My Forbidden Duchess

by Minger, Miriam

  She squealed when he suddenly lunged for her and caught her in his arms, her laughter joining with his as he carried her to the bed. An instant later and he had divested her of her clothing. His breath caught at the sight of her, all curves and creamy white skin and the rounded belly where her fingers were splayed. He bent his head and kissed her there, gently, reverently, for truly he worshiped this woman whom he loved more than life.

  Just as Lindsay tunneled her fingers in the burnished gold of his hair, this man she loved more than life. Without a word he lay down beside her and drew her into his arms, the hard length of his muscled body pressing against her womanly softness.

  A moment ago she had been so vexed with him—well, not really that vexed—and now she wanted nothing more than to feel his kisses raining down upon her face, her neck—ah, God, her hardened nipples.

  Lindsay moaned as he captured a rosy nub in his mouth and suckled, her breasts tender and swollen from the new life growing inside her. She buried her fingers deeper in his hair and arched her back. The world seemed to spin around her at the heat of his mouth upon her…and then he was gently rolling her onto her side with her bottom flush against his hips.

  Gently, oh so gently he entered her from behind and she was wet for him, his enlarged flesh slowly easing into her as his fingers massaged the sensitive bud at the very heart of her.

  It didn’t take long; it never did these days as if every nerve, every fiber in her body had grown even more responsive to his caresses and his slow rhythmic thrusts.

  “Jared, my love…” Her climax came so swiftly upon her that Lindsay could only groan her release, while she felt Jared shudder deep inside her, his body grown rigid. Then he sighed deeply, heavily, and pulled her closer against him, a powerful thigh draping over her legs as they lay as one together, their breathing gradually returning to normal.

  She even felt herself drifting off to sleep until his fervent kiss at her nape roused her, the weight of his hand caressing her upper arm. She could tell that his mind was already elsewhere, perhaps once again upon Walker. She knew he wouldn’t sleep until they’d made some peace about the subject, though she didn’t really know where to start.

  “Jared…”

  His heavy exhalation told her that she had guessed correctly the direction of his thoughts. She tried to sit up so she might look at him, but he held her fast, his voice grown almost gruff.

  “I love Walker like a brother, but he is not the one for Marguerite no matter your romantic notions, Lindsay. You must trust me in this. I’ve known him for years, and he’s never settled upon one woman—”

  “Nor had you, husband…until I stowed away aboard your ship. You believed you could never love…but you do love—oh!”

  Jared had rolled her over onto her back so suddenly that Lindsay could but gaze up at him in surprise, though his expression was somber.

  “I won’t say that Walker will never love, but would you have Marguerite suffer a lifetime of his mistresses if he cannot be true to her? Leave him to the course he knows, Lindsay. I’d wager that Lady Belinda will be more than happy to give him an heir in exchange for wealth and position…and then be willing to turn a blind eye to any indiscretion. She’s been groomed for such a life…but not Marguerite. Corie would agree with me, I know it…and so do you.”

  Lindsay gave a small nod, but she didn’t believe it—no, she wouldn’t!

  She had seen how Walker had looked at Marguerite when he first saw her at Almack’s—and Marguerite at him!—and how he had held her when they danced. If love had eased the terrible pain that had once gripped Jared’s heart, then surely her instincts must be right about Walker and Marguerite…

  “Sleep now, wife. I’ll be leaving early in the morning after all. A few more weeks and the renovations to our home will be done, and then I will no longer have to leave you.”

  He bent his head to press a kiss to her lips, but already Jared’s hold upon her had loosened as he then settled himself snugly against her.

  She knew how tired he must be. He had only arrived in London two days ago so he might greet their guests and attend Marguerite’s special night at Almack’s, but she’d known his visit would be short. He was determined to complete the renovations to Dovercourt Manor as soon as possible so they might all be together again.

  He’d had the house fairly gutted, not only to mend the disrepair from lying vacant for three years but to erase any trace of the treachery that had gone before. His much-loved sister, Elise, had died there after suffering so tragically—

  “No, that’s in the past,” Lindsay said under her breath, gently caressing Jared’s forearm as he slept soundly beside her. Love had mercifully conquered his heartache and misery so there must be hope for Walker Burke, too.

