Second Son of a Duke Read Online Free PDF Page B

out.
    “I don’t?”
    “Being in the room is really all the seduction you need bring with you.”
    She inched away from him a little. “I know that isn’t true. You haven’t reached for me since the first night. I know it was awful, but I don’t know what to do to make it less so.”
    “Darling,” he began, leaning back into the space she’d put between them. This was going to be tricky business. “The thing that was missing from our wedding night was not something you did or did not do. As you may have noticed, the act still ran its course.” He brought her hand to his chest, flattening her palm against his heart. “But the act is not all there is to lovemaking.”
    She didn’t move her hand, but turned her head away from him to stare into the fire. “I don’t know how to make myself more desirable.”
    “You misunderstand. It is not I who needs greater enjoyment, Juliette, it is you.”
    Her entire body stiffened. “Teddy, you don’t understand.” He felt the pull of her hand away from his heart, so he held on tighter. “Women don’t, that is to say, you probably don’t realize, but…”
    “Juliette, please, just say it.”
    She scrunched her eyelids closed. “Women don’t feel the same about the act as men do. We don’t, as a sex, enjoy procreation. I’m quite willing to give myself to you, as is my duty and your right, but it’s not something I’ll enjoy.”
    He really had bungled the works, hadn’t he? His poor wife, he’d make it up to her. “Darling, a woman’s first time comes with some pain, but it won’t hurt every time, I swear it.”
    She flushed a charming shade of pink. “It’s not just that, Teddy. Women don’t like lovemaking. I should hate to be dishonest with you, but I probably should have not said anything…I should have feigned interest.”
    “You will do no such thing!” He didn’t mean to raise his voice, but the effect made her snap her eyes open. “Where did you get such a notion that women don’t enjoy lovemaking?”
    “It’s the truth. I’m sorry. But we can still do it together. I understand its importance.”
    For the love of all that was holy, he would not have her submit to him as if it were a chore to bear his weight. “Women can and do enjoy lovemaking as much as men. Sometimes more, I can assure you.”
    His disagreement brought her back to her own self, he noticed. A little of the humiliated girl disappeared behind the face of a woman who was used to controlling the world around her. She began speaking to him as if he were a child testing her nerves. “Teddy, it’s completely disagreeable business for a woman. It’s something we do to care for men. And, of course, bring children into the world. I should think that, being a sensible man, you would rather know the truth.”
    “The truth, Juliette, is that you have been rather misinformed.”
    “I think not. You will recall I have experienced lovemaking first hand.”
    Teddy recognized that his pride was wounded by her words, but another reaction began to take shape, and not an unwelcome one. It was as if she dared him to prove her wrong, and by God, he would do just that.
    “I see. Perhaps you are right. But you’re willing to come to the marriage bed despite your aversion?”
    “Of course,” she stated. As if it were a matter of fact. “Our brothers are imbeciles, both of them, but I’m pleased more than I can say that you’re my husband.” She smiled sweetly, almost serenely. “I want to be a good wife to you, Teddy.”
    She laid him bare with that.
    That this woman felt he deserved her devotion humbled him. He could see that she didn’t know the worth of the prize she offered. It wasn’t her willingness to share his bed that amazed him. He didn’t want her sacrifice.
    But my how he cherished her allegiance.
    He held her hand in front of him and inspected her fingers. So fragile, yet so strong a woman was. He caressed her hand, webbing the elegant digits and unfolding it palm