Undressed to Impress the Duke : A Steamy Historical Regency Romance Novel

by Scarlett Osborne

  There was a knock at the door. Setting aside the stockings, she stood up to answer it. When she opened the door, she was not surprised to see Mr. Bradshaw, standing there. His arm was in a splint, a sling holding it close to his body.

  “Yes?” she asked, wondering what he wanted now. She’d been hoping that he’d stay in his room for a while.

  “His Grace requests your presence,” he replied. “I believe the Dowager Duchess, and the other ladies have gone to tea at the Duchess of Edgeriver’s.”

  Eleanor sighed, then nodded. They had. She had helped Lady Julia to dress for it. She followed him down the hall.

  “How is your arm?” she asked, out of politeness.

  “It’s fine,” he replied.

  “Good to hear.”

  “You can’t trust them, you know,” he said. “No member of the ton truly cares about people like us. We are no more than the dirt beneath their shoes.”

  Eleanor didn’t know what to say. He sounded very bitter. She wondered what had happened to make him sound so angry.

  “Why do you care what they think? You don’t care about anyone but yourself,” Eleanor pointed out. She didn’t, for a moment, believe this of Aaron. He was genuine in his feelings for her.

  “How do you know?” He gave her an odd look—his lips twisted downwards, one eyebrow raised up. His eyes widened.

  “You took the one thing that I had that meant something to me. In exchange for your silence.” She raised her eyebrows. “As far as I’m concerned, you’ve shown your true colors, Mr. Bradshaw. I won’t forget that.”

  He looked at her angrily. “Everyone’s out for their own gain. You ought to have learned that by now.”

  “I’m beginning to,” she replied, though she knew that she was not that sort of a person. She couldn’t live her life in that manner. She entered the room, where Aaron lay in his bed. Mr. Bradshaw closed the door, leaving them.

  She sat down in the armchair, leaning forward and taking his hand in her own. Her heart swelled with joy as she watched him sleeping. He was beautiful when at rest. The sun spilling over him from the windows. She waited, watching the rise and fall of his chest.

  When Aaron opened his eyes, Eleanor was there. She was leaning forward, with her elbows on the bed, holding his hand. She smiled, her green eyes lighting up.

  “Am I dreaming?” he wondered aloud. She was an absolute angel. To wake to find her here—such bliss!

  “No. Not at all,” she said, tenderly.

  “Thank God.”

  He began to sit up, and she helped him, situating the pillows so that he was propped up against them. She took his hand in hers once more as she sat down on the side of the bed.

  “Now, we can talk properly,” he said. “There was so much I wanted to say earlier, but couldn’t.”

  “I thought that I’d lost you,” she murmured, gently caressing his fingers. The touch shot a thrill all of the way up his arm.

  “Not this time, My Darling.” He reached up, caressing her cheek with his hand. He ran his thumb over her bottom lip. He marveled at how she wore a simple maid’s uniform, yet looked as beautiful as any fine lady. Her hair was in its simple bun, her dark hair parted at the top.

  “It felt like the bottom had fallen out of the world. I fainted when I heard. Luckily, Lord Mallen caught me.”

  Aaron felt tenderness toward her—he hated that she had been so upset. He never wanted her to worry or be sad again. He wanted to show her how much he loved her.

  “Come here,” he said, gesturing for her to come closer. He wanted to hold her. Eleanor did as asked, moving so that she was next to him. He wrapped his arm around her as she leaned her head on his shoulder. He closed his eyes, kissing her on the top of her head. He leaned his cheek against her hair.

  The moment was perfect, with the sun shining through the windows. There was a gentle breeze coming in. And Eleanor was here, in his arms—real and solid.

  “I could stay like this forever,” he said. “I wish that we were the only two people in existence, and that no one would ever interrupt us.”

  “Me too,” she whispered.

  “Where did the ladies go?” he asked curiously.

  “Tea, with the Duchess of Edgeriver,” she murmured.

  “My step-mother is going to be taking tea at all of the neighboring estates,” he told her. “She’s got to tell everyone about the accident, and how I’m still alive.”

  “I suppose someone has to keep everyone apprised of the latest news,” Eleanor said. Aaron laughed.

  “Louisa dispenses of that duty admirably.”

  He caressed Eleanor’s cheek with his hand. His mind started wandering. They were alone. He doubted anyone would come looking for him. Not for a while at least…

  Chapter 27

  When Eleanor was in Aaron’s arms, she felt like she was where she belonged. The problem was, the world wouldn’t see it that way. She would enjoy this time with him, while she had it. Closing her eyes, she inhaled the scent of his skin. The spiciness of his cologne. She wanted to remember this. To remember him.

  She looked up, into his face. His blue eyes sparkled as he smiled at her. When he looks at me that way, it’s like I’m the only woman in existence. She kissed him, placing her hands on his cheeks, feeling the roughness of his closely-shaven beard. His arms encircled her waist, holding her close. The kiss deepened. His tongue dipped between her lips, parting them gently.

