It's Always the Duke: Historical Regency Romance

by Lisa Campell

  “Edward!”

  One hand remained on her rear, squeezing still. The other continued its roaming, moving all the way to her waist, then up her belly, until it stopped on her left bosom. Like he had done to her behind, he squeezed.

  She trembled, her knees going weak.

  Heavens! I have never felt anything like this in my entire life!

  She didn’t want it to end.

  He tore his lips away from hers then and as he broke the kiss, she mourned the loss. Her sadness immediately vanished when she felt his cool lips against her neck, placing soft, sweet kisses along her skin.

  She trembled once more and held on tightly to him as her knees grew weaker.

  “Yes,” she heard herself say. “Yes, please…”

  He continued to kiss her, moving lower and lower until his tongue grazed the mound of flesh that her drooping neckline had left exposed.

  Her head spun. She could swear she saw stars.

  “Gracious!”

  It was madness, simply madness. How could they be doing this in a hallway, just outside her chambers?

  As though the universe intended to prove a point, just then, they heard approaching footsteps.

  Quickly, they pulled apart.

  Edward busied himself with cleaning his mouth and she focused on arranging her appearance. She had just finished patting her hair when Mr. Giraud appeared at the end of the hallway with a gas lamp in hand.

  “Ah… I thought I heard voices,” he said as he saw them.

  “Forgive me if I interrupted anything, I shall be on my way now. Good night, your grace. Miss Caroline.” With a small bow, the butler turned to go the way he had come.

  As he disappeared, Caroline released a breath she hadn’t even realized she was holding.

  “Something tells me he knows exactly what was going on,” she said.

  Edward hid a smile. “I wouldn’t put it past him. Mr. Giraud is a very wise and discerning man.”

  “Indeed.”

  She couldn’t look him in the eye, she realized. Her cheeks were warm and she knew she was flushed crimson.

  Another moment and they might have been ridding themselves of their clothing. Still, she didn’t regret it one bit.

  He cleared his throat then, folding his hand behind his back.

  “I must let you go in now. I bid you a good night, Caroline.”

  She nodded. “You too. Thank you.”

  Turning around, she opened her door. As she took the first step in, he called out, stopping her.

  “Caroline…”

  She looked over her shoulder at him. He looked like he was going to say something and she hoped with all her heart that he wouldn’t apologize for kissing her again.

  Whatever it was, he must have decided to keep it to himself for he shook his head.

  “It’s nothing. Sleep well.”

  Releasing his hands so they dropped at his side, he tilted his head at her and walked away.

  Caroline stood there, watching him until he disappeared down the hallway.

  When she could no longer hear his footfalls, she entered her chambers and shut the door behind her.

  Not bothering to take off her clothing, she fell to her bed with a dreamy sigh.

  It wasn’t such a bad evening after all.

  Everything seemed to have turned out right in the end. Still, she couldn’t shake the feeling that it was only a matter of time before it all went to dust.

  The thought scared her.

  Edward was sitting in his study the next day when Nathaniel arrived.

  As his friend entered, he stood up to welcome him.

  “This is quite a surprise,” he said, shaking hands. “I do not think you’ve ever been to my house.”

  “That is because you are almost always at mine,” Nathaniel jested.

  Edward simply chuckled.

  “Come, let’s sit. I have some fine wine that’s been in this cellar for decades. I have been waiting for a special day to open it. I believe a visit from you suffices.”

  He led Nathaniel to where the settees laid.

  As his friend settled in, Edward walked to the sideboard to pick the bottle of wine and glasses. He soon joined Nathaniel, filling their glasses before he sat.

  “Thanks,” Nathaniel murmured as he picked his up.

  When he had sipped, he smiled. “You were right. It truly is fine wine. Ah… I feel honored. If I had known I would receive such a warm welcome, I would have visited sooner.”

  Edward smiled, shaking his head at his friend. “Don’t make it a habit. I only have three bottles of this wine left.”

  “And here I was, believing we had the love that there is in sharing.”

  “One more bottle then, on your next visit.”

  “Now that is more like it.”

  The two men laughed as they clinked glasses.

  Edward drank his fill before speaking again.

  “What brings you here, dear friend?”

  Nathaniel didn’t miss a beat. “I have a feeling you already know.”

  That was true. Edward had known the moment Mr. Giraud had announced Nathaniel’s presence.

  “I stepped out for air and returned to news of your engagement. What’s more, you were already gone. Lady Trudy was all by herself. She didn’t even know when you two left.”

