by Joanna Shupe
Flustered from the changing room, Maddie stepped outside and slipped her hat on her head. What had come over her in there? It was like his presence in that tiny room had stolen her reason, scattered her thoughts. She’d been brazen. Daring. A selfish woman who’d behaved recklessly, with little regard to the serious consequences that could result.
Now everything was different, like the heavens had been flipped upside down. The sun felt cold on her skin, the soft breeze like needles.
Yet she couldn’t begin to stop and contemplate what it all meant, not when one of her friends had been injured.
Kit gave her a secretive glance, one that said he was aware of what had transpired in that tiny room, but that was impossible. No one could have any idea because Maddie wasn’t certain herself.
The tent was quiet, with everyone huddled in one corner around a woman in a chair. “What happened?” Maddie asked.
Alice was seated, her foot propped on another chair. “Forgive me for ruining the game, Miss Webster.” Misery shone in her troubled gaze. “There was a hole in the grass and I overlooked it. My ankle’s turned.”
“No apologies necessary.” Maddie clasped Alice’s hand. “I feel awful that you’ve been hurt.”
“It appears to be a mild twist,” Daddy said. “We sent for the doctor just to be sure.”
“Thank you, Mr. Webster,” Alice’s mother said, her lips thin and white with anger. “We are sorry for the inconvenience. Alice is too clumsy for her own good.”
Before Maddie could stick up for Alice, Nellie spoke. “Clumsy had nothing to do with it, Mrs. Lusk. There was a giant hole in the lawn. Anyone might have stepped in it.”
“Rotten gophers,” Daddy muttered. “I’ll speak to my gardeners.”
Mama sidled up to Maddie and cast Alice a sympathetic glance. “Poor thing. We should make Miss Lusk comfortable upstairs, don’t you think?”
Mrs. Lusk moved closer to her daughter, a challenging gleam in her eye. “No one should move her until the doctor arrives.”
“Nonsense.” Harrison pointed at the chair. “If we gents take a side, we can lift her and get her upstairs.”
“Ah. We used to do that in college,” Kit said. “Like a litter.”
“Surely that is not safe,” Mrs. Lusk said. “Or proper.”
“We’ll not drop her, I promise.” Harrison put a hand over his heart. “But I think she’d prefer to be out of the midst of all the attention.”
The normally shy Alice beamed at him, relief flooding her expression. “I would be very grateful, Mr. Archer.”
The ladies stepped back as Kit, Harrison and the duke removed their coats and arranged themselves at the sides of the chair. Maddie and her mother cleared a path for them to maneuver. When the three men lifted the chair, Alice grasped the wood to hold herself steady. The pace was slow and careful, with Mrs. Lusk hovering nearby to give unnecessary commentary and directions.
Maddie started to follow, but her mother stopped her. “I’ll go with Miss Lusk. You stay here with the other guests.”
“Are you certain?” She watched the strong muscles of Harrison’s shoulders shift as he moved toward the house. Goodness, he was very fit.
Meet me in the gazebo at half past midnight.
Under no circumstances could she meet him. Not alone, not after this afternoon.
Though . . . would he really come to her bedroom if she didn’t?
Her stomach fluttered, everything in her lower half clenching. No, no, no. That idea should absolutely not appeal to her. If she was dreaming of any man in her bed, it should have been her fiancé.
God, what was she going to do?
When she looked up, nearly everyone had left the tent. Nellie was the only one left. “Want to walk a bit?”
Had her friend been waiting to get her alone? Maddie went over. “I’d like that. The path by the cliffs?”
Nellie nodded and the two of them picked their way down the stone stairs to reach the Cliff Walk. Maddie was breathing hard by the time they found the narrow stretch of path that ran between the great cottages along the shoreline and the water. Every year the homeowners made the walk longer and safer to traverse.
“I apologize for Alice's accident,” Nellie said as they started along the path. The sea churned below, the foamy waves lapping at the rocks and sand. “It was my fault she was hurt.”
