The Duke's Love

by Stephanie Maddux

  There was no doubt that he still had feelings for Ana, being with her here right now only proved that. Ana had been sick and he was doing everything in his power to help her get better, but he was not a patient man. He thought of the relief he would feel when all the guests had gone. Ana moved, twisted, and placed her leg across the top of his thighs. Jake clenched his teeth. He had thought he was settled down enough to sleep, but now he was becoming more aroused than ever at the feel of her silky legs on top of his. He threw his arm over his face and closed his eyes, knowing he would not be getting any sleep tonight.

  Chapter Twelve

  Sarah was up early. It was time to go home. She was disappointed Jake had not offered for her, but the season was not over yet. She smiled at herself as she thought of Ana. The guests were told that Ana had fallen ill and had gone back to London to seek a doctor. Sarah did not feel the least bit guilty about what she had done. Ana went home and she was probably feeling better by now.

  Lady Elizabeth was not being at all friendly toward her. Oh well, she was also leaving today. Jake had seemed a little preoccupied the last day or so, and he was missing a lot of the time, but she knew he was a busy man. When he was available, he spent most of his time with her, singling her out. So far, everything was working out great. It was just a matter of time before he proposed.

  While everyone else was leaving, the family was staying in residence for another week or so. Sarah was trying to figure out a way to garner an invitation to stay as well. She went down for breakfast and to her relief, saw Jake was already there, standing by the table. When he glanced her way, she gave him a sunny smile and she then made her way over to him. He was in conversation with his brother. She curtsied to the men when they acknowledged her.

  “Good morning, Miss Fairchild,” Jordan greeted her politely. Jake echoed the greeting.

  “What lovely weather we are having today. Perhaps, we might take a stroll before I leave, Your Grace?” She asked. Jake stopped talking to his brother and faced her with hooded eyes.

  “Would you like some tea with your stroll?” He asked in a bored tone. Sarah’s heart began to thud, wondering if she made a misstep somewhere.

  “Tea?” She asked.

  “Yes, I believe you are rather fond of tea,” he said.

  Sarah thought very hard about what to say. “No, I would rather not have tea. Maybe I should go find mother instead, as you're obviously busy," she said.

  “I think that is a splendid idea,” he said.

  Sarah watched for a second while he turned and dismissed her like a commoner with little thought. Sarah stood there speechless. However, just before she was beginning to walk away, she heard Lady Katherine speaking about Ana. She must have come up behind Lord Jordan. Sarah knew that Katherine did not notice her standing there. She heard her ask if Ana would be down for breakfast.

  “Lady Carmichael? Isn’t she in London?” Sarah asked before she could stop herself. She felt Jake tense up beside her.

  “Miss Fairchild, I didn’t see you standing there. Yes. She is in London; I was asking if Jake has heard any word of her,” Katherine improvised.

  “I understand from the reports that she is fine. Now, I must excuse myself to see some of the guests off,” Jake stated and then quickly exited the room.

  Sarah saw Jake give Jordan a pointed look before he walked away. She frowned and asked, “What was that about, Lord Trent?”

  “He’s been under some strain lately. Weren’t you supposed to be off doing something? That is if you are finished with your eavesdropping?” He asked. Sarah knew her face was aflame.

  “I’m sorry my lord….” She never finished her sentence.

  Jordan left to go after his brother. How rude of the three of them! Sarah decided she would go and investigate. Surely, they were not hiding Ana here. Now that she thought about it, she did not really see her leave. Yes, as she had watched from her window, she saw Ana’s carriage, luggage and maid leave, but she never really saw Ana get into the carriage.

  Sarah made her excuses to her mother, and went back upstairs. Instead of going to her room, she made her way to the family wing. Everyone was busy, so she had ample time to investigate without being caught. Going down the hall, she started opening up doors. She did not have to wait long, before she heard voices coming from behind a door that she had just prepared to open. Was it Ana and a maid? It sounded like her. Surely, Sarah thought, she must have been hearing things. She eased the door open a crack and peered inside.

  Ana was lying down on the bed with a maid talking to her. Neither one of them noticed her in the doorway. She tried to make out what was being said, but they were speaking in hushed tones. Softly, she eased the door shut. She couldn’t believe it. They had lied, she was not in London, and by the looks of it; she was not preparing to leave any time soon. Sarah’s temper was boiling; her plan had backfired yet again. She wanted to stomp both of her feet in frustration.

  No wonder Jake had always seemed so busy. She needed a new plan. This time, she would make sure it worked. Sarah made her way to her own room thinking about what she could do. First things first, she needed to stay a little longer.

  Feigning an illness could work. After all, no one knew what had made Ana sick, so she could say she was sick from the same aliment. After conceiving a believable plan, she changed her clothes and put on something more comfortable. She would wait in bed for her mother to fetch her and then she would plead sickness. This would work, she was sure of it. She gave herself a mental pat on the back, reclined in bed, and waited. After what seemed like several hours, she was growing increasingly impatient.

  Her mother finally came in with a servant on her heels. “Get up child! We have to leave,” she instructed, clearly impatient at finding her abed.

