Disciplining the Duchess by Annabel Joseph

Author:Annabel Joseph
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Romance
Publisher: Scarlet Rose Press

Benedict Thomas William Hawthorne. His Grace, the Duke of Courtland. He kept repeating his names and titles in his head, trying to remind himself who he was. His Grace, the Duke. Benedict Thomas William Hawthorne, a man of duty who never cared to be loving or emotional or affectionate. The Duke of Courtland, who would never become a lovestruck and ridiculous man.

Ah, well.

He would allow himself this temporary insanity. By God, he’d earned the right after this last couple of months. While the rest of the ton speculated and snickered behind their hands about what might go on in the Duke of Courtland’s marriage bed, here he was lying beside his wife in a state of exhausted bliss. Bugger the lot of them. He would allow himself to adore her because she deserved to be adored.

What courage she’d shown at their wedding. The pomp and crush had been intimidating even to him, although he’d always known he would go through it. A few months ago Harmony had been the reclusive daughter of a lesser viscount, and surely never imagined such a grandiose wedding in her future. His mother had alternately scowled and sobbed through the ordeal. She was disappointed in Court’s choice, like so many in the ton, but it didn’t matter now.

From the start he had wanted Miss Harmony Barrett, but never would have allowed himself to have her. Never. Which made all of this so much sweeter. Forbidden fruit.

And he had partaken of his forbidden fruit with the fervor of a man starved. He had never slept with a virgin before, but was aware there was an art to it. He had intended to be steady and reassuring, hoped only to complete the marital act without disgusting her. Somewhere along the way that strategy had changed to taking whatever he wanted, however carnal, and making her like it. How bacchanalian he’d been, spanking her, groping and kissing her, urging her to a frenzy of arousal. He hadn’t been satisfied until she’d tossed beneath him in the throes of ecstasy.

When she awakened and turned to him the following morning, Court prepared himself for withdrawal, for blushes and regrets, and her terrible realization that she was wed to a man of perverse lusts. She was warm and naked beneath the covers and he—he was stiff enough to bore a hole through iron.

He drank in her beauty as she yawned and stretched. Lovestruck. You are a lovestruck fool. She smiled at him, sheepishly perhaps, and her eyes sparkled. There was no recrimination to be found.

“How different you look this morning,” she said.

He put a hand to his face, felt a night’s worth of stubble. “I have not yet— My valet—”

“No. I mean you look different…because of last night.” She blushed and slid closer, snuggling against his very front. He moved his hips back but there could be no disguising his aroused state.

“Oh my.” Her eyes met his. “I never knew men were fashioned so. I never imagined that…well…” She sighed, clearly flustered.

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