The Duke and the Wallflower

by Clever, Jessie

  She pointed to the water. “In there? But it’s so cold. My dress will be utterly ruined.”

  He leaned in, nuzzling the part of her neck left exposed at the edge of her bonnet before sliding his lips up to her ear to whisper, “But you won’t be wearing your dress.”

  Chapter 11

  There was absolutely no way she was getting into that water without her clothes on. It was utterly freezing for one, but more, she would not undress in outdoors as they were.

  She backed away from her husband’s teasing lips, but when she saw his face, she realized he was serious.

  “You really swim naked?”

  He gave a firm nod. “Have since I was a boy.”

  “But it’s so cold and…wet.”

  He stood, brushing the sand from his trousers.

  “You’ll get used to the cold, and there isn’t a better day than this to give it your first try.” He shielded his eyes from the sun as he looked up. “The sun will dry you once we’re finished.”

  Without another word, he tugged his shirt over his head. Her lips parted, and she drank in the sight of him shirtless, the sun gleaming off his taut muscles.

  For a bewildering moment, she couldn’t for the life of her think how she’d gotten here. A confirmed wallflower of the most superb quality, she was now sitting on a beach in Sussex staring at her ducal husband’s bare chest. What a magnificent chest it was if she were honest. And yet, she was still sore from their lovemaking the previous night. This was not at all how she’d envisioned her summer unfolding, but she was not disappointed.

  Until she peered at the water again.

  “You really go in unclothed?” She scanned the cove around them. “And you’re not concerned someone might see you?”

  He peered at the top of the cliffs that cocooned them.

  “There isn’t another house for several kilometers on either side of us.” His fingers went to the buttons of his trousers. “We are in greater danger of having our toes nibbled by those sea monsters of yours than we are of being seen by another human.”

  She envied how carefree he was with his body, his fingers undoing the buttons with careless precision. He stopped before he shucked them and motioned her to stand.

  “Let me help you with your dress.”

  He pulled her to her feet and undid the buttons along her back with much the same carelessness with which he’d done his own. He gave her his arm to step free of the dress, corset, and petticoats, but he took pity on her and allowed her to keep her chemise and drawers. The wind was startlingly warm against her calves and her arms, and she shivered.

  “Cold already?” His voice held a note of concern.

  She shook her head. “No, it isn’t that.” She studied her bare arms, the way the flesh prickled at the sensation of the wind. “I’ve never felt the wind like this. On quite so much of me, I mean.”

  He touched her cheek, and she started, still not used to him touching her so unexpectedly.

  “Can you see without your spectacles? I should hate to see them lost in the ocean if a wave catches you unawares.”

  She took them off and handed them with her bonnet to him. He studied her head strangely for a moment. He seemed to realize he’d been caught and looked away with a satisfied smile as he bent to place her things next to their pile of shed clothes. She patted her head lightly to see if something were amiss.

  When he straightened, he shed his trousers, and she forgot entirely about how he’d stared at her head.

  He caught her hand and pulled her to the water before she had adjusted to his nakedness. Even though she had already seen him undressed, it was a shock to see him in the clarity of daylight.

  They reached the water, and the cold distracted her. When she thought they would stop, he pulled her farther, her feet digging into the sandy bottom to push against the oncoming waves. Finally, when he was about waist deep in the water, he stopped, pulling her in front of him.

  The water had soaked her drawers, and she knew they would do her little good when she emerged as they were surely transparent. She pressed her hand to her bosom, but it would do no good. The water lapped at her frame, and soon she knew her small breasts would be visible as well.

  “The first thing you must learn is how to let the water carry you.”

  “Carry me?” She looked up sharply. “Wouldn’t I sink?”

  “You can but not if you learn how to float.” He skimmed his hand along the surface of the water. “Just as a ship will float along the surface of the ocean, so too can your body. You only need to learn how to displace the water to give you buoyancy.”

  He sank into the water until he had both of his arms locked around her torso, and they were nearly face to face.

  She frowned. “I hardly think this is necessary.”

  He stole a quick kiss before tipping her backwards. “I assure you I am being the most proper tutor.”

  She doubted that very much, but as she pitched backward, her feet slipped from the sandy bottom, and she caught his shoulders to keep from falling.

  “Are you certain I shan’t sink?”

  “I promise I’ve got you.”

  Her stomach clenched at his words, and she forced herself to focus. That wasn’t what he’d meant. He was simply addressing the physics of their current situation. Still, her heart beat a little faster knowing he wouldn’t let her sink.

  When she was fully on her back, she kicked to keep her feet under her, but he stilled her with a hand to her abdomen.

  “Let your feet float up so you’re lying on the water.”

  “Are you mad? I certainly will sink then.”

  His smile wobbled with laughter.

  “You will not sink. I told you I will not allow it. Just let your feet float up.”

  She did as he bid, which was a great deal easier than fighting the natural instinct to keep her feet down, and soon she was lying completely still on the surface of the water, her husband’s arms securely around her torso, holding her up. She feared she may be too heavy for him, a burden to hold so exquisitely, but he didn’t seem to mind. And furthermore, she couldn’t help but sense the lightness that surrounded her.

