“You are quite right, I do look worse than Phoebe. As I don’t have any intention of climbing over furniture or running through the house, I think the dirt is quite safe sticking to me and only me.” Elizabeth turned from the mirror and glanced at Phoebe. “Phoebe, on the other hand, probably has every intention of spreading the dirt as far and wide as possible. See to her bath first. I can manage until then.”
Jane gave Elizabeth a quick nod and bent to Phoebe’s level. “Phoebe, would you like to come with me and take a bath?”
With the prospect of playtime in the water, Phoebe collected her dolls and hastened out the door with Jane, one clutched in each arm. Elizabeth didn’t even want to think of all the dust being transferred to Jacqueline and Victoria. They’d surely need a bath of their own before long.
Left alone, Elizabeth faced the mirror and began to de-cobweb herself. She pulled at a particularly oversized glob hanging off her shoulder and cringed at the possibility of a spider still inhabiting the webs.
Spiders and bugs might appeal to Phoebe but Elizabeth had no desire to make the acquaintance of any.
In short order Elizabeth had the most obvious cobwebs and dust removed, and soon after that her bath was ready and waiting.
Intending to enjoy a leisurely soak, she dismissed Jane and slowly lowered herself into the steaming water, letting it and her lilac scented soap wash away the dirt. It had never felt so good to get clean.
She even enjoyed it too much to feel guilty about having two baths prepared in one day. After waking this morning, she had realized her body had aches in places she’d barely paid attention to before. To ease the dull pain, she’d soaked her overworked muscles.
Recalling her morning discomfort sent her cheeks aflame, since she couldn’t think of it without remembering the source of the good aches—Gabe and the wicked things he’d done to her body all night long.
Steam rolled off the water and hovered above the tub, sealing her in a cocoon as her mind relived each peak he’d carried her to before she fell over the edge into a river of sensations.
Simply thinking about his strong hands caressing her body stirred a deep craving. Starting at the points of her nipples, traveling down the tightness of her abdomen and settling deep in the apex of her thighs. The spot Gabe had brought to life with the simple touch of his hand.
With the very arousing thought playing on her mind, she started to wash and prepare for her next encounter with the very talented Duke of Wesbrook.
Chapter 33
Elizabeth descended the staircase wearing the finest evening gown she’d brought from London. The deep blue crepe, over a white stain slip, exposed just enough of her breasts without being fully scandalous. It was by far the most elegant article of clothing she’d worn since arriving at Frenton Hall.
Tonight her goal wasn’t to dress for comfort or necessity. No, tonight she was hunting.
She had every intention of luring the very appealing and slightly dangerous duke back to her bed.
Fueled by a confidence she’d never felt before, she entered the sitting room, ready to send Gabe to his knees.
But the room’s occupants—or more specifically, lack thereof—had her silk slippers stuck to the floor. Every scrap of poise and self-assurance she’d possessed melted away and she was left with confusion and the first twinges of misery.
Instead of finding Gabe perched in a chair by the fireplace, she found a scene similar to the prior evening. The only difference being, instead of Aunt Millie sitting alone in the room, Phoebe was with her.
Where is the dratted man? How was she supposed to send him romantic overtures if he couldn’t be bothered to join them for a simple meal?
“Lizzy, you’re so pretty.”
Elizabeth shoved her disappointment and rising annoyance behind a mask of feigned normalcy and smiled at Phoebe sitting on the rug playing with her dolls. “Thank you, sweet. But I do believe you are even more beautiful. Don’t you agree, Aunt Millie?”
“In all my years, I’ve never seen a more beautiful young lady.” Her aunt turned her gaze to Elizabeth. “Well, no one besides my equally lovely niece.”
Seeing the affection shining in the older woman’s eyes cut into Elizabeth’s sadness. Despite losing her parents and her anxiety over winning Gabe’s love, fortune had indeed smiled on her. This wonderful woman had given her so much through the years.
Moved beyond words, Elizabeth walked to her aunt’s side, bent, and placed a kiss on the dear woman’s cheek. “Thank you for taking such good care of me, Aunt.”
Before Elizabeth could back away, Millie caught hold of her hand and with a tight squeeze said, “No, thank you. You have been the daughter I never got to have. For that I’ve been blessed.”
A fresh batch of tears pooled at the corners of Elizabeth’s eyes. It meant the world to know her aunt treasured their relationship as much as she did.
Phoebe crawled her way onto Aunt Millie’s lap, breaking the hold between aunt and niece. “Why are you so sad?”
Aunt Millie’s smile washed away her sadness. “Oh, poppet, we are not sad. We are very happy.”
The child looked confused at the idea of happiness tears. Elizabeth gave an errant curl a gentle tug. “You will understand when you are older.”
“Enough of that. Lizzy, dear, why don’t you excuse yourself from dinner? Phoebe and I will be fine on our own.”
Elizabeth met her aunt’s knowing look. “Pardon?”
