When a Duke Loves a Governess
Page 29
She glowed. “In all fairness, I owe the man a debt of gratitude. He’s the one who suggested that Lord Haviland is my brother.”
Guy idly twisted a curl of her hair around his finger. “My powers of observation must be failing me. I never even noticed that you two have the same unusual shade of hair—and he’s my childhood friend. By the way, you’ll be pleased to hear that your brother has become remarkably respectable. Not only has he cleared his debts and abandoned his rakish ways, he also told me tonight that he hopes to marry Miss Knightley.”
Tessa’s eyes widened. “Truly? Oh, how happy Avis will be! She’s never forgotten him, you know.”
The duke’s smile slowly faded into a more serious look. Still holding her close, he said, “You’re now a member of two powerful noble families, Tessa. You’re sister to an earl and granddaughter of a marquess, both of whom are your staunch supporters. Do you still think you don’t belong in society?”
She drew a shaky breath. When Guy gazed at her with such intensity in his dark eyes, it was difficult to remember all the reasons why she had balked at the prospect. “It’s a world I’ve never known. How could I possibly fit in?”
“You’re underestimating yourself, darling. You’re bright and witty and exceedingly charming. You’ll have Marbury and Haviland as your allies, as well as me. It’s time you took your rightful place as a member of the nobility—and as my duchess.”
Though her heart thumped with longing, this second offer was hardly better than the first. He’d slipped it in almost as an afterthought.
She pulled herself free, sprang up from the ottoman, and turned to face him. “Even if I wanted to be a duchess, which I don’t, I would never marry a man who’s … in love with another woman.”
He gaped up at her in flagrant surprise. Then his expression cleared, and he leaped to his feet, the hint of a smile curling one corner of his mouth. “Are you referring to Annabelle the Angel?”
Tessa lifted her chin and crossed her arms. “Don’t regard me so … so mockingly. Lord and Lady Norwood said she was the most perfect lady ever. Even Banfield told me you were madly in love with her.”
“My dearest heart, are those really the opinions you wish to trust? The truth is that her Angel moniker went only skin deep. She was shallow and self-absorbed, outwardly beautiful but inwardly empty. I was young and infatuated when we spoke our vows, but soon realized that we had very little in common. She had no interest in my scientific work, and I had no interest in attending an endless array of balls and parties. Afterward I swore I’d never again be taken in by a pretty face.” His wry smile deepened. “At least until you came into my life.”
The revelation was a balm to Tessa’s maimed spirits. So was his phrase my dearest heart. It made her feel vibrant with hope. “Is that why you were determined never to marry again?”
He nodded ruefully. “In a nutshell. But I’m botching it again, aren’t I?”
All trace of humor gave way to an intent earnestness. He closed the short distance between them, fell to one knee, and clasped her hand, gazing up at her with a worshipful warmth in his eyes. “Tessa, my dear, I love you with all my heart and soul. I know with absolute certainty that my life will never be complete without you as my wife. I promise to cherish you always. Will you put me out of my misery at last and do me the great honor of accepting me as your husband?”
An airy lightness swept away most of her misgivings. Her eyes misted, this time with happiness, and she threaded her fingers through his thick dark hair. “Oh, Guy, I love you, too, so very much. But pray don’t kneel before me. We must be as equals. Do stand up at once.”
“Not until you agree. If I need must remain in this position from now until kingdom come, I shall suffer my fate gladly.”
A gurgle of laughter escaped her. “But I can’t be a duchess. I truly don’t know how.”
“Oh? You’re acting like one now, issuing orders, telling me what to do.” Smiling, he cocked his head to one side. “I envision you as an unconventional duchess, wielding your power for good works. Being provided with generous pin money, you’ll have the means to purchase a millinery shop. Then you can design the hats and hire girls from the foundling home as your workers.” Temptingly, he added, “Just think of all the orphans you could help.”
For a moment, Tessa felt too choked up to speak. It was the answer to all her dreams. To marry Guy yet not be forced to subjugate her interests to his will—or that of society.
Since he refused to stand, she sank to her knees, framing his face in her hands. “But dearest, think of the gossip. Even if I’m discreet, my grandfather will find out I’m a shop owner.”
“Marbury will come around eventually. As for my wishes, you may be as eccentric as you please. Given all my wanderings around the globe, I’m something of an eccentric myself, which makes us the perfect couple.”
Tessa’s heart melted, and her happiness beamed forth in a tender smile. “Then we had best be wed at once. I wish never to be apart from you again.”
His harsh features softened with an expression of tender joy that she’d have found mawkish in any other man. “Finally!”
With that, they fell into each other’s arms to share a kiss of fiery passion and boundless promise. She felt in perfect harmony with Guy, as if at last she had found her home, the one place where she belonged. She reveled in the taste of his lips, the feel of his body, as her smoldering desire for him was fanned into flames.
