Nicola Cornick

by The Dukes Mistress

  Well, she could do one thing. If she was going to go through with this she might as well do it completely. She undid the sash of her dressing gown and let the garment slide to the floor. She pulled her nightrail over her head and laid it across her bed, then picked up her dressing gown and slipped it back on. As she tied the sash again her fingers quaked. Then she left the room.

  Justin pulled his shirt from his breeches and started to unbutton it. He had dismissed his valet early, wanting to be alone. He scowled. He did not think he could make it through one more dinner with Belle sitting across from him, her eyes large and luminous, and her skin soft and glowing in the candlelight. Although her white gown was still modest, the neckline seemed to be lower than that of most gowns she wore and he could hardly keep his eyes off of the creamy expanse of silky flesh above the bodice.

  Even the card game he had suggested had not distracted him. Each time her hand brushed his he was jolted with such desire, he could hardly keep from pulling her against him. He never should have torn up the damn contract. For some reason it had kept his lust in check. But now the paper was gone, he could not longer deny that his reasons for wanting her had nothing to do with revenge.

  The knock on his door startled him.

  He undid the last of the buttons and shrugged out of his shirt. ‘Come in,’ he said curtly.

  He looked up and his heart slammed against his chest when he saw Belle step into the room. Her eyes fixed on his face, she closed the door behind her and leaned against it. She wore a dressing gown and her wavy chestnut hair was loose around her shoulders. Confused, his eyes slid down her body and he saw her feet were bare.

  His mouth went dry. ‘What are you doing here?’ he managed.

  ‘I still have a debt to pay.’

  ‘If you recall, I changed my mind.’ He swallowed as she took a step towards him. ‘I have torn up my copy of the contract.’

  ‘But I haven’t torn up mine. According to my contract I haven’t fulfilled the terms.’

  ‘You’ve done enough. We’ve shared a number of kisses which were quite satisfactory.’

  ‘That is not what the contract specified.’ Her voice was calm and her eyes remained on his face. ‘It said I was to become your mistress until the end of the Season.’

  ‘You have, for all purposes and intents.’ He gave a short laugh. ‘The world thinks you have at any rate.’

  ‘Do you usually just exchange kisses with your mistresses?’

  He frowned. ‘That, my dear, is none of your concern.’

  ‘It is, actually.’ She started to move slowly across the room towards him.

  He watched her, mesmerised. She had an oddly determined look on her face. He took a step back and found himself against the bedpost. She stood in front of him, far too close, and his eyes strayed to her lips. He had an image of crushing them beneath his. ‘What the hell are you doing?’ he demanded hoarsely.

  ‘I believe I told you, I wish to repay my debt.’ She moved closer to him. ‘Do you wish to co-operate or not?’

  ‘No.’ Every part of his body made his denial a lie. ‘I’ve no desire to take from you what you do not want to freely give. It was wrong of me to coerce you into becoming my mistress.’ He had no idea what he was saying.

  She smiled then, a little secretive smile that nearly sent him over the edge. ‘Then you will be glad to know that I plan to coerce you instead.’ She started to untie the sash of her gown. He could not tear his eyes away as the sash undid and the gown parted. She wore nothing underneath. He groaned, desire surging through him so powerfully he nearly keeled over.

  She looked up and the glimpse of uncertainty in her eyes broke through all of his defences. He caught her to him, his mouth finding hers. His hands went to her shoulders beneath the material of her gown and he slid it from her shoulders. It fell to her hips and his hands followed, curving round the naked flesh and then cupping her buttocks. He pressed her to him, his erection hard against her. He heard her soft moan and he lifted his mouth from hers. Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes heavy with desire, her lips swollen from his kisses.

  Justin scooped her up in his arms and carried her to the bed. The robe had completely fallen away and she was exposed to him, her slender legs, the soft curve of her belly, her small, perfect breasts, the thatch of dark hair at the juncture of her pale, smooth thighs. He drank her in, wanting to worship her with his body. Her eyes were on his face, wide and vulnerable, and she made a move to cover her breasts with her hands.