  He shifted, slipping one hand from underneath her. She panicked, her hands flapping against him to gain a hold. He laughed softly and calmed her fluttering with his free hand.

  “Let the water take you.”

  The words didn’t make sense to her, but he spoke them earnestly. She found she rather liked the way his voice calmed her, and she focused on his face, the sun flaring out around him as if he were an angelic creature.

  He shifted, sinking into the water beside her almost as if he intended to float beside her. His one hand still pressed firmly to her back, and the panic did not return. Now, however, she found herself focusing on his words.

  “Why should I let the water take me?”

  It seemed like an unwise notion. Wouldn’t she drown?

  “The thing about swimming is to learn how to move with the water and not fight it.” He turned and indeed, he did float up beside her.

  She turned her head to keep him in focus, but the move only served to bring saltwater into her mouth and nose. She coughed and righted herself with a gentle pressure to her back from his hand.

  “Move with the water?”

  “Those sea monsters you’ve conjured? Have you ever wondered how they may make their way through the ocean? It’s rather beautiful actually. The way they part the water to allow themselves to become a part of it.”

  “Become a part of the water?”

  “Precisely.”

  She’d been so focused on his words she didn’t realize he’d removed his other hand until it was far too late. But when she did realize his hand no longer held her up, she panicked, fluttering in the water, and just as she anticipated, she sank like a stone.

  Water rushed into her nose and mouth, and on instinct, she swallowed and gagged. The entire ordeal lasted less than five seconds, but it might as well have been
a lifetime. Dax plucked her from the water as if it were nothing at all and vaguely she understood his murmured words, and she obeyed, putting her feet down to find the bottom and stand surely on her feet.

  His hands wiped madly at her face, pushing away the last rivulets of ocean water, and she reached, grabbing his wrists to still his hands.

  She blinked against the water until she could open her eyes properly and grin at him.

  “That was absolutely glorious. May we try it again?”

  His face had been tight with concern when she’d first opened her eyes, but at her words, his expression relaxed.

  “You want to try it again?”

  She nodded, droplets of water flying from her sodden hair.

  “Oh, but I must. I had no inkling that one could float atop the water. It’s absolutely breathtaking. Please. I promise to do better this time.”

  She wasn’t sure how one’s capabilities in terms of floating were judged, so she couldn’t accurately determine how she had done. She could only presume that sinking and sucking in saltwater were two things one must not do when attempting to float. However, it had been her first time. The fact that she had achieved the endeavor at all should speak in her favor.

  She poured all of her earnestness into her gaze, hoping Dax would take pity on her. It was almost certain he had other matters to attend to. Hadn’t he said his steward had already come to speak to him about the matter of livestock on the estate? It was rather selfish of her to consume so much of his time.

  Something passed over his eyes as he peered down at her, and for a moment, she thought he’d refuse her. Her stomach stilled at the thought, but quiet resolution overtook her. What else could she expect? She was being rather demanding of his attention. He’d spent all of the previous night with her as well.

  She released his wrists and tried to take a step back, but the sand caved under her feet, and she faltered. Only Dax’s steady hands on her shoulders kept her upright.

  “I’m so sorry. You must have other matters demanding your attention. I shouldn’t have pushed so hard.” She plastered on a smile. “Thank you so very much for bringing me down to the shore this morning. Henry and I both enjoyed it quite a lot.”

  A line appeared between his eyebrows as he said, “But can’t you see you’re the most important thing demanding my attention?”

  Her chest squeezed at his words, and breath fled from her lungs. She had so much more to say in apology, but the air had left her.

  It needn’t have mattered because he kissed her.

  Blast the man. He kept taking her unawares, which was something far too dangerous for her delicate confidence.

  Just when she was certain she’d upset him, he did something to prove her utterly in the wrong.

  This kiss was different than their other kisses, and she leaned into him, hoping to discover what it was. While she had tasted desire and want on his lips before, she hadn’t tasted this. There was something giddy in the pressure he applied, happy in the tilt of his head.

  When he broke apart on a laugh, she realized with a jolt she’d done something to amuse him.

  She studied his jubilant expression. “What is it?”

  He shook his head. “I believe I can safely say I’ve never met a woman quite like you before, Eliza.”

  She stilled at his statement, doubt rushing through her. “Is that a good or a bad thing?”

  He kissed her again, softly this time, and now she tasted the longing she was coming to find he kept hidden away, as if he were afraid someone would find it. And as he pulled away, she knew it was Dax himself he was most afraid would discover the longing he tried so hard to keep tapped down. Her heart squeezed at the thought. She had been so worried he couldn’t love her, she hadn’t thought Dax couldn’t love at all after what had happened.

  “It is most certainly a good thing.” He leaned back, adjusting his hold on her so she could drop back once more into the water. “Are you ready to try this again?”

  She wanted to say something else. He’d told her so much earlier on the beach when she’d inadvertently plowed into his past. Perhaps if she could get him to talk of it, she could chase the shadows away from his eyes.

