Chapter 10

"Do you think this dress is all right?" Helen asked her handmaid, her hands fussing with one of the small floral embroidery on the bodice of her favorite day dress—the one she had had made for occasions when she wanted to make a statement.

It had been an expensive item that had cost her father a fortune, and he had scolded her endlessly about it, but now it'd serve its purpose.

"You look wonderful, Your Grace," her maid affirmed. "The Duke is going to be positively breathless when he sees you."

And breathless he was when Helen descended the stairs. Indeed, he had installed the perfect stairs for a moment such as this.

"You are… exquisite." He looked up at her, giving her a wide smile.

Her heart fluttered in her chest. He looked so honest that she felt her earlier anxiety dissipate.

"I thank you for the compliment," she replied. "Shall we go?"

He helped her into the carriage, and she noticed out of the corner of her eye that he kept stealing glances at her.

Her heart swelled, as they hadn't been in such close proximity since their wedding night, and when she remembered their wedding night, a hot blush warmed her skin.

He had done things to her with his tongue and fingers that had haunted her dreams since then, but since he had been too busy, she had not seen him to suggest he do it again.

When they arrived at the Framptons' townhouse, they were immediately welcomed into a beautifully furnished drawing room and didn't have to wait long for their hosts to arrive.

The Earl and Countess of Frampton were a middle-aged couple that welcomed them warmly, although Helen could sense the Countess would rather be anywhere but there at that moment.

The woman stayed mostly silent during the discourse.

Helen saw for the first time why Alexander was called ruthless and was notoriously known to be a cut-throat businessman, and she was impressed.

"You have to admit that your terms are rather expensive," Cecil Allen, the Earl of Frampton, stated. "What guarantee do I have that I'll get the percentage of profit you mentioned?"

"You've heard about my previous investments. I've yet to make a bad one," Alexander answered. "Plus, imagine being the first owner of a private railway service. That would cut product delivery time by half, and we'd definitely have more than a few companies willing to use our service."

Cecil nodded. "How can I be sure then that you won't try to buy me out of the deal?"

"I can't assure you of that, My Lord."

The Earl laughed, sipping his tea. "You are an honest man."

"I find no reason to be otherwise," Alexander admitted. "Do you agree to the sixty-forty deal?"

"I haven't agreed to that yet," the Earl retorted. "I am a major investor and your only one, so I should get a bigger share."

Alexander gave a cold smile that made the temperature of the room drop.

"You are not my only investor, or rather not the only investor I've considered," he answered with a dismissive wave of his hand. "The Dukes of Riverdon and Shampton were more than willing to invest."

Cecil smiled coldly as well. "But you came to me," he stated. "Why?"

"Because," Alexander replied, "I like your business sense more. If I wanted more money, I could have had them invest and robbed them blind."

The Earl laughed and rose from his seat. "Come," he said. "We have much to discuss. Let's not bore the women with our talk."

Inspired by Alexander, Helen tried to engage Letitia in conversation, but the woman did not seem at all interested. That did not deter Helen, though. She finally won the Countess over and made her laugh.

"Wait… you mean you didn't want to marry the Duke?" Letitia laughed.

"Not at all," Helen confirmed. "But he managed to win me over as the Earl did you."

"Indeed?"

"Indeed." She laughed. "And I gave my father hell for it. You wouldn't want to know about the tantrums I threw."

"Oh my, Helen." Leticia laughed again. "However did you escape your father's wrath?"

The men stepped into the room, and Helen met Alexander's eyes. He gave her an approving nod that turned her insides to mush.

"I didn't," Helen replied.

"What are you two beautiful ladies talking about?" Cecil asked.

"Oh, about her attempts to convince her father she didn't want to marry the Duke."

Alexander's eyebrows shot up to his hairline as he looked at her. Helen sensed his concern that she had given their ruse up, but she shook her head.

"Pray tell, how did you two finally agree to wed?"

Helen smiled. "The Duke was positively charming in his attempts to woo me. He took me on lovely picnics and walks and endured my pranks."

"And she was a downright harridan. Beautiful but stubborn."

The older couple laughed.

"But I pursued her even more when she attempted to resist me because I saw her personality. I had initially offered for her sister…"

"No?" Letitia gasped.

"I did. But she thought I would mistreat her sister and offered herself instead."

