by Multi-Author
He approached and when she glanced up at his again, he saw it in her eyes.
“No. She is fine.” She bit at her lip and then said, “You’ve been so good to me, Adam.”
“What is this about?”
“I think it is time to end our affair.”
He laughed at the absurdity. “Eloisa, you’re my mistress.”
There was so much pride and arrogance in the statement, but it was true. He was a duke. No woman in her right mind would leave him, especially given the care with which he pampered her. Hell, he’d given her unlimited access to funds when she renovated this house.
She said nothing, only stared at him with forlorn misery in her gaze.
“By god, I will kill any man who thinks to take you away from me!” He reached for his trousers rather than take her by the shoulders and shake her into obedience.
“There is no one,” she said quietly. “It is time.”
“No. Absolutely not.”
“The decision is not yours.” She took a deep breath as if to fortify her determined decision.
“Then tell me why? There is no logical reason on earth for you to say such a thing, let alone mean it.”
“I will have my belongings packed before you return from Long Leaf. I thought you ought to notify the servants of my departure.”
He ran a hand through his hair. He threw his trousers aside and stomped toward her, steadying his breath and mastering his anger and fear. Gently, he took her hands in his. “Eloisa, my darling Eloisa, you cannot mean it. Not after all this time. I have taken every care with you. I saved your reputation.”
“I know and I thank you.” She pried her hands from his and stepped away. “I’ll see that our breakfast is started. You’ll want to dress. The weather does look frightful.”
“That’s it? That is all you have to say? It is time?”
Eloisa stopped and gave him a pitying glance. “We shall always be friends, Adam. I have no ill will toward you. Do not think that. Ever.”
When the door snapped shut, he swore. Women!
Had they not gotten on well together? Had they not enjoyed immense physical pleasures? How could she give up the comfort only a duke of his wealth and stature could provide? What? To live with Lady Carvelle in her five-room townhouse, hoarding coal and counting pennies?
Of course he could not let that happen. He would not. Once his anger subsided, he would figure it out, determine what it was she was actually saying and then find a way to correct the situation. He was not giving her up.
This bump was a temporary problem. Probably something they would resolve over breakfast. Something he could resolve with a gift of jewels.
But what had caused the situation? She was as kind and loving as she had ever been. Last night’s meal delicious. Afterward…perfection.
Ah, it was because he had not seen her this past week. She was feeling neglected.
With that determination, he ripped off his robe and dressed.
Eloisa was an intelligent woman. She would not throw away her future over a small slight on his part. Not his Eloisa.
* * * * *
ELOISA CHECKED THE warmers where an abundance of eggs, meats and fresh breads were prepared for the Duke of Sterling’s breakfast.
She’d braved the delivery of her news well, without tears and without hysterics. There was one thing she could not say because she was as full of pride as the duke was, and because spilling the truth would be worse than him saying nothing in return.
Declarations of love were meaningless unless the feeling was shared, dangerous if one-sided.
When he entered the room, dressed in the same trousers but a different jacket and perfect yet simply tied cravat, she curtsied. “Your Grace.”
Black bands were a foolish way to demonstrate one’s undying love, she thought.
If she died would she want the love of her life to mourn for the length of his? It might be considered romantic. She thought it cruel. I think it cruel because I am a jealous, petty lover who cannot understand his undivided devotion to his dead wife.
No, the love of her life sat across from the table and she would want him to be free. She would want him to know their love transcended something as simple as a short lifetime.
He clenched his jaw. “Eloisa.” He stood at the head of the table, waiting for her to come around. The lone footman assisted her and then Adam took his seat. He acted very ducal this morning and she waited for his decree citing all of the reasons she was mistaken about her wishes.
The footman prepared plates for each of them, poured tea for her and a cup of black coffee for the duke. When the footman withdrew from the room, the duke set aside his fork and looked down his very fine, authoritarian nose and said, “If I have done something to offend you, please accept my apologies.”
She placed her hand over his, feeling a moment of hesitation. “Adam, you haven’t. But I am resolved.”
He toyed with the fork, turning it over and running his finger across the patterned silver. “I do not think it is too much to ask that you and Lady Carvelle attend Christmastide at Long Leaf. This matter can be resolved when we return to London.”
When she didn’t answer, he continued. “The children are fond of you and you know how much my mother enjoys Lady Carvelle’s company.”
“Adam, please.”
“No. I am saying please. Do this for me. If I mean anything to you.”
He turned his hand, clutching her fingers.
“My darling, Eloisa, please say yes.”
* * * * *
LONG LEAF WELCOMED the weary Christmastide travelers with the same open arms it always did. The children were outside bundled in their coats and muffs and gloves, excited to welcome him home.
Eloisa had been exceedingly polite but had not responded to any of his private overtures or pointed stares and she made sure Lady Carvelle was someone near when he would have preferred solitude. He’d always desired Eloisa. Having her say no to him, to rebuff his subtle advances and to pretend indifference had him thinking of only one thing. And wondering when he would have a chance to properly remind her why she would miss him if she continued with this crazed notion of permanent separation.
