The Duke's Shotgun Wedding (Entangled Scandalous) (6 page)

He gently eased her head from his shoulder, moving silently to stand before the windows. He drew open the drapes that were only slightly parted. The fog rolled over the hills, casting gray shadows over the land. A soft moan came from the bed and he turned to observe her. She wriggled, murmuring in her sleep. His gut clenched when his name whispered from her lips on a loving sigh, then she settled into deeper slumber.

He was annoyed that he wanted to join her. Instead, he forced himself to turn away, and opened the door to his dressing room. He could not admit his valet to dress him—not with his duchess splayed so wantonly on the sheets. He had not given a thought to how tearing down the walls that separated the two master chambers would affect the logistics of daily life. He only knew he’d wanted no closed doors between him and his future wife. His mother had used the connecting doors like an ice fortress his father had been unable to breach. He’d sworn he would never allow himself to be in such a situation if he were to ever marry. A locked bedchamber would not become a weapon between him and his duchess, ever. And if that meant dressing themselves, so be it. He wanted no other eyes but his on Jocelyn in her present state of undress.

He did not choose to analyze the feeling. He also ignored the yearning to return to the bed and wrap himself around her. He did not possess one of the biggest fortunes in England because he lay abed. He had much to do. His solicitor should be on his way with documents outlining the settlement that would be paid to her father, the sum that he would settle as dowries on his new sisters-in-law, accounts to be opened for Jocelyn at the milliners and modistes, and an amount set for her allowance.

There was no time for idle pleasures.

No matter how much he wanted to return to the unexpected warmth of his new bride’s arms.

Chapter Six

When Jocelyn awoke, she was certain she was in love. The chill in the bedchamber could not daunt her spirits as she untangled her limbs from the linens. The massive drapes were drawn, and the sun poured its rays through the several windows. The panes were closed, but she saw that the fireplace had died to low embers, accounting for the chill in the air.

She felt the most glorious smile lift her lips along with her spirits. Sebastian had been magnificent. She could not fathom why her father told her to be brave, or why Mrs. Winthrop thought anything could be immoral.

But it was true, Jocelyn certainly felt wicked.

The feelings Sebastian roused in her were a surprise, to say the least, but she welcomed them. He was sinfully sensuous, and all hers.

She laughed as she jumped from the bed, ringing the bell for her lady’s maid. She did not have to wait long for Rose, and she bathed and dressed with her assistance. Jocelyn did not want her hair pinned up, but instead she left it uncoiled, brushing against her hips with every sway. She dressed in her very finest yellow muslin morning dress. It was from last season, but it complemented her complexion and the dark luster of her hair.

Curious about the household, she went in search of her husband.

Within a few hours, Jocelyn was sure of two things.

First, she doubted that the glow she’d had when she awoke was love. The feeling had burned away too quickly in her disappointment and anger.

She breakfasted alone in the morning room, having learned that the duke had eaten much earlier and was now ensconced in his library dealing with business matters. She had been undaunted after being warned by the housekeeper, and had entered his private domain without invitation. He had been so cold and remote at her simple query as to how he fared that morning, that she had been completely flummoxed. He had summarily dismissed her, indicating the depth of work he had waiting, and that he would see her for supper.

Supper!

Where had the teasing lover of last night gone? She felt miffed, and more than a little hurt that he had not deigned to speak with her after the wonderful experiences they had shared on their wedding night. Their
wedding night
. If this was an indication of things to come, things were bound to get tumultuous, for she could not accept such coldness after their firestorm of passion.

She paused on the way to the parlor as a shocking thought occurred to her. What if feeling those incredible things was a common occurrence to the duke, nothing to be in awe and amazement over?

She banished the thought, hating the ugly jealousy that griped her at the mere notion. After a tour of the large, stately manor and speaking with Mrs. Otterbsy, the head housekeeper, Jocelyn realized that the estate ran with a grim efficiency that needed little to no input from her. Everything Mrs. Otterbsy presented to her had been in proper order, and she could find no fault.

The second thing Jocelyn realized was that she was completely and utterly bored. The concept so stunned her that for a few minutes she did not know what to do. She was always occupied at full tilt running Stonehaven, so to now be a duchess who sat on a luxurious cushion with her thumbs twiddling and nothing else to do—it would soon drive her mad.

When she could stand it no longer, she had launched into motion, ordering up the carriage.

She now stood in front of her old home.

The door flew open before she had a chance to ring the knocker. “Milady.” Cromwell did not look surprised to see her.

