When the duke entered Olivia's room, he found her asleep in the armchair; he lifted her in his arms and gently placed her on the bed, and upon noticing Olivia was awake, he said to her.
"You shouldn't fall asleep just anywhere, or you might catch a cold."
Olivia blushed with embarrassment and replied.
"I was reading and without realizing it, I fell asleep."
"Try not to let it happen again."
"Yes."
The duke was slightly inebriated because the prince had pressured him into drinking, and not in full control of his faculties, he rested his head on Olivia's shoulder and told her.
"You smell really good."
Olivia, feeling the duke so close, sensed her heart racing like a runaway horse and wished that the duke would distance himself a bit, but instead, he caressed Olivia's hair and brought his lips to her neck, leaving a soft kiss and a mark on her white skin. He momentarily lifted his head to look at Olivia's face, which was red to the ears because of what the duke had done.
The duke was accustomed to women who threw themselves at him, but Olivia's reaction seemed novel to him; intending to tease her further, he moved his face closer until she could feel his breath on her lips and laid his own upon Olivia's. Closing her eyes without knowing what else to do, she remained completely still, holding her breath.
When Leonard drew back from her lips, Olivia was panting; he allowed her to breathe and then captured her lips again with an even deeper kiss, causing Olivia to clutch at his shirt. He kissed her repeatedly until Olivia could take no more and began to pat his arm, signaling him to pat his arm, signaling him to let her go. Upon noticing how she was resisting, he asked her.
"Do you hate it when I do this?"
Olivia, catching her breath shyly, answered.
"It's not that I mind, but it's just that I can't breathe."
Hearing this, the duke laughed at what she was saying, apparently she did not know how to kiss, and when he seized her lips, she held her breathe, which made Leonard want to continue kissing her to teach her the correct way to do it.
"That's because you're doing it wrong; you don't have to hold your breathe while I kiss you."
After telling her this, he kissed her again, this time ensuring Olivia was breathe as he did so. Seeing that she was getting it right, his kissing were sweet and gentle, as he did not want to pressure her.
Olivia began to follow the rhythm of his lips, enjoying the warmth of the kisses the duke was giving her. She had never imagined she would be in such a situation with him since the duke had made it clear that he had no interest in her.
Olivia didn't understand why he had changed his mind, but she didn't mind Leonard's kisses; on the contrary, she enjoyed them. Olivia knew that this was normal between a married couple, so she offered no resistance and let herself be carried away by the duke.
He began to remove his shirt, exposing his magnificent bare torso, and Olivia, so nervous that she forgot how to breathe again, withdrew sharply, taking in a gulp of air.
The duke stroked her hair with a sweet touch that calmed her frantic heart.
He gently pressed his lips to hers, slowly continuing to cover her mouth with his kisses, gentle and soft as a feather's touch. Olivia's heart fluttered like a bird within her chest attempting to escape.
The duke pulled away from her lips and gazed into her beautiful green eyes, which shone like emerald; he marveled at the beauty of her gaze for a moment, at the gentle curves of her still youthful face.
His intense gaze made Olivia feel even more embarrassed, and she desperately tried to cover her face with her hands, but the timid reaction only endeared her move to Leonard.
"Stop hiding. I want to continue admiring your beautiful face."
Olivia wasn't used to sweet words or compliments; she turned around and said.
"The light is too much, and I feel embarrassed when you look at me so intently."
"There's no reason to feel embarrassed. You are beautiful, more precious than any gem."
Hearing those words, Olivia thought perhaps the duke had a vision problem or maybe desire was blinding him. She knew she wasn't ugly, but couldn't consider herself a beauty, even so, he insisted on beholding her.
Lowering her hands and meeting his gaze, Olivia realized he wasn't lying; at that moment, he seemed to be looking upon a true work of art. For the first time in her life, she felt beautiful.
She had never properly observed him because her shyness and fear had prevented it, but now she did; the duke, a handsome man, a true work of art that God had taken great care to create.