The next two days were a cacophony of games and new guests, including his sister, brother-in-law and their three children. His particular friends and neighbors had also been invited for a few days. A yule log was collected, hoisted into the fireplace and lit with much happy chatter. Greenery festooned the mantel and entablature, scenting the room and hall outside with evergreen and rosemary.
On Christmas Day, twenty sat at the dinner table and Cook had roasted two large geese over the kitchen fire for the meal. Mother had arranged the seating and for the first time since they arrived, Eloisa was next to him.
“Are you enjoying Christmastide, Your Grace?”
“Not as much as I might,” he said, leaning toward her so he was not overheard.
A pretty blush covered her cheeks and a shy, knowing smile was quickly squelched.
“Yes, the weather does make for an unpleasant holiday,” she said.
“Unless one is abed with a roaring fire to keep warm.”
“I shall request a footman see to your fireplace before you sleep.”
He laughed, earning a frown from her. “You needn’t worry. My fire is properly stoked,” he whispered.
Adam leaned back as the hare soup was served. Having Eloisa next to him set his mind to thoughts of the nights he would spend alone if he could not convince her to reconsider—the last four nights had been torture, knowing she was near but denying him.
Beneath the table he allowed his knee to lean against hers.
“I am here because you asked me. I won’t change my mind.”
“I’m not giving up so easily.”
“For some reason you don’t believe me. You think a family holiday and a few kind words will make me change my mind.”
“If not that then what will? Have you been so unhappy with me
?”
“Not here, your Grace.” She glanced about to see the others engrossed in their own conversations.
Insisting she come to Long Leaf was a mistake. He was no closer to understanding her reason for this uncharacteristic behavior. And try as he might, he could find no flaw in his behavior.
He knew how to treat a woman.
He treated her as he would a wife—with respect and admiration and compassion. He treated her as his most cherished possession—with gifts and travel and companionship.
If he were honest with himself, he would admit he was hurt by her rejection. Surprised and hurt. His pride, of course, had been ingrained in him. It was humbling to think she would actually rebuff him, a man in his position. It was also tempting to allow his pride to goad him into doing something foolish, such as actually allowing her to leave. He put that thought aside as soon as it came to mind.
Was it just that he could not imagine a woman leaving someone with his heritage? Or had she really found some flaw in his character? Some flaw his pompous, superior self could not see?
After dinner the children performed a nativity play, his sister played traditional songs on the pianoforte and Adam finished with a Christmas story. Mother then read letters from three of his four brothers. The next day, Adam departed early to deliver boxes to the tenants of Long Leaf, along with deliveries to his friends and neighbors. When he returned he heard laughter from the Blue Room. He stood at the door and gazed in, seeing Eloisa hold hands with Adele, his youngest daughter, twirling about in a circle, both of them laughing at some secret humor.
Another pang of sorrow pierced his chest.
By nightfall, he was anxious to give Eloisa the gift box he had for her, something he had purchased on a whim while in Paris. When everyone had settled in, he left his room and tread quietly to her door. He hoped she was abed.
His heart leapt a little at the sound of her voice, bidding entry.
She did not turn immediately from where she stood, staring out the windows at the still falling snow. Only the sound of his heavy footsteps gave him away.
Her quick, happy expression gave him a moment of hope but then she firmed her lips and said, “Adam, you shouldn’t be here.”
“You were so beautiful today. Every day,” he said, feeling awkward and unsure. Her hair nearly glowed from the reflection of the fire.
“I think I should not have come. I am only hurting you more,” she said.
He held the gift box and gestured toward it. “This is for you. I bought it a few months ago, not knowing…”
“It would not be right for me to accept anything more.”
Adam wanted her beyond what words could express. He walked toward her. “There is no reason for you to say no,” he said. “It is a gift.”
She sighed and accepted the box. “Thank you.”
He tried to smile, hoping the movement of his lips didn’t appear as insincere as he felt. “Well, you must open it. I still have hopes you will be enthusiastic and grateful.”
Eloisa did smile then—a real one, a look designed to remind him of all he was about to lose.
She plucked at the ribbon. The packaging wasn’t so much a box as it was a black velvet case. When she lifted the lid, she muttered, “Oh, Adam.”
The necklace was a single chain of fine silver links connected by fifty-two rose-cut diamonds and a single large stone outlined by smaller cut blue sapphires. There were accompanying pieces—a ring, earbobs and a thin bracelet.
She pressed her fingers to her lips and then set the box aside. “You know I can’t.”
Tears pooled in her eyes.
“What is it? You must tell me,” he said.
He set one hand to her waist and when she didn’t resist, he pulled her into his arms. He pressed a kiss to her forehead.
“We were happy together, weren’t we?”
A sob shook her body and she tried to wrest free. He wasn’t having another minute of this nonsense. He swept her up and carried her to the bed.