  He reached out and caught her wrists. ‘Don’t. You are beautiful. Every part of you. Let me look at you and then I will touch you.’

  She swallowed and nodded and lay quietly under his gaze. He undid the fastenings of his pantaloons and found his own hand was shaking as he peeled them off. Then he stretched out beside her. He lightly kissed her and then began to stroke her hips. His hand moved over the sensitive skin of her belly and felt her tremble. Then he touched her breast, his hand lightly circling the nipple. She stiffened.

  ‘You do not like that?’ he whispered.

  ‘No. Lucien sometimes hurt me when he…he touched me.’

  A blaze of anger and jealousy shot through him. ‘I will be gentle. If I hurt you, you can let me know.’

  ‘Yes.’

  He watched her face as he caressed her breasts. She sighed and closed her eyes, and he bent his mouth to tease her nipple with his tongue. His hand splayed across her belly and then moved to tangle in the dark curls below. He felt her body arch against his hand and knew he could no longer wait. He positioned himself over her and gently parted her thighs with his knee.

  Her eyes shot open and he saw the panic in her face. Despite his aching need, he could not take her like this. He bent and kissed her and then lowered himself so he lay next to her again. ‘What is wrong?’ she whispered.

  ‘I do not think you are ready for me,’ he said softly. He kissed her again, his mouth gentle and coaxing until she opened her mouth to him in response. His hand slipped between her silken thighs and his fingers found her core. He began to caress her in slow, rhythmic strokes. She gasped and stilled and then she moved against his hand. He kept his mouth on hers, his tongue imitating the movement of his fingers until he heard her soft moan. He quickly rolled on top of her. Her eyes opened again but this time they were heavy with unfulfilled desire. ‘Justin. Please.’

  ‘In a moment, sweetheart.’ He eased himself between her thighs and then pushed into her. She was tight and hot and moist and enveloped him so perfectly he nearly exploded there and then. He paused, allowing her to adjust to him before he began to move in slow, measured thrusts, wanting to take her with him. His mouth was on hers, cajoling and seducing her into surrender. His movements became more urgent and finally her hips rose to meet his. He heard her cry out and felt her shudder before he was lost in a world of pleasure and sensation and oneness. His seed spilled into her and then he collapsed on top of her.

  Her eyes were still shut, her breathing hard. Swift protective possession shot through him. He cupped her face with his hand. ‘Are you all right?’

  Her eyes fluttered open. ‘Yes. Is…is this what it is supposed to be like?’ She sounded as wonder-struck as she had by the sea earlier.

  ‘This is precisely what lovemaking is supposed to be like. It can be even more pleasurable, in fact.’

  ‘Can it?’ The delicate colour in her cheeks only deepened.

  ‘Yes. Which is something I intend to demonstrate.’ He realised he still had her pressed into the bed. As much as he craved the feel of her beneath him, he did not want to hurt her, so he lifted away from her.

  To his surprise, she sat up, and he frowned. ‘What are you doing?’

  ‘Did you want me to return to my bedchamber?’ She did not quite meet his eyes.

  ‘Why would I want you to do that?’

  ‘Is that not what usually happens after…after this?’ She bit her lip. ‘At least with Lucien, when he was finished, he…’

  Justin
sat up and caught her chin so he could see her face. ‘Your husband was a damnable cur in every way possible including this. No, you are not to return to your bed. You will stay in mine. Not the least because I intend to show you some other pleasures that can be between a man and a woman.’ He was already easing her back against the pillows. ‘And when I am done, when we are done, you will not even think of Lucien.’

  Belle woke to find Justin’s arm draped over her. At first, she could not recall where she was. Then she remembered; she was in his house, in his bed and in his arms. She did not move for a moment, hearing his soft, even breathing, feeling the warmth of his arm across her bare flesh. She had crossed the final barrier—she was now his mistress in every sense of the word.

