[Ch.16 🔥] The Duchess & The Damned | [Wattpad Edition]

Things To Keep In Mind

Annnnnd we're back with some spice.~

Previously on The Duchess & The Damned ...

"I didn't know you were a doctor, Charles," she pondered aloud in awe as she wiggled her toes.

Spurting into a fit of laughter, Charles was quick to correct her.

"Don't be silly. Wrapping your ankle hardly qualifies me as a doctor."

"But also, you take care of me when I'm ill."

"And so do your maids, and your parents, mind you."

"Well, yes, but ... Somehow, it isn't quite the same as how you do."

Charles paused at the observation, his expression light in his wonder of what she meant. Could she tell the difference in the level of which he cared for her? A smile would have come to him, had he not wondered if anyone else had as well.

Well, at any rate, he was sure to be seen as the caring gentleman he had always been. Or so he hoped. And then his mind looped back to the previous thought, as the possibility occurred to him. She had noticed his affection. In whatever remedial way – she had noticed it.

"Is that so ..."

"Yes. Somehow, it feels less of a job, when you're caring," Emilia smiled. "Like you're an older brother of mine."

The pleasant thoughts vanished and were replaced by a cringe at the term, the combination of such a comparison beside the lessons he was being made to teach her winding coils in his stomach.

"Go on, then," Charles pressed, bypassing the topic. "Walk to the other side of the room." A distance that wasn't very much at all, but would still prove to be a challenge should her bandages be wrapped incorrectly.

Emilia gave a nod of confidence as she released Charles completely, letting her arms fall to her sides before taking the first steps. Each one, slow and careful, was successful. She wobbled some at first, learning the appropriate amount of pressure to apply to her left foot.

Once she had taken a handful of steps, she smiled, confident in her abilities, and relieved that her lessons would not be canceled.

"Come, it's getting late."

"I must say," Charles offered, making his usual rounds around Emilia's room to shut her curtains. "I was rather impressed with you today, considering the last time you've ridden."

"Go on," Emilia proudly mused as she toyed with her gown, seated at the edge of her bed. The corners of her mouth curled upwards into a smile at Charles' expression.

"And you only managed to fall once."

"Hey," Emilia bickered, her arms folding in defense.

"I'm sure next time you'll be sure to hold on properly," Charles went on as he tied the curtains together on the other side of the room.

Emilia watched him, his words drowned out as her eyes wandered. They roamed over the strength behind arms that had held her so close. The hands that fondled her body so gently, and yet, so ...

She could already feel the familiar knots beginning to twist.

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