Chapter 4

Anne

My outer skirt was undone. Edward buried himself between my legs, his tongue replacing his fingers.

The hot, wet licks were precise and firm. Soon the slick sounds became unmistakable.

I clutched the sheets, my hips lifting beyond my control.

"Edward, come inside. Please."

When he finally thrust into me, my inner walls clenched around him immediately.

His movements were unhurried, yet each stroke drove deep and hard. He buried himself to the hilt before withdrawing slowly, grinding repeatedly against that most sensitive spot.

I buried my face in the crook of his neck, fingers digging into his back. All I could manage were broken gasps:

"God, it's too deep..."

"I know." His breathing roughened as he quickened his pace, pounding harder and faster. "You're so tight—do you want it that badly?"

Right at the height of passion, the mounted deer head on the wall crashed to the floor with a loud clang.

Edward immediately shielded me in his arms.

After confirming it was just loose décor, I distinctly felt him go soft inside me.

"Edward?"

He snapped back to himself but withdrew from my body.

"I'll carry you to the bath."

The sudden emptiness left me hollow. The satisfaction of being filled hadn't fully faded, replaced now by an inexplicable sense of loss.

Since our marriage, he'd nearly always exhausted me thoroughly. He'd never stopped halfway like this.

I'd just surrendered all my tension and unease to him, only to be left suspended in the middle.

I wanted to ask what was wrong, but the words died on my lips.

That momentary daze in his eyes—it was as if something terrifying had interrupted him.

I looked at the deer head on the floor. Was it really just that thing?

But I loved him.

Since he'd already lost interest, pressing him further would only make this awkwardness more unbearable.

He carried me to the bath and cleaned me carefully, wiping away every trace with the same gentleness as always.

We returned to bed.

I turned onto my side and pressed my face against his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.

The desire from earlier had receded, leaving only fatigue and an unspoken regret.

But his arm still held me. His warmth was real and familiar.

At least in this moment, he was still beside me.

That was enough.

I closed my eyes and soon fell into a deep sleep.

When I opened them again, the sky outside had turned deep blue.

"Anne, time to wake up."

Edward gently roused me.

A maid brought in a pale green satin dress trimmed with pearls at the neckline, with no rigid boning at the waist.

I asked him, "Can't I wear the one from this afternoon?"

"This one's more comfortable. You can eat as much as you like without losing your breath."

Edward took the sash from the maid and tied it for me himself.

He was always so thoughtful and tender.

The banquet hall's long table was longer than my entire kitchen back home.

Edward and I were seated on opposite sides, separated by silver candelabras. We could barely see each other.

Seated beside me was Elizabeth, dressed in a cream-colored gown with a sapphire brooch at her chest.

She was the only daughter of Edward's aunt, Lady Bronte, and her father was Deputy Commander of the Royal Horse Guards.

Elizabeth gave me only the slightest nod before ignoring me completely.

When I accidentally brushed her sleeve, she immediately pulled her hand away.

I'd just bathed, for heaven's sake. Honestly, I thought these noble ladies had worse manners than us country folk.

Once everyone was seated, William raised his glass.

"Thank you all for coming, and welcome to Miss Hill as our guest at Merton Manor."

"No, Uncle." Edward shot to his feet. "She is my wife. You should not call her Miss Hill."

The room fell silent. Everyone stared at him in surprise.

William's expression remained unchanged as he set down his glass. "Sit down first, Edward."

Edward's cheeks flushed. He looked at me across the long table with apology in his eyes.

I shook my head at him.

I knew every impulsive outburst of his was meant to defend me.

But I still mouthed for him to sit, because this kind of behavior might only backfire.

He sat reluctantly and drained his glass in one gulp.

Servants began bringing out course after course: cream of mushroom soup, roasted trout, lamb chops, braised beef, and poultry I couldn't name.

Silver platters arrived one after another. You could ask for seconds of anything.