  “Mum, I don’t feel so well,” she said in a weak voice, making it convincing.

  “What do you mean you don’t feel well?” Her mother sat down on the bed.

  “I’m sick. What do you think it means,” she snapped. She watched her mother leave the room, but failed to notice the heavy sigh and rolled eyes as she left. Sarah laid back, waiting patiently, knowing that victory was within her reach.

  Ana was going crazy being cooped with only a maid to keep her company. She was tired of reading and talking about the same things repeatedly. She felt much better since she had a bath and had gotten dressed. Jake had lunch sent up to her with a note stating that she must eat it all, so she did and felt that she could eat more.

  “Are you okay love?” Jake asked, as he walked into her room. She was ridiculously glad to see him, much to her shame.

  “I hate being cooped up. When can we stop this pretense?” She whined. Jake hugged her close to him and kissed her forehead.

  “I promise soon sweetheart, very soon,” he said.

  Ana inhaled his musky scent and felt her body starting to respond. He released her and stepped away.

  “I need to get back down and see the guests off. I’m sure mother will be up to see you soon,” Ana knew their relationship had been forever altered the moment he found her in the sickbed. Only this time, she did not try to fight it.

  Jake left and she went back to reading her book. After several minutes of being on the same page, she couldn’t take it anymore. At least at home, she had her cat to keep her company. She was bored and tired of this room, beautiful that it was.

  She looked around, wondering what else she could do to keep herself busy. After several moments of deliberation, she opened her door and looked down the hall to make sure no one was around, and then she dashed over into Jake’s chambers relieved to find it unlocked. There wasn’t anything out of place, she mused. She should not be surprised, since he had been spending the majority of the last two days with her.

  She took in the massive four-post bed that had silky black coverlets on it. She went over to his writing desk, and noticed an old, worn box underneath the open area. Curiosity got the better of her. She picked it up, sat it on the desk, and op
ened the led. It was dusty from sitting under there for so long. It obviously had not been opened in a long while.

  She was speechless when she saw some of her own belongings encased in the box. She started placing the items on the desk. She pulled out some hairpins, and a hairbrush she had been missing for a long time. She found letters that she had written him after she broke off the engagement, to which he never responded, cuff links she had given him for his birthday and so many other things from their relationship.

  She was desperate to know why he would keep all those things. Her heart filled with hope. Maybe they did have a chance together after all. She sneaked back into her own chambers and wondered how she should broach the subject with Jake. Ana was still trying to figure out how she got ill. She repeated the conversation with Jake over in her mind, but nothing stuck out. Her life was being turned upside down and there wasn’t anything she could do to stop it. She was emotionally scared, yet filled with hope for her and Jake.

  Katherine went to find Jake. Miss Fairchild was claiming to be ill and her mother refused to move her until she was better. Katherine rolled her eyes, knowingly. The chit is not sick. She was being a brat, but she could hardly say that to the mother.

  There was no need for Katherine to tell Sarah’s mother anything; she had a suspicion that Lady Felicia already suspected the truth.

  Katherine was frustrated at the thoughts of that girl once again ruining her plans. Katherine went to find Jake and located him in the study going over paperwork.

  He glanced up as she walked in. “Hello mother,” he said. She bypassed the greeting.

  “That girl claims she is sick and Lady Felicia wants to stay until she is better,” she told him. Katherine watched as she saw Jake stand and stretch. He had been very busy of late. Katherine stopped short with a horrible thought. Sarah had heard her asking about Ana. Was it possible that she knew that Ana was still here? After all, Sarah had been fine earlier and she didn’t even look sick when Katherine had gone up to check on the situation.

  “Your Grace, there is a visitor for you. I put him in the parlor,” a servant announced. Jake and his mother both moved to the door to see who the visitor was, but Katherine already knew it was the investigator she had hired. She did not want Jake to know what she had done just yet.

  “I’ll go see the visitor. You go straighten out things with Miss Fairchild.” She said quickly. Jake nodded agreement and left her to see to the guest.

  Katherine went to the parlor and the investigator was standing there. “Welcome. I hope this visit is a good one,” she said, as she sat down and she offered him to follow suit.

  “Yes, I assure you it is, your Grace,” he stated as he handed her a parcel of papers Katherine took the leaf of papers and started glancing through them. After several moments, her eyes widened.

  “How did you get this information?” She asked.

  “I have an unlimited amount of resources,” he stated smugly.

  Katherine was stunned. Here was everything she could ever want to know about Lady Ana and her family. She almost felt ashamed at what she found, but it did answer many of her questions.

  She seriously debated about showing the papers to Jake now, instead of later, but she would give Ana the chance first. She honestly did not know how Jake would take this news, either way it would be difficult to work out. She thanked the man and excused herself to find the lady in question. Her mind went back to Sarah. What was she going to do? With her being an esteemed Duchess, she had to let the chit stay until the doctor at least could say she was safe to return home. She had a footman go fetch the doctor, and while she waited, she went to Ana’s room.

