very kind,” Miss Gillet eventually squeaks out, clearly uncomfortable with all the attention.