Settling in the warm water, she rested her head against the tub before picking up her worn copy ofFrankensteinand losing herself in Victor Frankenstein’s journey.She felt so connected to a monster that didn’t exist.
The novel was a favorite of hers since she’d first read it years ago.When she learned it was written by a woman, Florentia couldn’t believe it.She’d never had the courage to show her own writing to another soul, but it was nothing compared to the brilliance ofFrankenstein.
“You’ve received missives from Mr.Hughes, Lady Woodmere, and the Dowager Lady Wyndam,” Tabetha said as she entered the room, waving the missives in the air.
“The Dowager Lady Wyndam?”she asked, sitting up to face her maid.
Florentia couldn’t fathom a reason why Lady Wyndam would write to her.They were not connected in the least, her mother knew the Dowager Lady Wyndam, but the two famously did not get on.
“Yes, it arrived this morning.Shouldn’t you be more concerned with Mr.Hughes’s missive?”Tabetha placed the post down on the small table next to the tub.
“Why ever for?”She placedFrankensteindown and picked up the letter from the Dowager Lady Wyndam.“He probably would just like to inform me of my spending habits, which he terribly disapproves of.He doesn’t want me bankrupting the new duke, after all.”
Opening the letter, she propped her foot up on the large tub.“This is…interesting.She wants me to come for tea today.”She placed the parchment down and picked up the next one.“I can’t help but wonder why the Dowager Lady Wyndam wants to see me of all people.I’ve been the duchess for three years and not once have I had an invitation from her.”
“Perhaps, it has something to do with the Widow’s League?”Tabetha folded a towel and placed it on the Louis XVI chair that sat in a prominent position by the door.
The entire bathing chamber, like the rest of the home, was immaculately decorated.Her late husband took great care in appearances, so much so that every crevice of both the townhouse and the ancestral seat, Rainchester Manor were decorated completely in the finest luxury.
During her three-year marriage to the old Duke of Summerset, Florentia was rarely permitted into his grand bathing chambers except when he insisted on bathing her.Their wedding night was such an occasion when he insisted on bathing her to ensure she was not sullied.
Closing her eyes, she tried to block out the memories of that night.Barely a woman at eighteen, forced to marry after another failed season.The fear that gripped her that night still haunted her.Of course, on the outside, she was her regular unpleasant self, but on the inside, worry and fear were her constant companions.
But the old duke was nothing compared to her mother.Florentia would live a lifetime with him if it meant she’d never have to live a single night with her mother ever again.Perhaps if she’d married for love, or wedded a younger man, marrying again would be a more appealing prospect.
“I have no interest in joining their Widow’s League.”Reading Charity’s letter next, she smiled at her friend’s invitation to have dinner with her and the earl.
The earl, of course, would most likely be in bed before dinner began, but it was indeed entertaining for Florentia to read, “The earl and I would very much enjoy your company.”
“You are a prominent widow now, why not join the league?Perhaps they could assist with the widow’s portion?”Tabetha said, passing Florentia a sponge.
“There is no assistance to be had.My father was forced into the agreement by my mother with no care for my future at all.”Florentia began bathing herself, relaxing in the water.
She had always enjoyed bathing more than sponge baths.Immersing herself in the tub calmed her and made her feel anew.
“The league is very powerful, perhaps this meeting could be worth your time.”Tabetha pointed to the remaining missive on the table.“You have not opened Mr.Hughes’s letter.It was delivered by messenger.Perhaps it is urgent.”
Dipping her head back, Florentia submerged herself under the water, ignoring her maid.She enjoyed her conversations with Tabetha, but sometimes she was too opinionated and disapproving.
Rising from beneath the water, she sat back again, her breath coming out harsher than before as she inhaled deeply.She didn’t care what the solicitor had to say.Mr.Hughes had been a thorn in her side since the duke died.The less she dealt with him, the better.Besides, the last she’d heard, no one could locate the eldest O’Brien son.There could be months before he was located, and until then, the dukedom was hers.
“Leave me.I shall stay in the tub a little longer,” Florentia said, relaxing back in the tepid water.
It was rather difficult for the servants to deliver hot water from the kitchens in such a large house.Usually by the time she was submerged in the tub, the water was already cooling.
Florentia opened her withered copy ofFrankenstein, removing the pale-yellow ribbon she had placed between the thin pages.A smile teased at her lips as she began reading.There was something magnificent about reading, the way it carried her away from all her problems and the world around her.It thrilled her, gave her an escape like no other she’d ever experience.
It didn’t matter that she had read that book hundreds of times.Every time she’d read about Victor Frankenstein and his monster, she always discovered something new she hadn’t noticed before.
Raised voices startled her.“Tabetha, is something the matter?”she asked, before setting the book on the small table beside the tub.
Before she could rise, a gentleman walked into the bathing chambers, yet he didn’t look like a gentleman at all.
No, he was too rough, too big, too viral.
A tall, intimidating frame filled the entire threshold of the bathing chamber.Crisp blue eyes, slightly widened in shock, gazed down at her.His lip was busted, the corner of his eye slightly bruised.
A thrill of excitement slid through her, settling in between her thighs, her sex suddenly pulsing with need.Whoever this brute of a man was, she wasn’t afraid of him.Florentia was sure that any rational minded lady would be terrified.But Florentia had never been rational a day in her life.Who had time for such precautions?
