The Last Duke (The Valiant Love Regency Romance) (A Historical Romance Book)

by Deborah Wilson

  A third son was not one of them.

  But perhaps, a reaction was the reason the brothers had sent the younger one to speak to Anthony.

  He schooled his features and didn’t dare say a word. Though he had to admit, for a third son, Lore didn’t seem like a man one wished to make his enemy.

  Holding the young lord’s blue eyes made Anthony feel as though he’d just been bitten by frosty wind. That gaze was so cold it was menacing, calling for death. “We’re going to trust you to do right by our sister, but let me make myself clear—“

  “There’s no need to threaten me. I would never hurt your sister intentionally.”

  “That may be, but you should know what we will do to you if you do hurt her.” We clearly included his brothers. “If I find that my sister has so much as shed a tear of sadness and that it was caused by you, we’ve agreed that you shall be the next lord to vanish.” Then he stepped a little closer and whispered, “And no man shall ever find you, much less dare to look.”

  They held each other’s gazes.

  Then Lore took a step back. “Have a good day, Your Grace.” Then he walked away.

  The butler appeared as if from thin air and saw Anthony out to the street.

  Instead of feeling slighted by anything Lore had said, Anthony felt reborn. It was as though invisible chains had been loosened from him. He’d tried to court Valiant as a gentleman.

  Now he would go after her as no one but himself.

  ∫ ∫ ∫

  2 9

  “No, Beatrix. Coax more curls upon her temples,” Brinley said as she peered into the mirror.

  Beatrix, using a delicate hand, skirted a few curls to one side and then the other. Then she frowned. “No.” Beatrix shook her head. “I believe there should be just a few to frame her beautiful face.”

  Somewhere in the room, Valiant’s lady’s maid occupied a corner, her job stolen from her by the women in Valiant’s life who thought they knew what was best for her—better than Valiant herself did.

  She turned her head slightly and tried to find the silent lady’s maid.

  “Stay still, Valiant,’ Brinley said, and Beatrix turned her head back to the mirror.

  “I got it!” Everly rushed in with a glittering tiara.

  Brinley and Beatrix clapped and sighed with relief as though the tiara would save Valiant’s entire costume, and thus the night.

  Everly positioned herself to do the honors. “I could never wear it myself. The color clashes with my own red curls. But on Valiant…” Once the blood-toned gem with its black diamonds and gold finishing were placed in her head, the others stood back and Valiant stared at herself.

  She admitted it did look lovely on her head.

  “It was my mother’s,” Everly whispered.

  Valiant looked at her in the mirror. “Thank you.” And then she looked at the others. “Thank you all.”

  Beatrix looked ready to weep.

  Lifting her skirts, Valiant stood. “But truly. It isn’t as though I’m getting married.”

  “Yet,” Brinley said.

  “But you will,” Beatrix declared.

  “You look lovely.” Everly kissed her cheek.

  Brinley asked Beatrix, “Are you sure we shouldn’t have put a touch of rouge on her cheeks? Just a little?”

  Beatrix shook her head. Her eyes glittered. “I’m sure Lord Cartelle will find ways to turn Valiant’s cheeks naturally crimson.”

  Valiant felt her face begin to burn. She turned to the door.

  There was no reason to try and convince any of them that dinner at the Goody residence was about seeing Mr. Goody for herself. They didn’t believe her.

  When Anthony had left Valiant in the drawing room the other evening, her sisters-in-law had confessed to having seen him hold her on the terrace, which they’d thought to be quite romantic.

  When Valiant had made mention of how inappropriate the act had been, Everly had laughed loudly and declared, “You should have seen just how inappropriate Asher was while courting me.”

  Again, Valiant had warned her sisters-in-law against sharing any more stories about her brothers, but they barely listened.

  She allowed them to continue on with their encouragement and to fuss over her crimson gown before pushing her out the door.