Olivia didn't feel ready consummate their marriage; doubts and fear overtook her mind.
"My lord, I am not ready, I..."
Leonard began kissing her face; his kisses were warm and gentle, continuing to caress her hair and planting soft kisses, banishing the fear and negative thoughts from her mind.
When she stopped trembling, she softly said.
"Call me by my name, not my lord. You are my wife, not my servant, my partner, my equal. Do you not know what I am called?"
Hearing that he accepted her as his wife, Olivia's heart leapt with joy, and she said nothing.
Leonard playfully nipped at the tip of her nose, causing Olivia to startle.
The duke brought his lips close to hers, giving them a small kiss.
"If you don't call me by my name, I will have to punish you until you do."
When Leonard received no response, he tried to tickle her, but failed to make her smiles. Olivia's eyes widened; she had heard he was a cruel and bloodthirsty man, not expecting someone so lively and jovial.
As she watched him, she wondered whether all the gossip and talk she had heard about the duke were true or mere lies.
The tension had vanished, not because of his attempts at humor, but because of the sweetness and tenderness with which he treated her.
When Leonard saw Olivia no longer showed fear and trembled like a fawn, he continued to cover her body with kissed, and when she timidly hid from his gentle touch me, he whispered sweetly to her ear.
"My wife, don't hide behind your hands and the sheets. Let me see your figure, let me hear your voice; it's so sweet, your voice, and so beautiful your figure. Let me appreciate them as they deserve, let me delight in you."
Olivia felt intoxicated; the duke's words were like good wine, at least that's what she had heard from her governess-that good wine intoxicated not just the body but the soul, and at that moment she felt that way.
Despite her embarrassment, she no longer hid and allowed him to see her figure, her fevered face, the blush spreading from her face to her neck and shoulders.
Up until this moment, she had seemed simple to her husband, but now, in this moment of intimacy, alone in the bedroom, with her beauty unveiled without any clothes to cover her, he cast aside all such thoughts. She was a young beauty igniting a fire within him, fanning the flames of his passion.
His hands traveled over her defined curves like distant mountains, touching uncharted territories. He would be the first to possess her, the first to savor her love, filling him with satisfaction and pride.
...
Every morning just as they had always done, Mari and Rose headed to the duchess's chamber to awaken her and assist with her dressing. They knocked on the door and waited for a customary response-the duchess was usually still asleep, and they often needed to gentle shake her awake due to her heavy slumber. Receiving no reply, they were about to enter when suddenly the duke flung open the door, startling them, and curtly instructed.
"Do not disturb us. Return when summoned."
Studded by the duke's presence-the had never known him to oversleep-Mari and Rose hesitated. It was common knowledge that the duke rarely shared the duchess's bed, arriving late and departing early, his nocturnal visits were unsuspected by most.
That day, with his diplomatic duties not scheduled until the afternoon, the duke allowed himself to linger in bed, succumbing to the exhaustion of the previous night's events and the accumulated weariness of many such nights.
After dispatching the maidservants, he returned to the confines of the sheets and wrapped his arms around Olivia once more, drifting back to sleep.
He awoke later, startled by the absence of Olivia in his embrace. Opening his eyes, he found her on the floor, cocooned in a sheet. Observing her there, he inquired.
"What are you doing on the floor?"
Upon hearing his voice, Olivia overwhelmed with embarrassment from their previous night's intimacies, enveloped herself completely within the sheet to shield herself from his gaze.
Leonard couldn't help but chuckle at her reaction, finding her akin to a small, quivering creature, trembling and hiding. He approached Olivia and lifted her from the ground. As he tried to remove the sheet she clutched so tightly, Leonard questioned her gently.
"Are you afraid of me?"
Olivia, with a voice hoarse from the night's exertions, timidly replied.
"It's not that. I'm just too embarrassed for you to see me."
