It's All About the Duke--The Rakes of St. James

by Amelia Grey

  “Lady Sara, may I do the honors?” the Duke of Griffin asked.

  “Please do,” she answered.

  The introduction to the Duke of Hawksthorn went as smoothly as the one to the Duke of Griffin. Marlena stood with them, trembling inside because they didn’t know who she was and what she had done. She didn’t want them to know.

  “I remember your cousin Mrs. Abernathy. We had a dance a few years ago.”

  “Really?” she asked.

  “You seem surprised.”

  “No. Not at all. I mean most ladies remember their dances with a duke. I‘m thinking she may have confused you with the Duke of Rathburne and thought she’d danced with him.”

  Hawk quirked his head and smiled. “He probably told her it was him.”

  She smiled, too. “Perhaps he did.”

  Their conversation continued and Marlena answered their questions but at the back of her mind was the fact she’d written gossip about them before they married. Still wrote gossip about Rath. She’d always considered these men to be scoundrels of the highest order, having no care or even respect for a young lady. Yet here they were being considerate, asking about her well-being, the issue she had at her house with the rodents, though neither of them ever said that word aloud.

  “Yes,” she answered quietly. “I feel certain we’ll be back in our home within the next couple of days. Justine is now feeling more comfortable the problem has been eradicated.”

  “Lady Sara.”

  Marlena turned to see Lord Henry bow to Lady Sara. He then turned, bowed, and spoke to the two dukes, and lastly he turned to her. “Miss Fast, they’ve called for the dance and I believe you promised it to me.”

  Grateful for anything to get her away from the dukes and her turbulent feelings, she smiled and said, “Yes, of course.”

  “Lord Henry,” the Duke of Griffin said. “I wonder if you might relinquish your dance with Miss Fast to me. You don’t mind, do you, Miss Fast?”

  Yes! She did. She wanted to get away from him, Lady Sara, and the Duke of Hawksthorn, too. In truth, she wanted to get away from Miss Truth’s Scandal Sheet.

  “No, let me have the honor, Griffin,” the Duke of Hawksthorn said. “You stay here and visit with your sister. You don’t mind, do you, Miss Fast?”

  Feeling her insides turning over and over, the only thing she knew to say was, “I don’t, no, of course, but I, but Lord Henry asked.”

  Lord Henry took a step back, gave a humorless smile, and bowed first to the Duke of Griffin and then the Duke of Hawksthorn. “Another time, Miss Fast.”

  That’s when Marlena understood. The dukes knew how he’d treated Lady Vera and they were showing him that Marlena was under their protection and Lord Henry wasn’t to pursue her. If she hadn’t been so stunned, tears would have filled her eyes.

  “This way, Miss Fast,” the duke said.

  Marlena didn’t know how her legs were moving as she walked beside the duke. Her feet, her whole body felt numb. How was she ever going to manage a dance? A waltz?

  As they took their place on the dance floor and waited for the music to begin, Rath came up beside the Duke of Hawksthorn. “I’ll take over from here.”

  “I was beginning to wonder if you were going to show up in time.”

  “I had to make sure you were going to do your duty first,” Rath replied with a hint of a grin.

  “It was my pleasure,” the duke said to him, and smiled at Marlena before walking away.

  It always calmed her to look at Rath. Her jittering stomach settled down. She felt her legs strong beneath her once more as he took hold of her hand and they took the waltz stance just as the music began.

  Suddenly they were gliding across the floor in perfect time to the music. The duke’s frame was strong and she felt light, protected; even though many couples swept, twirled, and passed by them, for a moment she imagined she and Rath were the only ones on the dance floor.

  A couple bumped into Rath’s shoulder. He paid them no mind but Marlena noticed the lady staring at her. Marlena smiled and the lady’s eyebrows rose. Did she think it wrong for Marlena to dance with her guardian?

  Marlena kept her gaze on the people surrounding the dance floor as they moved in a circular motion. Everyone was looking at them. Some were talking behind their hands, some their fans, and others were openly staring—but she felt sure they were all talking about Marlena and the duke’s dance.

