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his head bowed, before he finally collapsed next to her, his heavy breaths warm and moist on her shoulder.
    Bella turned to look at him and as their eyes met, she felt her chest tighten at the fierce emotion in his eyes. Yet, before she could try to decipher what it was, his hand covered her cleft and he slid long, broad fingers through her swollen tissues. She cried out at the invasion, clenching involuntarily around the digits, which felt almost as broad as his shaft. His eyes intent on hers, he plied her soft channel, rubbing and pressing against the front wall over and over until she climaxed with a thin wail. As the pleasure washed over her, he captured her mouth in a kiss that was gentle and startlingly tender.  
    She opened her eyes, catching sight of the fierce possessiveness in his gaze before he drew her against his chest. His arm held her close – so close that she could hear every beat of his heart. Bella drew in a shuddering breath, turmoil and uncertainty seething within her. She had expected to feel resentful. She had expected to feel small. She had even expected to feel used. What she had never expected was to feel treasured. She fought sleep, trying to decipher what this all meant. But the day’s events finally took its toil and she was asleep within minutes.  

Chapter 6

    “You wished to see me?” Bella stared at Castor, who stood at the window of his study with his back towards her. The mere sight of him sent a tremor coursing through her; the stark memory of how he had taken her again in the early hours of the morning made a wave of heat wash over her. He had woken her from a deep sleep when he had played with her breasts, suckling and stroking her nipples. Using his fingers on her pearl, he brought her to an explosive orgasm. Before she had even recovered, he was thrusting into her. She had been sore, and his entry hurt but it was soon forgotten as the pleasure began to build again.
    When she woke again, the sun was high in the sky. A pull of the bell brought Mrs Robbins, followed by a bewildering array of servants who brought food and clothes and hot water. Mrs Robbins told her that the duke had ordered a bath to be drawn for her when she roused. She was also informed that Castor was waiting for her in his study.  
    So here she stood.
    “Is everything to your satisfaction?”
    Bella stared at his back. Today he was dressed in a forest green coat and black trousers tucked into black Hessians. “Yes, thank you.” She hesitated. “There was no need for you to purchase any garments. My gowns are perfectly adequate.”
    “For a pauper, perhaps.” He turned around and went still when he saw her.  
    She stood there, watching as his eyes swept over her from the curls on the top of her head down over the pale apple-green gown to her feet that were clad in slippers of the same colour. “I … Mrs Robbins would not allow me to wear any of the gowns I brought with me.”
    Castor’s eyes returned to her face, although he took his time in doing so. “It would have been impossible for her to accede to your request, seeing as I have ordered your clothes to be burnt.”
    “I beg your pardon?” she gasped, horrified. “What right have you to burn my gowns!” She had brought her best gowns. What was she to wear when she returned home?
    He frowned. “Your gowns were in a sorry state. I would have thought you would be pleased for the garments I purchased. Are they not to your taste? I was assured by Madame Cecile that they are the most popular patterns and materials.”
    Bella gave him a helpless look. “No, it is not that. They are magnificent. I’ve never seen anything so beautiful. But I … I cannot accept them. I am supposed to be the payment for my father’s debt yet you have spent so much on my wardrobe.” She thought back to the dazzling array of gowns and accessories she had been shown this morning. More gowns than she had ever owned, and more than she could wear in an entire year.  
    The