[1.5] The Duchess of Kent and Strathearn | B. Bridgerton

Chapter 17

Extreme Measures

Finally, the Duke and Duchess of Kent and Strathearn were back in London. Both royals were fast asleep -a bit uncomfortably- inside the carriage as they, their ladies and all guards around them made their way to the destination appointed by the duchess. Benedict's head was resting on his wife's lap, specifically on her dress, while Charlotte simply, and carefully due to her headdress, she had her head leaned leaned against the carriage's wall.

"Your Royal Highnesses," both honeymooners woke up from their sleep as Martin opened the carriage door. "We have arrived."

"Thank you, Martin," Charlotte smiled.

"Finally," Benedict breathed tiredly as he lifted himself off his wife's lap and looked out the window, not recognizing the place as Carlton House, where they were supposed to be. "Am I still asleep or are we not in the right place?"

"You are quite awake, Benny," his wife chuckled softly. "We are at your family's home."

"Are we?" He questioned and finally recognized the place he has lived in his entire life, until marriage. "Why are we here, Char?"

"For you to visit your family, of course," she responded with a small smile, and he looked at her. "I know how much you miss them... And I cannot be any more sure that they will be delighted to see you."

"Just me?" He wondered, and she nodded. "I thought we had to stop by Carlton House to meet your family."

"I will be alright on my own, Benny," she brushed a small strand of hair away from his face. "I just do not want you to get bored with all the extended explanation there might be."

"Well, my love..." He smiled widely. "No time with you has ever been boring."

"I can say the same thing about being with you, my love," she smiled widely, and chuckled. "But if it involves politics... I think it could be slightly boring. Do you not think so?"

"Most probably," he said sincerely, and sighed. "Fine. But I will only hop off this carriage if you promise to tell me everything that happens."

"I will," she smiled, and nodded. "I promise."

Her husband cupped her face in her hands and pressed his lips on hers, tightly, but passionately. Charlotte kissed back, but he immediately pulled away and sweetly kissed her ear. A giggle escaped his wife's lips, and a smirk graced his face, knowing too well his plan worked. A playful torture. Benedict knows how much she adores when he kisses her ear, as much as he adores when she does the same. However, both of them have so far only done it before they make love...until now that the Duke of Kent and Strathearn chose to be bold. Which made her grab his face in her hands to placed it back in front of hers.

"Do that again and you will not be leaving this carriage," she whispered against his lips. "Even if we both know very well you should have hopped off already."

"Well, in that case..." The smirk written on his face didn't vanish as he pulled away from her hold and let go of her face. "I'll see you at our palace, dearest."

Before Charlotte could answer, he stepped out of the carriage and walked inside his family's home. A scoff escaped her lips, making Martin chuckle. He didn't overhear their conversation, he wouldn't dare, but a chuckle escaped his lips at the sight of a flustered Duchess. However, she adored what she said lastly. Their palace. Their home. And she was grateful and very happy that he enjoys it... Even if they have only stayed there for a day.