My Bratty Wife
Chapter 176 - Hundred And Seventy Six

Chapter 176: Chapter Hundred And Seventy Six

Ryan turned to Suzy, his hand resting gently on her arm, and began to introduce Mrs. Agnes. "Cassandra," he said, his voice warm and affectionate, "this is Mrs. Agnes. She was my mother’s handmaiden, then her governess. When my mother married, she personally took care of her at Carleton. After my mother died, she took care of me, and she followed me here to continue looking after me. She’s in charge of overseeing the chateau."

Suzy curtsied gracefully, but Mrs. Agnes immediately took her hand, her touch warm and reassuring. "You must be tired and hungry, my dear," Mrs. Agnes said, her voice filled with concern. "I’ll have the maids reheat the food and prepare a bath for you."

Suzy smiled gratefully. "Thank you, Mrs. Agnes," she replied.

Ryan placed Suzy’s hand on his arm, his expression thoughtful. "Mrs. Agnes," he said, "I’d like to have a word with you in the study after dinner."

Mrs. Agnes nodded, her eyes filled with understanding. "Of course, Your Grace," she replied, before turning to attend to the preparations.

Ryan led Suzy towards his room, their footsteps echoing softly through the chateau. As they entered the room, Suzy stood in awe, her eyes sweeping over the space. It was completely different from their room in Carleton. It was smaller, more intimate, but equally beautiful.

Ryan noticed her astonishment and chuckled softly. "Well," he said, his voice laced with amusement, "this is my room, and that is my father’s room," he gestured towards a portrait of him hanging on the wall. "Though some of my things are also in Carleton, but this room is all me."

Suzy stepped further into the room, her fingers trailing lightly across the furniture. The maids had clearly been busy, cleaning and arranging everything with meticulous care. She sat on the edge of the bed, the soft mattress yielding beneath her weight. The fireplace was lit, casting a warm, flickering glow across the room. The lamps were also lit, illuminating the space with a soft, inviting light.

The door to the balcony was open, allowing the cool evening breeze to drift into the room, carrying with it the scent of rain-soaked earth and blooming flowers. The atmosphere was tranquil and inviting, a stark contrast to the bustling energy of the castle. It was a room that spoke of quiet solitude and personal reflection, a space where Ryan had clearly found solace and comfort.

She suddenly felt a gentle movement pulling her from thoughts and looked down to see Ryan kneeling before her, unbuckling her shoes. "I can call Irene to help me undress," she protested softly.

Ryan looked up at her, his eyes filled with warmth. "I’m not complaining, am I?" he asked, a playful smile gracing his lips.

Suzy fell silent, her cheeks flushing slightly. Ryan returned his attention to her shoes, carefully removing them and setting them aside. His hands then moved to her stockings, his touch sending a shiver down her spine.

He stood up, his gaze lingering on her for a moment, before gently removing the bow and pins that held her hair in place. Her curls cascaded down her face, framing her features. He kissed her palm, his lips lingering for a moment, before slowly removing her gloves, finger by finger.

Just then, a knock sounded on the door. "Enter," Ryan called out.

The maids entered, their movements quiet and hurried, carrying buckets of steaming water and fragrant oils. They began preparing a bath, filling the tub with warm water and adding the aromatic scents. Once they finished, they placed a tray laden with dinner on the table and left the room, bowing respectfully.

Ryan turned back to Suzy, his gaze intense. He pulled off the upper part of his clothes, leaving him in only his trousers. He then returned to Suzy, gently raising her to her feet. He moved behind her, pulling her hair forward, and began to undo the laces of her corset, slowly and carefully. His fingers brushing against her skin, loosening the ties one by one. When he was finished, the dress pooled around her feet, leaving her standing naked in her stockings.

Unable to resist any longer, Suzy reached out and pulled him into a searing kiss. Her arms wrapped around his neck, pulling him closer, her body molding against his. The kiss was passionate and urgent, a release of the pent-up tension that had been building between them. Ryan responded in kind, his arms tightening around her waist, his lips moving against hers with a fervent intensity.

———————

After their bath and a quiet dinner, Ryan waited until Suzy had fallen asleep, her breathing soft and even, before slipping out of the room. He made his way to his study, finding Mrs. Agnes waiting for him, her expression calm and composed.

He looked surprised. "How long have you been here?" he asked, his voice low.

"Not long," Mrs. Agnes replied, her eyes filled with understanding.

Ryan tousled his hair, a sign of his inner turmoil, and sat down heavily in his chair.

"Something is wrong, right?" Mrs. Agnes asked, her voice gentle.

"Yes," Ryan admitted, his voice strained.

"I already knew," Mrs. Agnes said, a knowing smile gracing her lips.

Ryan looked at her, his brow furrowed. "How did you know?" he asked.

She smiled, a hint of amusement in her eyes. "For one, you came here in a hurry," she said.

Ryan sighed, running a hand through his hair. He reached for a cigar, lighting it with a flick of his wrist. He took a long drag, exhaling the smoke in a thin stream.

Mrs. Agnes frowned, her gaze disapproving. "Second, you’re smoking," she said.

Ryan quickly came to his senses, extinguishing the cigar in the ashtray. "Sorry," he mumbled, his cheeks flushing slightly.

"What’s the problem, Ryan?" Mrs. Agnes asked, her voice filled with concern.

"Cassandra’s life is being threatened," Ryan revealed, his voice low and grave.

Mrs. Agnes’s hands flew to her mouth, stifling a gasp.

Ryan continued, "I brought her here to keep her safe. I’ll have to go back to Carleton tomorrow."

"So soon?" Mrs. Agnes asked, her voice filled with surprise.

"The sooner, the better," Ryan replied, his expression determined.

Mrs. Agnes gave him a nod of understanding.

"I’ve arranged for guards to protect this chateau day and night," Ryan continued. "Her maid and guard will be here with her. They know nothing, and I prefer it that way."

"So you want to keep her in the dark?" Mrs. Agnes asked, her brow furrowed.

"I’m not doing it intentionally," Ryan explained, his voice sounding like a plea. "It’s to protect her. She was once poisoned, and it affected her health for a while. The doctor said she’s okay now, but after the last time we got intimate, she got very sick. Now we can’t be intimate because her body is still weak. So I want you to take care of her, Agnes, please. She sleeps a lot lately and has become picky with her food and..."

Mrs. Agnes smiled, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Be calm, Ryan," she said, her voice reassuring. "I’ll take good care of her."

Ryan took Mrs. Agnes’s hands in his, his eyes filled with gratitude. He kissed her hands gently. "Thank you," he whispered.