When she tugged at his shirt, he sprang up and pulled her over to the bed, where they divested themselves of clothing in a mad rush. Yet concern made her hesitate as he settled back onto the mattress. “Your arm,” she said, eyeing the binding. “It isn’t yet healed.”
A gleam shone in his eyes. “Then minister to me, my love.”
He pulled on her hand and brought her tumbling down, draped over his powerful naked form. She was straddling him with her legs parted and her palms braced upon his firm chest. The novelty of the position seared her veins with excitement. Her breathing fast and eager, she lowered herself until he was sheathed to the hilt within the damp heat of her body.
Her long hair formed a curtain that closed out the rest of the world. There was only the two of them awash in lush sensations and an abundance of pleasure. While moving her hips, she uttered soft moans of uninhibited enjoyment, especially when he slipped his hand between them to caress her intimately. Within moments, she felt the rise of rapture enticing her over the edge into blissful madness. Even as the spasms rocked her, he cried out her name, thrusting upward, his body shuddering with his own white-hot release.
As they lay entwined in the aftermath, Tessa knew the joy of perfect contentment. Never had she realized that marrying didn’t have to mean bondage; it could actually free the soul. Yet she wanted Guy to have his dreams, too.
She let her fingers skim over the beloved contours of his face. “I love you so much, my dearest duke. But what about the pirate’s map? Don’t you wish to go back and find the gold doubloons?”
“You’re treasure enough for me.” Smiling, he brushed a kiss over her lips. “I’d sooner stay in England, where I’ve far more enjoyable things to do.”
“Like helping me invent a new past?” she teased.
He groaned. “About that … what do you say we forget Canada entirely and use your true background? That will mean you can openly acknowledge Haviland as your brother.”
Taken by the notion, Tessa caught her breath. “Do you really think I could? But only imagine how people will talk if they learn I’m baseborn and grew up in a workhouse.”
“Let the hens cluck,” he said, the tender glow in his eyes warming her through and through. “After all, what’s one more scandal so long as we have each other?”
ALSO BY OLIVIA DRAKE
THE UNLIKELY DUCHESSES
Forever My Duke
The Duke I Once Knew
THE CINDERELLA SISTERHOOD
The Scandalous Flirt
His Wicked Wish
Bella and the Beast
Abducted by a Prince
Stroke of Midnight
If the Slipper Fits
HEIRESS IN LONDON SERIES
Scandal of the Year
Never Trust a Rogue
Seducing the Heiress
Praise for OLIVIA DRAKE’S UNLIKELY DUCHESSES SERIES
FOREVER MY DUKE
“Sure to keep returning readers invested in the series.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Will appeal to fans of Julia Quinn and Eloisa James.”
—Booklist (starred review)
“American and English cultures clash in the parlor and the bedroom in Drake’s latest outing (after The Duke I Once Knew). Readers looking to cheer on two unlikely lovers will gravitate to this title.
” —Library Journal
“A deftly crafted and classic historical romance, Forever My Duke showcases author Olivia Drake’s impressive and imaginative narrative storytelling skills.… Absolutely and unreservedly recommended.”
—Midwest Book Review
THE DUKE I ONCE KNEW
“This tightly plotted, well-paced novel … shows that sometimes, love is just meant to be.”
—NPR
“A heart-melting story of forgiveness and second chances.”
—Booklist
“Drake’s description, characterization, and pacing are all top notch, drawing readers into the novel right from the start.… Sweet, steamy, slightly angsty, and thoroughly entertaining.”
—Affaire de Coeur
“Enormously enchanting.”
—Romance Junkies
About the Author
OLIVIA DRAKE is a New York Times bestselling author who lives in Texas. Her novels have won critical acclaim and numerous industry awards, including the prestigious RITA. She invites you to visit www.oliviadrake.com, or sign up for email updates here.
Thank you for buying this
St. Martin’s Press ebook.
To receive special offers, bonus content,
and info on new releases and other great reads,
sign up for our newsletters.
Or visit us online at
us.macmillan.com/newslettersignup
For email updates on the author, click here.
Contents
Title Page
Copyright Notice
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Also by Olivia Drake
Praise for Olivia Drake’s Unlikely Duchesses Series
About the Author
Copyright
This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
First published in the United States by St. Martin’s Paperbacks, an imprint of St. Martin’s Publishing Group
WHEN A DUKE LOVES A GOVERNESS
Copyright © 2021 by Barbara Dawson Smith.
All rights reserved.
For information address St. Martin’s Publishing Group, 120 Broadway, New York, NY 10271.
www.stmartins.com
eISBN: 9781250174505
Our books may be purchased in bulk for promotional, educational, or business use. Please contact the Macmillan Corporate and Premium Sales Department at 1-800-221-7945, ext. 5442, or by email at MacmillanSpecialMarkets@macmillan.com.
St. Martin’s Paperbacks edition 2021