Page 69 of The Duke’s Unwilling Bride

My brain still attempts to catch up with her words, as I’m still in shock she’s actually here. Turning, I reach up and grab her hands, stopping her fussing as she works at my wound. My actions, however, tear the bandage off completely, fully revealing the mark my husband left on me.

I’m not sure what I was expecting, but somehow, Mary is right. Instead of ragged gashes, his bite seems to have been well thought out, planned even. Running my fingers over healing flesh, it’s as if my mind finally releases my memories, and they flood my brain.

Heat floods my face as I glance up at Mary’s knowing grin. “I take it you enjoyed yourself, Your Grace?”

Your Grace… Internally, I know that’s my title, but somehow, hearing it from Mary’s lips, it all becomes real. Somehow, all the changes that have taken place in these last few weeks feel monumental. Hanging my head, I start to sob as hot tears roll down my face.

“Your Grace!” she cries out, coming around to hold me. “I meant no offense. But… this is your title now.”

“Yes,” I manage to hiccup. “It is indeed my title.” Everything swirls in my mind as the overwhelming need to flee races up my spine.

But there, in the quiet recesses, I feel an intense pressure, a warmth coming from within. It takes me a moment, but I soon identify it as Joseph. He sends a blast of love and concern through the bond.

The sensations surround me, cutting off the crying just as well as his purr. It’s strange, but somehow far less invasive than I thought it would be. And that’s when I remember I marked him too.

Lifting my fingertips to my lips, I stare at Mary, my mind racing. “I bit him too.”

“Such a thing is done in love matches. At least, that’s what I’ve heard.”

Love? The question bounces around in my mind as I forget that my husband is now privy to my thoughts.

Yes, my delectable wife. Love. I didn’t think it was possible, but now that I have you, I’m never letting you go.

Bitterness swamps my brain as I realize he must have found whatever it was he was searching for when he claimed me. It wasn’t enough for him to love me in spite of his misgivings. No. He needed proof before he gave me such affection.

And I will regret that to my dying day, my little songbird. I was wrong to judge you as such, and if you’ll let me, I’ll spend the rest of my days making amends.

I want to believe him. I want to know he means what he says.

Just follow the bond. You will always know what’s in my heart.

Tentatively, I follow the cords of our joining, finding the emotions laid bare. They seem just as conflicted as mine. So many thoughts intermingling to where it’s hard to tell what’s what. However, at the very core of him, I feel his steadfast devotion.

Now that he knows for sure I’m not lying, it’s as if something has shifted in him. Even though I wasn’t privy to his inner thoughts before now, the emotions certainly lack that acerbic bite his words once carried. It’s knowing I can check in this way, feel him whenever I choose that allows me to trust him.

It’s an odd feeling, one I wasn’t expecting to have so quickly. And if I’m reading his mood correctly, Joseph feels the same way. We are both navigating these waters for the first time, and that puts us on equal footing. It’s nice to know, though, that we’re both struggling to find this new normal.

You will always have a special place here, one that no one can ever touch. You are mine. Mine to love, mine to cherish, mine to care for.

Once more, heat infuses my cheeks. Does that mean you will never touch my… bottom hole again?

His dark chuckle floods my mind, sending tendrils of arousal through my body. I wouldn’t go that far. I will not continue to punish you for crimes you have not committed, but do not forget, I know what turns you on. And even now, as you sit there, no doubt squirming in your chair, you want me to defile you again.

Blazes. Unfortunately, he is correct.

Now then, allow your lady’s maid to see to your toilette and get some rest. I have plans for you tonight.

And then, just as if he was never there, he’s gone, leaving me to wonder what he means. No doubt he intends to pick up where my heat left off. Just to level the playing field, to make him suffer as he did me, I send scandalous images of us intertwined, his cock stuffing me so full I’m nearly unable to breathe.

Damnation, woman, are you trying to distract me? Keep such salacious thoughts to yourself or I’ll make you pay. In kind, he too sends images over. And in comparison, mine were woefully tame.

In my mind's eye, I see myself, clear as day, as I’m strapped to his cross. A large dilator stretches my arse as he takes a leather, tailed implement to my bare back. All the while, he pauses just long enough to stroke my clit, bringing me ever so close to release, then pulling away.

It’s enough to make me ache with need. Touché, my husband. I shall behave myself until your return.

I’m sure you’ll find some mischief to get yourself into. In the meantime, spend a few moments with your lady’s maid. It’s not much, but it’s one way in which I plan to make up for my abominable behavior.

“Shall I bring your chocolate, Madame?” Blinking, I turn to the maid in question, my heart nearly bursting with joy.