Aphrodite and the Duke

by J.J. McAvoy

“Your request is denied,” she stated with no compassion

“Do not interrupt her,” commanded my father, forcing my lips to seal. “As you were saying, my love, what of the duke?”

“A father has no favorites among his children.” “What a load of bollocks.”

“Careful, my dear. The pride of a man is far too dangerous to trifle with.”

I do not understand how a lady is meant to be amenable but not too amenable, for she may either look desperate or offend the pride of men. If I was to refuse to entertain his company at all, I would be branded a snob.”

“You swear what?” He swallowed hard but said nothing. “Do not become reticent. Speak your thoughts.” “I cannot.” “Why not?” “Because my thoughts are beastly,” he replied, finally looking at me. “And I fear you are not afraid of beasts.” “Is that not a good thing?” I whispered. “To not be afraid.” “No, for it makes the beasts even more hungry,” he whispered back. “It takes them to the point of starvation until they can no longer remain gentlemanly and find themselves in the shrubbery.”

“I hope my sister shatters your heart.” “She does every day when I awake and see that she is not my wife.”

“I never want to grow up,” she replied. “Everything is always complicated.” “I concur. Stay this age forever.”

“Brilliant. The other difficult one has appeared,” Damon muttered.

“Is that fear greater than losing me forever?” “It is not,” he whispered. “Nothing in this world is worse than losing you forever. I shall tell you all of it. And in so doing, I pray you to see that I have loved you all of my life. When I learned what love was, I understood it to be you.”

“If your father wishes to be stubborn, I shall be even more so. Twenty-two years I have waited for this moment, and he refuses? Ha! Let us see how he shall manage it when all of the ton sees you and Evander together every day and asks him when there shall be a wedding!”

LOVE HER

“I have not yet been proposed to, but if I was, I think I might reject an offer from any man who would drape windows during the day to trap me in darkness.” “Draperies? Did I say draperies?” I stared in horror. “Never. Heaven forbid, for I would build you the largest window to be admired from.”

“Everyone always says I am teasing when I’m just talking,” she grumbled.

“I do not want to. I like talking.”

“You may have anything you desire in abundance, my love.”

“What did I tell you about denying me your voice?”

‘When we are married, you will be free to be however it is you wish to be. I swear it.’ Were those not your words to me?”

“That is not freedom. That is a command,” I sneered, trying to hold on with all my might, but he was far stronger than I and was toying with me. “Evander, this is childish! Let go!”

swear, he was the king of all my dreams, the lord of all my passions, the captain of all my desires. I was helpless against him.

“No one should ever know what occurs between a husband and wife. Your sinful moments are for me and me alone. Forever.”

I did not wish to go, but I did not want to be away from her, either.

The more dedicated she was, the more I felt a desire to watch over her, to keep her close. Oh, dear lord, a lifetime of this? Nothing would make me happier, truly.

“I would sooner kill you,” I snapped, glaring at him. “She may be your sister, but she is my wife now. The roles are changed. You do not—”

He is so downbad for her omgggggg

Women, I have noticed, are inquisitive creatures, whether it be Pandora’s box or Eve in the Garden. They shall seek that knowledge.”

“At times like this you make me wish I were an artist.”

I chewed slowly, observing the beauty that was she. How could such a fine woman exist—and not only exist, but be mine and mine alone?

Indeed, heaven was here.

No other woman on earth could make my heart skip as she did. But for her, I would commit blasphemy and erect statues in her honor to give praise.

And just like that, I was powerless to deny her.

It was not fair to make a mortal man fight against a goddess.

“This world sees us—women—as lambs, and our survival depends upon our shepherds.”

“No, we hate being the sheep,”

“Do not call her that,” she bit out, her arms crossed. “She deserves better than to be called by the name . . . the name of he who beats her.”

“How is it possible for one man to be able to drive me as mad as you?” I whispered. “I believe it is possible by the same manner in which you vex me.”

“Though I must say how it vexes me that I cannot even be cross with you for longer than an hour.”

“My duchess, my wife, my Aphrodite.” “My Duke, my husband, my Evander.”