Page 46 of The Duke Who Claimed Her

“Arabella?” Timothy said to her.

She did not respond. She had six cards in her right hand, a table between herself and Timothy with the deck of cards sitting in the middle, and a pot of tea for them to share. Her saucer was filled to the brim, untouched since she sat down, likely cold by that point.

Across from her, Timothy fidgeted as he always did, but somehow still managed to focus on the game at hand. He was excitable, full of energy, and loved games.

“Arabella?” Timothy said again. “It is your turn.”

Again, she did not respond.

As had been the case for all last evening and for all that morning, her mind was focused squarely on Caspian. Even now, hours later, she felt his lips pressed against her own. She felt his hand through the back of her hair as he gripped her. Most of all, she felt his fingers as they curled gently inside of her so that her body still tingled and spasmed as if the two of them were back in the foyer, locked together, engaging in unspeakable acts from which Arabella’s thoughts could not escape.

How did that happen… Why did it happen? More importantly, why did it stop?

Arabella was thrilled when she had taken control of the moment. Finally realizing what she wanted, she forced Caspian to do as she knew he wanted, and for a few perfect moments, everything felt so right. As confusing as their marriage was, and as difficult to understand, the simplicity of those moments when they kissed, and he ravished her, made it all worth it.

And then, unexpectedly, Caspian faltered.

That was what troubled Arabella the most and frustrated her. Since the marriage began, she had been so committed to her independence, to the need of not relying on anyone, that giving that up so Caspian could have her felt like a betrayal of who she was.

Worse still, she had not cared.

Maybe I was wrong? Is that why Caspian refused me?

She had little understanding of male temperaments, so she did not know what to think. But as the hours stretched by, as that moment between them became little more than a distant memory, Arabella began to consider the very real fact that she had made a horrible mistake.

This marriage was only ever meant to be convenient. Caspian clearly wanted it to be. So, why fight for or want that which was wrong? Why give up her independence when that was exactly what Arabella craved the most?

I know why… Oh, how I know, she thought as her body shuddered once more, as her thighs tingled, and as her mouth grew moist because she could not stop thinking about that kiss…

“Arabella!” Timothy cried. “What are you doing?”

The sudden exclamation brought her back into the room. She blinked as she centered herself, unsurprised to find Timothy glowering at her.

“Oh…” She gave her head a shake. “I am sorry, Timothy, I… Did you say it is my turn?”

“For over a minute now,” he pouted. “Are you not having fun?”

“I am,” she assured him. “I am just a little tired, that’s all.”

“We can do something else,” he offered. “If you would prefer?”

She smiled at the offer. That he wanted to spend time with her at all was hugely significant, and that he was willing to change the game so she might have fun was even more so.

“No, no,” she said. “This is perfect. Just let me…” She looked at her hand of cards, pretending to consider her next move. Unfortunately, she was more than a little lost, and she doubted that she had the wherewithal to keep her focus. “What are we playing again?”

“Cribbage!” Timothy said with frustration. “You said⁠—”

“I jest,” she laughed. “Just teasing you.”

He scowled at her, but it was done playfully.

They played for another thirty minutes, during which time Arabella lost every game. Not that she minded, because Timothy loved winning.

Throughout that time, Arabella truly did her best to stay present, but every time she heard a noise from somewhere within the house, she stiffened, sat up, and listened carefully, forever wondering if it might be Caspian and if he might come and see her.

He did no such thing, of course, and it was not a surprise. In fact, if she knew her husband as well as she was starting to do, Arabella would not have even been surprised if he avoided her for at least that day. Possibly even longer.

A sudden knock at the door had her sitting up again, a moment of hope and excitement found, only for it to wither and die when she turned to find a footman standing there.