Jessica Robinson
Stories
9
Chapters
2,697
Words
1.2 M
Comments
0
Reading
4 d, 6 h
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?My Duchess is beautiful,? my Duke begins, but a single glare from me is enough to make him understand. He starts changing clothes while I pretend not to be affected by the easy way he undresses in front of me. I look around uninterested, and I launch a secret glance or two. Just a few times, though. ?All the local lords will be present,? he mutters while fastening the buttons of the shirt. ?They're all curious to meet the Lady.? ?Thank you for reminding me how important this is,? I reply.…-
272 •
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WARNING: smut content (kind of) ?Thea!? the Duke warns me, while his clench tightens, and his pupils contract. It's a small change. If I was a millimetre farther, this little difference would have passed unnoticed, in his black iris. ?What?? I ask, wondering if he's raging or the opposite. ?You can't say things like that. Do you know how it sounds?? It's like he's teaching a small child how to behave. It's frustrating, and also so anticlimactic. I thought he would be happy to hear the words…
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272 •
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?What's the matter, now?? the Duke chuckles. He's clearly amused by my incoherent sighs. I just asked him to stop, yet I'm still melting in his embrace. ?Just wait a few days, all right?? I voice, finally finding enough clearness of mind to say a few words. ?For what? Am I not allowed to kiss my wife?? ?That's not it,? I mutter. The problem is that this Duchess wants more, yet she can't have it right now. It's not my Duke's lust, the issue. Not this time. ?We should eat,? he affirms, seeing…
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272 •
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The preparations for the ball go on a bit too smoothly. I thought it would at least be a challenge. However, with lady Lyana's help, I succeed in filling a list of things to do. Then, the rest is just assigning the tasks around and, earlier than thought, everything is done. It's not ready yet, of course, but the most part of my job is done. It hasn't been too easy, after all. There are so many choices to make. And also, I'm not sure Alexander will be satisfied with my sense of aesthetics. We have…
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272 •
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At lunchtime, I barely manage to walk to the main hall. I mean, it's so far! After eating, I should just lie down and sleep for a couple of hours. I can't walk around like yesterday, unfortunately. My muscles won't let me. ?What is on my Duchess's mind?? Alexander asks, noticing that I've stared at the plate in silence for the whole time. ?I was thinking about organising a ball, or something like that. It's time to introduce me to your people, my Duke.? ?I agree,? he sighs. ?It's about time.…
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272 •
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I wake up alone in bed, which is actually a new situation. Alexander has already got up, and he is getting ready by the wardrobe. ?Where are you going so early?? I inquire while moving on his side of the bed. The sheets are hardly warm, but his part of the mattress is oddly more comfortable than mine. As well as his pillow. I'll exchange our cushions when he's not around to notice. ?It's not early, wife,? he comments while stepping in my direction. ?It's half past eight.? ?What?? I turn to…
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272 •
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I play the following three hands like a professional, even though I don't get too much of a reward from it. My Duke doesn't raise the stakes, so he takes off a single piece of clothes at a time. Even if he wanted, he can't raise stakes. I only have a chemise on. At least, I'm lucky with cards. When the fourth game starts, I realise that playing with a light, relatively short gown is like playing naked. I can feel Alexander's stare, even if he tries to avoid gazing for too long. Still, it's…
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272 •
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My eyes follow the Duke's fingers as he unfastens one button at a time. I didn't think he would concede so easy. Is he doing it so I can't back down later when my turn to undress comes? However, even though I'm not the one undressing, my cheeks are burning. Alexander is focused on his gestures with his head bowed, and his fingers are unbearably slow. And he's just working on the waistcoat! Which state will this Duchess be in once he takes off his shirt? Oh, wait, wait... Don't get distracted…
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272 •
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Lady Lyana seems nice. I mean: of course, she is. Alexander chose her! However, she talks with ease to me. Sometimes I answer shortly to her questions, but she isn't demotivated by that. I don't know myself how it happens, but we soon start to communicate. Lady Lyana is skilled in many areas ladies like to brag about, and she promises to teach me about embroidery and music. We pass the day in her apartment, lazying next to the fire. We walk to the main hall for lunch and find Alexander and…
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272 •
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In the end, I convince Alexander to go to sleep. He's been in bed for the whole day, but I am tired. And also, I don't want his condition to worsen just because of some card game. Morning is closer than what it looks, according to the clock. Outside, it's dark and silent, though. I lie down next to my husband and close my eyes, trying to sleep for at least a few hours. I had to promise that we would play, one of these evenings. This stubborn Duke wouldn't have let me go if I didn't pronounce the…
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272 •
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