“I know you haven’t dressed with such a flair for our benefit. Why don’t you go in search of what you were actually looking for?”
A knot formed in the pit of Elizabeth’s stomach. Did her aunt know where Gabe had spent the night?
“Go on, child. Besides, I have no desire to watch you sulk all through the meal.”
“But . . .”
“Off with you. Phoebe and I are dining with Princesses Victoria and Jacqueline. We mustn’t be late. Isn’t that right, poppet?”
“I’m the queen and Aunt Millie is my fairy godmother,” Phoebe offered imperially.
“Ah, I see.” Unsure how on earth to respond to her aunt, it seemed safest to address the self-declared Queen Phoebe. Besides, the evidence already weighs against me.
Aunt Millie knew of Elizabeth’s feelings for Gabe. Combined with the gown, it wasn’t much of a leap to realize who had been on her mind when she’d had Jane exchange the simpler dress for one this sensational.
Who was she trying to fool? Not a single tiny shred of her wanted to sit through another meal without first seeing Gabe. She was starting to worry about his opinion of their night together. Since he hadn’t taken the time to seek her out, could he possibly be regretting it?
There was only one way to discover the truth.
She gave Phoebe a regal bow. “Your Highness, I’ll leave you to your meal.”
Filled with purpose, head high, Elizabeth turned and headed for the door, in search of Gabe.
She wasn’t going to stop until she found him and either coaxed him into kissing her with the same passion he’d unleashed the night before . . . or exasperated him until he lost control—and then kissed her.
Either way, her lips would press to his before the night was over.
Gabe stood and pushed his hands into his lower back, trying to work out the tightness. Who knew sitting for so long could be bad for one’s health? No wonder he’d avoided it for much of his life.
To his astonishment, he hadn’t keeled over during the task. For the first time since becoming the Duke of Wesbrook he knew the exact state of his finances. And he liked what he discovered.
Phillip had taken risks on investments Gabe wouldn’t have—but apparently had authorized—and each one had been rewarded highly.
With his back as stretched out as it would be, Gabe clos
ed the ledgers spread across the surface of his desk. The two he had started with had quickly multiplied until he swore he had half a library sitting before him.
Poor Phillip; the man probably had apoplexy when Gabe had requested to see the results from the last three quarters, not just the one originally given him.
His desk somewhat in order, Gabe checked the time. Bloody hell. After missing luncheon he’d wanted to at least be present for dinner. The others had to be halfway through their meal by now.
If only, after the third time of being interrupted, Gabe hadn’t threatened to dismiss Wilkes, with just the clothes on his back, if he dared to knock on the door one more time. Gabe doubted the man had taken the threat seriously, but he had stayed away.
And staying away apparently included not reminding Gabe to eat.
In Wilkes’s defense, Gabe had never relied on anyone to remind him to be in attendance for a meal. Though he usually didn’t participate in an activity that distracted him to the point of forgetting food.
Unless it concerned a beautiful woman. Then it involved having his hands full of something more scrumptious than a cooked ham.
Maybe he would join them after all. He hadn’t seen Elizabeth all day and his body was clamoring for the chance to watch her delicate lips close around her fork as she drew each bite deep into her mouth. And to get lost in her reaction after she sampled various courses. He knew for the slightest moment, she would close her eyes, and he would almost be able to sense the bliss she felt.
As if savoring each taste as it burst over her tongue.
He’d always imagined a similar expression of delight would appear on her lovely face right before she surrendered to passion. After last night, he knew it had been only a prelude to the rapture she exhibited when she fell apart in his arms.
Thoughts of her lips and all they had touched during their long night together sent his body as taut as a bow. Oh, yes, he’d definitely be joining them. He wasn’t about to miss an opportunity to stare at her across the table and fantasize about what he could do with her mouth.
He didn’t care about the self-inflicted torture of not being able to act on the craving she would stir as he sat watching.
He rounded the corner of the desk, hell bent on reaching the dining room before they’d concluded their meal, when he caught sight of his reflection in the tall window.
Hell. He was in no state to join them. Now he understood why Phillip was never fashionably dressed and why his clothing seemed perpetually askew.
Sometime during the day Gabe had removed his jacket after finding the tight cut too restrictive when he reached for documents and sorted through papers. His tailor would have a fit if he ever learned Gabe had opted for comfort instead of style.
Gabe inspected his breeches. He brushed his hand over the material but to no avail. The unwanted creases wouldn’t be going anywhere without proper laundering. Sitting at the desk all day had placed more wrinkles in his garments than an entire night lounging around a gambling hell.
His cock refused to be ignored, not after being roused to life and promised further temptation. A call he vowed to answer. He would simply bide his time and intercept Elizabeth after she parted from the others.
Surely he had enough willpower to wait for the meal to conclude. After all, he had waited two years to touch her.