She sailed inside, loving the feeling that swept through her as Emma and William spied her from the parlor. Their shrieks rang joyously in her ears as they tumbled into her arms.

“Come now,” she said, laughing. “Have you turned into little barbarians after only a day?”

“I fear they have, Jocelyn.”

She glanced up at the teasing reply of her sister, Victoria. Only a year separated them, and Victoria was her dearest friend. She could see the concern in her sister’s eyes, and Jocelyn smiled at her in reassurance.

“Where is Papa? I will see him first, then visit with you,” she said, shooing the twins.

Victoria went with her as they strolled toward the library. “Are you truly well?”

Jocelyn glanced up to see her searching her face with her expressive hazel eyes—eyes that reminded her so much of their mama. “Yes, I am truly well.”

There was a slight pause and then her sister asked, “Were you brave?”

The surprised laughter that spilled from Jocelyn had Victoria laughing with her. “Oh, goodness, Vicki.”

“You must tell me, sister dear.” Victoria gulped. “Please do not fear for my delicate sensibilities. I must know what happened.”

“Oh, I fear your sensibilities are in for a treat. It was glorious!”

“Was it wicked and immoral?” The question was spoken in a hushed whisper.

Their gales of laughter were cut short by her father opening the library door. He arched his bushy brows at her. “I see you have suffered no ill effects from your evening trek to Norfolk, my dear.” Her father brushed his lips against her forehead in greeting.

“I will have Mrs. Winthrop bring tea and cake, Papa,” Victoria said. “And I will tell Emily you are here, Jocelyn. She has been ensconced in the schoolroom all morning with some medieval text, completely enraptured.” She hurried away, leaving Jocelyn alone with her father.

Jocelyn groaned as she sank into the library sofa. She turned toward her father, loving that he sat beside her instead of behind his desk.

“I had not expected you to visit so soon.”

She let out a breath. “I was dreadfully bored, with little to do, Papa. The estate is run with frightening efficiency, and I fear I am at a loss with a day of complete leisure.”

The corner of his eyes crinkled as he chuckled. “Your life will doubtless be much different. You must now host balls, soirees, and luncheons. And attend operas and masquerades with His Grace. You have been running this household for a very long time, my girl, ensuring all our needs are met. You must now do so for your own home, albeit in a different way. Victoria and I will manage splendidly in your absence.”

She sighed gustily. “I wanted to see Sebastian this morning, Papa, to discuss the renovation of Stonehaven. But when I left at noon he was
still
secluded in his library, working.”

“No, no. That won’t be necessary.”

“Papa?”

“The Duke‘s solicitor paid me a visit this morning. It is all settled.”

“Oh?”

She shifted to fully face her father. She barely glanced at Victoria when she came in with Mrs. Winthrop and the refreshments. Her father was silent as he waited for the housekeeper to serve them.

Jocelyn tapped her foot impatiently. “What do you mean his solicitor visited this morning?” she burst out after Mrs. Winthrop had departed. “Sebastian did not mention such a thing to me.”

“Sit down, dear,” he said to Victoria. “This interests you, as well.”

Jocelyn bit her lip, glowering at her father. Then she sat stunned as her father told them the details of the solicitor’s visit.

Well
, she thought in astonishment when he was finished. It seemed she must have pleased her husband, after all.

…

“Are you very disappointed that he did not share the financial settlements with you?”

Jocelyn glanced up from a bench in her mama’s favorite garden. Its dark, luxurious beauty dotted with snow had done little to soothe her. She had visited with the twins and Emily, an occasion that had put her unease at bay for a while. But it had flared to life the minute she was alone. She had come outside to clear her head, feeling suffocated under the curious stares of her father and sister.

Her smile was strained. “Not really. I do feel odd that he wouldn’t discuss something so important with me. But I realize I do not know him. He may not have thought it necessary to discuss it with me. I must remember we’ve only been wed for one day.”

Victoria clasped her hand as she sat beside her. “Oh, Jocelyn, I could scarcely believe what Papa was saying. His Grace bestowed one hundred thousand pounds upon Papa for your hand! And Emily, Emma, and I are practically heiresses! Why do you think he provided dowries for us, or allowed Papa to partake in his latest investment scheme?”

Jocelyn was just as mystified. “I do not know. I had planned to speak with him today about restoring Stonehaven. We hardly had time for any discussions yesterday. Everything happened in such a whirlwind.”

“Not even when you returned?”

“Especially then!” Jocelyn giggled at the scandalized gape that Victoria gave her. “I am so grateful to him. I came to him with no dowry but he made such generous settlements. Now I won’t have to worry about any of you. And, Victoria, You can have a wonderful season! And I will be there as Duchess of Calydon to sponsor you into society.”

