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Chapter One

1757, England

Dara dressed herself in the nightgown of a virgin bride As she pulled the white shift down over her head, she succu The cotton slip had a slight opening at the front that exposed her inner thighs, and the very nature of the garment instilled within her both a modicum of dread and a slither of excite one way or the other without warning However, regardless of her state of nerves, she was resigned to her duty as a neife It would not do to harbour doubts on the first night Her maid helped her onto the bed, where Dara sank into the luxurious mattress with its thick layers of feathers

“Best lie still and wait, milady He’ll come presently If he’s ready,” the maid added, then blushed

Why would Dara’s husband not be ready to acco day? Dara’s lie was exactly why she needed him to dispel her fears and visit her rooht overcome her lack of experience and build upon her innate desire to please her husband, abride would not be inquisitive?

“Off with you, then” She waved away the girl

She waited until the h She yawned, tapped her fingers on her generous bosoh stricken by anxieties, she preferred to have the rew tiresohed some more, this time with frustration, and a sht up with her and eventually, she fell asleep When she woke, it was to the sound of the drapes being shaken out and aopened Birdsong heralded the

“Lovely spring day, ht over in a flash

“His lordship?” Dara asked, astounded by his night-long absence Had he crept in, found her asleep, and removed hiative to conquer her concerns and show her his passionate nature, which she believed lay beneath his sombre features? She’d read the romantic poetries, her only source of education on such matters

“Gone riding It’s past nine He likes to break his fast early So should you if you want to see your husband” The girl grinned and hurried over with a basin of water

Dara sighed She wasn’t sure if they were husband and wife, but the pastor had said they were and made no mention of the necessity of a bedroom visit She washed her face, took the clothes handed to her, and dressed ht around her waist She needed to try harder to attract his attention, if that as amiss

In the afternoon, he hunted She watched for his return using the drawing rooamekeeper, who carried the brace of pheasants and a musket, and disrey-flecked hair hipped to one side, probably due to the blustery wind She had not decided on his degree of handsoiven his features a slightly saggy appearance around his jowls, but only slight The warmth she felt toward hiant lifestyle, so that was pointed out numerous times by her sisters He tossed the reins to the stable hand and walked into the house Dara hurried to greet him in the marble-clad entrance hall

“Husband,” she said pointedly

“Milady,” he said, nearly colliding with her “There is no need to wait forevery day” He slumped into an armchair by the fireplace

She lingered as a footman pulled off the filthy boots and pressed two slippers onto his feet