My Disfigured Duke Husband Helps Me Plot My Revenge
Chapter 194: Camping

Chapter 194: Camping

The morning after their night at the cabin, Leonor woke up freezing, her naked body having been exposed to the open room since the blankets fell off of her some point in the night.

Knowing that many were likely already up and getting things ready to leave, she began quickly dressing, but there were a few aspects of her dress and undergarments she couldn’t do herself.

Desmond was generally a light sleeper and he felt when Leonor left his side. He rolled over when he heard material moving and realized she was getting dressed.

Seeing her struggling to lace up her traveling dress, he immediately sat up and helped her. It was the least he could do considering how the previous night turned out.

"Don’t rush," he whispered. "It isn’t as if they can see you."

"It feels like they will come up here at any moment," she argued.

Desmond slid to the floor where Leonor was already kneeling with his legs outstretched and her in the middle.

"I won’t let them see what isn’t theirs to see," he muttered and leaned into his wife.

His lips met her neck and his face was hidden in her thick hair.

"It feels like they’re going to walk in on you doing that as well," she muttered but she didn’t push him away.

As he said, they were each other’s. She didn’t have it in her to say no to him most of the time. Even when she did say no, he always listened. Sometimes she only said no because the guilt of her purity was always in the back of her thoughts. Even though he was her husband, it was he she was accused of sleeping with when she was a teenager.

At times she wondered if that’s where the major issue was.

On top of everything else, she was still embarrassed at her admittance the night before. Saying she might be ready to give herself to him was something she would say if she had a lot to drink.

Last night, she was completely sober. Perhaps the high of physical affection was akin to being drunk.

"Very well," he uttered. "It’s time for me to dress as well. Although your help won’t be necessary. I don’t believe it will be a productive morning if so."

He smiled at her but she could sense a bit of his devilish side underneath. He was rejecting her touch but his face suggested he wouldn’t mind it that much.

Once Desmond had dressed again under Leonor’s observation, he was ready to go down the ladder first and face the others. Again, he wanted to block everyone’s view as Leonor went down as well. He had a jealous streak unwilling to budge.

Leonor stayed inside a bit longer so Beth could help her organize her hair while Desmond scouted forward with a few men. He returned in time to see his wife exit the building and he noticed she had another cloak on like she said. He had also made sure the carriage had more blankets.

Finally outside of the hunting cabin together, Leonor placed her hand on Desmond’s arm.

"Shall we?" she asked.

One of the soldiers opened the door for Leonor and Desmond helped her in before joining her inside of the carriage.

With his arm out the window, Desmond gestured for the men to go forth.

"I ought to remind you–" the duke began.

"That we will be camping outside tonight, yes," Leonor interrupted. "I did attend the meeting and hear your admissions of guilt over and over until the day we left. Recall as well that I said I wouldn’t mind. I’m the one who wanted to go on this journey with you. I knew what it entailed."

Desmond smirked. He couldn’t get anything past his wife.

"It will be much colder than the last time," he explained. "Since we’re more comfortable around each other, I’ll join you in the carriage to keep you warm."

"Yes," Leonor agreed, though her voice took a sarcastic turn. "I’m sure that’s the only reason."

"I don’t have to–"

"No," Leonor interrupted once again. "I will be grateful not have to fall asleep shivering. I don’t like sleeping in the cold."

At times he felt like he was pestering her but she would turn the tide and do something that made him realize she wanted him just as much as he wanted her. It was more than because he was seeking something from her physically. He wanted to do mundane things at her side.

As guilty as he felt for not being the warrior he once was, he enjoyed being able to sit back and make decisions rather than putting his body through hard work and having nothing left for Leonor at the end of each day.

Becoming consumed with his thoughts, Desmond slid his foot next to Leonor’s and watched out the window for a while.

The scenery was unchanging. It would likely not change until the following day.

Montclair was vast and the part that wasn’t covered by rocky mountains was covered by trees. There were only a few open plains that allowed farmers to truly spread out.

Desmond’s eye watched evergreen trees that would remain thick through the season until it started to ache and he closed his eye, wanting to avoid a headache. As always, his biggest weakness was his sight. Even though he had begun to come to terms with his appearance, the one thing he hadn’t accepted was his lack of eyesight.

The fact that he couldn’t watch something fast moving inside of a carriage for long without feeling like his head might explode was shameful. It was even difficult to stay out late at night anymore.

He spent much of his day avoiding looking outside unless it was asked of him during the breaks in their travel.

Leonor kept him plenty entertained anyway. Even simply watching her at times was enough.

As planned, once camp was set up, the duke and duchess made a bed in the carriage and Leonor was the first to shut herself in for the night.

Even though they put hot stones underneath the seats as they did on particularly cold mornings, the heat only lasted for so long.

Growing up, she always got into trouble for sitting too close to heat sources because the extremes in temperature would make her feel even colder than she actually was.

However, she was at a place in her life where there wasn’t someone there to chide her every decision. The moment she felt cold, the warm body of her husband joined her at her side and wrapped his arms around her.

He must have been sitting next to the fires outside with his men because his chest was particularly warm.

Desmond had to bend his legs and they spooned so Leonor would stay warm. Both of them wore their clothing, though Leonor took off her corset to be comfortable, and the cushions placed on the carriage floor were comfortable enough to find sleep once Leonor was warm enough.

"Goodnight, I love you," Desmond uttered as he often did just before falling asleep.

He wasn’t always sure if Leonor was awake when he said those words but he wanted to say it regardless to the woman who saved his life and changed his future for the better.

He couldn’t wait to get to the inn and spoil her with a bath and new clothing.