“What will be the first event you will host, Jocelyn?” her sister asked, gripping Jocelyn’s hands and practically vibrating with excitement.

“At first I thought of a winter ball. But I am unsure where to start planning a grand event like that. Then I realized that Christmas is only four weeks away. I would love for us all to be under one roof as a family. So, I’ve decided I will hold a family dinner.”

Victoria squealed, clapping her hands with glee. “That would be wonderful, to dine at the magnificent Sherring Cross. The twins and Emily will be so excited to have a magnificent Christmas dinner.”

They looked wistfully around the gardens, sharing the same thought—a memory of their last Christmas dinner with their mother. They had never had another since, and it was something they had both always yearned for.

“Oh, Jocelyn,” Victoria breathed. “It will be a beautiful holiday.”

“I believe it will be, sister.” Jocelyn kept smiling through a twinge of unbidden foreboding. “I truly hope it will be.”

…

Jocelyn arrived back at Sherring Cross in time for the evening meal. The journey home had taken a couple of hours, though it had seemed much shorter with the riot of thoughts that had consumed her the whole way home.

She dressed for dinner in her finest evening gown that had a low waist and bared the rounded slopes of her breasts. Rose had done up her hair in an intricate Grecian knot, saying it highlighted the graceful arch of Her Grace’s neck.

Jocelyn was gratified to see the glitter in Sebastian’s eyes as they sat down to dine. Pigeon soup, roasted duck in butter almond sauce, and wild rice with leeks was the first course.

They ate in silence for a few minutes before she spoke. “I visited my father today.”

“Mrs. Otterbsy informed me of your journey.” He arched a brow in question, and Jocelyn plowed ahead.

“He told me of the settlements you bestowed, and I wanted to thank you.”

Sebastian waved it off. “It is my duty to see to my family’s welfare.”

She stared at him uneasily, and cut into the pigeon. She chewed slowly, watching him as he watched her. A tingle unfurled inside her. From the intensity of his stare, she knew exactly what he was thinking about. A blush heated her cheeks, and she reached for her glass of wine.

“Why did you not discuss with me your decisions?” she asked.

He lowered his fork and regarded her. “It did not concern you.”

“Of course it did. It was about me and my family.”

“I will make a note of that for future reference,” he said coolly.

His tone rang of finality, and she glared at him, stabbing the pigeon with her fork.

“I have sent in an announcement to the papers that we are wed. You can expect droves of callers, and even more invitations. Accept or reject them as you will. Oh, and a modiste from London will be visiting to outfit you with the latest fashions.”

Her back went ramrod straight. “Indeed? I would appreciate that you at least include me in decisions that involve me directly, Sebastian.”

“Do you object to the modiste’s visit, or the announcement of our marriage?”

“No, of course not.” she all but growled at him.

“Then I fail to understand your pique.” He seemed genuinely puzzled.

The man was maddening! “It’s what a married couple does,” she said frostily. “They communicate, and learn to share, and make decisions together.”

“I see.” He lowered his fork completely. “You have been married before, to come by your knowledge?”

She took a sip of her wine, holding his gaze steadily. “No, I have not been married before. Nor have you. But I feel that to be happy and form a genuine attachment with mutual respect for one another, we must learn to speak openly. It is in the same spirit as your belief that we should have no closed doors between our bedchambers.”

The smile that formed on his lips could have been one of admiration, but she was not completely sure.

“I concede, then. I will strive to be more open with you.”

She cleared her throat. “And I
also
believe that we should endeavor to be in each other’s company for at least one hour every day.”

He leaned back in the elegantly carved dining chair. “I am confident you will expound on that with little prodding from me.”

She inhaled deeply. “Our first night together was incredible.” Heat suffused her face, but she refused to break eye contact. “It’s something I will always remember. But then today, you shut yourself away from me without a word, even pushing me out when I came to say good morning. I found your behavior baffling and hurtful.”

His jaw worked. “I see.”

She feared if she stopped now she would never get it all out, and her marriage would be doomed, so she plunged on. “It will not do for us to ignore each other during the day, each busy with some task or other, then fall into pleasure at night. Our marriage would not be based on anything of real substance, don’t you agree? I think an hour is not too much to ask of you.”

His gaze was completely shuttered by the time she finished. The seconds stretched out so long in such total silence that she worried she had made a dreadful mistake.

Her breath eased out in relief when he lifted his wineglass to her with a smile on his lips. “Come here Jocelyn.”