  But she hadn’t seen him this happy since she’d met him, and she wasn’t about to shatter his happiness. Not now.

  She let him lay her back on the water, its salty arms holding her up as somewhere in the distance Henry barked, happily snapping at the cresting waves.

  * * *

  Rain decided to make its appearance on their second day in Glenhaven, which meant Dax had the unfortunate circumstance of being trapped inside with his own thoughts.

  The thought which plagued him the most was how true it was that Eliza should be the most important thing to him just then.

  After their swimming lesson, they’d returned to the manor house for dry clothes and to take luncheon before he took her with him on his inspection of the estate. He learned she sat a horse well, and Henry had no problems keeping up, his long collie legs driving him ever faster than they’d let their horses go.

  They met Sheridan at the cattle barns, and he wasn’t sure who was more impressed with the size of the beef stock, Henry or Eliza. Both peered rapturously over the stockades.

  When he finally went to collect her to bring her to the next paddock, he found her sitting atop the stockade fence, her riding habit giving her enough leverage to make it atop apparently.

  She gazed down at him. “They’re utterly beautiful.”

  It took him a moment to realize she did not speak of herself. He took advantage of the positioning to help her down, not for a single moment feeling shame at stealing yet another opportunity to touch his new wife.

  He even managed to steal a kiss or two throughout the day.

  Her favorite of all the animals turned out to be the pigs, which had surprised him.

  “I took you for a sheep person,” he noted.

  She eyed him scandalously with a pained look in Henry’s direction. Henry whined and ducked his head into Eliza’s skirts.

  “I stand corrected.” He straightened his jacket and ensured they did not pass the sheep pens.

  As promised, he came to her rooms after the household had gone to bed, and he found the awkwardness he had encountered when he’d first arrived the previous night had fled. She sat at her dressing table, brushing out her riotous hair instead of cowering beneath the bed clothes. Henry no longer required a morsel to allow him audience with Eliza, but Dax brought one anyway. The dog had earned it after his rigorous efforts of the day.

  While he enjoyed every moment of making love to his wife, he could not ignore the warmth of contentment that blanketed him when he held her in his arms afterward. She fell asleep with her head on his shoulder, and he lay awake for some time afterward, staring into the darkness and wondering how he’d let himself get in this situation.

  He welcomed a day of distraction in the village, but when he awoke to the sound of rain beating against the windows, he knew it would not be wise.

  While a typical bout of rain in London would do little more than dampen the hem of a lady’s skirts, it was not so along the coast. Rains such as this whipped up in a frenzy when they struck the obstacle of the shore. Winds gusted, bringing with them all the refuse they could collect on their tumultuous journey up over the cliffs. The rain slashed at an angle, driving beneath greatcoats and umbrellas.

  No, it would never do to introduce his bride to the village in this.

  Although he should not have been surprised how captivating she found the sea storm. She rushed from the bed only moments after waking, pulling one of the blankets with her to cover her naked body as she thrust back the drapes and breathed in the sight of the angered ocean. He thought she would only study it for a moment and return to bed, disappointed in the sight, but instead, she’d curled up on the window seat, her hands pressed to the glass like a child.

  He’d gone to her, settling on the seat behind her so he could pull her in
to his arms and let her rest against his chest. They’d sat that way until Henry had finally stirred, demanding attention for his needs.

  He had taken Henry down to the gardens to allow Eliza time to bath and dress, and the domesticity of it threatened to suffocate him.

  He stood just inside the opened doors of his study, watching Henry investigate the shrubs he had so enthusiastically discovered just the day before as if they were entirely new to him.

  Dax had vowed not to enter into a situation that would threaten his heart so, but here he was, watching his wife’s dog through the pouring rain and knowing he would run after the dog in the utter downpour should he so much as whine of an ailment or danger.

  He scrubbed a hand over his face. Sebastian had been right. That was becoming clearer now.

  Henry dove into what must have been a promising bush with a yelp of excitement.

  Would it be so bad if he did let himself love her?

  The thought had him straightening, his hands dropping to his sides.

  It was a dangerous thought, one that had his guard going up, but at the same time, a quiet voice assured him it was safe to at least think it over.

  Eliza was not Bethany.

  If he knew anything of a person, it was that how one treated animals was a true reflection of a person’s quality, and as Henry erupted from a different bush than the one he’d entered, Dax knew Eliza’s soul was pure and true.

  But could he trust her?

  Could he ever trust again?

  Henry splashed his way back inside, seemingly done with the wetness of the day and trotted over to the carpet where he promptly rolled as if to get the rain off of his coat.

  “I’m afraid it will do no good, mate.” Dax gestured to the door. “Best to find comfort in front of a fire on a day like this. What say we break our fast?”

  Mrs. Donnelly had had a fire lit in the breakfast room as he’d suspected, and Henry found his way over to it, collapsing in a huff of air as if he’d not just slept the better part of twelve hours.

  He’d just filled a plate with eggs when Eliza appeared in the doorway, turned out in another hideous gown that did nothing for her figure. Even as a man he could see that. He wondered what modiste she frequented in London and vowed to go with her the next she went to acquire something more appropriate for her.