  Her brothers waited for her in the hall, lined up against the wall with looks that ranged from slightly humorous to outright menacing.

  Valiant bit her tongue to keep from shouting. Would her family not leave her be?

  Asher turned to her sisters-in-law. “We would like a moment alone with Valiant.”

  The women said their final words to Valiant before scattering to the nearest room where they would undoubtedly eavesdrop.

  Valiant spoke first. “You all are making much ado about nothing! I will go to Lady Goody’s home, I will have dinner, and then I will return home. Really, it is nothing more than that.”

  “You know as well as anyone that it will be more,” Asher said, making his displeasure known. “I would simply caution you to be careful.”

  Her heart jumped. “We are not having this discussion.”

  “I say keep an open mind,” Lore said, his tone casual, his expression warm. “You wouldn’t want to make a decision you’ll regret for the rest of your life.”

  She glared at him. “Thank you, Lore, but truly, this is all unnecessary.”

  “Are you sure you wish to go alone?” Hero asked.

  “No! Don’t…” The quickly muffled shout came from the door where her sisters-in-law stood. It sounded like Beatrix.

  There were a few whispered hushes and then the hall fell quiet again.

  Valiant rolled her eyes and shouted behind her. “Truly, you might as well all come out. We know you are there.”

  Hero regained her attention. “The offer still stands. You don’t have to do this alone.”

  Valiant went to Hero and grabbed his arms. She looked at him and then she looked at her brothers one by one. “I love you all and I am eternally grateful that each of you are my brothers, but I am not just your little sister anymore. I have been a wife. I am now a widow. I do not need a chaperone, a protector, or any of your permissions or approvals.” She shouted the last so that her sisters-in-law could hear her. Then she turned back to her brothers. “I will be fine. It is nothing but dinner.”

  Lore turned to Asher. “She’ll be engaged by week’s end.”

  Asher shook his head, but his tight gaze stayed on Valiant. His hand stroked his jaw. “No, I think she’ll hold out longer than that.”

  Hero met her gaze. “I could follow your carriage and maintain a distance where it would appear as though I’m not there. You wouldn’t even see me. We’ll create a call signal. Once I hear it, I know to come out and get you to safety.”

  Was anyone listening to her anymore?

  She dropped her arms and grabbed her skirts. “Have a good evening, everyone.” She moved around her brothers and started down the hall once more.

  Then she paused and turned around to look at Hero. “Don’t you dare follow me.”

  “I’ll make sure he doesn’t,” Beatrix said as she stepped out into the hall. There were those senseless tears in her eyes again.

  Valiant went to her carriage and took a deep breath in the quiet.

  Then just to make sure Hero hadn’t followed her, she stared at her brother’s residence until it faded out of sight.

  As though she’d ever see Hero if he didn’t wish her to.

  There was always a chance that he would follow, and she would never know.

  Her brothers—and sisters-in-law—could make her question her sanity at times, but she knew she’d never trade them for the world.

  She wondered how Anthony would get along with her family? Then she wondered why she’d wondered that at all. What did it matter? She’d not marry him.

  This was just dinner.

  And yet… She saw no harm in playing a little in her mind.

  She thought
Anthony and her brothers would get on well… once he relaxed and became less guarded.

  That would have to come in time. Anthony was not a man who trusted easily.

  And yet he’d trusted her in a matter of weeks.

  And now he knew the reason she didn’t wish to marry.

  She could barely believe she’d confessed her inadequacy to him when she’d never done so with anyone else.

  She believed it to be his anger that caused it. He’d believed her brothers had not done their duty to care for her. She couldn’t have allowed his thoughts to continue in that direction. He’d likely have called them all to a duel.

  He’d never have gotten along with her brothers after that!

  Not that it mattered if he got along with them at all.

  She groaned and pushed herself back in the seat.

  She needed to start focusing on the upcoming night. She and Anthony were nothing more than friends, but it was time she set some boundaries.

