Second Son of a Duke Read Online Free PDF Page A

delight in the small shiver that wracked her body. She was as soft as the rose petals she smelled of.
    “Teddy,” she repeated, pushing him gently. “We’re in the breakfast room.”
    Somehow, her words cut through the murky haze that addled his good sense. He loosened his grip, but couldn’t completely let go. “I’m sorry, Juliette. You must think me a cad.” If his heart would slow so he could hear above the roar of his own pulse, he might actually move aside, but for the moment he needed to prop himself on her. With his head on her chest, of course. He’d never pass a rosebush again without instantly hardening.
    She bent her neck and whispered in his ear. “Come to the carriage with me.”
    And there it was. Had the kiss been a ruse to get her way? Was she so stubborn that she would pretend passion to get him to go with her? Which was the real Juliette-the ice maiden from his wedding night or the woman he kissed into a sideboard? “Why is it so important to you that I go away with you, Juliette? I can’t just walk away from my responsibilities here.”
    She jerked as if he’d hit her. “One afternoon. I’m asking for one afternoon that you let the duke handle his own affairs so that you can handle yours.”
    “Mine,” he repeated, at least he didn’t repeat it as a question.
    “We’re tied now, Teddy. This marriage began as a whim, but it’s real. We’ve had no time alone, little conversation—”
    “I’m sorry,” he interrupted. “You’re right, of course.” He’d spent his whole life watching over Derek’s responsibilities—it was shameful that he’d been neglecting the only one that was truly his now. “I should have arranged a wedding trip, even if it was a short one. It’s commendable that you are willing to treat this marriage with as much respect as you have.”
    “I don’t want to be commendable, Teddy. I want to be your wife.”
    He nodded. He could see this was important to her. He’d just work harder tomorrow if he had too. And he would have to. Because there was no way Derek would accomplish any of the tasks, and he wasn’t sure he’d want him to at this point. Derek would likely find a way to derail Teddy’s efforts.
    And he really wanted to know if she were as stubborn as she claims, then what possessed her to say “I do” at the church?

Five

    The silence in the carriage grew uncomfortably thick as the minutes stretched to nearly a half an hour. Juliette stared at her own knees while she wistfully thought of something… anything …to say. She’d been such a fool to think that just because she willed it so, their relationship would change.
    Certainly last night they’d created a bridge. And this morning, good heavens this morning, had amazed her and confused her all at once. The fact that Teddy desired her helped her plans for this afternoon perfectly. What she hadn’t counted on so much was her own reaction to his kisses.
    Juliette had fallen in love with Teddy. She accepted that. She was grateful that the idea of intimacy with him wasn’t abhorrent for it would make keeping him tied to her much easier. She never for one moment believed that she would want him in return.
    Everything her mother had ever told her about the difference between men and women was called into question. A lady submits to the baser instincts of her husband with grace and a charitable heart . She hadn’t been graceful or charitable on their wedding night, but she’d intended to rectify that today. Men are carnal creatures, they cannot help themselves. A wife will need to lock part of herself away, far in her mind, while he takes his pleasure from her body . That had certainly come to pass that night, and she was prepared to do it again. If he needed her body, he could have it, so long as she got him in return. Feigning interest in his passion is encouraged, though a woman will have to hide her instinctual disgust . Well, now there was the thing, wasn’t it?
    She let her gaze wander