Amelia, on the other hand, flowed like the streams around his home. She could twist and turn and make the best of it all. That was something worthy of study.
“I accept that this isn’t what I wanted,” she said, and for a moment he saw the sparkle of tears in her eyes. She blinked them back and continued, “But it is what I am experiencing. And there are other things it seems I want a great deal. Things I never understood until you…taught me.”
She was talking about him. Wanting him, needing him. Desire was what she clung to now as a raft to close the distance between them.
Just as he did. For now, that would be enough. It had to be enough.
He reached out and took her hand. Her breath caught as he wound his fingers through hers and then lifted them to his lips. He kissed her knuckles, lingering to taste her skin before he said, “Are you finished eating?”
She didn’t break her stare as she nodded. “I am.”
“Then may I take you up to bed, Your Grace?” he whispered. “And perhaps we can both explore those things we both want. All night.”
Her throat worked as she swallowed and her pupils dilated in the candlelight. She nodded. “Yes.”
He got up, tugging her to her feet, and they moved together to the narrow stair that led to the bedroom they would share. All night, this time, no escaping to a connecting chamber. But he didn’t want escape. He wanted her.
And he was going to have her until they both had their fill.
Chapter Thirteen
Amelia peeked out the carriage window into the rapidly gathering darkness outside. Her third day of being the Duchess of Brighthollow had been very different from the first two.
First of all, she had woken in her husband’s arms. Woken to his mouth on her skin, his hands roving over her in sensual exploration. One exquisite release later and she had been a much more chipper morning person than ever before.
The day in the carriage had also been different. Unlike yesterday, when Hugh seemed determined to keep his distance through work, today he had talked to her. About nothing profound, of course. Deeper topics like his past, like hers, were not discussed. If she even edged near them, he grew tense and guarded.
Instead, they had talked about music and books, riding and details of his estate and staff that she might need to know in the coming ten days. And he had also touched her, finding new ways to bring her pleasure in the hot, close carriage. She shivered as she thought of them. She shivered as she thought of how easy it all was with him. Should it have been so easy and so quickly?
The idea seemed outrageous, and yet here she was.
But now they rounded a corner through a gate and up a long and winding lane. Hugh sat up, leaning in to look out the window over her shoulder. She felt his presence there, warm and strong, and just resisted leaning back into him.
“There it is!” he said, motioning out the window.
She caught her breath. Even in the gathering dark, there was no mistaking the huge manor house, which was perfectly situated at the top of a slight hill. Light flowed from the windows, making it a beacon for weary travelers.
She glanced over her shoulder and caught Hugh’s expression in the dimness. His face was lit with excitement and anticipation and joy. He was truly coming home, and in that moment her heart leapt into her throat. He looked so very young and carefree. What she wanted, more than anything, was to turn into him, to kiss him until neither had breath left.
She couldn’t, though. The carriage reached the top of the hill and came to a stop. He pushed the door open before any servant could come to do the duty and stepped out. As he pivoted to help her out, he grinned.
Once she had reached the drive, he leaned down to whisper, “Do you approve?”
She blinked at the unexpected question and the nervousness on his face as he asked it. Did her opinion of his beloved home truly matter to him?
“I don’t think anyone could not approve,” she said, looking up and up at the massive house. “It is truly magnificent.”
“And wait until you see the grounds. The lake is perfection—we could boat there or fish if you’re of a mind to try it. The woods, the rolling hills, everything is just as it should be here.”
She squeezed his hand. “Including you.”
“I suppose so. I am more myself here than anywhere in the world.”
“Then I look forward to seeing you come out of your shell,” she teased. Then she glanced up at the house again. “I do worry I won’t be up to the task of managing such a place, though. A duchess has duties when it comes to the household, and I was never trained to such lofty heights.”
He stared down at her. “I had not thought that the place might be overwhelming to you. Don’t fear, my staff is wonderful and will help you in every way. I’m certain you will take to your role immediately.”
She smiled at his reassurance, but before she could thank him for it, the door at the top of the stair opened. Amelia expected a butler to greet them, but instead a willowy girl with blonde hair done up in a loose chignon and wearing a stunning evening dress stepped out. She made a little cry and then ran down the stairs.
Hugh met her halfway, swinging her up in his arms and around in a circle. Amelia stared. She had always seen Hugh as so controlled, so unemotional, but here he left nothing back. His love for this woman, obviously his younger sister, was as evident as anything else about him. Clearly, he was quite capable of the emotion.
“Lizzie!” he laughed as he set her down and pressed a kiss to her cheek. “Great God, you’ve grown while I was in London.”
“Oh, stop,” Lizzie laughed as she swatted his arm lightly. “You tease me mercilessly, Hugh, and you know I have not wit enough to match with you.”
“You sell yourself short, as always,” he said, taking her arm and steering her toward Amelia. “May I present my wife, Amelia. Amelia, this is my sister, Elizabeth.”
Amelia stepped forward, uncertain of what to expect from this young woman. She had no idea what Hugh had told her of their engagement and whirlwind wedding.