“You didn’t force the gopher to dig a hole in our lawn, Nellie.”
“Yes, but I did drag her across the grass in the first place. She preferred the path but I convinced her my way was shorter.”
“Accidents happen. Do not worry about it. She’ll recover.”
“Even so, I should be declared the loser. Don’t let Alice miss out on the boat excursion due to my selfishness.”
Right, the winning prize. A day on the water with Harrison and the unattached ladies sounded like absolute torture to Maddie at the moment. “Perhaps I should cancel in light of recent events.”
Nellie appeared horrified at the idea. “No, don’t cancel. They’re all looking forward to it.”
“They, but not you.”
Nellie lifted a shoulder and turned her face toward the water, but not before Maddie saw her small smile. “I admit, I would rather spend my afternoon elsewhere.”
“Are you going to tell me the identity of this mystery man?”
“No. He’s nothing serious. Regardless, a few hours trapped with a bunch of girls mooning after Harrison Archer is not my idea of fun.”
Nor Maddie’s—not any longer.
Nellie smirked when she caught Maddie’s miserable expression. “It’s obviously not your idea of fun, either. Why are you doing this to yourself?”
“Doing what? Hosting a house party?”
“You know what I mean. Watching Harrison cozy up to these other women.”
“I am engaged. There’s nothing to be said.”
“Engagements are broken all the time. What is it gaining you to play by their rules? A miserable marriage?”
“We’re not all as rebellious as you, Nellie.”
The other woman stopped and took Maddie’s arm. “There’s nothing stopping you. Look out there.” She gestured toward the endless expanse of water, glistening in the distance. “A whole world awaits us, one not bound by conventions or the dictates of society, and women are told not to want it because it isn’t proper. But this is our life, Maddie. Our only chance for true happiness. I am not about to waste it. Are you?”
Maddie sighed. “You make it sound so easy.”
“It’s not. Being a woman is like swimming against the tide to survive—yet you fought for the right to play tennis. What happened when that tennis club owner tried to bar women from hosting a tournament last year?”
A grin tugged at the corners of Maddie’s mouth. “I challenged him to a game.”
“Which you won. After that, he allowed women to host a tournament.”
“This is different. There are other lives that would be affected.”
“If you mean the duke, I think three of the guests and a few chaperones would propose marriage to him on the spot if you cried off.”
“I get the sense you don’t care much for Lockwood.”
“Oh. Well, I hardly know him, do I? Seems a bit stiff, but that goes with the ducal territory, I suppose.” She linked their arms, and the two of them started along the path once again. “I only ask that you think about it. The man is hopelessly in love with you.”
“The duke?”
Nellie chuckled. “You know perfectly well who I mean.”
Chapter Thirteen
At twelve-thirty that night, Harrison paced in the gazebo, restless energy coursing through him like a locomotive. Waves crashed on the beach, while the night air tasted of salt and smelled of roses. The quarter moon overhead offered little illumination, but he didn’t need it. In fact, the darkness might benefit them, as it had in the changing room.
The thought of those sweet fingertips—exploring, caressing his
thigh until he’d been hard as stone—had caused him to break out in a sweat all evening.
Her bold touch had caught him unaware. Maddie was careful, the person who thoughtfully considered every outcome before deciding on a course of action. In other words, Harrison’s complete opposite. So whatever was happening between them must have overridden her proclivity for caution while they were in the changing room.
And thank God for that, because he had no reason, no caution when it came to her, especially now. Every moment that passed brought him closer to the end of this house party and her future as the next Duchess of Lockwood. He could not lose her, not this time.
Shoving his hands in his trouser pockets, he stared out into the blackness and forced himself to relax. There was every chance she wouldn’t show. She might decide not to risk it, that her marriage to Lockwood was more important. But Harrison didn’t think so. Maddie wouldn’t like the unanswered questions, the uncertainty of their feelings. She would come looking for answers. For resolution.
