“I want to kiss you,” she whispered, holding her arms out for him. When she touched her tongue to his mouth, he opened for her. She kissed him deeply, passionately, as if it were the last time they would ever kiss.
The straps of her chemise slipped down her shoulders, and he pushed it off her. He cupped her breasts, and she caught his hands and pressed them over her breasts.
He inhaled on a shuddered breath, and when he suckled her, she made a feminine sound.
He was as hot as a bonfire. “Lucy, lay back on the pillow.”
When she complied, she reached for him. “Make love to me.”
“No, you’ve had a shock, and I fear you will regret it.”
“Harry, I need you tonight. You are everything to me. Everything.”
“I don’t want you to have regrets,” he whispered.
“I will never regret you, Harry. Never.”
In the end, it was the look in her eyes and the conviction in her voice that decided him. “If you have any doubts at any point, you must tell me.”
“I have no doubts,” she said. “I will never regret you.”
He could not deny her. He shoved off his drawers and knelt between her thighs. Then he slid his hands to her bottom and tilted her upward. He angled his head and gave her a deep, wet kiss. He was on fire as he pressed her soft body against him. His cock grew rock hard, and he wanted her so badly, but he felt guilty and tore his mouth away. “Tell me to stop.”
“Don’t stop, please don’t stop.”
“Jesus.” He lost the battle and molded his mouth to hers, tasting her sweet tongue and thinking this was somehow destined from the first night he’d rescued her on the misty streets of London.
He kissed a path down the center of her body. When he reached the soft folds, he felt her legs tremble a little. He touched her intimately and found her soaking wet already.
“Lucy, tell me to stop now.”
“No, don’t stop.”
He used his fingers to stretch her. She was tight, and he wanted to use as much care as possible. He kissed her again, a long wet tangling of tongues. Then he hovered over her. “Are you certain?”
She nodded. “Yes.”
He positioned himself and slowly pressed into her by inches. He felt her maidenhead give way and heard her gasp. “Sweet girl, I tried to be gentle.”
She was breathing quickly. He felt the tension in her and kissed her lips gently. Eventually, she sighed. He gazed into her eyes as he withdrew part of the way and slowly entered her again. The tension in her body had eased. “I like this,” she whispered.
He moved slowly and reached between them. When he found her sweet spot, he massaged her and kissed her at the same time. She arched up. Her nails scored his back as she moved in rhythm with him as if they’d been born to dance the most primitive steps for a man and woman.
His control slipped, and he moved faster. She wrapped her arms and legs around him. He strained inside her, withdrew, and spent his seed on the sheets. Afterward, he kissed her softly on the mouth. “I’ll return.”
She turned to watch him. He brought a damp cloth with him and pulled the sheets from her hands.
She grew alarmed. “Harry, what are you doing?”
“Hush, and lay back.”
“Oh, dear God, no, you musn’t.”
“Shhh. You bled a little.” He set the cloth aside and kissed her cheek. Then he curled up behind her, drew the covers over them, and cupped her breast. “Sleep,” he said.
Tears slid down her face. He’d cherished her and made her feel loved and wanted. She had not thought it possible to love him more, but her feelings for him were so strong and made her ache for a lifetime with him. No matter what happened, she would never forget this night as long as she lived. The warmth of his body soothed her, and the strength of his arms made her feel secure. She imagined what it would be like to be his wife and share this close bond with him every single night. But her status stood like a portcullis between them. She’d become a servant in order to survive, and everyone who had observed her teach dance lessons and serve lemonade at Almack’s knew it. Her only entrée to the ton was through the servant’s door.
She waited until his even breathing indicated he was asleep before daring to whisper the words in her heart. “I love you,” she whispered. Pain lanced her, because she mustn’t ever let him know. He might feel an obligation to wed her, especially after tonight, and she knew it would only cause strife for him. His family, friends, and political allies would talk about his poor choice of wife and pity him for it. Everything that he took for granted in his life would splinter apart, the same way it had happened to her mother. She loved him too much to hurt him.
