My Disfigured Duke Husband Helps Me Plot My Revenge
Chapter 171: Escape the Cold

Chapter 171: Escape the Cold

Desmond wanted to open his eyes and take in the wonderful sight of Leonor with hardly any material covering her body – a sight he would never get used to despite sleeping next to her every night and witnessing blankets falling off of her in her sleep or being able to feel her within his grasp.

He ignored his thoughts and wrapped her entirely with the blanket so nothing was revealed below her shoulders.

He lifted her, deciding to have one of his men retrieve her clothing. She didn’t need to be outside for much longer since it was cooling off.

Desmond placed her gingerly on the top step when they were finally at the carriage.

"Get comfortable," he instructed. "I’ll join you in a moment."

The duke shut the door and stood just outside the door and stripped down out of his cloak, coat, and the white shirt underneath. He decided to leave his pants until he could join Leonor in the carriage and have more privacy.

When he took off his boots and socks until he was down to bare feet, water poured out of the shoes when he turned them upside down. He placed the boots and clothing he removed in the storage underneath the carriage. There was no reason to bother further than that.

The guards had already returned with Leonor’s clothing and they were ready to go.

Once inside the carriage, Desmond sat down on the cushioned seat opposite Leonor and retrieved a blanket that had been placed on his side. He could finally remove his thick pants which were the main reason for his coldness. The material was thick and immovable. His clothing always toed the edge of fashion and was strong enough to withstand hard work.

Leonor watched Desmond struggle.

"Do you need help?" she asked. "You took such good care of me but won’t let me do the same for you."

"If you could make me shorter, then it would be easier to remove my pants in a carriage," he remarked sarcastically, causing Leonor to smile.

"Suit yourself," she responded and pulled the blanket tighter over her shoulders.

She was still cold but she could manage. They would be back at Montclair Estate in under an hour.

Desmond finally removed his pants and they fell to the floor in a wet heap. He was left in wet undershorts, though it was far less material than before and it would be bearable until they arrived.

There was silence as the two of them were occupied with their thoughts for a while. Desmond’s eye was focused outside but Leonor’s eyes were shut.

Her face seemed serene but Desmond couldn’t keep from noticing she was shivering occasionally despite not complaining about it.

At times, he hated that her having such a horrible father made her unbelievably tolerant. Even though it did benefit him, she wasn’t harsh enough with him sometimes. No one faced her wrath as they deserved. Things rolled off of her shoulders easily.

Desmond didn’t allow Leonor to tell him she was fine. He simply grabbed one of the handles across the ceiling of the carriage and took up the spot next to her.

He reached behind her and pulled her closer, only to realize the blanket wrapped around her was wet because of the chemise she still wore.

"You’re still drenched," Desmond said. "You’re going to catch a cold if you don’t get dry."

"I’ll be–"

"Fine," Desmond finished her sentence for her.

However, he wasn’t taking no for an answer at that moment.

The duke pulled the blanket off of Leonor she was using to cocoon herself in hopes of finding warmth. He made it clear there were no strange intentions behind his actions as he immediately covered her with the blanket he used and pulled her closer.

Their state of dress was no different than when they slept with one another at night, yet when Leonor was in Desmond’s proximity, she placed a hand on his bare chest underneath the blanket and felt nervous.

Although she couldn’t deny that she was so much warmer now that they were sharing body heat.

Desmond slouched in the seat as Leonor cuddled up to him. He was sitting so low his knees nearly touched the bench across from the one they sat on top of. From that position, he could place a light kiss on top of Leonor’s head as she leaned her cheek against his chest.

"I admit, it is better like this," she said, smiling.

"Other than the terrible ending, did you enjoy yourself today?" he asked.

The duchess turned her head. Instead of being angled downward, she could gaze at her husband, but he was so much closer than she expected him to be. While she got used to her hand against Desmond’s warm skin, she found a new reason to be unnerved.

"I enjoyed myself thoroughly," she said. "I’m enjoying myself now. Eve healed me and made new friends although she disappeared until my healing mana can be restored."

Desmond had one arm around her but it didn’t feel like enough and the other one made its way under the blanket so he could properly hold onto her.

"I’m relieved to see your mana doesn’t tire you out as it did when you lived with the count," he said quietly, his hand stroking her back as he communicated himself through touch. "It terrified me the first time you showed me your magic and how quickly you fell asleep after that."

Leonor couldn’t help reaching a cold hand upwards until it met his face. His concern was palpable. She never felt so loved before.

Peace lived in her heart each time he brought something up about their past. It was familiarity she craved for years.

"One of the first things they teach you in the Academy is how to efficiently use your mana no matter how small it is," she said. "I have no excuses for depleting myself... Unless I see the person I love in pain."

Desmond’s eyebrows knit together. He was clearly in disagreement but not saying anything.

Leonor took that moment to roll further on her side and put one of her legs over Desmond’s left one. She would distract him enough to not think about a time that bothered him so deeply.

The duchess kissed him.

They were sitting low enough that it would be hard for a passerby to see what they were doing.

Then she kissed him again and she felt his arms tighten around her and she knew she had gotten to him the way she wanted to.

While the goal was to distract him, it turned out to distract her far more.

She hardly noticed how dark it had gotten outside or how close they were getting to their home where servants would be waiting and met with the ducal couple in blankets rather than the beautiful clothing that had been prepared for them before they left for the day.

As they went through the lantern filled garden of the Montclair Estate, it was Desmond who realized where they were and separated himself from Leonor quickly.

His entire body was reacting to the woman who went from one leg over him to her entire body on top of him. They were hidden by blankets but it wouldn’t be good for them to garner scandal about how little control they had.

Leonor not only separated herself from him but she went to the opposite bench as well. She took the dry blanket with her and Desmond’s only option was the slightly damp blanket Leonor once used. Luckily it was enough to cool him down.

Their eyes met and Leonor’s gaze seemed unfocused. However, noticing her husband watching her, her true desire fell from her lips.

"Let’s eat dinner later," she practically whispered. "I want to take a bath with you."