He was prepared to give her whatever she needed, if it convinced her to marry him instead of the duke.
A rustle of cloth caught his attention. Spinning, he saw her creeping toward the gazebo, and all the breath left his lungs.
She came.
He said nothing as she approached, merely watched while heat scalded the underside of his skin. Judging by her expression, she was nervous and he didn’t wish to scare her further.
When she stepped in, she avoided his eye. “I shouldn’t be here.”
“No one needs to know, Maddie. Whatever happens is between us.”
“You know that isn’t true.” She crossed to the wooden bench, sat and arranged her skirts. Her hands were bare and that damn betrothal ring glinted in the dim light.
The breeze carried a chill in the air and he saw her shiver. Removing his coat, he strode over and placed it around her shoulders. “You should’ve remembered how cold it can get at night.”
“Yes, well. I wasn’t thinking clearly when I left my bedchamber, obviously.”
He lowered himself onto the bench. “I’ll not force you to stay.”
“I couldn’t risk that you’d sneak into my bedroom.”
His excitement dimmed slightly. He preferred that she came to him of her own free will, but he wouldn’t apologize for the threat, especially seeing as how it had worked. Instead of dancing around the subject, he blurted out what was on his mind. “You cannot marry him, not with things between us uncertain.”
“They are merely uncertain because you keep pushing me.”
“Hardly. You’ve admitted your attraction to me—without much prompting, I might add.”
“I never should have said that, not while I’m engaged to Lockwood.”
“Then there is what happened in the changing room.”
“Another mistake,” she said. “A momentary fit of insanity.”
“Wrong. It’s called desire and you are dancing around the obvious. I’ll not allow you to pretend any longer.”
“Oh, you’ll not allow?” She pushed off the bench, her movements stiff with anger. “You’ll not allow? Harrison, I am not free to declare my regard for another man. You have nothing standing in your way, no pressure to remain silent. Such a luxury does not exist for me.”
She was still denying her feelings for him, which irritated him beyond measure. Shooting to his feet, he stalked toward her, his soles thumping on the wooden floor. “Lockwood does not deserve you. He is completely wrong for you and will bring you nothing but loneliness and misery.”
Uncertainty flashed over her face before she masked it, but she did not back down. Instead, her spine straightened as she watched him draw closer. “You have no way of knowing that.”
“Please. I am familiar with the way your mind works. You need someone who will stand up to you, who will excite you. Otherwise, you’ll grow bored and unhappy.”
“What are you talking about?”
“The other children did whatever you said, no questions asked. You were like a brigadier general here, organizing and cajoling. I was the only one who challenged and questioned you. That was why you liked me best, why we became such good friends.”
She made a scoffing sound. “That is hardly true. We enjoyed causing mischief together.”
“No, I enjoyed causing mischief. You enjoyed planning said mischief.” He folded his arms and gave her a sly smile. “You never wanted a devoted acolyte . . . you wanted a partner in crime.”
“Perhaps, but that was a long time ago. We are not children any longer.”
“We haven’t changed all that much,” he said. “Not on the inside, which is how I am certain Lockwood will make you unhappy. Because you will run roughshod over him and become bored within a week.”
“I’ll have my tennis, our children. Life as a duchess.”
A life without him.
Children that were not his.
The idea of it made Harrison want to howl. He threaded his fingers through his hair and pulled on the strands, struggling for calm. “You are settling, Maddie.”
“To become a duchess?” Her voice rose several octaves. “You actually believe becoming a duchess is somehow settling?”
“When it comes to your happiness, yes I do,” he shot back. “I want you more than that arrogant duke ever could.”
She rocked back on her heels, seemingly stunned at his admission. “Why now? What has changed?”
He certainly did not want to travel this path, not yet. If he told her of his longstanding feelings, she’d likely go dashing back into the house. “Does that matter? Can you not just accept the fact that it has?”