Without proper warning his mind recalled the sweet sound of her soft cries as she’d fallen apart in his arms. Hell, no man had the power to shut that from his mind . . . or to prevent his body’s natural reaction. He needed a distraction. Hopefully the deep aroma and full taste of a brandy would suffice.
His glass full, he crossed to his desk to sit and enjoy it when a knock sounded at the door. Wilkes must figure Gabe’s earlier threat no longer applied if he was willing to face his wrath.
Without turning, Gabe bid him to enter. “A man could starve waiting for you.”
“Oh, he could, could he?”
Gabe spun toward the door. Instead of his elderly butler, a vision of beauty stood before him. An angel with strands of gold spun around her head and a cloud of transparent blue circling her body.
But the woman before him was no angel, not unless God had started to lure men into temptation at the hands of the ethereal creatures.
Pure and wanton sin stood before him.
He’d somehow lost the connection between his mind and his mouth and all he could do was stare as she stepped into the room, closed the door, and with all the flair of a seductress, crossed to him. Her hips sashayed with every step she took.
Gabe had never seen her move in such a way before. She’d always possessed poise and beauty, but now it was as if she had become aware of her power over a man.
And to his delight, planned to use it to its fullest.
“You were saying something.” Even her voice had become huskier.
It was a good thing he’d come to understand staying away from her wasn’t possible—especially after last night. They may not have a future but he could no longer deny what they did have. Passion.
“I was wondering what took you so long.”
Satisfaction flashed in her eyes right before he closed the distance between them and locked her lips beneath his.
Unheeded, his glass fell from his fingers. Gabe’s mind barely registered how the fragile crystal thudded against the rug and didn’t shatter; too preoccupied to care if the spilled drink would ruin its expensive weave.
Her slender fingers stroked over his chest before trailing along his shoulders. He sucked in a deep breath at the feel of her touching him, his senses engulfed with the scent of lilac.
From this day forward, he’d never smell the fragrance without becoming aroused.
“I’ve been thinking about you all day.”
“Have you?”
“Oh, yes,” he moaned against her lips.
“Well, I haven’t thought of you once.”
He tipped his head back and released a bark of a laugh. Never before had he felt the need to laugh while making love to a woman.
“Minx, what would I do without you?”
With as much sass and mischief as he’d learned to expect from her, she answered, “Live a boring, uneventful life. You need me, Gabe.”
All humor vanished, Gabe gazed into her green eyes. “I’m starting to think maybe you are correct.”
They stood frozen, studying each other. To him the moment held more intimacy than a night full of passion.
Instead of feeling uncomfortable, it somehow felt right.
“Well, then. Are you going to ravish me or not?” she asked.
“And if I say, not?”
Her eyes heated wickedly. “I guess I’ll merely have to ravish you.”
Gabe’s jaw dropped. Just when he thought he knew what she’d say or do, she managed to surprise him. But he wouldn’t let her take control. Not yet. If he did, there was no way he’d last long enough to see to her pleasure.
“Perhaps I’ll let you do exactly that. Someday. As for now,” Gabe murmured, lifting her into his arms, “I will be the one doing the ravishing.”
He carried her to the desk and set her on the edge. Earlier he’d handled the ledgers and other documents with a touch of care, but now they stood in the way of what he desired. With a sweep of his arm, he sent them all crashing to the floor.
Elizabeth gasped. “You might want to warn a person before you make a grand gesture certain to wake the dead.”
He moved between her legs, shoving her gown up as he rubbed his hands over her thighs. “I’m the Duke of Wesbrook. The dead dare not wake without my say so.”
“Did the big, bad duke make a jest?”
“Quiet, Minx, I’m going to ravish you now.”
“About time,” she whispered.
&
nbsp; Chapter 34
The surface of his desk wasn’t where Gabe had envisioned his next encounter with Elizabeth. But he wasn’t about to waste precious time relocating to a more comfortable location.
Besides, lack of comfort aside, it fulfilled a few of the fantasies he’d concocted as he’d pored over the estate books. Before today the unused piece of furniture had seemed like a waste. Tonight, with Elizabeth sitting on the immense top, it was the perfect size and in the perfect location.
With the feel of her lips moving against his and her hands pulling the shirt from his waistband, he forgot about where they were, and lost himself in her.
After easing away long enough to rip his shirt over his head and throw it to the side, Gabe focused on rendering her equally bare-chested. His fingers nimbly loosened the buttons and ties on the back of her gown. His mouth went dry at the sight of her breasts as he peeled the bodice down.
Gabe lowered his head, intent on taking her nipple in his mouth, when she murmured, “I lied before.”
She was trying to start a conversation? Now?
“W-what?” he stammered, struggling to pay attention to other than the enticement of her naked skin.
“Before. I lied.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I lied when I told you I never thought of you today. I hardly thought of anything else.”
Nothing she said would have made the interruption worthwhile. Except that.
Gabe leaned in close, until the green of her eyes was all he could see. “I know.” And sealed his words with a kiss.
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