  “I believe everyone is staring at us, Your Grace.”

  “They probably are. I’m sure they are thinking it’s scandalous of me to be dancing with my ward.”

  “Is it?”

  He smiled and led her into a twirl under his arm. “Not to me. You were looking tense before I arrived, Miss Fast. Almost the way you appeared the first day we met at your door. Disturbed I think is the word you wanted to use.”

  The humor in his eyes and twitch at the corner of his mouth told her he was teasing her. “Not only did I find myself in the presence of Lady Sara and two dukes I had never met, this is my first ball, my first dance, and,” she emphasized, “I was looking for Eugenia. I haven’t seen her and I want to make sure she is here and enjoying herself, too.”

  “Ah, yes. Miss Everard. I should have known she was your priority.”

  “You know she’s delicate and—” Marlena hesitated. “And may not easily meet strange gentlemen.”

  “Yes, but I saw her on my way inside the ballroom. She’s lovely in a dress with yellow bows on the skirt and four or five in her hair. She’s quite fetching.”

  Marlena’s heart lifted. “Yellow? Good. You didn’t speak to her, did you?”

  His eyes sparkled with mischief. “I admit I thought about it but didn’t know whether or not the Great Hall had smelling salts so I decided against approaching her for a dance.”

  Marlena laughed. “You are teasing me.”

  “About the dance, yes. That I saw her, no. If you are concerned I can discreetly see to it that she is asked for a dance or two.”

  “Would you do that for her? Discreetly?”

  “Consider it done.”

  “I—don’t know what to say other than thank you. I’m grateful once again that you have come to her aid.”

  “It is difficult for some gentlemen to approach a timid-looking lady. They don’t want to be turned down. All it will take is a dance or two and other gentlemen will start asking her to dance.”

  “I’m thrilled. Thank you. I want her to feel beautiful. Tell me, does the gown fit her well?”

  Rath laughed and led Marlena into a twirl under his arm. “Yes. As I said, she is lovely but not as lovely as you, Marlena.” His gaze stayed tightly on hers as they danced. “No one here is as beautiful as you. There is no one, no one I’d rather dance with than you.”

  Her heart fluttered, her abdomen tightened, and his expression told her he meant what he’d said. She wanted to echo his words, started to, but then she remembered she was Miss Truth. She had to keep silent about that and about her feelings for him.

  Chapter 21

  He could be a rake if he plans a rendezvous with a young lady.

  MISS HONORA TRUTH’S WORDS OF WISDOM AND WARNING ABOUT RAKES, SCOUNDRELS, ROGUES, AND LIBERTINES

  Marlena opened the front door to her house and Tut ran inside barking as if he’d seen another mouse. She hoped not. That would give Justine reason to stay longer in Rath’s house, and though he hadn’t mentioned it at the ball or any other time, she was sure he was ready to return to his own home.

  Tut scuttled down the corridor and out of sight. No use in calling out to Mrs. Doddle, she thought. Tut had announced their arrival in grand style. Stopping in the vestibule to remove her cape, bonnet, and gloves, she wondered how her little dog could have missed home so much when he had such a large patch of ground to scratch, sniff, and explore at the duke’s house.

  Unfastening the hook of her new, dark-blue cape, she smiled to herself, thinking how easily she’d adjusted to living at Rath’s home. Justin
e had also settled into the duke’s house, after an unpleasant start of acting as if she were the duchess moving in. She’d had Sneeds, the duke’s butler, in a huff ever since, making demand after demand. It was time she and Justine moved back to her home.

  Marlena laid her wrap on the table and removed her matching gloves, loving the feel of the fine fabric Lady Vera had helped her select. Though Marlena had never thought they needed to move out of their house just because a mouse or two had decided to make it their residence, too, it had been good to be at the duke’s home. She’d seen him almost every day since. There were always reasons for him to stop by early in the afternoon, before she left with Lady Vera for her daily fittings and shopping.