  “We sent a carriage back for her.”

  “So I learned. I was going to give her a ride, but by the time we called it a night, a coach was waiting for her.”

  Edward was touched by this. “Thank you for being so thoughtful, Nathaniel. You’re a good friend.”

  Nathaniel waved him off. “It is nothing you wouldn’t do for me a thousand times over.”

  He paused as he drank from his glass again.

  “I believe congratulations are in order. It would appear I was right to push you to apologize. Look how that went. Although, I find myself very curious. Pray tell, what in the hell happened?”

  The incredulity in Nathaniel’s voice was quite amusing. Yet he could understand his friend.

  He had woken up in awe himself, surprised all over again by the decision he had made.

  He still couldn’t believe he was marrying Caroline. After all the fight he had put up, they had finally ended up together.

  He was even more torn than ever. He had never wanted to marry, yet in a desperate moment, he had asked her to be his wife and even went on to announce it to the world.

  He knew he could never take back his words. He would do as he had said. It was the only way to protect her from Whittaker and save her reputation.

  He would have to tell her the truth at some point. He would have to tell her just what she had agreed to. The kind of life she would live, being his wife. The reason why he hadn’t wanted to pursue the love he had for her.

  She would hate him, of course. He would have to live with that too. More pain, more regrets, more wishful thinking, hoping for things he would never have.

  Wed. To Caroline.

  He was trying to accept what was to come but sometimes, chills of dread sank into his bones and he feared for the future. As much as he was secretly thrilled to have her as his—and away from the clutches of Whittaker—he was also afraid.

  Very afraid.

  He told Nathaniel everything. How he had caught Lord Whittaker trying to kiss her against her wishes, and what had happened afterwards.

  Nathaniel was almost as furious as he had been.

  “I would gladly duel the bastard on your behalf! My goodness! I always knew he was filth, but I didn’t think he would stoop so low.”

  Edward sighed. “My thought exactly. See how livid you are. Imagine my anger. I would have killed him. Now that I think of it, it is a good thing Caroline stopped me.”

  Nathaniel sighed. “How is she? Miss Caroline? She must have felt so trapped, thinking that she had to marry the wicked man to save her family. If only she knew that Whittaker has no honor and they would never have been free from his clutches.”
/>
  “It was the same thing I said. Now I see that the rumors I hear about him are true.”

  He was a known gambling master. He had succeeded in ruining many lords, merchants, and common men who were foolish enough to gamble with him.

  There were suspicions that he carefully chose his prey and even that he often cheated his way into winning. First, he would let his mark win until they were confident enough to make huge stakes. Then he would finish the game as the conqueror, trapping them in deeper debt than they could have ever imagined.

  Many men had remained indebted to him for years.

  “When Viscount Wymore told me of his intention to marry Caroline to Whittaker, I had hoped the tales were nothing but lies. I wonder if the old man knew the entirety of Whittaker’s treachery.”

  “Will you tell him?” Nathaniel asked.

  Edward gave a curt nod. “I intend to. I am set to visit him in five days. I wish to seek his blessings formally and to discuss the matter of his debts.”

  Nathaniel bobbed his head. “It goes without saying, no soul will hear any of this from my mouth. You have my word.”

  “I know,” Edward replied firmly. He had not one doubt.

  “So, you see why I had to do what I did. It was the only way to save her.”

  “Of course, dear friend. You are a noble man indeed. I am greatly reminded of the Edward I met out there at war. You become more like him every day you spend with Miss Caroline in your life. She is good for you.”

  Edward emptied the third filling of his cup in one go.

  “But I am bad for her,” he said with a sigh.

  “You will let her be the judge of that, will you not?”

  “She wouldn’t judge differently.” There was a pause as he contemplated his woes. Eventually, he made his decision.

  Holding Nathaniel’s gaze, he said, “I told you the day would come when I would finally share the reason, did I not?”

  “Yes.”

  “I believe today is that day. I decided not to take a wife and I have fought against my feelings for Caroline because I lost something to the war. Something I can never regain.”

  Nathaniel frowned. “You seem complete to me.”

  Edward chuckled. It was a sad, dry one. “How can a man be complete without that which makes him a man?”

  Nathaniel’s frown deepened. “No, it can’t be. You have been frequenting the brothels. If you could not perform, the whole of London would have heard of it!”

  This time, Edward laughed. “I assure you, Nathaniel, I can perform. Very much so, if I might add.”

  “Then what is it you lost?”

  Edward told him. The truth. The secret he had kept to himself all this time.

