Big Bad Neighbor: A Single Dad Next Door Romance

by Tia Siren

  ****

  ''Harriet,'' the Duke shouted from his study, as he heard her giggling.

  ''Yes my Lord.'' Harriet went in to his study, stood next to his desk and stroked the dog that wandered up to her.

  ''Tell me, what has happened to Isabella?''

  ''What do you mean?''

  ''She looks different somehow. More like a young lady, less like an old aunt.''

  ''Ah,'' Harriet uttered. ''Isabella has been quite saddened recently by the fate of her father. I believe she fell into something of a depression and wore some less than flattering clothes for a period. It seems what you did for her father has improved her mood, no end. She obviously feels able to be her old self again. She does have the most amazing figure, doesn't she?'' Harriet smiled as she waited for her brother's answer.

  ''Yes, indeed she does. Quite a remarkable difference, I must say.''

  Now Harriet was more convinced than ever her plan would work. Isabella much less so when she again saw the Duke with Miss Victoria. This time actually holding hands, not just walking arm in arm. Isabella prayed once again, that evening. This time she asked that her feelings would become more tolerable and that she'd be given the courage to wear the red gown with the dignity it commanded.

  ****

  ''Isabella, thank you for coming to help me. As you can see there are a number of options to choose from,'' the Duke said as Isabella looked down at the suits covering the sofa in his study.

  ''Indeed, there are a number of options, my Lord. Let me see, which one do you tend towards?''

  ''No idea,'' the Duke said unhelpfully.

  ''We must start somewhere. I will tell you what I like and you must decide if that can be your choice as well. Here, I like this tailcoat, it is dark and modest. It is becoming of a Duke. Colored tailcoats remind me of merchants. You are a Duke, you must wear classic clothes. Here, I like this waistcoat. Silver is a becoming color for a man with your hair color. Trousers, let me see. Here. These are long. I don't like men who wear pantaloons they look far too feminine. Long trousers will show off your height much better.” Isabella paused. “Let me see, what do we have now? Black tailcoat, silver waistcoat, black long length trousers. Perfect. Stylish, not garish. Add a white shirt and cravat and you will look good enough to eat.'' Isabella suddenly realized the horror of her last remark. ''My Lord, please, I didn't mean to be so vulgar.''

  ''Not at all. A very witty comment. Something I have never heard before. Now please turn your back while I get into these blessed clothes''

  Isabella hadn't expected this. She was going to be in the same room as the Duke when he took off his clothes? She wasn't sure she could bear it. ''Yes, my Lord,'' she said obediently. She turned to face the wall as the Duke began to undress. Isabella was horrified to find that she could see him reflected in the crystal vase on top of the mantel piece. Should she close her eyes, or look? She chose to close her eyes, but after a few seconds, her curiosity took over. When she opened her eyes, she saw him totally naked except for a ridiculously tight fitting undergarment, which left nothing to the imagination. She saw his chest, broad and filled with taught muscles. His stomach looked hard and superbly flat. Isabella dare not look anymore and she closed her eyes. As she did so, she was surprised to see a lingering image of his bulge etched in her mind. As she heard the rustle of clothes behind her, she was acutely aware of her own body. For the first time in her life, she felt a deep desire to have a man inside her, and that man was the Duke.

  ''Finished,'' he said, much to Isabella's relief.

  ''Very handsome, my Lord,'' she said sincerely. ''That is exactly how you should dress to the ball. You will find a beautiful wife in no time.''

  ''Than you, Isabella. You have helped me no end. May I ask you something?''

  ''Yes, my Lord.''

  ''Do you think it too early for me to find another wife?''

  ''No, my Lord, I do not. In fact it is more than time. A man has needs. He cannot live alone all his life. It is five years since your wife died. Remember her with love and affection, but allow yourself to move on. Somewhere out there, a beautiful woman awaits you. A woman who will make you happy. You shouldn't deny yourself any longer.''

  When Isabella had gone, the Duke sat down and thought about what she had said to him. What a perceptive young lady, he thought.