"That is very noble of you, Helen."

"It's one of the many things I love about her."

The night progressed as they headed to the theatre, where they all had a great time, laughing and getting to know each other.

The plot of the opera was interesting, and Helen read it over and again just because it deserved it.

When Prince Rowan's father was killed in an attack on a ride into the town, a special army comprising of the older generation of guards that had served his father before him was put together to fight the growing rebel army.

What Rowan expected was a band of men strong enough to bring down the towers of Einheim and not a bunch of green boys and the fiery-haired lad with insane archery skills who hated his best friend with all his guts.

What happens when he discovers the scandalous secret the young man is hiding? And his fear, not only because of the scandal it would bring but also because they would face a danger that they most likely wouldn't survive.

What will he do when he has to choose between saving the girl and letting his father's killer go?

As they started to leave the opera, ready to call it a night, Alexander's face turned sour when he saw a man who looked oddly similar to him.

Helen tried to ignore it, but she could not help but notice how tense he looked during their conversation. Cecil and Letitia introduced her to a few people in their age group, and she made small talk.

She could not help but wonder if this was the elusive half-brother he had hinted at before.

"I am afraid I must bid you good night now," he said, coming up to their party.

"All right," Letitia replied. "It was truly a pleasure getting to know the two of you."

"Likewise, My Lady," Helen returned.

"You should come visit again soon."

"I will."

On the way back home, Alexander did not speak even when Helen tried to inquire about the success of the deal. He was positively stoic, and she wondered what could have caused it. Helen tried to lighten the mood, and she achieved this when she made him laugh. Back at their home, her banter lightened the mood.

"You were absolutely perfect today," Alexander told her as they stepped into their home.

"I am glad I was able to help," she admitted shyly. "Although, I was really nervous."

"I could tell." He laughed. "Do you want some dessert?"

"I would love to have some, but I fear I've put on so much weight since I married you." She pouted. "Cook's treats are unlike any other."

"I know. It's why I hired her," he agreed. "And I love your curves. They're very… enticing."

"Did you just say I'm fat?"

"No," he argued. "I said you're curvaceous. Isn't that more politically appropriate?"

"You're a downright harridan." She laughed, slapping his arm.

"I do try my best."

They stopped in front of her chamber doors, and suddenly, it looked like neither of them knew what to do next.

"I…" they said simultaneously and laughed again

"You go first," he suggested.

"All right," she agreed but was unable to meet his eyes. "I would like for you to join me tonight."

His eyebrows rose to his hairline.

"Not for anything untoward…" she tried explaining, but his laugh stopped her.

"Stop laughing," she complained. "It took a lot for me to say that."

"I know, and I don't take it lightly," he assured her. "I only laughed because I was going to ask the same thing."

Her eyes widened in surprise. "You want to…"

"Yes, I want to spend the night with you," he answered. "And not for anything untoward."

"Can I hold you to that promise?"

He stepped closer till there was barely any space between them. "Haven't I proven myself to be a man of my word?"

She nodded, swallowing as his nearness brought his seductive sandalwood and spicy scent to her.

"Good, so I will do nothing untoward to you," he asserted, "unless you want me to."

"I want you to," she admitted as liquid heat pooled in her core.

His eyes darkened, and she barely had any warning before he kissed her, groaning into her mouth.

His kiss was feral, betraying his desire for her. His hands roamed up and down her body, caressing and squeezing and sparking up her lust.

Her hands buried themselves in his hair, and she gripped tighter, earning a groan from him.

"You have no idea how much I wanted to do this today," he growled into her mouth.

She whimpered when he nipped her bottom lip painfully.

"I want you naked beneath me."

She nodded and moved her hands behind to open her door, and they went into her room, a flurry of eager hands undressing each other till they were fully naked, with him atop her.

"I don't think I can stop," he groaned, grinding against her.

She felt him shudder above her and smiled at how untamed he was.

"Then don't."

* * *

"Good morning, wife," Alexander greeted when Helen entered the dining room. "How did you sleep?"

A hot blush climbed up her body as she saw the teasing look in his eyes.

"I slept well, husband," she answered, playing along with his ruse. "And you?"

He gave a full-toothed smile, stealing her breath with how handsome he looked when he did so.

"I slept better than I have in years."

