When he slipped his hand underneath her gown, she thought she saw stars. No one has ever touched her there, ever, and she was happy that Rowland was the first. She was happy to know that she was in the hands of someone who not only loved her and cared for, but knew how to do the right things.
But he didn’t touch here there, not exactly. His fingers gripped her inner thigh. Again, he came up with his tongue, running it all over her body until Hannah didn’t think she could take it anymore.
Something was building inside her, something she’d never felt before. It grew intense, blocking out all sounds, all sense of reality. The only thing she knew was his tongue running over her body, his hand so close to her. She couldn’t make sense of what was happening, but before she had the chance to, she exploded.
She cried out, body arching against the wall before she went limp. She couldn’t feel her arms, nor her legs and she was vaguely aware that Rowland now held her upright. Nothing made sense around her anymore. She could hardly see straight.
“Oh…my goodness,” she gasped as the room began to float back into existence.
Rowland wore a victorious grin. He set her upright, holding his hands out around her in case her legs gave way again and then began to tie her gown back up. “You screamed my name just now.”
“Did I? I…I don’t know what happened.” Except she did know. Without having to be told, Hannah knew exactly what that magical moment was.
Rowland finished with her gown and pecked her on the temple. Then he leaned over her ear, “You’re mine, Hannah.”
Hannah wanted it to be so with every fiber of her being. To be Rowland’s, to experience such ecstasy with him, was now her version of happiness. And she knew, without a doubt, that she would be happy forever.
Chapter 29
Hannah was on the moon. The very next day, she woke up with a smile on her face, remembering her night with Rowland. They had spent much longer than they should have in that small study, trying and failing to keep their hands off each other. Hannah was shocked at her lack of self-control around him, but she was eager to give in to it, as if drunk off the moonlight and the quietude.
Because of how long the ball lasted, well into the morning, Hannah couldn’t wake up in time for her ride with Rowland and she doubted he would have been able to, either. They had tired each other out, even afterwards when they had snuck back into the ball and danced the night away as if nothing had happened.
Even though they were the reason for the ball being held in the first place, Hannah was surprised how much they were watched throughout it. It was clear to everyone that they were a love match and many gave her good-naturedly envious stares, while others seemed to reminisce on their own matches.
Throughout it all, Hannah was unsurprised at the fact that all her attention was on her betrothed. Neither was she surprised that he was her very first thought the moment she woke up.
As she prepared herself for the day, she kept thinking how happy she was. It threw her, because she never thought she could ever feel something like this. It was all-consuming, bringing a smile to her face every time she pictured him.
Is this what my parents feel with each other?
She was even more happy that she would be marrying the person she loved.
As she made her way to the dining room, right on time for breakfast, she found herself thinking about her wedding a mere week from now. That was one event she didn’t mind spending all her time planning with her mother, because she wanted it to be perfect.
She walked into the dining room and frowned when she saw that it was empty. “Where is everyone?” she asked aloud.
“I’m not sure, M’Lady,” Lily said, sounding just as confused.
A servant, who had been wiping down one of the windows, turned at her voice. Hannah looked her in question.
“The family is gathered in the main drawing room, M’Lady,” the servant said. She looked nervous, as if she was delivering to Hannah bad news.
“Why is that?” Hannah asked.
The servant shook her head. “I’m…not sure, M’Lady.”
Hannah’s frown deepened. The servant didn’t look to be completely clueless about what was going on, but Hannah accepted the fact that she chose to say nothing. There was no better way of finding out than to head there herself.
But why didn’t anyone call me? If it’s a family gathering, then I should be there.
Curiosity itched at her as she made her way to the main drawing room. She paused on the other side of the door, nervous all of a sudden about what was to come. Everyone’s silence that they were here must mean something serious, did it not? Especially if they decided not to have breakfast because of it.
Steeling herself, Hannah opened the door.
The Duke stood on one side of the room, the Duchess sitting right before him. They both wore a grim look on their faces.
Rowland stood in the middle of the room. He had been pacing, but when Hannah entered, he stopped dead in his tracks, his face paling at the sight of her. Hannah’s heart sank a little further, not knowing what was to come.
Because of his instant reaction, it took her a moment to notice the other person in the room. It was a lady, sitting opposite the Duchess, and Hannah was struck by how beautiful she was.
Her hair was long, brushing her waist, and shone the color of apricots. She looked at Hannah with turquoise eyes, and the beautifully fashionable gown she wore only brought out the color even more. She smiled only a little at Hannah.
