Chapter Fifteen

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

The Next Morning, The Duke of Grovemont’s Study

L ucian scrubbed a hand through his hair. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. He’d been attempting to read a report from his solicitor all morning, but he’d barely got through the first paragraph, and he’d read the damn thing ten different times. The report was filled with information he’d been looking forward to reading, information about his holdings in India. He needed to plan a trip there. Had intended to after he’d chosen a wife and married. Things may not have gone according to plan, but he was married. He couldn’t leave Gemma alone here, could he? Damn it. Gemma. He couldn’t concentrate. His mind betrayed him, constantly replaying memories of his time in bed with her last night.

He’d expected it to be pleasant. Sort of like scratching an itch. After all, he hadn’t been with a woman since before he’d returned from the countryside months earlier. But what had started out as an experiment had quickly turned into one of the most satisfying sexual experiences he’d had in his life.

Gemma was surprising in bed. That was the best word for it. She’d been passionate and giving and uninhibited in a way that he had not expected. The truth was he’d been unable to control himself. The second his mouth touched hers, he’d been lost. He’d intended to give her a second orgasm, but after he’d slid into her tight sheath, his mind had gone numb. Something about the way she’d responded to him, holding nothing back, had inflamed him. Years of rigidly implemented self-control had disintegrated in moments, and he’d become a lust-crazed beast.

It had to have been the months of celibacy. That was the only explanation for it. At least that’s what he intended to tell himself. Because any other reason for his performance in bed with his wife last night was too unsettling to contemplate.

She’d definitely been a virgin last night. Not that he’d thought she wasn’t, but he’d felt her maidenhead give way, and he’d seen the evidence on the sheet.

He’d awoken in the middle of the night lying on his back to find her cuddled against his chest, one arm flung over his waist. His first thought had been to roll her over, slide down, and give her an orgasm with his mouth. No doubt it would scandalize her. Then delight her. The thought had brought a sexy smile to his lips.

But he’d quickly shaken his head. That was a bad idea. A very bad one. His time in bed with Gemma had been an unexpected pleasure, but he couldn’t allow himself to enjoy it too much. It would only complicate things. They still had a score of unresolved issues between them. She was still the schemer who’d trapped him into marriage. And he was still the husband who intended to show her who ruled the household.

One thing she’d said last night in the coach kept popping into his mind. “ You haven’t even heard the whole story, and I’m certain you don’t even care .” It had been part of her rant telling him exactly what she thought of him. Showing her true colors. But what had she meant by those words? No doubt it was just more acting on her part. She was determined to play the role of the victim in their marriage.

Either way, spending more time in bed with Gemma would be nothing but a mistake. It might make her believe they would have more to their marriage than he intended.

Early this morning, he’d quietly slipped out of her bed, pulled on his trousers, and left the room while his wife was still sleeping. He’d slept the remainder of the night in his own bed. This morning, he’d called for his valet and bathed, dressed, and breakfasted before coming down to the study.

And now he’d made a decision. He’d already intended to send her off to the countryside. This morning, he realized he needed to do so more quickly than he’d planned. He did not trust himself not to take her to bed again…not even tonight. And that wouldn’t do. He had no intention of making what had happened between them last night a habit. It had been too enjoyable. Theirs would not be a passionate marriage. It couldn’t be.

Which meant that Gemma needed to go. Immediately.

He rang the bell for his butler and asked the man to summon Mrs. Howard.

Within an hour, the plans were made for Gemma to leave for his estate in Cumberland this afternoon.

Within an hour and a half, Gemma came looking for him.

She didn’t knock, just opened the study door and boldly strode inside, appearing like an angel of vengeance. She was wearing a sunny yellow day dress, and her short curls were scattershot as usual. The look on her face was decidedly unhappy. She planted her hands on her hips and glared at him. “When were you going to tell me that you’re banishing me to the countryside?”

“Didn’t Mrs. Howard?—?”

“ Mrs. Howard is not the one who should have to tell me. Are you such a coward?”

His brows shot up. “Pardon?”

“You heard me. It’s cowardly to send your wife away without telling her.”

His nostrils flared as he swiftly sucked in air and braced his hands on the desk to push himself up, wrestling with a temper he hadn’t even known he had. “Look, Gemma, I told you. We have an unconventional marriage.”

She crossed her arms tightly over her chest and cocked her hip. “Oh, I don’t know. It’s not so unconventional to send your wife packing. Lots of noblemen do it. Don’t give yourself too much credit for being unique.”

He narrowed his eyes on her. “Is that the only reason you came in here? To call me names?”

“No, I came in here to tell you that you can’t control me. You’re so worried about appearances. How will it look when you banish your new wife to the countryside?”

“I feel it’s best if?—”

“Feel? Feel ? Ha. You’ve never had a real emotion in your life. You may think you can send me to Cumberland to break my spirit, but that won’t happen.”

Break her spirit? That was a bit dramatic, wasn’t it? But he’d already learned that she was dramatic. He doubted there was anything he could say that would convince her that he had no intention of “breaking her spirit.”

“I’ve nothing more to say to you on this topic.” He took a seat and made a show of hovering his quill above the papers in front of him, as if he were already engrossed in his work again.

“Good, then you may just listen to what I have to say. I’ve spent my whole life in the company of my friends and family, and if I am sent away from them, I shall be miserable. Which, I am guessing, is your entire objective. You may be a miserable man, devoid of happiness or hope, but I won’t allow you to make me miserable. You can send me away, but you will not break me.” She turned and flounced toward the door. “Good-bye, Your Grace .”

Of course, the door slammed behind her.

Lucian stared at the space where she’d just been standing, her words echoing in his head. Break her? Miserable? He wanted to make the point that they would not be together. He would spend time with her when he saw fit. He hadn’t planned to make her miserable . Not to mention she’d accused him of being “devoid of happiness or hope.” Where the devil had she got that idea? Just because he hadn’t taken kindly to being manipulated into marriage, she’d made a judgement about his entire demeanor?

Growling, he pushed back in his chair and drummed his fingers against the top of the wooden arms. He contemplated the situation for several long moments.

He was happy.

He had hope.

Didn’t he?

There was another way to handle this. Perhaps a way where they would both get what they wanted. He couldn’t stay with her here, not after how she’d responded in bed last night. Not after the things she’d just said to him. But he also didn’t want to make her miserable by sending her away.

Not to mention that she made a good point. How would it look to send her away so soon after their wedding? No doubt it would be gossip fodder within days. He hadn’t thought about that.

Lucian shook his head. Hopefully, he had got her with child last night because it would be quite a long time before there would be any opportunity to do so again.

He’d been putting off his trip for far too long. It was time. He was going to India. His new duchess could stay in London.