Page 71 of The Duke’s Unwilling Bride

Do I dare hand it to him? “You… You aren’t going to break it. Are you?”

“Heavens no. Whatever makes you think-”

“And you’re not going to take it away from me?” I try desperately to keep the panic out of my voice, but I don’t do as well a job as I hope.

Again, he purrs against me, and I lose all will to fight. “Is that what Ass-sher would have done?” he teases, making a play on the first part of my cousin’s name to resemble that of a lowly donkey.

Though I know it’s an attempt to get me to smile, the hurt is just too much. “Yes. All my precious things. All my father's possessions. Gone. I- I know my father must have been the most degenerate of gamblers to obtain so much debt, but couldn’t my cousin have let me keep at least some of his other items? Not all his cufflinks were that costly, were they? And the paintings, the books. Dear God, the books.”

He wraps his arms around me again, but this time, I feel the anger, the violence slithering through him like a living thing. But before I can misunderstand, he shields off that part of his psyche and pours love into our bond.

“Did he destroy your books?”

“I haven’t a clue at this point. I got what I could from the study… but now that I’m here with you, there’s no telling. Not that you care about such things.”

“And what makes you think that?”

“You were very quick to mention that none of those in the library were yours. So I assumed.” He clears his throat, an uncomfortable look passing his face. When he says nothing, I press him further. “And your threat about burning the books?” I blink at him in earnest, needing to know the truth.

With a soft chuckle, his face clears, softening. He drops a tender kiss on my head, our bond humming with satisfaction. “Idle words, my bookish wife. I would never set fire to even one volume. Not even to make a point. You will never have to worry about that.”

Relief floods my system until I feel nearly lightheaded. “Thank you for that. I will hold you to your word.”

“I swear to you, my word is my bond. I would rather cut open a vein and bleed myself out than to cause that type of distress to you. Besides, you would not be the only one injured here.” Pausing, he rests his hand above his heart where my mark resides. “I would feel every moment and suffer along with you.”

A tense silence descends between us as I mull over his words. After a few moments, he clears his throat and reaches out his hand again. “I promise to treat it with the utmost care.”

Heart in my stomach, I place the last item I’ll ever own from my father into his large hand. Somehow, it looks right there. Possibly because he was an Alpha much like Joseph, and now, they both own a piece of my heart.

“Such beautiful craftsmanship. Your father had great taste.”

His words are a balm to my soul, sliding that last bit of hurt between us to the side. “Thank you. His pipes have always been a favorite of mine. Only…”

“Only?”

“It no longer smells of him. Try as I might, I can no longer draw that familiar essence into my nose and relive those moments with him. I suppose it means I need to set him to rest and put aside my mourning.”

“Not necessarily. Come, let us find just the right tobacco and breathe some life into this thing.”

CHAPTER 34

Teresa

My heart soars as he eases me down to the floor and takes my hand. Honestly, this gesture means far more to me than anything else he could have done. Light and giddy, I follow him into the study and watch as he places several items on the desk.

“Now, I will admit I am not fond of the pipe myself. If I choose to indulge, it’s with either a cheroot or snuff. However, for those times I find myself in the company of those who do, I have an array for them to choose from. Come, see if you can find the blend in one of these.”

Easing over to the desk, I pick up the containers, taking my time to inhale each one. None of them are correct, and my heart begins to sink. That is, until I reach the last one.

“This one! This is it!”

“You’re sure?”

“I would know that scent anywhere!”

After he puts everything back, Joseph examines the pipe. Taking just a pinch of tobacco, he puts it into the chamber, but for some reason, it doesn’t go down. Frowning, he forcibly tries, but still is unable.

“Is something wrong? Is it perhaps broken?” Sorrow lances through my heart for a moment as I worry my fingers in front of me.