  “My goodness. That is…”

  “Shocking?”

  “Devastatingly so. Oh, Edward, I had no idea,” Nathaniel gushed. His surprise was evident.

  “I couldn’t bring myself to tell anyone. I have been so ashamed.”

  “You hope to tell her?”

  “I should. She is to be my wife. It is only right that she knows.”

  “Yes. I believe it is. Nonetheless, it cannot be an easy thing to say.”

  “It isn’t. Even telling you, my heart almost gave way.”

  Nathaniel’s lips curved in a small smile. “Thank you for having so much trust in me. You will never regret it.”

  “You are more than a friend to me, Nathaniel. You are the brother I never had. You deserve to know.”

  There was a small pause and Edward sighed. “So, you see… you see why I have been running in the opposite direction, fighting with myself.”

  “Yes, I do.”

  “It cannot be a true marriage. When I tell the truth, I shall ask her to live separately. She will only be my wife in name.”

  “Can you live with that?” The concern in Nathaniel’s voice was touching.

  No.

  “I suppose I shall have to,” he heard himself say.

  It would be a life of misery, but he would learn to live it regardless.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Caroline decided to go to Yorkshire with Edward. Her father would be present for the wedding, of course, but there were things she wished to say to him before then.

  Questions she needed to ask.

  So, on the day they were set to leave, all four of them—Edward, Aunt Trudy, Amelia, and herself, got into the carriage and began to journey to Yorkshire.

  They arrived as the sun began to set. It had been a long ride indeed, as the rain that had fallen two days before had made the terrains rough.

  Her father was waiting for them outside the manor.

  It took only one glance for Caroline to see that he had lost some weight. She grew even sadder, and whatever anger she had held against him simply vanished.

  “Father,” she greeted as she fell into his embrace. “Have you been well?”

  He didn’t answer until they pulled apart. “Of course,” he said, smiling. “And you? You look as radiant as ever. I can tell that Brandon has been good to you.”

  She offered a small smile in return. She wondered if he had been eating well. His eyes were hollow, as though he hadn’t been getting enough sleep.

  He must have stayed up at nights, thinking.

  The thought broke her heart. She saw it now, that he too suffered. Forcing her to marry Whittaker could not have been easy on him either.

  She had been so blinded by her pain that she had been unable to see his. All that while, he had been acting strong, stubborn. Now she knew better.

  “He has been a good host. He also takes his role of guardian very seriously.”

  “Ah, I am happy to hear that. It’s wonderful to see you again, my dear Caroline. I didn’t think it possible, but I have missed you.”

  A soft chuckle broke through her lips then. It was genuinely happy.

  Jesting as well, she said, “I wish I could say the same, but most of the time, I didn’t even realize you were gone.”

  Her heart warmed as her father gave in to hearty laughter. Moving on from her, he went to Edward.

  “Brandon, my heart thanks thee. You have done me a great kindness. Seeing my Caroline so happy, it fills my soul with joy. Thank you.”

  Edward bowed his head as he shook her father’s hand.

  “I assure you, I did not do so much.”

  Her father counted, “Still, it was more than enough. Welcome back to Yorkshire. It certainly has missed you.”

  Edward drew in a deep breath as he looked around. “Not nearly as much as I have missed it. I see very little has changed.”

  “That is the charm of the countryside,” her father replied.

  Stepping away from Edward, he went on to greet Aunt Trudy.

  When they were done exchanging pleasantries, their father ushered them into the house. “Come now. We mustn’t tarry here any longer. I know you are all tired from the journey. We shall dine, and then I will leave you all to rest.”

  They were all in agreement.

  After the supper, Edward went up to the chambers that the viscount had prepared for him.

  When he had had his bath and changed into fresh, comfortable clothing, he went down to the study.

  What he had to say could wait until the morrow, but he wanted to get it all over with as soon as possible.

  As he reached the door of the study, he gave three knocks.

  “Who is it?” he heard the viscount call out.

  “It is I, Brandon,” he responded.

  “Your grace! Please, do come in.”

  Edward yanked the door open then, shutting it when he had entered.

  The viscount was already on his feet.

  “If I am not interrupting, I have much I must discuss with you, Lord Wymore.”

  “Interrupting? Certainly not. Please, by all means, sit. I reckoned you would rather rest tonight and leave the discussions until tomorrow.”

  Edward bowed his head in thanks as he reached the viscount’s desk and pull
ed a chair. It was only after he had sat down that Lord Wymore returned to his seat.