Chapter 16

All formalities now completed, Dorothy and her new husband took a stroll through the garden together. Reverend Biggs had already departed to conduct another wedding ceremony at the parish church, and their families were left to make whatever conversation they liked up on the terrace, where Toynton was serving champagne and dainty appetizers from a silver tray.

"Thank God that's over," the Duke said quietly, although no one except his wife of ten minutes was close enough to hear his words.

While this statement was hardly what any girl dreamed of hearing from her groom after their wedding, Dorothy could not help but nod her head in agreement. She felt the same relief, although other equally challenging hurdles still lay ahead, not least their wedding night.

"At least the servants seem happy," she observed, with a glance back up towards the terrace.

"They do. Although I suspect that does not entirely please your brother."

Two footmen had brought out a large glass bowl of punch and a sliced fruitcake, setting these on a trestle table at the far corner of the terrace, a little way from the party. All of the servants had received cups of punch, and several toasts were being made to the health of the Duke and his new Duchess.

Despite Patrick's jaundiced eye at the idea of giving servants even an hour of leisure, Aaron had instructed his housekeeper to invite in the staff from the Hoskins household, who were watching proceedings from the garden gate. The servants of the two households mingled happily, generally already knowing one another well.

"Few things please Patrick," Dorothy remarked. "And all of them involve money in one way or another. Should we go back now? I don't want to muddle your mother, and Mrs. Hughes said that a meal would soon be served."

Several footmen were already engaged in setting up a formal table on the top lawn, where the small wedding feast would presumably be served. According to the Dowager Duchess's kindly companion, it would comprise roast chicken, summer vegetables and cheeses sent in from the Dawford estate for the occasion.

"Mrs. Hughes will take good care of Mother. You and I can safely take a few minutes to breathe before we rejoin the party. Are your family likely to stay long after eating?"

"My brother will stay as long as he is permitted," she warned.

"Then I shall not permit him." Aaron frowned. "Unless you wish it?"

Dorothy shook her head firmly. "I do not wish it. I would prefer…"

There were questions she must ask her new husband, and she took a deep breath to steady her voice before she continued speaking, suddenly acutely conscious of the Duke's body beside her, the woody scent of his cologne, and the muscles in the strong arm beneath her hand.

"I would prefer that we had some time alone to discuss what you expect from me as your duchess. I know that I am unprepared, and this is not a situation that either of us would have chosen, but I intend to do my duty, if you will explain to me what that is."

"Explain?" Aaron smiled quizzically. "What explanation do you require, Duchess? Some things are better demonstrated than explained."

"Well, should I oversee the housekeeper here and at Dawford Manor? I have no experience of that, but I would try to learn quickly. Do you wish me to entertain on your behalf? I know you are something of a political man and perhaps you will give dinners, host dignitaries or sponsor charitable balls. Do you wish me to attend particular events with you during the Season?"

"Dorothy," he said, still smiling, "your days are your own, although I must make some claim on your nights. As the Duchess of Dawford, you should naturally be proper in your behavior and cordial to my friends. If you wish, you may oversee my houses, and I'm sure Mother and Miss Hughes will happily instruct you. Other than that, you are free to do as you please."

"What do you mean about nights?" Dorothy asked, her voice faltering slightly, the words after his first statement somewhat blurred.

Aaron stopped and drew her slightly off the path and behind a large elm tree, taking both of her hands in his own and kissing them.

"Your bedchamber here adjoins mine, Duchess, and our nights will be occasions of shared pleasure as well as duty. You will be spending a great deal of time in my bed. That is what I mean."

"Oh!" Dorothy gasped, her cheeks flushing crimson at this idea even as the Duke's warm, gentle hands on hers began to stir up the strong waves of desire that were never far below the surface in his presence. "Of course. I know that husbands and wives share a bed."

"Do you?" he asked and bent down to kiss her lips softly. "I wonder how much you do know."

"What will happen there?" she breathed, seeking his eyes between kisses and finding their hypnotic blue depths. "In your bed?"