Even the wine was far better than what my father drank.

Since my feelings were already hurt, I saw no reason to deny my stomach. I began eating heartily.

Lady Percy glanced at the third lamb chop on my plate. "Does Miss Hill have a particular fondness for meat?"

I quickly swallowed. "Back home, you need to eat your fill to have the strength to work. Though we don't get meat every day."

A servant behind me let out a laugh, then quickly disguised it with a cough.

I'd only told the truth. What was so funny about that?

Lady Percy dabbed the corner of her mouth with her napkin.

"I forgot—you come from the country. Don't worry, this is the Duke's manor. There are lamb chops every day. If you like, we can slaughter a whole sheep and send it to your room."

How generous. She must have been trying to be kind.

I knew they'd gradually warm to me.

So I answered sincerely:

"I couldn't eat a whole sheep. I'll share half with you."

As soon as the words left my mouth, several ladies nearby had their shoulders shaking.

Lady Percy's smile froze on her face. She turned away and stopped acknowledging me.

Just then, the desserts were cleared and William rose with his glass.

"To Her Majesty the Queen's good health."

Everyone stood. I hurried to raise my glass, only to find it empty. I pretended to take a sip anyway.

When I looked up, William was watching me.

I immediately set the glass down, unsure if he'd noticed.

After we sat again, William said something to a servant.

Shortly after, a maid came behind me and refilled my glass.

Then William raised his glass again.

"To all the ladies present this evening."

Afraid of falling behind, I immediately grabbed my glass and stood, my skirt knocking over my chair.

When I looked up, I realized only the gentlemen had risen this time.

The laughter around me could no longer be suppressed.

A servant righted my chair. I sat back down, face burning.

After the banquet, the women followed the Dowager Countess to the drawing room.

Elizabeth seated herself at the piano and played music even more beautiful than what I'd heard in church.

But the alcohol was making me dizzy. I was afraid of embarrassing myself again like earlier.

I draped my arm over the chair back and pretended to fall asleep.

"Miss Hill, let me escort you back to your room to rest."

Before long, a maid woke me.

The ladies were all chatting and laughing. No one paid me any mind. I followed her out.

I'd heard Merton Manor had over three hundred rooms. The corridors seemed endless.

Midway, another maid suddenly ran up and stopped my guide.

"Forgive me, Miss Hill, but we have an urgent matter. Can you find your way back on your own?"

She looked ready to cry. I had no choice but to nod reluctantly.

"Go ahead. I know the way."

They thanked me profusely and hurried off.

I continued forward and counted to the third door.

Sure enough, it had a golden lion carved on it. But looking more carefully, all the nearby doors seemed similar.

Not far away stood a suit of knight's armor, gripping a longsword with its visor lowered, as if watching me from the darkness.

A bit unsettling, but I remembered it.

This had to be Edward's room.

I pushed open the door. No lamps were lit inside, but the fireplace blazed brightly.

The carpet seemed darker than I remembered, but I supposed everything looked different at night.

I removed my outer dress and climbed into bed.

The pillow carried a lingering scent of cologne with a rich, wine-like depth.

This didn't smell quite like the fragrance Edward had worn today. Where had I encountered it before?

We'd only just arrived at Merton Manor. Perhaps he simply hadn't slept in this bed for too long.

The wine's effects surged through me. I didn't have the energy to think it through. I pulled up the covers and drifted off.

I didn't know how much time had passed when someone whispered in my ear.

"Anne."

His cold fingers touched my neck, tracing slowly along where my pulse beat.

"Anne, you shouldn't have come here."

My body felt feverish. That cold hand was almost soothing by contrast.

I turned my face, nuzzling my neck into his palm.

Cool breath coiled around my ear, and then someone kissed the side of my neck.

I was too drowsy to open my eyes. All I could do was clutch at the fabric on his chest.

"Stop teasing, Edward."

But the moment that name left my lips, the kiss abruptly stopped.