My Disfigured Duke Husband Helps Me Plot My Revenge
Chapter 153: Close to HIm

Chapter 153: Close to HIm

After a dinner together where Quinn recounted the tale of his trip to Montclair, he decided to turn in early, saying he had a bit of reading to do before he could go to sleep for the night.

The duke and duchess were left alone for the evening to go on as they normally did.

Desmond was the first to stand up and offered his hand for Leonor to take. She readily accepted his gesture and was helped to her feet.

"Would you like to go on a walk?" Desmond asked, figuring they may visit one of the gardens as they normally did. However, he was surprised when she shook her head.

"I would like to retire early for the evening," Leonor admitted.

Desmond seemed disappointed for a moment but Leonor witnessed him straighten himself out and erase any sign that he was upset over not spending a bit more time with the woman he loved.

However, Leonor stepped closer.

"I feel we haven’t been able to spend time with one another properly since Alma arrived," the duchess admitted quietly. "I want to be close to you right now but I don’t think the garden is the place for that."

Their hands were the only place they touched, but the duke drew her closer and placed a hand on her waist.

"There ought to be a fire in your room we can enjoy," he said quietly.

The weather had been getting colder as summer was chased away and the early signs of autumn settled in. In only a month they would have to begin winterization of the duchy and he hoped that Leonor would go with him that year. He felt selfish of her time and didn’t want to be away from her.

He suggested a fire, knowing it was something they could enjoy together in the comfort of Leonor’s room. She said she wanted to be closer to him and that was the only thing consuming his thoughts after that point.

"That does sound nice," Leonor admitted, feeling a fluttering in her heart at the idea of sitting on one of the comfortable couches with Desmond. "Shall we ask for something sweet to be brought to my room?"

Without responding, Desmond led Leonor to the edge of the dining hall where they would pass another hallway leading to the kitchen. He requested dessert in the duchess’ room before he took the hallway towards his room with Leonor in tow.

"I will get into something more comfortable first," he said.

As they entered the space, he disappeared into his bathroom, leaving Leonor to wander through his room as she pleased.

While she waited, she wandered the room and looked at the ancient weapons that decorated some of the shelves. She wondered momentarily if it was his choice or if the place had been decorated for him.

Moving completely silently, Desmond found Leonor looking at one of his shelves and he snuck up on her. His hands were on her waist first then he wrapped them around her while she leaned into his embrace. His chin was on her shoulder.

"I think it’s my turn to get into something more comfortable," she said.

He could feel the corset underneath her dress and he nodded. She likely wore it not knowing for certain who the mystery guest would be. She couldn’t risk not looking fashionable and put together in front of someone.

"Please," he said. "You don’t need to wear this thing any longer."

She smiled. He had been that way ever since he saw the marks it left on her body during the festival.

They made their way to her room but before she could walk too far away from him, Leonor turned to him.

"Would you mind untying it for me?" she asked. "It’s much easier when someone else does it for me."

"Of course," he responded.

She walked him through undoing the dress and then the ties of her corset underneath. He paid close attention and stood close to her as he undid the laces of each garment.

However, he witnessed her body relax as he undid the corset. Her breasts returned to the proper place and her shoulder slumped slightly.

How he wished they were under different circumstances, perhaps he would have the courage to face her and soothe her skin with his touch. While he wished she didn’t have to wear something restrictive at all, he understood her desire to feel suitable for the present times.

"Thank you," Leonor said. "I’ll be right back."

She knew a nightgown would be placed out for her as they always were when she returned from walking in the garden.

Something strange had been happening, however. Since she and the duke were sleeping beside one another more frequently, it seemed the gowns were closer to the ones she was given when they were first married.

She already thought the silky material was too thin but the new nightgowns certainly required a robe. At least Desmond wore one so she didn’t feel strange putting one on.

Regardless, Leonor returned from her bathroom and found Desmond waiting for her on one of the couches. It was such a welcome sight, she smiled easily and moved forward towards him.

On the table in front of the couch was a dessert brought by the maids, but she wanted the man more than the sweets. Once at his side, she leaned into his arm and held onto it. She could feel his gaze burning into her and she dared glance up at the man making her heart race already.

"I want to kiss you," he whispered.

"Then do so," she whispered in return.

Having every intention to start slowly, the moment he had one hand brushing through Leonor’s hair and the other gently around her, she was the one who turned the tables.

Since their outing in the field, the kisses were short and sweet. It was their first time since then getting into such a passionate kiss and Leonor moved even closer until she was in his lap.

His hands slid up her waist as they kissed and he made it to the sides of her breasts. However, he realized how explorative he was and he didn’t want to scare her away. He began pulling away his hands.

To his surprise, she broke the kiss and she stopped his hands from leaving her. Instead, she placed them over her breast shrouded in only silky material.

There was an urge she had never experienced before.

"You can keep going," she said.

"To what end?"

"I don’t know," she responded, her face heating up.

Yet she kissed him again.