The Duke's Reluctant Bride by James Regina

Author:James, Regina [James, Regina]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Published: 2019-04-26T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

♠♠♠

"You look beautiful, my lady,” Bessie said as she brushed Emma’s hair next evening.

Emma refused to look in the mirror. She didn’t want to see everything Bessie was doing to make her presentable to that big oaf she was now condemned to spend the rest of her life with.

Her gaze unwittingly went to the bed and she shuddered. She knew it was her duty to be with him tonight, but every time she thought about it, she felt sick to her stomach.

Bessie finished brushing her hair and reached for the pins on the vanity table.

“What would you like me to do with your hair?”

“I don’t care.”

“Then I’ll use one of my favorite styles.”

Emma glanced at Bessie’s reflection in the mirror. At most times, she had a tendency to forget Bessie was there, but today, she was glad to have her there. Bessie was a familiar presence in her new, and very scary, world.

She turned her attention to her hands which were folded on her lap and wondered if she dared to talk about anything personal with her. Up to now, she hadn’t. Most of the topics they’d shared had to do with what she might wear or what she might do for the day.

Bessie had been married, until her husband’s death, so she knew about intimate matters. Bessie slipped some pins into her hair.

“Your Grace, in some ways you are like the daughter I never had, and I don’t like seeing you this miserable. Is there anything I can do to make things better for you?”

Touched by her concern, Emma made eye contact with her. Perhaps she could trust her in personal matters.

Clearing her throat, she managed a weak, “How long does it last?”

When Bessie’s eyebrows furrowed, she pointed to the bed, her cheeks flushed from being so bold.

Understanding lit up Bessie's eyes. “Oh! Of course. I should have known that’s been troubling you.”

She offered a kind smile and patted her shoulder affectionately.

“I can’t say for sure. Some gentlemen last longer than others, but I’d say no more than a couple minutes once he’s…involved…in the process. You shouldn’t worry so much about it. I know you can’t help but feel uncertain about the whole thing, but it’s a very natural process and one that brings pleasure.”

Bessie finished pinning her hair back and motioned to the mirror. “What do you think, Your Grace?”

I think I’m going to throw up, she thought as she glanced one more time at the bed. Swallowing the nervous lump in her throat, she turned her attention to the mirror and studied her reflection. She looked like a virgin all dolled up so she could be sacrificed on an altar.

“You don’t seem pleased,” Bessie softly commented, a worried tone in her voice.

Emma sighed and turned away from the mirror. “You did a wonderful job. I don’t feel up to seeing him, that’s all.”

“It’s just nerves, Your Grace. Truly, there’s nothing to it. All married ladies go through it.”

Emma knew Bessie meant well, but nothing she could say would ease the sickening knot that tightened in her gut.

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