She shook her head at his antics, pouring herself a cup of coffee because she was exhausted, as they hadn't gotten much sleep the previous night.

"What are your plans for the day?" she asked him, hoping he had work in his study, so she could spend a little time with him.

She had enjoyed the little bits of conversation they shared in the hours before they'd finally fallen asleep and most especially the lectures he had given her on the art of loving when they finally awoke.

She caught his gaze and saw a knowing twinkle in his eyes which made her redden. He always seemed to know what she was thinking, and it seemed he had a superior talent for knowing when her thoughts drifted to improper things.

"Dear wife, why do you ask?" he asked, smiling as he sipped his coffee.

She had finally won him over when she had made him a particularly sweet cup. It turned out the Ruthless Duke had a sweet tooth.

"Oh, nothing," she answered. "I was hoping we could go on a picnic later."

He nodded, but his look turned serious.

"I am afraid we'll have to hold off," he explained. "My sister's engagement party is only two nights away. There's much to prepare before then."

"Oh."

At the mention of his family, gone was the playful man she knew, and sitting before her was the Duke of Blackhill, whose stare sent many people fleeing for safety.

"What would you require of me?" she asked.

This was one of the requirements he had given at the start of their marriage, and she wanted in some small way to help ease this dark cloud he seemed to perpetually walk under.

He smiled softly at her. "Only that you be the proper Duchess of Blackhill," he answered, rising from his seat. "Walk with me?"

She nodded, and he helped her out of her seat, intertwining their hands. She tried not to shrink back from the intimacy of holding hands, but it was hard, considering how her body came alive instantly.

She had never experienced such easy intimacy with a man, and she had not known one could be so outside the bedroom. It was a welcome change from the dominant man he usually was.

"I know you've wondered about my family's absence, and I am not a fool to think you're ignorant of the rumors surrounding me," he started as they stepped out into the warm sunshine.

She nodded. "I tried not to pry. That's why I've never really asked."

"I was thankful, but it's better I educate you before time." He smiled ruefully at her. "My family is wont to try to besmirch my credibility by attempting to trap me in scandals that in times past I've escaped, but the last was a little more challenging, and although I could choose not to go, I do not want any more stains on my reputation."

"And my presence there would…"

"Help dissuade them from making such attempts at best."

"And at worst?"

"Well, I'll be putting a target on your head too."

"Wonderful."

"Indeed."

They took a turn about the garden in uneasy silence, but she didn't hurry to fill it as she gathered her thoughts.

A part of her pitied him and understood why he had been the way he had been. He was only a man trying to protect himself and his name.

Another part of her wondered at his family's actions and didn't fear them. She had dealt with a fair share of poorly mannered members of the ton and had always come out on top. She was almost excited to help him avoid the traps he felt his family would have set for him.

"Do you require anything else?" she asked.

He shook his head. "I just need you by my side."

"Then that's where I will be for as long as you need me."

He stopped in his tracks and stared at her, his gaze searching. He opened his mouth to say something, but as though deciding against it, he shook his head.

He resumed their silent stroll, a cloud of emotions passing over his features. He was obviously conflicted, but it would be a while before he would open up to her.

She tried not to feel hurt, considering his own family had betrayed him severely, which caused and reinforced his inability to trust people. Besides, she understood it was still too early and would be a damn near impossible feat for him to trust her, considering that what they had was only a contractual marriage. Once she attended their agreed-upon events, they'd separate, so there was no need to complicate their lives.

She tried to ignore the bitter taste that piece of truth left in her mouth, but it was difficult because she had hoped the newfound intimacy they shared would have at least made him warm up to her.

"Your Graces," they heard a footman call.

"Yes?"

"Your delivery is here."

"Oh, perfect." Alexander smiled. "Come, Helen, it is for you."

She followed him with excited steps into the manor, where he showed her the gown he had bought for her for the engagement party.

It was a beautiful number in a dark blue and silver damask that glittered in the light, with fabulous stonework that made her sure the dress would be heavier than anything she had ever worn.

Without thinking, she embraced him, thanking him, and felt him stiffen against her.

"You like it?" he asked, concerned.

"I absolutely adore it," she gushed. "Thank you."

He smiled down at her and ended up kissing her. But this one felt too tender, and she wondered if perhaps he, too, was warming up to her.