If he thought that would appease her, he was wrong. Her eyes flashed green fire, as if his evasiveness angered her. “You’re right—it doesn’t matter because I cannot break this betrothal. The die has been cast.”
The hell it had.
He didn’t stop until he was directly in front of her, the tips of his shoes brushing her skirts. She had to crane her neck to meet his eyes but she didn’t move. A lovely flush worked its way over her cheeks, and he could see the pulse pounding on the creamy slope of her throat. The air grew heavy around them, as if it were weighted with anticipation and longing, and the tops of her breasts heaved as her chest expanded. His fingers itched with the need to finally touch her . . . but he wouldn’t do it. Not yet.
“Nothing has been settled until you walk down the aisle and recite vows. And I will not stop pushing when I am certain you are making a mistake.”
She licked her lips before whispering, “You cannot possibly know that.”
“You’d be surprised at what I know.” He leaned down, allowing his breath to tease her skin, and put his lips near her ear. “I know the two of you treat one another like strangers, when all the while you have been thinking of kissing me. Not trusting yourself alone with me. Nearly stroking my erection in the changing room.”
She sucked in a ragged breath, her body trembling. “Harrison . . .” The sound was faint, but he heard the plea, the yearning in the way she said his name.
Sensing victory, he pressed on. “I want to give you everything. All you have to do is ask.”
“Oh, God. This is wrong.”
Thunder rumbled overhead, as if the heavens agreed with her. He didn’t care. Nothing would keep him from her, not Lockwood or a betrothal. Not her family or society’s ridiculous conventions. Not the fucking Devil himself . . .
The only person who could stop him was Maddie.
“Do you want me?” He pitched his voice low, his body still angled over hers. “You may have as little or as much as you want tonight. I am yours for the taking.”
“I shouldn’t.”
They were both breathing hard, nearly panting. Need chewed its way through his lower body, his cock hard and ready. He knew he should take it easy on her, not pursue her so relentlessly. But Jesus . . . nearly everything he’d ever wanted stood in front of him.
“That is not an answer.
It’s just the two of us here right now. No one else. But you must decide.”
Her teeth sank into her bottom lip, her eyes shifting to his mouth. The restraint nearly killed him, but she must come to him willingly, without coercion. Without guilt.
Without regrets.
It seemed like an eternity before she spoke. “Kiss me. Please, Harrison. Just kiss me.”
Triumph flooded him, causing his muscles to tighten in expectation, yet he didn’t move. “Take off his ring.”
A crease formed between her brows as she met his gaze. “Why?”
“Because tonight you belong to me.”
He held out his palm and waited. More thunder shook the sky, a portentous rumbling under their feet that made him crave her compliance—her acceptance—all the more.
With shaky fingers, she removed the large emerald and diamond ring from her finger and placed it in his hand. He slipped the ducal piece, the sign of another man’s ownership, into the pocket of his coat, which she still wore. Lifting his hands, he cradled her face, holding her like the most precious antique as he merely stared down at her. She wrapped her fingers around his wrists, holding on to him, linking them to each other.
“Just for tonight,” she breathed before pushing up on her toes and capturing his mouth with her own.
Distracted by the feel of her soft lips, he didn’t bother correcting her. He couldn’t stop, not even if every houseguest suddenly surrounded the gazebo to gawk at them. Because finally—finally—he had her pressed against him, their lips moving together, her soft sighs falling into his mouth as they kissed.
It started sweet, as they learned and explored, but the kiss quickly became something else entirely. The backs of his thighs sizzled, lust careening through his belly as their mouths worked hungrily. Her fingertips dug into his skin, and he deepened the kiss, his tongue slipping past the seam of her lips, inside the wet haven of her mouth. She stroked him with her own tongue, meeting him, driving him insane with swirls and flicks, making him contemplate laying her down on the gazebo floor so he could kiss every inch of her. Lick between her thighs. Feast on her until she begged for mercy.