  Chapter 6

  “More tea with your scone, Marguerite?”

  She started, once again finding herself staring absently out the window at the lovely spring morning. “No…no, thank you, Lindsay.”

  Well, not so absently, Marguerite amended as Lindsay smiled at her and then went back to feeding Justin. As blond and blue-eyed as his parents, the chubby cherub of a little boy opened his mouth eagerly for another spoonful of porridge while Marguerite glanced out the window again.

  It was ridiculous how she could not get Walker Burke out of her mind! The bright sunny day couldn’t be more beautiful, the trees budding, the fragrant scent of lilacs wafting into the first floor of the town house…and all she could think of was him bending down to kiss Lady Belinda’s gloved hand. Well, she hoped he’d tripped while the two of them were dancing and stomped on that impossibly lovely woman’s satin-slippered feet!

  “Hmm, what shall we do today to amuse ourselves now that it’s just the two of us?” Lindsay began, her fair brow furrowing. “Corie wouldn’t want us to sit here wondering about what’s happening in Porthleven. I know they’ll send a message as soon as they have news to share.”

  “Yes, I’m sure they will,” Marguerite offered, though in truth she’d thought of no more amusement than fetching her sketchbook and going outside into the rose garden behind the house.

  She loved to draw, and it was the only pastime that helped take her mind off whatever might be troubling her. Why, she’d filled up a half dozen sketchbooks since her last foray into London and now with what had happened last night, her fingers were itching to set pencil to paper!

  “No ideas?” Lindsay pressed gently, bending down to kiss her son’s golden curls. Justin giggled and reached up to pat his mother’s face, which made her laugh, too. “How about we take the carriage out for a ride in the park? We could stop for a late luncheon somewhere and perhaps visit a dressmaker. One can never have too many gowns during the Season—”

  “The park, perhaps, but I won’t need any more gowns because I’m not going to any more balls or assemblies—no, not a one!”

  Marguerite had blurted her pronouncement so forcefully that Justin looked startled and Lindsay appeared surprised, too. In the next instant the youngster scrunched up his face and let out a wail, which made Lindsay jump up from her chair while the plump nanny, Mrs. Bell, hurried into the dining room.

  “Now, now, what’s amiss with my sweet little laddie?” the older Scotswoman said, clucking her tongue.

  “Oh dear, Lindsay, I’m so sorry,” Marguerite murmured, though Justin’s cries were quickly shushed as Lindsay picked him up and hugged him, and then handed him to Mrs. Bell. Only when the child had been carried from the room did Lindsay turn and retake her seat in a swish of sprigged muslin and lace.

  Yet she said nothing for a long moment, studying Marguerite, until a radiant smile lit her face. “I knew it, I just knew it! You do like him, don’t you?”

  Marguerite gaped at her, something telling her she knew exactly who Lindsay was referring to even as she lifted her chin. “I…I don’t know what you’re talking about—”

  “Of course you do, Marguerite Easton! I can read you almost as well as Corie—and I believe our Walker
Burke has turned your head!”

  “Our? Not mine, certainly,” Marguerite huffed, though Lindsay couldn’t have appeared more delighted. She rose from the chair and began to pace alongside the dining table, talking more to herself than Marguerite.

  “I wouldn’t force you to attend another ball, of course not, so there must be other ways for the two of you to see each other—”

  “See him? I never want to see that…that rogue again!”

  Now Lindsay stopped dead in her tracks and clapped her hands with delight. “Oh my, you are taken with him, aren’t you?” She came around the table suddenly to take the chair next to Marguerite’s and leaned forward to say earnestly, “He’s no rogue, Marguerite, truly…but what else was he to do than to dance with Lady Belinda? He would have insulted her in front of everyone, including Prince George—but I believe Walker only had eyes for you last night—”

  “Hardly! As soon as she arrived, he couldn’t take his eyes from her. And here for three years I’d thought him the man of my dreams…or that he might be—” Marguerite abruptly fell silent, horrified that she’d revealed the precious secret she’d held so closely in her heart, while Lindsay sat back in her chair to stare at her.