  She clung to him, closing her eyes. He trailed kisses along her neck, and she threw her head back to give him more access. He kissed her throat, then down toward the high collar of her dress. He moved gingerly, clearly avoiding moving his left knee.

  He unbuttoned the row of buttons on her maid’s uniform, giving himself more skin to kiss. He trailed downward, between her breasts. Eleanor felt a pleasant, tingling across her skin. His hand cupped her breast, squeezing gently, then thumbing her nipple through the fabric.

  His caresses stirred her to even greater pleasure—there was a blooming sensation at her core. She felt like he was opening her up. His hand ran along her thigh.

  When their eyes met, his eyes were sultry. Aaron’s lips were red, kiss-swollen. She had never thought that she could want him more than she did. Now, it was an ache, one she felt keenly.

  “What do you want me to do, My Darling?” he asked her.

  Eleanor smiled. “To think, a Duke, asking me what I want,” she murmured. “That is a gift indeed.” She had no idea. There was no language to describe what she wanted. “You should be resting.”

  “There is much that I can do without getting out of bed,” he assured her. “Whatever you want,” he murmured softly, taking her hand and kissing the back of it. He turned it over, kissing her wrist, the sensation of it tingling on the delicate skin there.

  “What you did in the millhouse,” she replied, feeling daring. He grinned.

  “As you wish,” he replied. “As it is, that will give me great pleasure, as well.” He ran his hand up her leg, pushing her skirt out of the way. His fingers moved expertly.

  His touch drove her mad with lust. She bit her lip, opening her eyes. She ran her fingers through his hair. There was a fire that burned in his eyes as he ran his hand along the inside of her thigh, moving slowly toward the part of her that she had never thought of seeking pleasure from.

  He circled the folds between her leg, stirring up raw pleasure inside of her. She had been taught that this was sin, but how could it be, when she was with the gentleman that loved her? She moaned, covering her own mouth with her other hand. After all, anyone might be passing by out in the hallway.

  She was breathing heavily, as he lay his head against her breast. She held him, her arms wrapped around his neck, cradling his head tenderly. She wished that the only thing that mattered was their love for each other. Here, alone, they fit together so perfectly.

  But when the ton was judging them, they were worlds apart. Eleanor wasn’t sure that it was surmountable.

  “Pl
ease, don’t leave me, Eleanor,” he whispered.

  “I’m not going anywhere.” She was too involved now, too in love with him. She couldn’t go anywhere. Not even home, to Clayriver Manor. Not when Aaron wouldn’t be there.

  Aaron was sitting up in bed, a book open in his lap. He had been staring at the same page for at least thirty minutes. He was thinking of Eleanor. Her soft moans as her fingers were wrapped in his hair. The thought of her, agreeing to stay, brought him more pleasure than he could admit to.

  Her love was a healing force. In it, Aaron could see how his life would be. Happy, sun-filled. They would have children, of course. He couldn’t marry anyone else. Not when he knew she existed. Eleanor’s love was the sort of thing that a gentleman fought for.

  Now, I just need to figure out a way to wed her, without anyone objecting to it.

  He heard the carriage as the horses drew it up the driveway, bearing the ladies home from Edgeriver Hall. He knew that Louisa would come to see how he was. Since he hadn’t called for her, she would come of her own accord.

  It was only a short while after that there was a knock on the door.

  “Come in,” Aaron called out, closing the book in his lap.

  “I just came to see how you were faring,” Louisa said, smiling as she came inside. Her skirts swished as she stepped inside.

  “I’m well, thank you. A little tired, but on the mend,” he was pleased to report. He would have liked to have gotten up, but there was no cause for it. The knock on the head had taken up all of his energy. His head ached, particularly around the stitches at his temple.

  Just walking to the window and back earlier had been the extent of his current abilities. Louisa sat down in the chair that was pulled up beside the bed. She sighed, smiling.

  “We’re all so relieved that we didn’t lose you,” she said. “Everyone has been so tense.”

  “Not to worry. You haven’t lost me yet.” He smiled, punctuating the sentence. He had learned that he was not indestructible in the past twenty-four hours.

  “I know that you are still healing, and cannot entertain our guests as you could before your accident,” she said, folding her hands, as if she were praying. “Thus, I have a suggestion.”

  “What sort of a suggestion?” he asked curiously. He had, in fact, been wondering what to do about this.

  “I want to go ahead with the ball,” the Dowager Duchess explained. “I will do all of the planning, and Lady Julia will assist me.”

  Aaron blinked at her as he considered the idea. It would give Louisa a project. She was in sore need of one. He could see that very clearly. Perhaps, he ought to have given her one ages ago.

  “You won’t have to do a thing,” she promised.

  Except to pay for it, he thought. There was no way around it, however.

