The Duke of Thorns: Regency Hearts Book 5 by Jennifer Monroe

Author:Jennifer Monroe [Monroe, Jennifer]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-09-11T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Sixteen

The morning arrived shrouded in heavy clouds, bearing the promise of rain later in the day. Cecilia sat in a chair beside the window to work by what little light managed to seep through. Although her fingers moved deftly, working blue thread through a white square of cloth that would become a handkerchief, her mind was on the conversation between her and Benjamin from the previous night.

Another argument had ended with a confession of the heart. Much like her, Benjamin was frightened of the future. Knowing that his outbursts, followed by sudden words of kindness, confused her as much as they surprised him. She had thought him well in control of himself. It only went to show that even the most stoic of men hid who they truly were.

What was strange about the entire episode was that Cecilia felt as if they were at the beginning of a courtship rather than a marriage. And unlike before, she looked forward to getting to know her husband better.

She had been truthful the previous evening when she told him that the brambles had taken over his life. She was unsure when or why they had sprouted, but she had vowed to help him clear them. And she meant to keep that vow.

A weight had lifted from her heart as she stood snugly in his embrace. For the first time, she felt like a married woman should feel—safe, loved, and cherished. Loving him outright might not have been possible just yet, but she found herself caring for him more and more every day.

As promised, she and Benjamin spent every afternoon sharing stories about their lives and learning more about one another. And the more she learned about him, the more she came to understand him. Perhaps his brambles would be the very thing that brought them together. That was a strange thought, but it pleased her greatly.

There was one other issue that plagued her mind, one that made her feel both relief and concern in equal measures. He had yet to come to her bed. It was not that she craved the intimacy, for it was something she had never experienced. But men had needs. If they were not being met in his marriage bed, he might seek solace elsewhere.

Her thoughts returned to the woman in the green dress at the party at Sharply Estates. Was she the one satisfying his needs?

No, that was silly. He had assured her that this Tabitha was nothing more than a friend of the family. She might have a questionable past, at least according to Benjamin, but he had assured her that the woman had changed her ways.

Plus, just because she made poor choices, it did not mean she and Benjamin were sharing a bed.

Cecilia frowned. She had never considered herself the jealous type. Worrying about other women was a waste of one’s time. She had more important—and rational—things to occupy her time.

Smiling, Cecilia looked down at her handiwork. The handkerchief was a gift for Benjamin. Then she sighed at seeing yet another blue flower.

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