Soon she must break all ties with him. It would hurt; it already did. Even though she’d known all along that there was no future for them, she would always regret having to let him go. Tonight he was hers, and she would hold the memory close.
Harry awoke to find Lucy gone. A ray of sun speared through the cracked drapes.
He scratched his itchy beard and heard feminine voices on the other side of the door. When he checked his watch, he discovered it was still early. He’d have to wait for Barlow to arrive for valet duty. Harry caught sight of his scruffy beard in the mirror. Ye gods, he looked like a pirate.
He donned his wrinkled shirt and trousers. Then he rang the bell. When a maid appeared, he requested hot water for a bath in the dressing room. Bachelor that he was, his manners went begging temporarily. He changed his request to bring the hot water for the ladies first.
He sat at the desk. Yesterday’s events had brought everything to a head. Lucy had managed somehow, but she and her grandmother had been extremely vulnerable for some time.
Obviously they could not return to their lodgings without putting themselves in harm’s way. The neighborhood had always been unsafe, but now there was a villain who wanted revenge.
Harry wished he could knock down all the barriers today. He could get a special license and marry her quickly. Given last night’s events, Lucy and her grandmother needed his protection. But Harry realized that rushing matters would lead to all sorts of complications. He needed time to overcome Lucy’s objections and fears about his family’s reaction. He also realized that rushing to the altar might lead to wagging tongues. The last thing he wanted was for others to whisper that she must have been with child, forcing them to wed. Harry didn’t want even a hint of scandal attached to Lucy. If it were only the two of them, he wouldn’t give a damn, but he knew Lucy was sensitive about the difference in their stations.
He scrubbed his hand through his hair, knowing it would not be simple, but he’d planned all along to make Lucy his bride and he would not let anything come between them.
Lucy finished helping her grandmother dress. “Are you better today?”
“I’ll do,” she said, “but we must return home and set things to rights.”
Lucy shivered. “I don’t think it’s safe for us to return yet, and Granfield offered to hire servants to put things to rights.”
“Dearest, I appreciate all he has done, but I don’t want to take advantage of his generosity.”
“He would not see it that way, Grandmama. I’m certain he would prefer we allow him to help. He has expressed concern about our neighborhood in the past. Given all the turmoil, I think we should accept. To be honest, I can’t face returning there yet.”
Grandmama sighed. “I share your reluctance. In this case, we will accept his offer.” She carefully set her dish of tea aside. “Lucy, you came to bed very late. I daresay you have not slept more than two or three hours.”
Lucy held her breath. Had Grandmama guessed she’d slept with Harry? “I’m sorry to have awakened you,” Lucy said.
“You must have spent several hours alone with him,” Grandmama said.
Lucy’s stomach knotted up with guilt. “Yes, I couldn’t sleep.”
“The circumstances are unusual,” Grandmama said, “but we must adhere to th
e proprieties for the sake of your reputation.”
Lucy bit her lip, but her eyes welled anyway.
“Dearest, I know you’re a virtuous girl, but gentlemen sometimes are too eager and overstep the bounds. I feel it necessary to caution you. Do you understand?”
“Harry would never do anything to hurt me. I know it for certain.” She had chosen to make love to him. While she had no regrets, she didn’t like the guilty feelings swirling inside her. Yet, if given the chance to do it all over again, she would change nothing.
“You know how dear you are to me,” Grandmama said, “and I will remind you that it is forbidden to lie with a man outside of holy matrimony. If there were consequences, you would be ruined. I don’t say these things to overset you. I love you and want only the best for you.”
She felt awful because she knew Grandmama would be disappointed if she knew the truth, but what transpired between her and Harry was between them and no one else.
When a knock sounded, Lucy dried her damp eyes with a corner of the linen sheet. Then she went to the door and opened it. The maid curtsied. “May I help you dress, madam?”