  Her eyes wide, her mouth dropped open…until Lindsay’s lips curved into a delighted smile and she gave a triumphant laugh.

  “Oh, Marguerite, I knew my instincts were right! Of course he’s the man of your dreams! How could he not be? So strikingly handsome, and so brave, too! He came to your rescue that night in Roscoff, didn’t he? Walker and Jared and their crew from the Vengeance.” Lindsay shook her head as if still stunned by Marguerite’s revelation, and then rushed on. “Of course I didn’t know Jared then, but I’ve heard the tale from Corie. So exciting, too—well, and terribly upsetting, I’m sure. But you and your sisters were rescued and by who, of all people? My future husband and the man you’ve dreamed about since that night. Walker Burke!”

  Her head spinning from Lindsay’s breathless recounting, Marguerite hadn’t noticed a footman now stood at the doorway until the young man cleared his throat.

  “Lady Dovercourt, you have a visitor. He’s waiting in the drawing room. Lord Summerlin—”

  “Lord Summerlin?” Marguerite jumped up from her chair and then sat down again, only to jump up once more as Lindsay rose, too, and spun in place, her hand to her mouth. Only when Marguerite made to flee—the garden, her bedchamber, anywhere!—did Lindsay catch her by the upper arms and face her, both of them trembling, they were so stunned.

  “Marguerite, I swear to you, Walker is no rogue. You must trust me in this! Jared believes he’s not the right man for you—that he could never be true as a husband to whomever he might marry, but I don’t agree, no, not at all. Walker has always been kind to me, honest, forthright, why, he even helped Jared to save my life when I jumped from his ship into the sea! He just hasn’t found the woman of his dreams, well, until now—”

  “Lindsay, he’s waiting in the drawing room!” Marguerite broke in, her heart beating like a fierce drum in her ears. “He might even be able to hear you! Why are you telling me all of this? He’s probably come to call on your husband or Lord Donovan, not for any other reason, truly! He cannot know they’ve all left London. Now please, let me go. I don’t want to see him. I’ll wait in the garden until he’s gone—”

  “Yes, yes, the rose garden, that’s perfect!” Lindsay had released her and was already hurrying to the door, where the poor footman had already fled at Marguerite’s outburst.

  Marguerite, however, now stood rooted to the floor.

  Walker was here! In the drawing room at the front of the town house. Surely he hadn’t heard everything Lindsay had said to her. She would be mortified! She would be—

  “Marguerite, go!” Lindsay had rushed back into the dining room and gestured for Marguerite to move. “The garden! Please don’t go anywhere else, promise me. I must know where to find you. Now go!”

  Marguerite did, fleeing in a flutter of pink dotted muslin with her heart in her throat.

  ***

  “Walker, I’m so glad you’re here!”

  At the sound of Lindsay’s voice, Walker turned from the lace-curtained window just in time for Lindsay to rush forward to embrace him.

  He wasn’t shocked at all by her warm hug; Lindsay, ever impulsive, her emotions worn on her sleeve, had always been one to shower affection upon her nearest and dearest.

  That’s why he cared for her so, like an indulgent brother for his younger sister.

  Had rooted for her even at Jared’s darkest moments when his best friend had tried to push her away, his tortured soul not allowing him to believe that Lindsay’s love could save him.

  But it had saved Jared…and in a way, had saved Walker, too. Made him believe deep down that one day he might allow himself to love as well, for a lifetime.

  In truth, he had never loved any woman before. How could he permit himself to when life had always seemed so cruel and uncertain? Yet now he hugged Lindsay right back, eager to share his decision with her. Eager to speak to Donovan and Corie and yes, Jared, to assure all of them that he only had Marguerite’s best interests at heart.

  “Oh, Walker, you look wonderful!” Lindsay enthused, stepping back to sweep her approving gaze over him from head to toe. “Like a true English lord born to the ducal manor.”

  “After a few twists and turns of fate,” he said with a wry smile, glancing at the doorway. “Is Jared here? Lord Donovan? All of you left so abruptly last night…” He didn’t finish, the light fading from Lindsay’s face as she sighed heavily.