  There were the account books he needed one day, documents for his solicitor the next, and a certain greatcoat he wanted for a special event another day. Rath always took the time to smile at her, chat with her, and gaze so intently into her eyes she thought she might jump into his arms and kiss him right in front of Justine.

  Thankfully, she’d managed to control herself.

  It was as if her cousin knew something was developing between the two of them. Justine never left them alone for a moment. The duke had tried more than once to get Marlena alone for a few minutes of private talk. He’d suggested they take a walk in the garden but Justine, who never went outside, said she’d love to go, too. He’d had Sneeds come in and say that he needed her attention on a matter but she’d told him it would have to wait. There had been no getting out from under her nose except the first day they’d arrived. Marlena feared the tension that had been building between her and the duke had not been lost on Justine.

  Marlena laid her bonnet on top of her gloves and cape and, from the corner of her eyes, saw movement. She turned to see Rath walking down the corridor carrying Tut.

  Her breath quickened in her lungs. “Your Grace, you startled me.”

  “I didn’t mean to.”

  “No, of course you didn’t. I was expecting Mrs. Doddle or her new kitchen helper. Not you.”

  “I wondered if you’d be surprised I’m here.”

  She gave him a quizzical look as he stopped in front of her and bent down to place Tut on the floor, giving him a rub on the head as he did so.

  That’s when she noticed he didn’t have on a coat or neckcloth. She hadn’t known how fully his strong arms and wide chest filled out his white shirt. Or just how slim his hips were. Rath looked magnificent. He was looking her over, too. She was glad she was wearing one of her new dresses: a pale-green, long-sleeved, lightweight wool with a scooped neckline.

  “You don’t have a coat on,” she said. “Is something wrong?”

  Tut barked and jumped from Marlena’s skirts to the duke’s legs, trying to get one of them to show him attention. Both ignored him.

  “No. Most gentlemen put their coats on in the mornings and don’t remove them until they are in their bedchambers in the evening, thinking it ungentlemanly to remove them for any reason. Certainly not in the presence of a lady. I have no such fears. There are times I prefer to be more comfortable and remove my coat and neckcloth. I hope it doesn’t offend you overly much that I’m not properly attired.”

  To the contrary. She felt as if she were devouring every inch of him with her eyes.

  “Not at all. But I am wondering what you’re doing here?”

  “I was told the men who were taking care of the rodent problem had declared the house empty of the mice and ready for your return. Mrs. Abernathy has refused to take their word for it. Apparently she is enjoying the attention she is receiving from the ton by living in my home and is in no hurry to leave.”

  “I can attest to that fact.”

  “Which is why I decided I must come over and check it out for myself. Make sure none of the harassing little devils were left and impress upon her that it is safe to return.”

  Marlena laughed softly. “You nor anyone else has discovered a way of looking within walls to make sure there are no mice or anything else lurking around inside.”

  “You’re right. But Mrs. Abernathy doesn’t seem to know that. I’m hoping it will make her feel more satisfied and ready to vacate my home if I tell her I’ve checked all the rooms myself.”

  “I’m sorry she’s been such a bother. I know you must feel as if you have two wards instead of one.”

  Rath walked closer to her. His eyes skimmed down her face, and her whole body tingled invitingly. “That’s never crossed my mind.”

  Tut continued to jump from her skirt to Rath’s legs.

  “Tut, stop,” she said, glancing down at him. “Sit. You’re making a nuisance of yourself. Sit, I say.” He barked at her and wagged his tail but didn’t follow her order.

  “Do you want to know the true reason I’m here, Marlena?”

  “Yes, of course.”

  “I heard you tell Mrs. Abernathy yesterday that you would be coming over today to see Miss Everard and to check on Mrs. Doddle and see how she is getting along with the new members of your staff.”

  “I did.” She looked down the corridor. “I haven’t seen anyone since I arrived. Do you know where they are?”

  “I don’t know,” he answered. “I told them I had to inspect every room in the house and I’d prefer to be alone while doing it. I added that I didn’t know how long it would take, so I gave them the day and evening off, with enough money to buy their supper, and told them not to return before midnight.”

