Under A Duke's Hand by Annabel Joseph

Author:Annabel Joseph
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: regency romance, dominance and submission, spanking romance, georgian romance, historical bdsm, spanking historical, historical bondage novel, historical bondage romance, historical spanking romance, regency spanking romance

Chapter Ten: Perfectly Matched

The duke’s friends visited a couple days later, since they had all arrived in town to spend the holidays: the two marquesses, Lord Townsend and Lord Barrymore, and the Earl of Warren, that ceaselessly cheerful man. This time they brought their wives, who seemed eager to meet Gwen. She endured the introductions with a sense of gloom. She was certain they would find her wanting in some way.

Lord Townsend’s wife was named Aurelia, and was the daughter of a duke. Gwen’s first thought was that Aurelia would have made Arlington a better wife, except that she was enamored of her towering, dark-haired husband. Lord Townsend seemed enamored of her too, hovering around her with loving glances. The Townsends’ daughter Felicity was back home napping, along with the Warrens’ infant son George.

The other dark-haired man, Barrymore, was married to Minette, who was apparently Warren’s sister, and Warren was married to Josephine, a countess with lavish auburn hair and the occasional spark of mischief in her eyes. The three ladies seemed to know one another quite well, and kept up a steady stream of conversation as they sat at tea on the terrace. Below them, the gentlemen romped in the chill air, playing a loosely organized game of cricket.

“Look at them,” said Aurelia, pulling her cloak closer around her. “The older they get, the more they behave like boys.”

The other ladies laughed. “I think they’re only happy to be together again,” said Minette. “My husband always worried that marriage and children would put a strain on their friendship, or end it altogether.”

“Your marriage to Barrymore nearly did end it altogether,” Josephine said with an unladylike snort. “Warren spent more than one night pacing and cursing August’s name.”

Gwen listened to all this in confusion. “I’m sorry, but who is August?”

“Barrymore was Lord Augustine before his father died,” Josephine explained. “We called him August, and Warren was bound and determined that he would not marry his sister, even though Minette had adored him for years. But now they’re Lord and Lady Barrymore, and they’re going to have their first baby in the spring, so everything worked out for the best.”

“Congratulations,” Gwen said to Minette. “You must be very excited.”

“You’re finally starting to show, dear,” said Aurelia, “even beneath all those skirts and petticoats, and winter capes and cloaks.” The honey-haired lady smiled, and again pulled her cloak closer about her.

Minette studied her friend. “Do you have something to share with us, Aurelia? Townsend’s barely left you alone all day, and you keep wrapping that cloak around you as if you’re hiding something. Not only that, but you look a little green.”

“Are you not well?” Gwen asked. “Can I get you something? A tonic?”

“She’s well enough,” said Minette with a grin. “Except that she’s expecting again.”

“Oh, are you?” Josephine clapped her hands.

“It’s very early,” said Aurelia, blushing. “But I might be. Townsend thinks so.”

The lady practically glowed with happiness. She was living the life Gwen longed for. She was in love, and obviously loved by her husband.

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