Lizzie reached out and took both her hands. “Oh, I am so pleased to meet you. We only received Hugh’s letter a few days ago, but I have been awash in joy ever since. Welcome to our home and to our family. I have always longed for a sister.”
Relief flooded Amelia at the kind words. “As have I,” she said, squeezing Lizzie’s hands. “I am an only child and it has been quite a lonely existence. But I can tell you and I will be fast friends.”
“I’m so sorry to hear that you did not have the pleasure of a sibling as a child.” Lizzie glanced over at Hugh with a smile. “I was blessed with the best brother in the world. The kindest and most patient brother.”
Hugh was red as a beet, and Amelia couldn’t help but laugh. “You go too far, Lizzie,” he said, his tone suddenly gruff. “Don’t lie to the poor woman.”
“It isn’t a lie,” Lizzie said with all earnestness. “As I’m sure you already know, Amelia.”
Amelia blushed. She felt as if she knew hardly anything about the man she married. Even more so seeing him here. “I’m learning, Elizabeth.”
“Lizzie—all my family calls me that.”
“Then I’d be proud to do the same.” Amelia glanced at Hugh and found him smiling at the pair. She returned the gesture and linked arms with her new sister-in-law.
Lizzie began to guide them up the stairs toward the house. “Amelia, you do not know how happy I was to hear my brother had found a bride. I’ve long told him he needed to settle down and be as happy as all his friends. But I was sorry not to be able to be part of the wedding. Was there a reason for the great rush?”
Amelia looked over her shoulder. Hugh had gone tense, his face lined with worry. She realized he didn’t want his sister, who obviously worshipped him, to know that he’d blackmailed her into wedding him. That their marriage had been one of cold calculation, not some kind of whirlwind romance that had swept her off her f
eet.
She supposed if she were cruel, she could use that fact. Hurt him by telling the truth. But that seemed pointless. It would only create disillusion in his sweet, kind sister and would not change what had happened.
“I did not expect such a quick marriage either,” she said, treading carefully so that nothing she said was a lie. “But the moment Hugh came into my life, it was clear that there was no other option but to wed him. He made me an offer I could not refuse, after all. Once you know your future, there is no point in waiting.”
Lizzie released her arm as they entered the foyer and turned to her with a dreamy smile. “Oh, how very romantic,” she cooed, and for a moment there was a flash of sadness on her sweet face. “How lucky for you both—I’m so happy for you.”
“Thank you, my dear.” Amelia said. She glanced up the stairs to see Theresa coming down. She’d not seen her maid since earlier in the morning, when she’d come in to help Amelia dress before the servants rode ahead to the estate.
Hugh turned toward the butler, who had been standing by quietly in the shadows. “Masters, good to see you. May I present the Duchess of Brighthollow.”
Masters executed a low bow. “A very hearty welcome to you, Your Grace. We are so very pleased to meet you. The household staff will greet you tomorrow, as to give you time to rest yourself before you are overwhelmed.”
Amelia stepped toward the man with a smile. “That is very kind, Masters. I look forward to meeting them all in the morning when I am more prepared.”
The butler looked toward Hugh. “Supper will be served in half an hour, Your Grace. All your favorites, of course.”
Hugh’s smile was genuine as he came closer and patted the butler’s shoulder. “Tell Mrs. Masters how grateful I am for that. I have missed your wife’s cooking.”
Masters puffed up a little at the compliment before he returned to proper butlerly coolness. “I shall. The bags arrived an hour ago, so all should be settled for Her Grace upstairs.”
“Excellent. I see that her lady’s maid is already here,” Hugh said, inclining his head toward Theresa. “Good evening, Theresa. We have a little time, Amelia, if you’d like to go up and change for supper.”
Amelia stared. She’d been so wrapped up in watching him interact with his servant and his sister that she hadn’t been prepared to speak. “Er, yes,” she said. “I wouldn’t mind changing out of my travel clothes. Half an hour you said, Masters?”
The butler nodded.
“Very good. I shall see you all then.”
She turned toward Theresa and followed her upstairs toward the duchess’s chamber awaiting her. But she wasn’t wondering about the room she would inhabit or thinking about supper or anything else.
All she could think about was Hugh, even as she walked away from him. She had thought him an ogre in London, a beast who would rip her away from a future she had so carefully planned and so deeply desired. But along the road to his estate, her thoughts about him had shifted somewhat. She’d seen his kindness and his passion. She’d even watched some of his walls lower.
Here, there was even more change to take in. He obviously loved his sister fiercely. And she loved him in return. He was kind to his servants and relaxed in the walls of this estate.
So who was the true man she had married? The ogre? The passionate lover? The loving brother? The kind duke? Who was he?
And with their bad beginning, would she ever really know?
Hugh watched as Amelia laughed at something his sister had said to her. It warmed his heart to watch the two women interact through supper and now as they stood in the parlor together, giggling like old friends. Lizzie could be so reserved, but it was evident she liked Amelia. They would be good for each other.
Amelia’s gaze slid to him, and his body went on alert. She was good for him, too. At least when it came to wanting. He hadn’t let himself feel that for a long time. Oh, he’d taken women to bed, of course. Robert refused to let him be a monk. But that longing, that tug of insistent desire?