  “It’s a good idea.” It would keep the ladies occupied, while he was resting. And, it would potentially give him the time and space to meet up with Eleanor. “I cannot be much of a host,” he said, already exhausted. “The surgeon says that I can’t be out of bed for another week yet.”

  “We shall hold it in two weeks’ time. That way, you will be up and out of bed. Lord Whitecier will be arriving then, as well.”

  “So be it,” he replied.

  “I want to spare no expense. We must impress the Earl and Countess of Whitecier. I also think that it would be the perfect time for you and Lady Julia to announce your engagement.”

  “Indeed,” he replied. “If that is, in fact, what we agree to do.” For he planned to give them bad news, in the end. He could not, in good conscience, wed their daughter. Not when he meant to marry another.

  Elopement, he thought to himself, it’s the only way.

  “You’re still undecided?”

  “Yes. But, I shall make a decision before the ball,” he assured her. “I’ll have quite a lot of time to think.”

  “Splendid,” Louisa said, getting up. “I shall let the ladies know.”

  “Please do,” he replied. She stopped at the doorway, looking back at him, a small smile on her face.

  “It really is good to see you awake,” she said, sighing. “Jack and I were absolutely sick at the thought that you might not make it.”

  “Thank you, Louisa.”

  “For all our disagreements, we are family,” she replied.

  “Indeed,” Aaron agreed. She nodded, then left the room, closing the door softly after her.

  Funny, that’s the first time she’s ever said that, he thought. In the time he’d known her, it wasn’t often that Louisa had acted tenderly. She mostly saved those feelings for Jack, who was her own child.

  He lay back against the pillows, listening to the sounds of her footsteps, growing farther and farther in the distance. He wondered if he would be able to attend a ball in two weeks’ time.

  The Dowager Duchess sat on the settee like a queen, her chin raised proudly. She had just swept in, joining the other ladies as they sat, lounging after returning from Edgeriver Hall.

  “I have just spoken to His Grace,” she said to Lady Julia and the Countess of Whitecier. As she spoke, she picked up her glass of lemon cordial and sipped it. “And I have gotten his permission to allow us to host our ball at Myrtlegrove Manor, at last.”

  “How exciting,” Julia said. When she glanced over at her mother, the Countess was beaming. She nodded approvingly. Julia looked back toward the Dowager Duchess.

  “And you shall help me, Lady Julia,” she added. “This way, I can teach you everything that I know about throwing a ball of the first magnitude.” Though her mother had showed her how to play hostess, Lady Whitecier had not the resources that Julia would have, were she to become the Duchess of Durnsott.

  “Will it be just like the ones that you used to have?” Julia asked. She was eager to experience the fabled parties that the Dowager Duchess had described to her.

  “Just so.” The Dowager Duchess brought her tea cup to her lips, sipping delicately. “It will be nothing short of decadent, I assure you.”

  “Teach me everything that you know.” Julia was eager to please. If she was going to have to be a Duchess, then she was going to have to learn. From the sound of it, the Dowager Duchess was leaving behind some very tough shoes to fill.

  “I shall, My Dear.” She looked very pleased with herself. “You shall wear these diamonds that very night.”

  “Really?” Lady Julia felt shocked—she had never seen the Dowager Duchess without them. The massive, glittering stones seemed to be a part of her.

  The Dowager Duchess beamed at her. “Really. It will be the sign that I support you, and that I approve of the marriage. I will speak to Aaron, and I’m sure that he will agree that it will be the very night that the both of you announce your engagement.”

  “Oh, yes,” Julia said, taking a sip of lemon cordial to hide her faltering smile. This was not what Julia wanted. She tried smiling, but it faltered again. She raised her glass to her lips, to hide it.

  The lemon cordial was sweet, cloyingly so. But cool in the warmth of the summer afternoon. In her mind, she saw Jack Ayles’ face, smiling at her as he bowed gallantly. Then, she thought of the Duke. He had called for her, first thing after waking up.

  I don’t know that it’s right, she thought. But I don’t believe that I have a say in any of this.

  Chapter 28

  It was late in the day when Jack came to visit Aaron. The sunlight in Aaron’s bed chamber was fading. It had seemed as though the day had progressed very slowly. He glanced over at his brother, who was sitting in the chair beside his bed.

  “So? How do you feel?” Jack asked. Aaron smiled at his younger brother, who was dressed for riding. He tugged off his leather gloves, setting them on his lap.

  “Exhausted,” Aaron replied. “I never knew that a knock on the head would keep me in bed like this.”

  “Well, I am relieved to have you back with us,” Jack said, sitting down in the chair. He crossed his legs, looking at him. “We were a
ll so worried about you. You were a wreck when they brought you in. Such a shame about old Northrup.”

  “Agreed.”

  “I can’t remember a time when he wasn’t around,” Jack murmured.

  Aaron nodded. “We’ll have to help his family,” he said. “I want to pay for his burial expenses. Then, I’d like to send money to his wife.”

  “Good idea. If you’d like, I can call on his widow for you.”