  “Oh, Walker, it’s terrible news, really. A mine accident in Porthleven. Donovan received word right there at Almack’s, the messenger sent over after he first came here to find we weren’t at home. Donovan and Corie left last night with their family—”

  “Oh, I see.” His disappointment so keen he could taste it, Walker ventured, “All of them? Marguerite, too?”

  If she’d appeared downcast a moment ago, Lindsay now stared at him with a look of such evident delight that Walker could but regard her with amazement.

  He realized then like a jolt that she must have divined the reason for his visit though he hadn’t yet said a word…but of course the most romantic-minded young woman he’d ever known would have guessed the import of his query.

  “I’d hoped to speak with her, is all—”

  “All? Of course you must speak with her!” Lindsay’s eyes danced with excitement. “She’s in the rose garden—oh, but Walker, she’s a bit out of sorts about last night. Said she never wants to see you again. Called you a rogue, actually—”

  “A rogue.” Instead of feeling upset by such news, Walker found himself pleased more than he could say. “Lady Belinda?”

  Lindsay nodded, though suddenly she sobered. “You must promise me that you’ll not break Marguerite’s heart, Walker. If Jared were here—”

  “He’s gone, too?”

  “Yes, early this morning. There’s so much to be done to the manor house before the babe arrives. He told me last night that because you’ve never settled before upon one woman—”

  “I have settled upon one woman, Lindsay. Marguerite Easton. I came here today with an offer of marriage, if she’ll have me, and to speak to Donovan, Corie, and Jared as well—”

  “Oh, no, you can’t do that!” Lindsay blurted out. “Speak to Jared, I mean. I saw last night how you looked at Marguerite—and she at you—and told him the two of you were meant for each other, but he’s fully against it! I’m sure his view would sway Donovan and Corie, too, and Reverend Easton, at least at first. Jared insisted that Lady Belinda was more suited to become your wife because she’d turn a blind eye to any mistresses—”

  “Damnation!” His fists clenching, Walker turned away from Lindsay to the window, not trusting himself for a moment to speak.

  Furious with Jared, he nonetheless knew in his heart that he’d never given him any reason to think otherwise about his actio
ns when it came to women. Yet he’d never once led an innocent astray—and God forbid, no virgins!—but had diverted himself with those of the fairer sex more eager for a night’s tumble than anything lasting.

  “First my father forbids me to marry anyone outside the ton,” he muttered more to himself than Lindsay, who he sensed had drawn closer. “He’s a dying man, maybe within weeks or even days, so I gave my word to abide by his wishes. He said a noble bride would help to ease my path into this new life—and now Jared, too, thinks Lady Belinda would be the most suitable wife for me!”

  “But it doesn’t matter what any of them think, Walker,” came Lindsay’s soft voice behind him. “I didn’t care in the least that Jared was the hated Phoenix with a price on his head. I loved him, which is all that matters. And right now, the only one that matters is Marguerite. Perhaps you might go find her and see what she has to say about your offer of marriage.”

  Sighing heavily, Walker closed his eyes and shook his head. “There’s no use. If Jared and her family are dead set against me—”

  “Ah, now, Mr. Burke, I’ve never known you to give up without a fight.” Standing at his elbow now, Lindsay gazed up at him earnestly. “You’re one of the bravest men I know…and as steadfast as the day is long in your friendship for my husband. He will come around in time if this is something both you and Marguerite wish for together.” Lindsay smiled now with a hint of mischief in her lovely eyes. “I can be very persuasive, you know.”

  Walker couldn’t help smiling either, though he wondered if Marguerite might be more inclined to throw something at him than to consider his proposal. As if reading his mind, Lindsay laughed and began to pull him with her to the doorway.

  “She’s deemed you a rogue, remember? And from what I’ve heard of them, rogues can be very persuasive, too. See what she has to say while I put my mind to what comes next. There’s always a way, Walker.”

  He had no idea what Lindsay might have meant, but already she had gestured for the footman to leave his post by the front door.