  There could be no more touching between them. It confused her and blurred the lines. She desperately did not want to lead him to believe she’d changed her mind, because she couldn’t.

  She would not set herself up for failure again.

  But Anthony was a temptation she’d never seen coming.

  She couldn’t help but feel warmed at the memory of his gaze. He possessed the ability to melt the rest of the world away and turn her insides into knots with nothing more than a look.

  And while alone in her bed, she admitted that she craved him. Innocent touches turned her into a wanton. She could hardly recognize herself when she was with him.

  She wanted him. It was undeniable.

  Yet she would deny him.

  She would.

  The carriage stopped in front of the Goody residence.

  The door opened, and she moved to get down, only to be startled when someone began to climb in.

  She saw a glimpse of dark hair and wide shoulders cased in fine black.

  She recognized that scent. It was one that had caused her to lose sleep from wanting.

  Then she caught the flash of gray eyes.

  “Anthony,” she breathed.

  ∫ ∫ ∫

  3 0

  With Valiant’s next breath, his mouth was on hers.

  And it was not gentle.

  He possessed her, taking her lips between his own as though he owned them.

  Valiant lost her hold on her sanity and gripped him instead.

  He settled closer and only then did she realize she’d spread her legs.

  As if to welcome him.

  She gasped and turned her head away.

  His hands settled on her ankles, finding them easily underneath her skirts. His mouth moved to her throat, sucking hard at her skin. Kneeling before her, he still overpowered her, was still large enough to cage her to her seat, surrounding her with his heat and scent.

  His jaw scraped against her skin as his mouth descended and his hands rose, kneading her calves.

  She gripped his shoulders and said something incoherent. She couldn’t think but was certain she should be thinking about something. Something besides how delicious he felt.

  Every sensation was new. And so different from how Noah had approached her.

  Noah.

  She grew cold instantly.

  Anthony leaned away. His gaze was heavy with want. His hands stilled. Somehow, they’d made it to her knees. Her skirts fell over him. He was positively dangerous.

  She shivered.

  He grinned. “Good evening.”

  She’d never spoken to a man while he knelt before her. She’d never spoken to a man while he touched her knees. “Hello,” she whispered. Uncertainty began to take over her mind. What was she doing? Their current positions went against everything she’d decided before her carriage arrived.

  Anthony tapped her knees, regaining the attention of her mind… and her core.

  He pulled in a deep breath. His chest expanded. His eyes closed, and he groaned. “I can scent your readiness.”

  Mortified, she tried to close her legs, but with him sitting between them as he was, the act was impossible. She only managed to squeeze his hips with her knees.

  * * *

  Anthony opened his eyes and noted the fear in Valiant’s gaze. He rubbed her knees. “Don’t be alarmed. This is how it is supposed to be.”

  She pushed at his shoulders, her eyes glittering with tears. “Move away! You’re not supposed to be able to...” She pressed her lips together.

  He leaned back and felt her legs snap together. His hands remained on her knees. “I’m not supposed to be able to scent your readiness?”

  She covered her eyes. “Could we please speak of something else?”

  No. They couldn’t. Not anymore.

  “Valiant, arousal comes with a very pleasant aroma that lets a man know his partner is ready.”

  Her fingers split, and she looked at him. “You find it pleasant?”

  He ignored his own body’s growing readiness and nodded. “Very.”

  She shook her head. “I’ve never—”

  “Then your husband did you a disservice every time he touched you.”

  She turned her head away.

  “Look at me,” he commanded. Anthony had to hold back his anger. Before this moment, healing Valiant had been about himself, but now it was about her. He would not allow her to go on believing herself to be in the wrong. He yearned, more than anything else, for her happiness.

  Even if it wasn’t with him.

  Though he prayed it would be with him.

  When she didn’t readily obey, he slid his hands up to her thighs.

  She jumped. Her eyes widened. “Anthony! You can’t—”

  “Did Lord Beaumont ever caress you as I have? Did he ever take the time to warm your body from the inside out before he took you?”