She draped her delicate arms about his neck and when he laid her upon the bed, her watery gaze told him she would not refuse. No, she would be more than willing to be his mistress once again.
“Oh, Eloisa… I… Don’t do this to us again.”
Tears still dribbled from her eyes.
He lay beside her and pulled at the bundles of material covering her legs until she was exposed. When he lowered his mouth to hers, she welcomed him with a fervor that made the past few days seem insignificant. Their tongues twined together, first in his mouth and then in hers. She bit at his lips, seemingly as hungry as he.
She moaned under his assault; he could feel her need vibrate through him. His cock had leapt to life, throbbing inside his trousers. He was ready for her after six days of denial. After six days of wanting her more than he had wanted anything in his life.
When she searched between them, struggling with the fall of his trousers, he stayed her hand. “Not yet.”
As soon as his cock was out, he would drive into her with force and spill without ceremony.
Instead, he slipped his hand between her thighs. What he found between the slit of her undergarments was the welcome wetness of her arousal. At his first touch, she gasped and then returned to kissing with renewed fierceness. Her fingers slid through his hair.
Breathing became difficult. They broke away, panting. He trailed kisses near her ear and to her neck. Eloisa’s breath tickled his ear, her gasping moans music to his soul.
Circling the soft nub between the puffy folds, he aroused her with slow purpose. She had to be reminded what it was like with him, what he could do to her body.
“Yes,” she moaned.
He stroked through her folds and then teased at the entrance of her sheath. Tight. Grasping. Clutching at his finger as if it were a cock deep inside.
She arched and squirmed, pressing her body against him, thrusting her hips upward.
When his mouth connected to hers again, he began thrusting two fingers into her and using his thumb to play at her pleasure point.
Finally, as she began to crest, she threw her head back into the pillows and groaned loudly, her eyes clenched tight. For a moment her body was immobile and tense and then, with one last gasp, she relaxed beneath him replete and satisfied.
On his side, he quickly reached for the placket of his trousers and freed his cock. She still breathed hard, riding the pulsing waves he knew still coursed through her.
She turned her face toward him and he kissed her softly. No words need be said. He did not want to break the mood of their current harmony.
With a quick move, he was over her and settled between her thighs. He guided his member through the folds and, slicking his cock, he pushed into her. Into his bit of heaven.
In his current state, he knew he would not last. He pumped into her, groaning with each deep push.
“Yes, my darling,” she said softly.
He barely comprehended her encouragement.
At last he shivered, his pleasure complete and coursing through his cock and through his limbs as if electricity passed through him.
When it was only Eloisa. Only.
Chapter 4
“ARE YOU AND Eloisa quarreling?” Mother asked from where she sat, propped up amongst a ridiculous spread of pillows reading a book—her favorite means of passing time late in the evening.
He had quietly left Eloisa’s room after she’d rolled to her side and pretended sleep.
So nothing had really changed.
Walking down the hallway to his room, he saw light coming from beneath his mother’s door. Sometimes only a parent understood a child’s dilemma, even if that child was a grown man and a duke. In spite of the delicacy of the situation, Mother was well aware he had a mistress and who that mistress was.
He’d turned one of her sitting chairs toward the bed and stared pensively into space when she’d stabbed right into the heart of the matter.
“Why do you ask?”
“You are sitting in my boudoir at half past midnight and the two of you have barely spoken to each other since your arrival.”
“She insists our liaison is over, which undoubtedly makes her the most foolish woman in England.”
“Hmm. Or it makes you the most foolish man in England.”
“What do you mean?”
“I asked you not to involve me in this tête-à-tête to begin with. Eloisa is a gentleman’s daughter with whom you should have never had an affair, let alone allowed it to continue for so long.”
"Well, you are getting your wish.”
“I am surprised, that is all. Not that you took a mistress. I wasn’t sure how you would accomplish such a feat, considering Nellie.”
“Leave Nell out of this.”
“I’m not sure I can. And you did ask.”
“Why would she think to end a very suitable arrangement? Who else will care for her the way I have?”
“A husband perhaps?”
“Bah. She is not looking for marriage at this point. She enjoys her freedom too much.” But he would admit, after her announcement he wondered if he knew her at all.
“How do you know? Have you asked her?” Mother queried.
“She would have nagged me to death if that were the case.”
Mother laughed. “Knowing Eloisa as I do, I suspect she has mentioned it, probably to test the waters. Besides, she is not the type to nag.”
“Do you think that is what this is about?”
“I don’t know. What I do know is Eloisa is deeply in love with you. More than Nellie ever was.”
* * * * *
ELOISA RETURNED THE velvet box to Adam’s room the next morning, only to find it back in hers that evening. She locked her door that night, as much against his intrusion as her bad judgment.
She had not changed her mind. Their late-night liaison was only a confirmation of the hold he had over her and that it must be broken.
After a lady’s maid assisted her with dressing the next morning, another servant knocked on the door to deliver her breakfast which she had not requested.
“His Grace bids you good morning,” the footman said. “He also invites you to join him and the children at nine.”