The Reluctant Duchess by Winchester Catherine

Author:Winchester, Catherine [Winchester, Catherine]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 2013-01-19T08:00:00+00:00

Annabelle was waiting anxiously for her meeting with Richard that evening and she had a feeling that they would both be insatiable by the time they actually met.

Since that first meeting over the coffee house, they managed to see each other twice a week in the house, Tuesdays and Thursdays and each Sunday, Richard came to her house while the servants were off duty, although he was careful to leave before dawn.

It was becoming harder and harder to manufacture excuses to stay late at the coffee house. Tonight her excuse was that she had a special order for a torte that she wouldn’t have the time to bake tomorrow. She would claim that she had delivered it on her way home if anyone asked where the cake was, but such excuses would soon be seen through.

Parting was becoming harder each time and Annabelle was actually starting to thaw to the idea of marriage. In fact they’d had a proper discussion about it in her bedroom last Sunday. As they were enjoying the afterglow of their lovemaking, Richard had raised the subject, asking (with a practiced air of nonchalance) if she thought that she could ever marry.

Annabelle had been quiet for a few moments, composing her thoughts so that she could give him an honest answer.

“I have thought about it,” she admitted. “Every time we part, I can’t help but think that if we were married, we wouldn’t have to leave each other. Part of me longs for it, although I’m still frightened by the prospect.”

“What frightens you?”

“Almost everything about becoming a wife,” she confessed. “Giving up the coffee house for one. It’s hard work but I feel a sense of accomplishment each day and I actually love baking; I find it very soothing, creating something from scratch. To give that up and spend my days planning dinner parties for people that I don’t much like, that other people will cook, is my personal idea of hell.”

“You sound like my mother, who delegates such tasks to the staff. I see no reason why you shouldn’t too.”

“And then what am I to do with my days? Call on other ladies? Spend hours making sure that my wardrobe is up to date?”

“Anna, you seem to be under the impression that I want to change you. I fell in love with who you are, your strong, independent spirit. I won’t try to change who you are.”

She raised her head from his chest and looked into his eyes. “You love me?”

He had been careful not to make such a declaration lest he scare her off, but it had just slipped out.

“I do,” he admitted, even although he dreaded her reaction. “With every fibre of my being.”

She smiled slightly. “I love you too.”

Their talk had been interrupted by another bout of lovemaking but when they were once again sated, he brought the conversation back to her fears.

“So, I promise not to try and quash your spirit and turn you into a perfect Society wife. What else

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