  ****

  Isabella looked out of her bedroom window and saw a queue of coaches stretching down the driveway for as far as she could see. It seemed the whole of society had been invited. She turned back into the room and looked at Harriet. ''Thank you for helping me to dress,'' she said.

  ''You look magnificent. Isabella, before you go to the ball, you must tell yourself what you are. You are not a governess from a poor family. You are a beautiful independent woman who can have any man she wants. This evening you are going to go and get my brother. I know you love him. Go and make him love you.''

  Isabella's legs were shaking at the thought of the task Harriet had given her. ''But your brother has been seeing Miss Victoria.''

  ''Heavens above, Isabella. Now I am going to be very angry with you. That woman isn't a patch on you. If you love the Duke, do him the courtesy of relieving him of that woman by putting yourself in her place. He needs you. You are perfect for him.''

  Harriet's rousing speeches had Isabella's head in a spin. Could she really pull it off? Would the Duke fall in love with her? She really had her doubts. But she'd made her mind up, she was going to try. ''Very well, Harriet, I will try.''

  ''Thank you Lord'', Harriet said, looking up at the ceiling. ''You should wait until my brother is at the ball, before you come down the stairs. We don't want him seeing you, before you get to the ballroom. I will go and make sure he is in the ballroom. When he is, I will come back and get you.''

  Harriet went and within twenty minutes she was back again. ''Let's go to the ball,'' she said enthusiastically. ''Don't forget your masque and remember to keep it on at all times, the Gentlemen won't be wearing a masque so you will be able to see my brother easily.

  ****

  The Ballroom was an enormous hall in a separate wing of the castle. When Isabella arrived in the room she was overwhelmed by the number of people. There were ladies in gowns of every color and men in dashing suits. She stood in the giant arched doorway and looked around. The hall was an oblong shape. To the right there was a stage upon which there was a quintet of musicians. Below them in the center, she saw some people dancing in formation. She looked around to see if she knew anybody. Harriet had left her because she didn't want her brother to guess it was Isabella. Behind her masque and in such a beautiful gown the Duke would never guess it was Isabella, but if Harriet stood next to her, he may well have.

  Isabella decided to walk around and see if she could see anyone to talk to. As she passed a group of young men, each of them turned their heads and watched her. It wasn't long before there was quite a buzz around the place. Nobody seemed to know the beautiful lady in the striking red gown. Isabella walked down the side of the dance floor and glanced around the hall from the other end.

  ''Good evening, Miss. I am Lord Falconbury. May I say how charming you look? It is seldom one sees a lady in such a striking gown. My compliments.''

  ''Thank you, sir. It is indeed a striking dress, you are correct. I did wonder whether I should wear it or not. Courage overcame me.''

  ''You look most beautiful. Would you dance with me?''

  ''If you would excuse me, I'd prefer to stand here a while longer before dancing, sir. Thank you.''

  Half an hour passed, and Isabella was beginning to tire of the constant stream of gentlemen who came and asked her to dance. Where was the Duke? She couldn't see him anywhere.

  Then, to her left she saw him - with Lady Victoria on his arm. I thought this was supposed to be a ball to find him a wife. If he's already chosen, why on earth he bothering? she thought.

  When the Duke walked with Lady Victoria towards the dance floor, Isabella beckoned to Lord Falconbur
y and said, ''Please my Lord, dance with me now.'' Lord Falconbury was surprised she dare to ask a gentleman to dance but as she was so beautiful, he did not take offense.

  It was a dance called The Eighth of August. Isabella was pleased because it would give her the opportunity to speak to the Duke as there were moments when partner changes were called for. She stood opposite Lord Falconbury as they bowed to each other. On her right stood Lady Victoria, and opposite her, the Duke. The dance began. As she stood in line she noticed the Duke looking at her. It didn't seem to be her masque that was attracting his attention, though.

  When it was Isabella's turn she set off and met Lord Falconbury in the middle. They danced around each other and spun off to the next partner. Isabella crossed to the Duke. As she rounded him, she said, ''My Lord, that is a most beautiful waistcoat. Silver compliments your hair color so well.''

  The Duke looked at her and smiled. ''I don't believe we have been introduced,'' he said, before he spun off to the next partner.