Leonard sighed and resettled her on the bed, forcefully stripping away the sheet and revealing Olivia's bare form. Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment as she covered her face with her hands.
Finding her irresistibly charming, Leonard studied her body, feeling a pang of remorse at noticing the finger marks on her hips and the kiss bruises that stood out against her pale, smooth skin-he had been too rough.
He drew her hands away to look upon Olivia's face, seeing her beauty unfurled. His desire reignited, Leonard tipped Olivia's chin upward and claimed her sweet lips, coaxing a moan from her. Her voice was a melody that spurred his arousal. Gently, he caressed her breasts while relentless in his kisses. Olivia's soft moans, the result of the pleasure he provided, fogged her mind. She clung to his neck as his hands roamed her body, careful not to apply too much force.
Olivia felt the dampness of her desire spill over, and as the duke's finger breached her, pain flared. Instinctively pushing him away, her hand unexpectedly struck his face. Shocked, the duke gazed at her wordlessly.
Nothing the red mark on the duke's cheek from her blow, Olivia trembled with fear, tears streaming down her face.
She had struck a man known for his cruelty, a man of feared reputation. Though he was visibly surprised, he remained silent. Olivia feared for her life, wondering if he might kill her for the offense.
Leonard, witnessing Olivia's inconsolable weeping, approached her with softened words.
"I apologize. I did not mean to hurt you. Please, stop crying. I won't touch you again until you are well."
Hearing the duke's remorseful voice, Olivia lifted her tear-stained face, her confusion evident. His response to her defensive act was one of caring rather than anger, a realization that coaxed more tears of relief from her.
The duke tenderly kissed away her tears and stroked her hair, soothing her in a way she had never imagined from such a fearsome man. Once her sobbing ceased and she found calm, he tenderly asked.
"Shall I summon the physician?"
The idea of someone else knowing of their previous night's activities brought blushed of shame to Olivia. Decisively, she replied.
"NO! I am well; there is no need for a physician."
"Are you certain you're not in pain?"
"I am in pain, but I will be alright. No need for a physician," said Olivia, managing her embarrassment.
Feeling somewhat guilty for her pain, Leonard persisted.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, and regret having struck you."
"Well, had you not done so, I would not have ceased and would have taken you again."
Olivia's face blushed crimson. She felt the urge to flee, but her legs ached so severely she doubted she could reach the bathroom without collapsing.
Leonard covered Olivia with the sheet, realizing that if he continued to view her naked from, he might lose control once again. Distracting himself, he tried not to dwell on such thoughts, and inquired.
"You didn't answer, why were you on the floor?"
"It was nothing; I attempted to rise for some water but fell," she answered.
Leonard fetched a pitcher of water and poured a glass for Olivia. She wished for him to leave, yet he seemed disinclined to exit. After drinking, she passed back the glass to him, and he encouraged.
"Rest, you may remain in bed as long as necessary."
Leonard dressed and left the chamber. Olivia felt a release in his absence, but soon after, a middle-aged woman entered the chamber and approached Olivia, stating.
"Good morning, my lady, the duke has requested that I check on your well-being.
Reluctant for the woman to examine her, Olivia eventually conceded, having no choice but to obey the duke's orders. The woman assisted Olivia, who struggled to stand, her hips and legs failing her. Urged to return to bed, the woman then bathed and examined Olivia with a bucket of water and sponge.
After attending to Olivia, the woman remarked.
"The duke is a brute. He's been far too rough with you. I shall speak to him and insist he refrain from touching you for a good while."
Olivia was surprised by the woman's frankness and her lack of fear in speaking of the duke. After the woman helped Olivia into a nightgown and instructed her to rest in bed for a week, she departed.
Although Olivia disliked the idea of bed rest, standing was out of the question for her aching body.
She was in considerable pain, to such an extent that even rolling over caused her significant discomfort. The pain of her first time had been more excruciating than she ever imagined, and she silently thanked God the duke had stopped that morning-for another encounter might have been unbearable.