What A Wicked Duke Demands (Historical Regency Romance)

by Emily Honeyfield

  Neither did Beth, but dealing with Hermia was better than watching the duke walk around in wet clothes that showed every line of his body. She had to turn away before he saw her red face, hurrying into the line of trees. Where on earth was Hermia? She should have been around here somewhere. In wet swimming garments, she couldn’t have gone far.

  Then Beth saw her. The girl was lying on a flat rock, allowing the sun to settle on her. She looked very serene and relaxed lying there, probably the most relaxed Beth had ever seen her.

  She approached the rock.

  “Hermia?”

  “What do you want?”

  “We’re heading back to the house now. Your father wanted to know where you were.”

  Hermia shrugged. She didn’t open her eyes or move an inch.

  “I’ll wait until he comes to find me, then. Or Maisie. I don’t mind which.”

  Beth sighed.

  “Hermia, you can either come with me or you can have your father drag you home. I’d like to think I’m the nicer option.”

  “You’re certainly not the option I want.” Hermia opened her eyes and rolled onto her belly, fixing Beth with a challenging stare. “Are you going to make me move? I’ll scream if you touch me, and I can scream really loudly.”

  Beth had no intention of touching her. Even though she did want to slap some sense into the girl. But instead, Beth put her hands behind her back, gripping onto her arms.

  “How can you get to your age and become such an unkind young lady?” she asked.

  “I’m only unkind to those who think they’re moving in on something that they have no right to be anywhere near.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  Hermia’s eyes narrowed.

  “You and Father. You keep looking at him.”

  “Where am I supposed to look, then?”

  “You’re not to look at him at all.” Hermia was practically baring her teeth at her. “He’s not yours, Miss Campbell, and you’re not going to have him.”

  It had been months since Beth had become governess, and Hermia was still sure that she and her father were having an affair. And Beth was tired of the accusations. It was becoming a frustrating conversation that she couldn’t budge.

  “You’re positive that I’m going to become your father’s mistress, aren’t you?” she asked. “Were you like this with the other women who came to teach you? I know you don’t like change, and you want your mother back, but you’re going the wrong way about it.”

  “Am I?” Hermia rose to her feet, sliding off the rock to stand before Beth. “I know you want to get into my father’s bed if you haven’t already. All the other governesses wanted that as well. They tried, but I stopped them. No one is taking Mother’s place.”

  “I don’t want to take your mother’s place, either. I’ve got a job to do.”

  Hermia snorted. She folded her arms, her lip curling into a smug sneer.

  “Your sister got into bed with a duke’s son. What’s to say you won’t do the same?”

  Beth stiffened. She had never said anything about Flora to the children. Somehow, Hermia had found out about it all. Now that was crossing the line. Beth gritted her teeth.

  “I think you need to go back to your father, Miss Hermia.”

  “Did I hit a nerve?” Hermia smirked. “Good.”

  Beth stepped towards her and felt a slight sense of satisfaction as Hermia took a step back.

  “No, you didn’t hit anything,” she snapped. “You went to a part of my family that you’re not allowed to go in. What happened with my sister has nothing to do with me and is certainly none of your business.”

  “Is it not?” Hermia arched an eyebrow. She had recovered pretty quickly. “She got into bed and ruined herself. What’s to say it won’t happen again with you? And I’ll be there to see you fall. That will be worth the wait.”

  “Are you threatening me?”

  “No, it’s a promise. Because I know you’re going to seduce Father.” Hermia leaned forward, practically spitting in Beth’s face. “I won’t let you into the family. Never.”

  Then she stormed past Beth, knocking hard into her shoulder, and disappeared into the trees.

  #

  Gerard wasn’t scared about Hermia disappearing. All three of his children knew the area and could walk around with their eyes shut. Hermia had spent hours exploring the countryside with her mother. There was no worry about her getting lost.

  It was Beth Gerard was more worried about. She didn’t know the place at all, and she had gone into the trees to look for Hermia. It just took one wrong turn and you could get lost. Gerard wouldn’t put it past Hermia to point Beth in the wrong direction.

  For a while, he was beginning to think that the governess and his daughter would finally get along. They had managed to be in the same room without any arguing or fighting, although Gerard had noticed Hermia scowling in Beth’s direction. And Hermia had been eager to go into the water with her sisters. There was still quite a way to go, but it wasn’t as tense.