  Not only that—she had behaved as wantonly as any mistress could, first seducing him and then partaking of the pleasures of the flesh to the fullest. He had brought her to the pinnacle of ecstasy not once, but twice more, until they had finally drifted into a deep slumber. Even now, despite the slight soreness, she felt the heavy, warm pit of sensation between her legs and knew if he wanted to take her again, she would welcome him.

  She refused to regret it. She could not. She had come to Justin with the intention of doing exactly what she had done. Except she had not expected one night to so devastatingly sweep away the person she thought she was. Calm, collected, passionless. She had thought she knew from her marriage what to expect. She should have been warned from her response to his kisses and that one night in London, but it had only been a mere prelude to the ecstasy she had found in his arms. And she had been wild and passionate and everything that she had not thought herself. A self she was not sure she wanted to know.

  Belle slowly opened her eyes. Faint light crept through the cracks of the heavy drapes. She thought it might be just after dawn. She shifted a little and although he moved, he did not wake. She managed to scoot out from under his arm and gently eased it to his side. Then she sat up, careful not to disturb him. A lock of dark hair fell over his forehead. Despite his strong profile, he looked vulnerable and almost boyish and a swift desire to brush his hair back and kiss him shot through her. She wanted to lie with him again, not for love-making but because she wanted to feel his warmth and strength. Feel part of another person.

  But she could not allow that. She could not lose herself in him. She could not fall in love with him for she would truly be lost.

  She slipped from the bed. Her dressing gown lay on the floor and she picked it up and put it on, suddenly finding her nakedness disconcerting. She wanted to escape to the privacy of her bedchamber and recover her sense of self.

  Justin still did not waken as she quietly left his room and closed the door behind her.

  Chapter Twelve

  Justin found her in the library again. She sat in the same chair as she had yesterday, her gaze on the sea below. He watched her for a moment, the perfect outline of her cheek, the way her hair curled about her face, the soft curves of her breast beneath her lavender gown. He could almost feel their rounded softness in his hands and his groin tightened in response.

  ‘Belle.’

  She turned and soft colour filled her cheeks. ‘Good morning, your…that is, Justin.’

  She looked adorable. ‘You still want to address me as “your Grace”? After last night, I would think the need for such formality between us was annihilated.’ His eyes swept over her face. ‘Don’t you?’

  Her colour deepened. ‘I suppose so. Although in front of others I would prefer to preserve a certain amount of formality.’

  ‘But, my sweet Belle, there are no others present at this moment.’

  ‘But there could be. A library is not very private. Anyone could walk in.’

  ‘Anyone?’

  ‘A servant. Or a guest, that is.’

  The prim note that had returned to her voice made him want to kiss her. ‘There are no other guests that I am aware of. And my servants would hardly be shocked if you addressed me by my given name. Or perhaps you fear something else might happen.’

  Her eyes widened. ‘Such as what?’

  ‘Such as this.’ He caught her around the waist and pulled her to him. Before she could protest he kissed her. Her lips parted under his and then she moved her head away. ‘No.’

  He lifted his head for a moment. ‘No, what? Say my name,’ he whispered against her mouth.

  ‘No. Justin.’

  He released her. ‘That was not too difficult. Nor did anyone interrupt us.’ He touched her cheek. ‘Why did you leave me this morning? I awoke and you were gone.’

  ‘I…’ She flushed. ‘I did not want to be seen in your bed.’

  ‘Still so modest?’ he murmured. He smiled wickedly. ‘I look forward to unmasking you again. And very soon at that. I wasn’t quite finished with you, you know.’

  ‘Justin!’ She took a step away from him as if she feared he was about to have his way with her at that moment. He was tempted, but he did not want to shock her. However, he intended to seize the next appropriate opportunity.

  ‘I need your company for something else,’ he said.

  ‘And what is that?’

  ‘Billiards.’

  ‘Billiards? Why would you want me for that? I can hardly hit the ball.’

  ‘You will, by the time I am finished with your lesson. This time there will be no interruptions and we can spend the entire day on your lesson if we want.’