Lucy started to correct the maid and then thought better of it. She owed the maid no explanations. “Please, come in.” She was accustomed to managing her front lacing stays on her own, but it was lovely to have help. When the maid offered to dress her hair, Lucy hesitated. She’d foolishly left her hairpins in Harry’s room. “Please help my grandmother first. I’ll return shortly, Grandmama.”
Lucy opened the door to the breakfast parlor, walked inside, and halted upon seeing a man leave. Then she saw Harry and her heart turned over. His dark hair was a bit damp, probably from a bath, and he’d obviously shaved. She could still feel where he’d joined with her body and involuntarily clenched her inner muscles.
“Do I look presentable?” he said.
For a moment she just stood there mute. Then she shook her head. “Rogue, you look very handsome, as you well know.” She looked at the door. “Who was that man?”
“Barlow, my valet, messenger, and dog walker,” he said.
“Oh, right. I remember now.”
Rain pattered the windows. He looked outside. “Well, it’s not too terribly bad.” Then he reached inside his waistcoat. “Your hairpins.”
She breathed a sigh of relief. “I didn’t want my grandmother to know I’d left them in your room.”
A wary expression crossed his face. “Does she know you slept in my bed?”
“No,” she said. “She’s aware that I came into the room late and reminded me to guard my reputation.”
“Are you…well today?” he whispered.
Her face grew warm. “Yes.”
He kissed her softly on the lips, and when he looked into her eyes, she wanted so badly to tell him what was in her heart, but she mustn’t. After last night, he might feel an obligation to her, and she would not allow it. She would always remember their special night, but she’d known all along that there was no permanency for them.
A knock sounded at the door. “That would be breakfast,” he said.
“I’d better go and let the maid dress my hair.”
“I like it down,” he said.
She put her finger to her lips, escaped into the bedroom again, and set the pins on the vanity table.
While the maid dressed Lucy’s hair, Grandmama sipped tea. “I will ask Granfield when he anticipates the servants will complete cleaning our lodgings.”
Lucy looked in the mirror, but of course her grandmother could not see her. “We’ll discuss it after breakfast.”
“Yes, of course,” Grandmama said. “I hope it is not too much longer. Mrs. Green will worry.”
The sound of the rain grew heavier.
After the maid left, someone tapped on the door to the dining parlor. When Lucy opened the door, Harry stood there smiling. Lucy caught her breath. Was it possible his eyes were even bluer today?
He gazed at her with a tender expression, and she thought she would melt on the spot.
“Is that you, Granfield?” Grandmama asked.
“Yes, Mrs. Longmore,” he said. “Breakfast is served. Will you and Lucy join me?”
“Of course,” Grandmama said.
Harry went to her grandmother. “May I escort you?”
“Thank you,” Grandmama said.
When they walked into the adjoining room, Lucy was stunned to see an enormous spread laid out for them.
The maid poured tea for all of them. “Is everything to your liking, Your Grace?” the maid said.
“Yes, thank you.” Harry seated her grandmother first, and then he walked around the table and pulled out a chair for Lucy. His hands lingered on her shoulders for a moment. Lucy’s face heated. Of course Grandmama could not see him, but she could sense when something was afoot.
“Ordinarily, we would attend church,” Grandmama said, “but it sounds as if the rain is coming down harder.”
“It is,” Harry said. “May I make up a plate for you, Mrs. Longmore? There are baked eggs, sausages, toast, preserves, and fresh strawberries.”
“Yes, it smells delicious,” Grandmama said.
Lucy was heartened that her grandmother’s appetite had returned. “Well, I suppose it would be wrong to waste food.”
He brought Grandmama a plate with a little of everything and made one up for Lucy.
“I hope you enjoy the strawberries, Mrs. Longmore,” Harry said.
“Oh yes, they’re very fresh and sweet,” Mrs. Longmore said.
Harry met Lucy’s gaze with a sensual expression. Then he picked up a strawberry and sucked on it. Lucy bit her lip, thinking of the way he’d suckled her nipples last night. Her lips parted. Oh, he was a rogue to do this when her grandmother sat across the table.