  All color was stolen from her face. “Remove your hands.”

  He did as she asked and then moved to occupy the seat across from her. “This is the way it should be between a man and a woman, especially if that woman is an innocent.”

  “No more,” she said.

  He nodded, believing he’d given her enough food for thought, and extended his hand. “Shall we?”

  Once they were outside, he had to force his lips from displaying a grin when he noticed how shaky Valiant was on her legs. It took her a moment to get settled. Then she glared at him and asked, “Why have you delayed? Let us go inside. I’m sure they are waiting for us.”

  In the shadows of the evening, he hid his grin and ascended the stairs.

  Lady and Lord Goody were there to greet them.

  He watched as Valiant smiled down at Lord Goody, who occupied a Bath chair, which had been done with a deep blue velvet. She didn’t react at all to seeing that Lord Goody was crippled and didn’t treat him any less than the lord he was. She was gracious and warm. She was herself.

  “Lord Goody. Thank you for this invitation.”

  Lord Goody smiled sheepishly. “Forgive me for using the chair today. I almost canceled the dinner but—”

  “Nonsense,” Valiant said. “I admit, I’ve heard many wonderful things about your home, especially the garden. I look forward to seeing it.”

  Lord Goody grinned. He grabbed Lady Goody’s hand and said, “The garden was designed by my wife.”

  “With the help of Lord Cartelle, of course,” Lady Goody added.

  Valiant turned and gazed at Anthony with wonder. “You garden?”

  He chuckled. “No, I simply donated a few plants and seeds.”

  Lady Goody shook her head. “Don’t be modest, Your Grace. You did more than donate a few plants.” She turned to Valiant. “Most of the garden’s vegetation was given to me by him.” Lady Goody gave him a rare tender glance before turning to Valiant again. “Many of the trees and plants you’ll see were gifted to me by the duke, as a way to give comfort while my son was missing.”

  Valiant looked at Anthony
again. Her gaze was ambiguous. Warm, but cautious. Tenderness and fear. Then she turned to Lady Goody. “He didn’t tell me that.”

  Anthony hadn’t said, because he hadn’t thought it mattered.

  But clearly, it did.

  “There seems to be no better man than the Duke of Cartelle,” a voice from down the hall said. Then Mr. John Goody appeared. He wore a grin, but Anthony could see the loathing in his gaze.

  He hadn’t wanted to return to London.

  His mother, either blind to the tension or purposefully choosing to ignore it, wrapped her arms around her son in a hug. She likely did so often, just to make sure he was still there. “John, come meet Lady Beaumont.”

  John greeted Valiant and then said, “I don’t know about anyone else, but I am ready to eat.”

  Lord Goody gave a disapproving look, but his wife cut in before he could speak. “Yes. Let us eat. We’ve decided to have dinner in the garden.” She turned to Valiant. “If that is all right with you.”

  “It sounds wonderful,” Valiant said, ever a gracious lady.

  The Goody family went ahead, giving Anthony and Valiant time to stroll at a slower pace.

  Anthony led her outside and was stunned to find that Lady Goody had transformed the already dreamlike garden into something of a fantastical realm. Lanterns had been strung in the trees and hidden in flowerbeds and behind hanging vines. The various hues and colors glowed like a hundred stars around them. Herbs had been broken and perfumed the air.

  Valiant’s fingers tightened on his arm. “This is… the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen.”

  Anthony thought it not the time to tell her that the most beautiful place he’d ever been had been between her legs. They’d not even completed the act, yet he could have remained between her pretty knees for the remainder of his life.

  She turned to him. “Thank you for…” She narrowed her eyes. “You’re thinking of something positively wicked, aren’t you?”

  He grinned. “It is that obvious?”

  “Only to me.” Her lips turned up. “I’ve learned to read your closed expression. You can’t hide from me anymore.”