“Good.” Martin grinned, reaching into the small bag at his hip and pulling out a paper bag and a whistle. “We can begin.”
* * *
Sleep had a tendency to elude Richard on some nights.
It felt as though his mind could not find peace in those moments, unable to give him solace in rest as it was plagued by far too many choices, thoughts, and regrets.
That night was one of such nights. He lay in bed, staring up at his ceiling as he recalled his day, hoping that reliving the events that had transpired would hopefully bore him to sleep.
After how his conversation with Nancy had gone the last time they had eaten together, he had resolved not to do it again so soon. He was in dire need of some distance between them until he could remember how to properly talk to a woman, at least.
He had never had such issues before, ever a charmer and a smooth talker. But with his wife, it seemed the fate of his thoughts and opinions had already been decided before he even opened his mouth. She could stun him with a mere few words, and as it had been proven, he found it difficult to refuse her when she made a request to him.
Ernest had informed him that the dog trainer had arrived and had even conducted a quick preliminary training session with Dash, and that the Duchess had also been in attendance.
“He seems adept,” the butler had informed him. “He certainly knew how to handle the pup. Even Her Grace was impressed by how well he seemed to be doing in little time.”
Richard was glad that his plan to keep his wife occupied seemed well underway although a part of him wondered if this was what their marriage was meant to be like for as long as they were together and what it said about him that he was keen on behaving this way towards her.
His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of scratching at his door, and he sat up, his brow furrowed in confusion.
“Is anyone there?” he called, wondering if he had heard a knock and had mistaken it for something else.
Richard received no response, but still, the scratching persisted. Cautiously, he climbed out of bed, walked to his bedroom door, and turned the knob.
The door fell open, and at first, he did not see anything, but a whine made him look down at his feet where his wife’s puppy was seated.
A chill ran down his spine, and he forced himself to remain calm, reminding himself that his father and the hounds he owned were no more, and that the beast before him appeared to be interested in something other than chasing him around.
“Go away,” Richard hissed, making a shooing motion with his hands. “Do not make me call someone to have you removed. Go away!”
The dog did not budge, clearly happier in the doorway of the Duke’s room than he would be anywhere else.
“For the love of—go away! How are you even supposed to be useful if you cannot obey basic instructions?” Richard grumbled, irritated beyond belief.
Before he could make another empty threat, the door next to his creaked open, and Nancy stepped out, relieved at the sight of Dash.
“There you are,” she sighed. “I couldn’t find you suddenly, and I was not sure…” she trailed off, just noticing him.
Richard’s attention was fixed on her completely, his initial panic at the sight of the beast forgotten in favor of the sight of his wife in night clothes.
It was obvious she had not expected to find anyone awake at such a late hour, or she had not expected to go too far because she had not taken a dressing gown with her and was simply clad in a nightdress.
A nightdress that clung to her voluptuous curves deliciously.
With this being the first time he had seen her in so little clothing, the wave of desire that threatened to consume him felt rightfully present.
She looked like a goddess with the way her blonde hair gleamed beautifully, even in the low light in the corridor.
For a long moment, neither of them moved or breathed, locked in a tense stare-off.
Then Richard managed to collect himself and stepped back, gesturing towards the creature that was still at his feet.
“Take your beast away from me.”
“Oh, he’s hardly a beast, Your Grace. Look at how tiny he is,” she replied, stepping forward.
“Size does not negate viciousness,” he snapped back.