That he only felt with her.
She smiled at him, but then she reached up and covered a yawn with the back of her hand. He shook his head. Perhaps tonight she didn’t need overwhelming passion. After a whirlwind wedding, two days on the road and one night where he kept her up making love, perhaps the best gift he could give her was to let her sleep.
“Lizzie, I know it’s early, but I think it might be time for me to turn in,” he said.
Lizzie pivoted and her eyes went wide. “Oh, goodness, I wasn’t thinking of your very long drive. I know I am exhausted every time I make the ride from London. Of course you two must need to rest.”
Amelia smiled at her and then stepped forward to embrace her. “Thank you for understanding. And we have all the time in the world to spend together during my time here and then later in London.”
Hugh frowned as Lizzie flinched ever so slightly. She had refused to go to Town since the incident with Aaron Walters. Refused to do anything except stay in the country and hide.
He had no idea how to change that. But at least Amelia’s company seemed to cheer her.
“Good night,” Lizzie said, kissing her cheek before she stepped toward Hugh. Her smile was wide and genuine as she hugged him. She whispered, “I like her so much.”
Hugh squeezed her a little tighter and smiled as she left the room with a little wave. He turned toward Amelia. “What do you think?”
“Of Lizzie?” Amelia asked with a smile. “Oh, she’s lovely, Hugh, truly. So sweet and kind and so welcoming. A delight. You should be so proud of her.”
“I am,” he said slowly. “She is the light of my world. I only want her to be happy.”
“I can see that,” Amelia said, stepping toward him but stopping just short of touching him.
He closed the distance she had not and reached to take her hand. “Thank you for not…for not telling her what I did in London,” he said, feeling heat in his cheeks.
Amelia tilted her head. “The circumstances of our marriage, you mean?”
He nodded. “She wouldn’t understand. And it would have caused her grief.”
Amelia searched his face, and for a moment he felt like she could see all the way through him. All the way to his soul. He shifted beneath the intensity of her look.
“Hugh,” she said at last. “Whatever difficulties are between us are our business, no one else’s. Certainly, I would not hurt your sister just to bring you pain or get some kind of strange revenge for what you did in London.”
“Thank you,” he repeated softly.
She edged closer. “Do you truly want to sleep?” she asked.
He shook his head. “Not at all. I want to take you to my room and make love to you in the biggest bed in the county.”
She laughed, her cheeks growing pink at the frank words. “And yet there is a but in your tone.”
“But,” he said with a smile, “I see how tired you are. It’s been a trying week for you, in more ways than one. So tonight, as much as it pains me, perhaps we should sleep alone. And tomorrow we’ll be more refreshed to…to enjoy my estate and all its pleasures.”
She tilted her head, and once again her look was probing. She lifted her hand to his cheek and stroked the skin there gently. He found himself leaning into her fingers.
“You are so impossible to read, Brighthollow,” she whispered. “I hope to one day understand you. But I appreciate the offer of a night’s sleep. I think I will be better equipped for everything if I take you up on that offer.”
“Good night,” he whispered.
She smiled and then lifted up on her tiptoes. She cupped his cheeks and drew him down, bringing his mouth to hers. Her lips parted and she traced his with her tongue. He was lost, swirling down into the sensation as she tasted his mouth and drew herself up flush against him.
He had no idea how long they stood that way. He was too lost to count the time. But finally she stepped away, he
r gaze bleary and her smile shaky.
“I look forward to seeing the biggest bed in the county tomorrow. Good night.” She squeezed his hand and slipped away, leaving him alone with his confusion, his thoughts and his erection.
Chapter Fourteen
Hugh stood on the terrace, watching down into his garden below where Amelia was picking flowers and placing them in a big basket draped over her arm. She was not wearing a bonnet and the early morning sun glinted off her sleek, black hair. She had not noticed him standing above her and moved through the garden at ease.
He was brought back to the first time he saw her, in her father’s garden. She hadn’t realized he was watching her then either as she picked flowers for her father’s hall. She’d been engaged to Aaron Walters, and now he wondered if she’d been thinking of him that afternoon.
Was she thinking of Walters now? Or was she thinking of Hugh as she leaned in to smell a rose here and there? It seemed like a lifetime ago since that day when he’d looked down and pondered if he could marry a stranger in order to save her from his worst enemy.
Now he had. Now she was his.
Only she wasn’t. Not completely.
“She truly is lovely.”
Hugh turned to find his sister coming to the terrace wall to stand beside him. They watched Amelia for a moment, and then he sighed, “She is that. Beauty personified.”
Lizzie shot him a look. “You would never be interested in mere beauty personified, but with no depth. So I know she is more than that.”
Hugh nodded. There was no denying her words. Amelia was far more than her exquisitely beautiful face. She was light and intelligence. Kindness and frankness. She was everything.
And he didn’t like acknowledging that. It felt so damned dangerous to let himself feel it after such a short time. After all the lies.
“She told a pretty story of being swept away by you,” Lizzie pressed. “Very romantic. But I know you, brother dear. I know you are not the kind of man who is carried away by heated emotion.”
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