"As I said, some things are better demonstrated than explained," Aaron replied and trailed further kisses down her throat and then even lower.

If his strong arms had not been around her, Dorothy thought she might have fallen at the sensation of his lips grazing the top of her bosom. Luckily, he held her fast, and his lips soon returned to hers, soft but insistent, staking his claim in some way now as his hand gently cupped one round breast.

"Your Grace!" she gasped at the violent sensation that flooded her with his intimate caress.

"Aaron," he reminded her, pressing with a light touch and then rubbing his palm slowly so that she could feel the unprecedented sensation in her stiffening nipple through the fine fabric of her dress. "When I touch your body, I am always Aaron, Dorothy."

"Aaron." She nodded, breathing hard and torn about how she should react in this situation.

As a girl, she had always been taught that if any man so much as stroked her arm, she should scream and run. But this man now exploring her bosom was her husband and free by law to enjoy her body at will. In addition, she did not want to scream and run any more than she had all the times Aaron had previously kissed her.

To her disappointment, he withdrew his hands and released her.

"Now, we must rejoin our families, but I promise I will continue this demonstration once we are alone."

Dorothy tried hard to calm her beating heart and compose her flustered expression as her husband stepped out from the shelter of the tree and extended his arm towards her.

What could he be planning to do to her in his bed? And would it feel as shocking and wonderful as this brief embrace?

Eventually, the servants of both houses had returned to their work, the small wedding feast had been eaten, and the Dowager Duchess could no longer stifle her yawns.

Dorothy played nervously with the small slice of wedding cake on her plate, having done her best with the chicken and other Dawford Manor produce but unable to stomach this final offering. She could feel Aaron watching her, even when his eyes were trained on others.

"Gentlemen, you must excuse my mother," he said at last. "Her physician recommends a daily nap at this hour, and Miss Hughes must accompany her inside now."

As he stood up, he nodded to Toynton to clear away the empty champagne glasses and bottles and then helped the Dowager Duchess to her feet.

These were clear cues to prompt the departure of Lord Prouton and his son, but Patrick said nothing, his eyes following Toynton with an eager gleam that made Dorothy hope he did not suggest brandy and cigars upon the butler's return. If he did, the Duke would doubtless say something cutting, and she did not want an uncomfortable scene.

"Thank you so much for your company today, Father," Dorothy said, bending to kiss Lord Prouton's cheek and nodding to Wilkes, who was leaning against a nearby wall, awaiting this summons. "And you too, Patrick. This marriage would never have come about without you, would it?"

While her older brother seemed slightly bemused by this ending to the simple festivities, and still half-inclined to stay, he accepted the compliment without reflecting on the resentment beneath its surface.

"Well, you know I have only ever wanted the best for you, Dorothy. Or should I call you ‘Your Grace,' now, Sister? Ha!"

"Yes, you should," the Dowager Duchess pronounced, breaking off from her equally confused goodbye to Lord Prouton. "They are married now, and your sister is the Duchess of Dawford."

Her tone was rather severe, apparently having retained her poor first impression of Patrick on account of his vulgar dress and display of jewelry.

Unsure how to respond to this, Patrick apparently decided it was best not to linger. "Well, then… Goodbye, Your Graces. I wish you both every happiness together in your new life. May your union thrive and be blessed before long by…"

Uninterested in his flowery speech, the Dowager Duchess had already turned away and was walking back towards the house, Miss Hughes hopping along at her side in her usual birdlike way.

"Goodbye, Lord Prouton, Mr. Hoskins," Aaron said firmly, although with a polite nod of his head. "I'm sure my wife and I will see you again soon."

Dorothy heard his resignation to that eventuality even though it was lost on Patrick.

After another round of handshakes, her relatives finally retreated down the garden path towards their own home next door. She let out a long sigh of relief as Patrick turned back to wave once more from the garden gate and then vanished.

"So, my Duchess," the Duke said, turning to her with a darkly handsome face full of intent as soon as they were alone. "Bed…"