  Maybe they really could become good friends. Gerard wanted that with all of his children. Isabel and Rosamund had warmed to Beth immediately, and they wouldn’t stop talking about her whenever Beth wasn’t in the room. He was hoping that Hermia would start saying the same.

  A few months in the Lake District, and their relationship could be fixed, built on, and strengthened. Gerard could see that happening. When Hermia was in a friendship or relationship with anyone, she was in it fully. Unfortunately, that meant the same with her animosity towards those she disliked. Gerard wanted that to change.

  And he was sure it would.

  Until he and his daughters were waiting with Millie for Hermia and Beth to turn up. Now Gerard was wondering what his daughter was up to. Had she deliberately slipped away to pounce on Beth when no one was around? Was she planning on doing something she shouldn’t? Gerard wouldn’t put it past his daughter, not with her anger.

  He was still astounded as to her fury towards Beth. It was like she wanted to force Beth away, much more than the other governesses. Gerard suspected it was because Hermia knew how he felt towards her. She didn’t want anyone to replace her mother.

  No one could replace Allegra. She was unique in her own way. But did Hermia expect her father to be celibate for the rest of his life? He would have to remarry at some point. People would be urging him to remarry and have a son to be the heir.

  Marriage. That had him pausing. Gerard hadn’t even contemplated marriage. Not until Beth came along. That kiss had never left his mind, and Gerard found himself more and more drawn to her. Could she be the person he had been looking for to fill the hollow part of his chest?

  A marriage between a duke and a governess was going to more than raise a few eyebrows. Society would be horrified. But he didn’t live to make Society happy.

  Drying off his daughters and wrapping them in their coats, Gerard sent them back to the house with Millie. Both girls were shivering, and it was starting to get chilly out of the water. He didn’t want them to catch cold. Then he grabbed his coat and spare clothes, ducking behind a bush and changing quickly. Everything was clinging to him like a second skin, and it was uncomfortable. It felt like a relief to get back into warm, dry clothes.

  Gerard was coming out from behind the bush when there were some leaves rustling. He turned to see Hermia strolling out of the undergrowth. She looked very smug, almost whistling as she went to where her things were laid neatly.

  “Hermia?”

  Hermia looked up and stilled when she saw him.

  “Oh, Father. I thought you’d left.”

  “I was waiting for you. Where’s Miss Campbell?”

  “No idea.” Hermia picked up her dress and tugged it over her head. “Maybe she walked off.”

  “She came looking for you.”

  “Did she?” Hermia shrugged. “I didn’t see her.”

  She reached for her coat and shrugged it on, flicking her hair out of the colla
r. Gerard knew she was lying. She was hoping no one was going to look for Beth. If Gerard was a fool, he would have escorted Hermia home without worrying about Beth. But the fact Hermia and Beth had been missing for some time didn’t sit well with him.

  “Hermia, go and join Millie. She’s taking the girls back to the house. You should be able to catch up.”

  “What about you?”

  “I’m going to find Miss Campbell.”

  Hermia looked hurt.

  “But I need to be escorted home. Anything could happen.”

  Gerard snorted.

  “Hermia, you know these hills better than I do. If you get lost, I’ll be very surprised. Now get moving.”

  Hermia huffed and scowled.

  “Miss Campbell will be back. She’ll find her way home. Maybe.”

  Gerard advanced on his daughter, watching as Hermia took a step back. He didn’t want to scare his daughter, but he was getting fed up with her sneering. He towered over Hermia, who managed to look him in the eye with a flash of defiance.

  “Forgive me if I don’t take your word for it at this moment in time, Hermia,” Gerard said sternly. “Go. Now. And if I catch you around here after I’ve told you to leave, I’ll make sure you’re confined to your room until Christmas.”

  Hermia snorted.

  “You wouldn’t do that.”

  “Try me.”

  They stared at each other. Then Hermia turned and stomped away out of the clearing. She disappeared up the hill, Gerard watching her go. The last thing he wanted was to have another argument with his daughter.

  Right now, his priority was Beth.

  Gerard headed into the undergrowth and made his way along the path. She had to be around here somewhere. Beth couldn’t have gone far, not on her own. She had never been out to the Lake District before, so there was no chance of her wandering off elsewhere. Especially when she had charges to look after.

  He climbed a slight incline and then came upon Beth. She was sitting on a flat rock, leaning over with her head in her hands. Her shoulders were trembling, and Gerard could hear her taking deep breaths.

  “Beth?”