  ‘Do you not have something else you would rather do?’

  He allowed his eyes to linger on her mouth. ‘I do, but I somehow doubt you would agree to it.’

  Instead of the blush he had expected, she eyed him calmly. ‘I do agree a horseback ride would be rather uncomfortable. Perhaps when the sun is out.’

  He laughed. ‘That is not quite what I meant as I suspect you know very well.’ He picked up his gloves. ‘I will change and then we can go to the billiards room. We can also tour the house if you’d like.’

  ‘I would like that.’ She smiled at him.

  He was stunned at the happiness on her face. Was it merely at the prospect of seeing the house or at spending time in his company? He had experienced a moment of panic when he had awoke and found her gone and for a moment had wondered if he had dreamed the whole night. But the faint scent of her that still lingered in the bedclothes told him the night had not been a dream.

  He had not known why she had left him and had half-expected she would have returned to her cool, composed self. Had she only come to him in order to atone for the wrongs she thought she had done to him? Or had it been because she desired him as much as he did her?

  He could only hope it was the latter. The alternative was worse than nothing at all.

  The billiards room was in the older wing of the rambling house. They passed through a long gallery of portraits and finally came to a dark panelled room with long windows and an old carved mantelpiece. A fire already crackled in the fireplace and warmth had started to seep into the room. There were several comfortable chairs and a sofa as well as the billiard table which occupied one corner of the room. Belle walked to the window. The sea was visible from this room as well. The rain now beat against the window and the sea was as grey as the clouds—wild and untamed and she was utterly fascinated. She hardly noticed Justin was behind her until he spoke. ‘Have I lost you again?’

  She jumped and whirled around. ‘I beg your pardon?’

  ‘You seem to go into a trance every time you catch a glimpse of the water.’ His voice was dry but his face held amusement. ‘Jackson said you went directly for the window in the library and hardly knew when he left the room. I doubt you moved until I entered.’

  ‘I am sorry. It is just it is so entrancing and it changes colours with the sky. Perhaps when I grow used to it I won’t care so much.’

  ‘I suspect you will. I think it has enthralled you. It did me the first time I saw it, which is why I prefer this house, much to the dismay of my relations.’ His mouth lifted in a half-smile. ‘I have
already instructed Mrs Keith to have your possessions moved to a chamber with a view of the sea. I should have thought of that earlier, but it never occurred to me you would be so fascinated. The chamber is smaller than the one you occupy, however.’

  ‘That does not matter.’ She smiled at him. ‘Thank you.’

  ‘I am glad it pleases you,’ he said softly.

  She gave a shaky laugh. ‘You do not need to please me.’

  ‘But it is my pleasure to do so.’ His eyes met hers and the intensity of his expression made her catch her breath.

  She forced her voice to remain light. ‘I am ready to start the billiards lesson. But I should warn you that I have not done this since the last time you attempted to instruct me. If I recall, I was an extremely dismal pupil. I am less than hopeful about the results.’

  ‘But the lessons themselves can be enjoyable.’

  She felt the telltale blush steal to her cheeks. ‘I suppose so, although I have found most lessons rather tedious.’ She had no idea what she was saying.

  The lazy smile still curled his mouth. ‘I assure you these won’t be.’

  She gave up. Fencing with him was impossible—that he was a master at it was obvious.

  ‘Should we begin?’ she asked.

  He took her hand. ‘Yes, but first I must drag you from the window.’ He gave her hand a gentle tug. She followed him to the baize-covered table where he released her hand and moved to a rack of cues. ‘Would you prefer a mace or a cue?’

  ‘A cue, I think.’

  He pulled one down and tested its weight. ‘This should work for you.’ He took another stick down and then gave her the first one. He set his aside and shrugged out of his coat. It was hardly suggestive but her mouth went dry none the less. He wore a waistcoat over his fine linen shirt. She watched him set the balls, his movements graceful and expert, then he turned to her. ‘Are you ready? Come here and I will help you position your stick.’