When I return to my room, in the afternoon, I find the Duke sitting on my sofa and leisurely drinking tea.

«What are you doing here?» I utter, surprised. Who let the Duke in?

Well, it's a stupid question. Who wouldn't let the Duke in, other than me?

«I'm waiting for my Duchess. We haven't slept together in a while...»

«It's early, you're supposed to visit me in two days,» I comment, walking towards the dressing table. The maids start to untie the laces and free me from this heavy dress. When the corset is removed, I take a deep breath. Finally!

«We agreed on once a week, my dear. Not every seven days.»

True, but back then I thought he didn't like me. And I was busy thinking of a way to save my neck and creating a social life. It turns out that marriage partners don't share the bed that often, here in the Empire. It usually happens once a month, and that time is perfect for the small tricks Duchess Prim told me about.

In a week there is not enough time to let my husband suffer the wait, because he's not going to wait! Just when it should start to get interesting, he comes here and pretends to have this Duchess at his command!

«I'd like to take a bath,» I start, and the Duke smiles assuringly.

«Sure, why not?»

«I don't like being watched...»

«I won't look at you, my Duchess,» he says while walking to me. He grabs my hands and kisses my fingers tenderly.

The maids are now all blushing and secretly staring at us. I hate being at the centre of this kind of attention, so I grimace and glare at the Duke.

«Can I have some time alone with my wife?» he asks, not moving his eyes from me. «Just bring hot water and leave this room.»

Not to mention, all the maids leave, except for a pair that will prepare my bath.

I don't know how they manage to finish so early, probably because they had the water ready. I end up alone with my husband after a few minutes.

Seeing that I don't move a muscle, the Duke tilts his head, confused.

«Aren't you going to take your bath?» he asks, mischievously.

«The water is still too hot. I'll first remove makeup.»

I sit in front of the mirror and clean my face with a warm towel.

«Do you need my help, perhaps?» he continues, leaning his hands on my shoulders. «I can rub your back for you, my Duchess...»

Oh, so the Duchess's tricks are already working! Now I have to be cold, or I'll ruin all this hard work.

«Fine,» I say, looking at him through the mirror.

He smiles content, so sure that he's won this time. Oh, how nice it is, to be the one at an advantage, for once.

«But don't use too much strength,» I moan, pouting my lips. «I'm too delicate for someone as mighty as my Duke.»

He winces, probably understanding that I'm teasing him. I have to be less evident, it seems.

«You haven't complained about my strength before,» he notices. «Why is now a bother for my Duchess?»

I can't help but blush at his naughty words. Where did he find the face to say something like this?

«But I will pay more attention,» he says and walks back to the sofa. He sits down and returns to read a small booklet. I can't tell the title from here, but it must be something simple if he can focus on it so fast.

When I sink in the bath, he leaves me some time to relax in the hot liquid.

He walks back to me only when the water is warming down.

I pass him the sponge, dumbfounded. I didn't think he would really help me. I thought he was joking.

When he starts to rub my back, his touch is delicate. It feels nice and all, but I'm trying to wash. He's not cleaning away the dirt like this!

«Can you press a bit more?» I ask, with the lowest voice I can summon. He's doing it on purpose, I'm sure of it!

«Does my Duchess like a rougher touch, then?»

«You're not doing anything like this!» I complain and seize the sponge from his hand. «I'll wash on my own if you don't intend to be of help!»

The Duke chuckles and takes the sponge back.

«All right, all right,» he utters, starting to properly rub my back.

When he's done with my shoulders, his hand disappears under the water.

«I can do by myself from here,» I whisper, but the Duke doesn't listen for a change.

When he passes the sponge on a sensitive spot, he uses slightly more strength, and I sigh. I lose all my determination to complain, and the Duke immediately senses it. He leans his chin on my shoulder and passes the sponge on my right arm.

I don't know why, but I let him do.

When I turn my head towards him, he lifts his gaze and looks at me with a charming smile. He moves closer to my face and licks my lower lip slowly. Since I don't back away, he kisses me. His arms surround me, and I lean on his.

When we split, I gaze at the Duke, inebriated. My breath is short, and my heart is pounding in my chest. It's so noisy that I'm sure the Duke can hear it.

«Finish your bath, the water is getting cold,» he says.

I wake up from my daze, and I cover myself with my arms. I slip down in the water, letting the foam cover my body.

The Duke doesn't want to walk away, so I close my eyes and hide under the water. I count to ten before emerging.

My husband is on the sofa, supposedly paying no attention to me. I take the opportunity to get out and dry myself in a hurry. I wear the nightgown and sit on my armchair next to the fire. I start rubbing my hair, thinking of a way not to fall prey to the Duke once again.