  When their paths crossed again, he said,'' My children's governess helped me choose it.''

  As quickly as she could before they had to part again, she said,'' Miss Isabella?''

  The Duke raised an eyebrow. ''Do you know Isabella?'' He had to dance away again, but she had awoken his curiosity.

  When he came back to her, she answered him. ''Yes, I know her, very well in fact. And prey my Lord, how do you find her?''

  Again the Duke spun off and continued the dance around Lady Victoria. Before he could answer, the dance ended. The Duke walked to Isabella. ''She is a very agreeable young woman.''

  ''Agreeable?'' Isabella asked.

  ''My lady, I don't know who you are. As I don't know who you are, it is perhaps easier for me to speak of my torment. Miss Isabella is the most beautiful woman I know. I am in love with her. I am tortured daily that I will never be able to take her for my wife.''

  Isabella was delighted and devastated at the same time. ''Why on earth could you never marry her?''

  ''I fear society would frown upon it. Miss Isabella is from a family that has fallen on hard times and her father is in prison. I am a Duke. I have to think of my reputation. In addition, Miss Isabella wears some very unbecoming clothes. If she dressed like you, perhaps I could find my way to ignoring society and marry her nonetheless.''

  ''My Lord, if I may say so, you are being foolish. You are in love with a beautiful woman. Would you let her go because of what society thinks of her? I can tell you what Miss Isabella thinks of you.''

  ''Yes, what does she think of me?'' he asked curiously.

  Isabella didn't answer but walked away from him. She walked out of the hall and into the fresh air. She had just one hope: that the Duke would be so curious as to the answer, he would follow her.

  The Duke didn't see Isabella leave the ballroom. She had woven her way between guests and he'd lost sight of her. He walked around frantically trying to find the lady in the red gown. After ten minutes Isabella had the blackest thoughts she had had since her mother had died. He hadn't followed her. He didn't really care to know what Isabella felt. Her dream was really over.

  She took the path that circled the castle and began to walk the lonely route to a side door where she could slip inside unnoticed, and go to her room.

  ''Stop. Please stop.'' The Duke. Isabella didn't turn around. She listened to him trying to catch his breath.

  ''Dear Lady. Why did you run away from me?''

  ''I didn't run my Lord.''

  ''And?''

  ''And what, my Lord?''

  ''What does Isabella think of me?''

  Isabella still with her back to him, turned around. She looked at him. She saw a desperation in his eyes. His hair was disheveled and there were beads of sweat on his forehead.

  Slowly, she put her hand to her masque. She hesitated, but then drew in a long breath. She removed the masque.

  The Duke gasped when he saw it was her.

  ''I want to tell you that Isabella loves you very much. More than is good for her. Her life is a daily chore of heartache and pain and will continue to be, unless you free her.''

  He looked at her. A beautiful sensual woman, standing in front of him, in a red gown. The same dress he had wanted to rip from her lithe body on the dance floor.

  He cleared his throat. ''Will you please relay to Miss Isabella that I love her very much. It pains me to know that she suffers at my hand and I will indeed free her from her misery forthwith. Would you please tell Miss Isabella that I will come and see her in her chamber, as soon as I am able to free myself from the drudgery of Miss Victoria.''

  ''Yes. my Lord, I will ask Isabella to wait for you.''

  ****

  Isabella had the longest, most nerve racking wait of her life. More than two hours passed. She sat in the same chair and stared at the door, the whole time. Her thoughts rolled between moments of thorough ecstasy and deep depression. He had declared his love for her just moments ago, but where was he? Why was he taking so long? Had he changed his mind?

  Then, there was a knock at the door.

  Isabella jumped up and threw it open. She watched as he stepped towards her. ''I am sorry I have been so long. That awful woman wouldn't take no for an answer.''

  ''Well, my Lord, I am pleased you are here now.''

  ''You will have to stop calling me, my Lord.” The Duke placed his hands on Isabella’s shoulders. “Isabella, I love you and I have loved you from the minute I saw you.''

  ''Then why didn't you come to me? You could have saved us so much misery.''