“Your Grace, I was surprised that you and Lucy stayed up until the wee hours,” Grandmama said.
Lucy cringed. Why had she brought up the topic when they had already discussed it? Perhaps because her grandmother was still suspicious of their late-night rendezvous. Lucy hoped her grandmother wouldn’t ask too many questions.
Harry looked at Lucy. “We lingered after wine and dessert.”
Lucy shot him a warning look.
“Well, I suppose young people have more energy,” Grandmama said, “but I’m sure you do not wish to deprive my granddaughter of her rest.”
Lucy’s face felt as if it were on fire. There was no doubt that Grandmama was issuing a warning to Harry.
“Mrs. Longmore, I had no intention of depriving Lucy of her rest, but she couldn’t sleep. To be honest, I was still agitated after what happened yesterday too,” he said.
“Well, I’m her grandmother, and I had to be sure that all was proper.”
Harry reached for Lucy’s hand under the table and squeezed it. “I understand,” he said.
He hadn’t blinked an eye while answering Grandmama’s questions, while she had been a bundle of nerves throughout the exchange.
“Your Grace,” Grandmama said. “I know the servants aren’t working today. How long do you anticipate it will be before they finish cleaning our lodgings?”
Lucy released her pent-up breath, relieved at the change of subject.
“It will take several days at the very least,” he said. “I’m sorry to report there is a lot of damage, but I will inquire regularly about the progress and keep you informed. Meanwhile, you will stay here until the work is completed.”
Lucy assumed some of their possessions were beyond repair.
When they finished the meal, he set his serviette on the table.
Harry leaned forward as if meaning to speak, but a knock sounded.
“Enter,” Harry said.
“Beggin’ your pardon, Your Grace. May we clear the dishes?” one of the maids said.
“Yes, please,” Harry said. Then he helped Grandmama to her feet.
“I wish I had my knitting basket,” Grandmama said.
“Where did you keep it?” he aske
d.
“Next to the sofa in our lodgings,” Lucy said.
“I’ll stop by your lodgings to check on the progress thus far and bring the knitting basket to you, Mrs. Longmore.”
“That is very gentlemanly of you,” Grandmama said, “but are you certain you wish to go out in the rain?”
“It’s no trouble at all,” he said. “I imagine you’ll feel better with something to occupy you.”
“Grandmama, I’ll take you to our room,” Lucy said.
Harry rose. “Lucy, may I speak to you afterward?”
“Yes, I’ll return shortly.”
Lucy settled her grandmother in the chair and checked the bruise. It was still purple but starting to fade a bit. She detested Buckley even more than ever for hurting her grandmother. He was an evil, awful man.
She placed the shawl around her grandmother’s shoulders and set the stool beneath her feet.
The door to the dining parlor closed, and the maids’ voices receded.
“The maids are gone. I must speak to Granfield before he departs,” Lucy said.
“Very well,” Grandmama said, “but do not stay overly long.”
Lucy sighed as she closed the door behind her and found Harry sitting on the chaise reading the paper. “Ah, there you are,” he said, rising. “Will you sit with me?”
“Certainly,” she said.
He kissed her lightly on the lips.
“Harry, we must be circumspect,” she whispered.
“I know. Sorry I couldn’t resist. Now, I have a proposal, and I want you to consider it.”
“What is it?”
“I wish to set you up in a town house for the immediate future,” he said.
“I’m certain my grandmother would not approve. We will return to our lodgings as soon as the servants have finished their work.”
“I realize your grandmother may object, but I think it would be safer if I removed you and your grandmother to a different neighborhood for a short while. I fear Buckley will return, and I can’t bear the thought of something bad happening to you both.”
“Harry, the hotel was a necessity, but a town house is out of the question. If anyone were to discover that you had paid for our lodgings, they would surely think I had become your mistress.”
What a Devilish Duke Desires Page 26