“Viciousness?” she huffed, “Dash is harmless. Look.”
Then, she quickly stepped forward, only to falter slightly as though she could not venture too close to him. Her hesitation melted away quickly though as she called for the dog softly, “Come on boy. Let’s go back to bed.”
“You keep him in your bed?” he asked.
“Yes. Is that a problem?” she answered as the dog bounded over to her.
“The animals of Wexford are kept in the stables and at the cottage.”
“Dash is not a horse or a livestock animal. He’s to be my companion,” she crossed her arms over her chest, pressing on her full breasts which swelled over the neckline of her nightgown.
She wished to drive him insane.
“He may not be a horse or a chicken but he can make a mess of the house just as easily,” he replied.
“He will not make a mess; he’s been perfectly well-behaved.”
As Richard struggled to keep his eyes fixed on her face, he said, “Animals are unpredictable.”
He saw her purse her lips in anger as she rested her arms back to her sides, “I assure you, Your Grace, Dash will not make a mess.”
“You cannot ensure that this early. He may wish to chew or claw at the furniture, or worse… Relieve himself on the carpets.”
“Oh, must you always contradict me, Your Grace? I told you, the trainer and I are with him at all times. He will not behave the way you’ve described,” she huffed in exasperation.
“I do not wish to contradict you, Duchess. I am merely pointing out the unpleasant possibilities of allowing an animal in your bed,” he responded.
“Is that so? Or it is because you’d prefer I’d allowyouin my bed instead?” she snapped back.
He blinked, utterly startled by her brazenness. Without meaning to, his eyes lowered back to her chest, the peaks of her nipples poking against the thin fabric of her nightdress.
He wanted to swear under his breath. She was so, so tempting now, showered in the soft moonlight.
He could take her right there, against the wall. All he had to do was lift the nightgown over her head, and she’d be in his arms in all her naked glory. His hands would be able to finally feel the softness of her supple skin, to squeeze all her voluptuous parts, to taste all her sweetness…
His mouth watered at the thought of tasting her, and his manhood throbbed underneath his breeches.
And she did all that to him from a mere suggestion.
“Wouldyou allow me into your bed?” he found himself asking, the darker side of him taking over.
Nancy’s lips parted, her cheeks flushing, and he spotted the hesitation in her eyes.
“I…” she began, her voice much softer than he’d ever heard before.
He wondered if she’d sound like that when his head was between her legs.
“Yes?” he responded, taking a step closer.
She licked her lips and he knew right then. He was no stranger to the way women indicated desire, and his wife was beginning to give him all the cues he needed.
But, as she took a step towards him, the small hound beside her barked and their attention shifted towards it.
“What is it, my friend?” Nancy asked.
Richard growled in annoyance at first but when the dog barked a second time, its tail waggling at a rapid speed, his mind darted back to the days of his father’s sick games of chase, and his hunger evaporated into the air.
Just as Nancy bent down to see what the beast needed, Richard returned to his chamber, shutting the door behind him.