  Marlena smiled. “What a nice thing to do, but why would you do that when—” She stopped.

  “When I can’t see inside the walls anyway?”

  She loved it when his gaze feathered down her face and sent chills of desire soaring through her. “That’s why you thought I might not be surprised to see you.”

  He nodded. “I did it so I could wait for you to come here. I wanted to see you. Alone.”

  Marlena’s breaths became more labored. The rhythm of her heartbeat changed to a slow hard thump. Yes, she wanted that, too.

  Rath reached down and picked up her dog. “Come on, Tut. It’s time for you to leave, too.” He looked at Marlena with a determination in his features. “I’ll be right back.”

  From the vestibule in front of the stairs she watched Rath walk down the corridor, open the back door, and shoo Tut outside. She then watched him turn toward her. He was tall, lean, and never more handsome than when he was looking at her with desperate desire for her in his expression. It stirred her longing to be in his strong embrace again, and in that moment she knew why she couldn’t get him off her mind, out of her thoughts or dreams. She loved him with all her heart. He was the man she wanted. She knew all the reasons why she shouldn’t love him. Most notably that she was Miss Truth and didn’t want him to ever know that.

  Rath strode back down the corridor with long purposeful steps, straight toward her, and didn’t stop until he caught her up in his arms.

  His lips came down on hers in a long hard, ravishing kiss that stunned her with the intensity of his passion. Her lips parted and his tongue swept inside her mouth, plundering its depth over and over again. With warm lips he kissed both corners of her mouth and then glided his lips across her cheek, over her chin, down to the neckline of her dress to kiss the swell of her breasts, and back up again. It was glorious to know he wanted her kisses as madly as she wanted his.

  “I thought you’d never get here so I could take you in my arms,” he whispered between kisses.

  “Why didn’t you tell me you’d be waiting?”

  “I wanted to surprise you.”

  Their ragged breaths flowed together easily, deeply, as they kissed. Rath’s tongue slipped back inside her mouth and she moaned her approval as his hands explored her back, and then fondled her breasts with soothing, titillating strokes. He cupped her buttocks, lifting her to his lower body. She welcomed the hard feel of him and eagerly pressed against him, too.

  Rath kissed his way down to the neckline of her dress again. Gently pulling on it, he slid the
sleeve of the bodice off one shoulder and kissed her chest, the crest of her breast. Marlena softly whispered, “Yes,” and tilted her head up and arched her back, giving him all the access he wanted. He ran the palm of his hand and tips of his fingers over her naked shoulder, around her neck, down her breast, and back up again as he kissed her, heating their passions even more until ever so slowly the depth of his kisses eased. His kisses softened, his caresses were so tender, all she wanted to do was lie with him and let him continue to touch her so gently.

  Without letting his lips leave her skin, Rath found his way up to her forehead, kissed it, and then laid his own forehead against it. He held her tightly for a moment, calming his breathing before lifting his head.

  He kissed her softly and whispered, “I must stop, Marlena. I can’t go with you where we are headed.”

  She moistened her lips. “Why?”

  One hand moved soothingly up and down her back. “Don’t pretend you don’t know the answer to that.”

  Dipping his head, he covered her mouth with his in a long, sweet kiss as he covered her dress over her shoulder once again. He then stared down into her eyes while rubbing his hands up and down her arms. “I’ve told you, I don’t take innocents to my bed. And as much, as desperately, as I want to make you mine right now, I can’t.”

  Marlena turned her head and looked at the staircase right behind them. It suddenly looked wide, beautiful, and glorious. Her bedchamber was only a few steps past the top of it.

  Turning back to Rath, she said, “I agree. You can’t.”

  He nodded. She lowered her lashes over her eyes, but he immediately lifted her chin with his fingers, bent his head, and slanted his lips over hers in a slow tender kiss. The longing and the passion inside her was intense and she felt it just as vibrant inside him. She leaned into him, wanting him to know the depth of her feelings for him. He deepened the kiss again for only a few seconds before backing away again.

  “You know that I want to,” he insisted when his lips left hers.