  She knocked briefly and waited for the invitation to enter. Katherine approached the chair that Ana was seated on and handed her the leaf of papers without saying a word to her. She watched as Ana went through them. After several uncomfortable moments, Ana looked her straight in the eye.

  “Now, you know. Aren’t you so happy Jake and I never had the chance to marry?” Ana said quietly, looking back to the papers she was holding. Katherine sighed and sat down beside her and took her hands in hers.

  “Is that why you refused my son?” She asked.

  “What else was I supposed to do? I could have never done that to him. I love him to much,” Ana said quietly.

  Katherine could hear the tears in her voice and her heart broke.

  “You have to tell him. Surely, you know you do,” Katherine pleaded.

  “I have tried, but now I wonder, what it would accomplish?” She asked.

  “It would make my son happy. This is what I want. I do not care about your past. It’s the future I want,” Katherine said softly. “I’m a different woman, my dear. The circumstances of your birth are not your fault. They are the sins of your parents. I accept you as you are.”

  Ana did not reply. Katherine stood up and said, “If you don’t tell him dear, I will. He deserves that much at least. You should know he has never been the same since you left.”

  “You will accept me, but will he?”

  “What do you think, my dear?” Katherine questioned.

  “I have been rather stupid to let these things get in the way, haven’t I?” Ana said smiling.

  Katherine smiled lovingly at Ana. “A lot happened around the time of the broken engagement. If not for those events, I fully believe you would be happily married with children by now,” Katherine said as she exited the room. Her next mission was to find Lady Felicia to tell her about the doctor visit her daughter would receive, but first she had to find her son.

  Ana heard Katherine close the door and she sighed in relief. Ana did not want to tell Jake. However, this info about her parents was the least of the problems. She was surprised Katherine even found out she was a bastard child. Ana wanted to know how she found out so easily, but at least she did not know about her not being able to conceive. She stood up and went toward the window. She hated being cooped up. She loved the outdoors. She was feeling better and now just wanted to go home. The guests were leaving today. However, Jake wanted her to stay for another day or so, just in case. They still did not know what happened to make her ill.

  She wanted to get outside and feel the fresh air. She understood why Jake had told people she went home already. She respected that he wanted to keep her reputation intact.

  “My mother said you needed to speak with me,” Jake said as he entered the room. Ana turned around and saw him closing the door. He looked haggard and preoccupied. Her mind was on his mother, though. How dare Lady Katherine force the issue! Ana watched as Jake made his way to her. He came within an inch of her, she stood up, reached out, and put her arms around him, and then all the tears she was holding back, came spilling out. She didn't mean to cry, but she let out two years’ worth of anguish and grief.

  Jake was slow to embrace her. Ana disentangled herself from him and went to get the papers. She handed him the parcel.

  “This is why I walked away from you two years ago,” she said. Ana looked away and went to sit down on the bed. Her hands were clammy. She was fighting more tears that were threatening to spill out. She waited patiently while he read and flipped pages. She could see his jaw lock and his stance tense up. She was too scared to look directly at him.

  “This…this is the reason?” He asked, looking at her, and then crumbling the papers in his fists.

  “Yes,” she whispered.

  “You thought I would give a damn about this! I loved you,” Jake said.

  Not knowing how to respond, Ana looked at him, her eyes glistening with tears. Jake sat down on the bed beside her and took her in his arms.

  “Damn you,” he muttered. He lifted her face up and gave her a lingering loving kiss. When he pulled away, Ana followed and kissed him again. He groaned and opened his mouth with hers. Ana put her hands in his hair and held on. She wanted this.

  She pulled away only long enough to tell Jake, “I want you, Jake, I want all of you.” Jake looked deep in her eyes
and she hoped he could see she was being honest.

  “You already have me, my love,” he whispered. Jake laid her back onto the bed and Ana went willingly. She felt Jake as he reached around and unbuttoned her dress. Ana’s fingers found the buttons on his dress coat. They undressed each other slowly, passionately and lovingly. Jake moved back and looked down at what he had unveiled.

  “You are so beautiful,” he said to her. Ana felt her face redden. It was all she could do not to try to cover herself from his gaze. “Don’t, I have seen you naked before. It's been two years, but I never forgot your beautiful body,” he said as he roamed his hands leisurely over her entire body. She trembled and moaned in pleasure. Jake found her breast and tweaked the nipple in his fingers. She arched her back in pleasure. His head went down to take the peak in his mouth. She arched up more, and tightened her grip on his head.

  “More,” she sighed. Jake moved over to lavish the other breast and his hands rubbed and kneaded her. Her legs were rubbing his up and down and the friction was exciting her more.

  “You have no idea how much I’ve waited for this, for you,” Jake whispered as he lightly blew on her nipple. Jake rose up and went to kiss her on the mouth again.

  “Jake, wait,” she said pushing on his chest. She felt Jake tense above her. She looked up at him and gave a bright smile. “I would like to explore.”

  Jake chuckled and flipped them over in one smooth motion and said, “I’m all yours.” Ana gave him a cheeky smile for the accommodation