  ''I was torn between two worlds. I was worried what society would think. Now I realize that was a big mistake.''

  He reached for her and pulled her to him. He bent to her and kissed her passionately. Isabella almost fainted. It was what she had wanted for so long. In one movement he had taken her to another happier place.

  As they kissed she could feel his desire pushing against her. His hands reached behind her and started to unfasten the buttons of her gown. One by one he snapped them open. Isabella wanted him and now she wasn't going to be shy anymore. He gasped as she felt for his bulge and found it. She felt him and found his balls, then the line of his shaft. She felt him shiver when she traced the full length of him and let her finger rest at his tip.

  He put his hands inside her décolleté and pushed the gown from her shoulders, down past her thighs and onto the floor. He stroked her back with his strong hands. It made her thrust her pelvis against him.

  He was insatiable now. He dropped to his knees and pulled down her underwear. Without stopping to admire her sex, he thrust his tongue between her legs and raked it over her soft lips. Isabella gasped, pulled his hair and opened her legs wider. His tongue made strong movements over the whole of her wetness, and she moaned with each movement of it. Her desire for him was so strong, it took every ounce of air out of her body and made her feel like a woman. She felt her legs beginning to shake and was grateful when he stood up and gathered her in his arms.

  He put her gently down onto the bed and pulled her underwear from her. When he stared at her, she wasn't shy, she was proud of her body and the effect it was having on him. He bent down, pushed her legs apart and put his mouth to her pussy again. Again his tongue began its onslaught. He licked every inch of her folds and then latched onto her clitoris. Her belly heaved as she felt her first orgasm coming. She screamed, squeezed her legs against his head and came over his mouth. He gratefully lapped her juices while her back fell to the bed again and her breathing returned to normality.

  He stood up and smiled at her as he undressed. When he took off his shirt, Isabella looked at the hard muscles on his chest and stomach. His biceps bulged as he moved his arms down to his trousers and began to open them. Isabella wasn't content to just lie and watch him. He was amazed when she sat up and pushed his hands away. She wanted to unpack and discover him herself. She hungrily opened each button, reached inside and grasped his hard shaft. He threw his head back as her de
licate hand stroked his tip. Now she wanted to see him as well as feel him. Her fingers hooked into the material and pulled it down. His trousers came with her hands and she gasped as his penis sprang up in front of her face. She took hold of him and looked him in the eyes as she stroked it. When she looked at his cock again she could see droplets of his excitement glistening at her.

  Keeping hold of his shaft she leaned back and pulled him down on top of her. He slid his trousers down to his ankles and kicked them of. With her hand, she guided him carefully to her vagina and urged him to enter her. When he did, he did so with one hard thrust. It made her gasp as she had never done before.

  Being filled by him was all she had wanted for as long as she cared to remember. Now he was finally inside her. She held onto him as her made love to her. Each time he thrust into her, he rubbed against her clitoris and, before long, she felt another orgasm rising up in her. She put her hands onto his hard buttocks and pulled him into her. Then she began to push her pelvis to meet his shaft, as it parted her. When her orgasm came, Isabella bit into his shoulder, drawing blood. He ignored it and thrust faster. Again Isabella felt another wave rising and crashing onto her. She was a wreck now, shaking, open and used.

  As he fucked her, she heard him beginning to grunt with the effort. When she wrapped her legs around him and whispered, ''I love you,'' he cried her name and came. Isabella felt his hot seed coating her insides and she was sure life could never get any better.

  As they lay in each other’s arms, the Duke said,'' Wait a minute, I have something for you.'' He got out of bed, walked to his jacket and pulled out an envelope. He jumped back into bed, took her in his arms and gave it to her.

  ''What is it?'' she asked.

  ''Open it.''

  Isabella had never seen three thousand pounds before.

  ****

  THE END

  In Bed With A Duke – A Regency Romance

  It should have been the best day of Sophia's young life. Just three hours earlier, she had stood at the alter with David Marshall. Westminster Abbey had been full and it was supposed to have been a great occasion. However, despite the fact that David was the most handsome officer in the Coldstream Guards, Sophia didn't love him. Neither did he love her.