  Beth shot up. Her eyes widened when she saw him, and she shot to her feet, wobbling almost as soon as she straightened up. Gerard hurried over and grabbed her before she fell back down.

  “Whoa, calm yourself. It’s only me.”

  “That’s the problem, Your Grace.” Beth licked her lips. “Forgive me; I didn’t mean to disappear on you. I just needed a moment to gather my thoughts.”

  She had been crying. Her face was streaked with tears, and her eyes were red, her bottom lip trembling. Gerard loosened his grip on her arms and stroked her hair out of her face.

  “You’ve been crying.”

  “Only because I’m so angry right now.” Beth snorted. “Typical. I get really angry that I end up bursting into tears.”

  “That’s nothing to be ashamed of.” Gerard slipped his arms around her, cradling her gently against his chest. Beth didn’t push him away. “Talk to me. What did Hermia say to you?”

  “You think Hermia said something?”

  “I know she did. She came walking back to where we left our belongings like she had won something. And you wouldn’t be this angry, otherwise.” Gerard watched as Beth averted her gaze. “What did she say?”

  “It …” Beth closed her eyes for a brief moment. She shook her head. “It’s nothing.”

  “Beth …”

  “I said it’s nothing, Your Grace.” Beth pushed his chest, stepping out of his arms. “I can handle it.”

  Gerard had been trying to focus on why Beth was upset, but now all he could think about was how good Beth had felt in his arms. It was like she was made for him. She just moulded against his body as if she had done it for years. Gerard liked it. A lot.

  “You need to talk to me, Beth.” He tried to bring his mind back to the conversation, not Beth’s body. “I want to help.”

  Beth shook her head.

  “You can’t. You’ll just make it worse.”

  “How do you know?”

  Beth stared at him. She took a deep breath, and Gerard saw her breasts rise and fall. His trousers were feeling a lot tighter now, and it was getting uncomfortable. She looked so beautiful, and Beth didn’t seem to be aware of it.

  His control was snapping. Gerard couldn’t hold back any longer. Beth wasn’t here for him to satisfy his urges, she was here to look after his children.

  Maybe, just for a short time, she could look after him.

  Gerard stepped towards Beth, cupping her face in his hands. Beth gasped as he tilted her head up.

  “Your Grace?”

  “Ssh.” Gerard bent his head, brushing his lips across hers. “I just have to taste you.”

  It had taken a lot of his resolve to keep his hands-off Beth, and Gerard had found himself struggling more and more as time went on. Now he couldn’t help himself. He just had to have something more.

  “We shouldn’t be doing this,” Beth said quickly before his mouth descended on hers. She pressed her hands against his chest. “Someone could find us out here. We’re out in the open and your reputation …”

  “I don’t care about my reputation, and no one will find us.” Gerard took her hand and guided it to the front of his trousers, pressing her fingers against his erection. “Feel that? That’s what you’ve done to me. We should be doing this.”

  Beth’s eyes widened. Her fingers tightened around him, and Gerard bit back a gasp. Just the slightest word from her, and Gerard would be on his knees for her. Beth could command him to do anything right now, and he would happily do it.

  They were silent for a moment, Beth’s hand still pressing against his erection. Then she pulled her hand away quickly and stepped back.

  “I should get back to the house.”

  “Not just yet.”

  Beth shook her head and turned away. Gerard growled and grabbed her waist, hauling her back against him. Her backside pressed against his erection, which had Gerard groaning. God, she felt so good against his body. He kissed her neck as he pressed against her rear, feeling her breath hitch and shudder. Was she arching into him as well?

  “Just a kiss first, Beth,” Gerard whispered against her skin, brushing his tongue over her fluttering pulse. “Then I’ll let you go.”

  “It won’t stop at a kiss, Gerard,” Beth panted. She moaned as Gerard cupped her breast. “You know it won’t.”

  “No, it won’t.”

  Gerard groaned, squeezing her breast. They were so firm and ripe in his grasp. And it had Beth’s moans getting louder as she writhed against him. Dear God, he was going to need to keep a hold of some control. Beth was an innocent, delicate thing. But Gerard wanted to plunder her until she was shaking around him.

  Spinning her around, Gerard swallowed Beth’s moans as he kissed her, grasping her hips and pulling her against his erection. Beth responded in kind, wrapping her arms around his neck, her breasts pressed against his chest. She seemed to be undulating her hips against his, which had Gerard shuddering.