WARNING: smut content.

The woman is skinny. Her face is solemn, and her hair is tied up in a stern bun. All about her speaks of order and discipline.

She analyses me from tip to toe, and I stare back at her coldly.

I don't know who she is, so I have no clue if I have to be the first to greet her. However, I'm the Lady of this place. It's unlikely that there is anyone higher than me, except for Alexander.

«Countess,» the maid at my side exclaims and bows. Oh, so it's a countess.

She looks at her briefly and then returns to me.

«Is this your new Lady?» the woman inquires.

She's older than me, so I can accept that she doesn't greet me properly. However, I need a very valid reason for her to treat me this harshly.

«Where is Xander?»

Xander? Is he part of my Duke's family? He told me he didn't have any other relative aside for the Princess! Did he lie to make me feel less disoriented?

«I guess he didn't tell you about my existence,» she sighs. «My name is Anna de Ruis. I'm the late Archduchess' mother.»

Late Archduchess... Is she talking about the Duke's or the Princess's mother, though? There were two archduchesses, right?

«It's a pleasure to meet you, Countess de Ruis,» I say while fixing the shawl on my shoulders. «I guess you'd like to talk with my husband, but he's currently sleeping. We shouldn't wake him up. After all, it was a long journey.»

The old woman scoffs annoyed.

«As if a few days in a carriage can exhaust that silly brat.»

I blink, surprised by her words.

«Also, how come you're not exhausted as well, Lady Kyre?» she continues. It's not that I'm not tired. I'm so used to getting up early that I woke up no matter the circumstances. And also, it was almost midday, then.

Now that I think about it, Alexander is sleeping very long, this time.

Lunchtime passed. I thought that hunger was what made my Duke get up every morning, but it doesn't seem the case.

I walk to the door and start to open it, but the handle disappears from my touch, and I find a slumberous Duke in front of me.

«Good morning!» I smile, but a voice interrupts my lovely greeting.

«It's not morning anymore,» the Countess says.

Ah, is she teasing my Duke or trying to bother me?

«Good morning, my Duchess,» he replies, ignoring the other people and looking just at me. «It would have been better if I found you by my side, though.»

He then plants a kiss on my forehead and leans on the door frame, observing the crowd in the waiting room.

«Long time no see, Countess,» he murmurs. He smiles at the old granny near the fire. «And nanny,» he adds.

So, she's my Duke's nanny. She took care of him when he was a child, and she saw him grow up into such a fine man.

Only after returning my gaze on him, I notice his night clothes.

«You should get changed,» I whisper. «It's the middle of the day...»

He nods, considering my words. Then, he surrounds my waist with an arm and drags me inside the room.

«Come help me, then,» he says out loud while closing the door.

I try to resist his strength, but it's as vain as usual.

He slams the door and leans over, forcing me to step back until my back hits the wood.

His free hand caresses my cheek, and his forehead touches mine.

I look at his eyes that, from such a short distance, look like one. I open my lips in an offer for a kiss.

He tightens the clench around my waist, dragging my body against his. I split from the door and grip his shirt while our mouths meet.

«Why didn't you wake me up?» he asks before starting to lick my neck.

I tilt my head and close my eyes.

«We travelled for so long, I wanted you to rest properly...»

His arm slips down on my lower back, and he lifts my skirt until the fresh air hits the exposed skin on my legs. The socks cover up to my thighs, so I don't notice the chilliness until Alexander totally uncovers them.

«What are you doing?» I ask, realising that he's up to something.

Oh, well, the bed isn't that far. It's just that there are so many people outside. Is it all right to make them wait?

«Make it quick,» I whisper. «It's already late!»

«You heartless Duchess,» he murmurs while grabbing my thighs and forcing me to lock them around his hips. I grab his shoulders not to fall down, and Alexander presses me on the wall with his chest.

He looks at me in the eyes for a few seconds, amusedly observing the expressions on my face while I understand his intention.

Only when he's sure I've realised, he kisses my lips fiercely. His tongue finds its way in my mouth, and I moan in between annoyance and pleasure.

«People are waiting out of here!» I remind him, and I turn my head to the side. I realise it's the wrong move only when he starts kissing my chest.

«Let them wait. A Duke needs his time to get dressed...»

«Don't wrinkle my clothes any more than this!» I scold him when he tries to move the dress down to free my breasts. At least, I don't have any underwear in the way this time.

He grins, accepting my words as a consent.

«Deal,» he murmurs and starts untying his trousers.

I swallow, preparing myself for the next step of the Duke's attention. I feel warm electricity all over in my body, which becomes unbearable right where our bodies join.

The Duke is at first slow, and gentle. He looks me in the eyes while I accept him inside.

«All right?» he asks, looking at my face.

I nod, and he thrust delicately.

«I remind my Duchess that there are people outside,» he whispers to my ear. «They'll hear you if you're too noisy...»

I bite my lips, but his next movement makes me moan.

I'd like to tell him that I won't let him do something like this ever again, that he's a brute manipulator and so many more things... I just can't open my mouth in fear of shouting in pleasure.

Alexander accelerates his trust, reaching deeper in me. My back hits the wall each time, and the difference of temperature between the stone and my husband makes me shiver time and time again.

I press a hand on my mouth and close my eyes, while my Duke decides to take his time. He breathes his pleasure on my neck, and I can tell that he'd accelerate even further if it wasn't for his sadistic wishes.

He either wants me to beg. Or to shout. Or both.

«Alexander,» I call him in a low voice, hoping it's enough to make him lose this stubborn determination. In fact, he increases his rhythm, and I bury my face in his neck. I bite the shirt and clench my teeth, while his thrusts become rougher and faster.

I can't help but moan. With some luck, the door will shield this indecent sound.

I feel all the tension accumulate in my stomach until it explodes and reaches the tip of my fingers.

«Alexander,» I repeat, and the Duke stops torturing this poor Duchess to madness. In a few more thrusts, he reaches the peak of pleasure as well.

He pecks my neck and nibbles my earlobe while calming down his breath.

Only after leaning my feet back on the ground, I realise what he forced me to do.

«The bed was right there!» I scold him, but I keep my voice a whisper not to alert the people outside. «And you could have waited for the night, Alexander! It's already afternoon.»

Instead of grinning amused or bowing his head beaten, he grabs me again and carries me to the bed.

«As you wish,» he nods while throwing me on the mattress. Does he only hear what he wants to hear?

«I didn't say this,» I utter before he has the chance to jump on me again. «This night, all right? Now, you have to show yourself to your people. You can't strain this Duchess for the whole day if you haven't finished your tasks!»

«So, what if I finished?» he inquires, his eyes amused and content.

«I also have to finish mine,» I utter.

He lifts his head abruptly.

«Do you want something to do?» he asks.

«Of course,» I nod.

«The Lady's duties are currently taken care of by me. If you want them back, you better please your husband...»

«Have I ever said no to you, Alexander? Just, not now!»

He seems to be considering my arguments, and then he accepts my request.

«This evening, you'll have to make up for this rejection,» he states.

I sigh, relieved. At least, I managed to avoid making all the people outside think who knows what. If we hurry up a bit, they won't notice anything amiss.