“What is going on here?” Hannah asked. There was a roaring in her ears, dawning knowledge that she was not going to like what she heard.
“Lady Hannah, come,” said the Duchess, beckoning with her hand. “Sit next to me.”
Hannah heeded her command, fearing the advice, and sat next to her mother. Everyone was looking at her. The Duchess and Duke with that same grim look, the lady with open curiosity, and Rowland—the worst of them all—with acute fear on his face.
For a few moments, it seemed no one knew what to say, so, as usual, Hannah broke the ice. “Is something the matter?” she asked.
Rowland stepped away from that, swallowing hard. He opened his mouth, as if he was trying to say something, but the words wouldn’t come out.
The mysterious lady sitting before her was the one who spoke next and Hannah felt her mother tense beside her when she did. “It is lovely to meet you, Lady Hannah. It seems my presence here has rendered everyone speechless.”
Hannah blinked at her voice. It was as lovely as she looked, soothing to ear like music. It took her a moment to recover. “I wonder why that is?”
“It is a bit complicated, I’m afraid,” said the lady. Hannah noted a hint of an accent, but she couldn’t place what it was. It sounded a lot like Rowland’s. Was she also from the colony?
“Why don’t you start from the beginning, then?” Hannah suggested. “That is the best way of explaining things, I believe.”
She giggled softly. Hannah also noticed a splatter of freckles across her nose, which made her much more endearing that she was before. “You are right about that, My Lady,” she said. “Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Miss Peggy Flynn and I am Mr. Albertson’s betrothed.”
Hannah frowned slightly.
Surely…surely, I didn’t hear that correctly.
“Pardon me?”
She straightened her shoulders and repeated, “I am Mr. Albertson’s betrothed.”
“Now,” the Duke stepped in. “Let’s not come to any conclusions here. My daughter is set to marry Mr. Albertson within a week so forgive us if it’s difficult to believe what you are saying. Especially since Mr. Albertson himself is doubting your words.”
Hannah stared at Miss Flynn. That was all she could do. She watched as the other lady’s shoulders sagged in near defeat, her eyes filling with sadness. Slowly, painfully, Hannah dragged her gaze over to Rowland at the same time Miss Flynn did.
He was at a loss for words. He only stood there
, between the two of them, his face ashen. At his side, his hand clenched and unclenched.
“I know how difficult it is for you to believe me,” Miss Flynn said. “That’s why I brought this with me.”
Reaching into her reticule, Miss Peggy withdrew a slip of paper. Hannah looked at Rowland, unable to move or even think clearly when she saw him frown.
Her mind was blank, refusing to believe what was happening around her.
The Duchess, as if she knew her daughter’s state of shock, was the one who accepted the paper. She began to read silently and Hannah didn’t have to look at her to know that the words did not sit well with her. She quietly handed the paper to the Duke.
“You see,” Miss Flynn went on. “Mr. Albertson and I have been courting in New South Wales and that was the last letter I received from him. Despite being engaged to me, he knew he had to leave for England to perform his duties, and he stated how saddened he was at the fact that he had to leave me. So,” Hannah stiffened when Miss Flynn shot Mr. Albertson a loving look, “I thought I should come to visit him.”
“And you’ve come to learn that he is betrothed to someone else,” said the Duke.
Again, she looked saddened. “I’m sure there is some explanation. Now, I don’t think I can leave without one.”
Hannah finally found her voice. “This is all too much to believe,” she said, surprised by how strong it was. Everyone was looking at her, but Hannah only had eyes for the lady who sat across from her with the big, innocent eyes. “Mr. Albertson and I are to be married out of love, not because he is being forced to. I cannot truly believe despite all that, he has a betrothed already waiting for him.”
“Because I do not.” As if strengthened by Hannah’s words, Rowland found his voice as well. “It is true that I proposed marriage to Miss Peggy Flynn. I can admit that much. But she rejected me before I came to England.”
“Mr. Albertson, please,” Miss Flynn said quietly. Hannah’s eyes widened with horror when she saw tears shimmering in her eyes. “Must you say such things in front of me?”
“Those things are the truth,” he said firmly. “I don’t know the reason for you coming here now, but you must leave.”
“I cannot,” Miss Flynn said firmly. “You asked me to marry you. You said you loved me and that you longed to see me again. You were terribly heartbroken at having to leave for England because you would be without me. It’s all in the letter!”
“Are you saying this is fabricated, Mr. Albertson?” the Duchess asked.
“It…” Rowland stared at the paper the Duke was holding up and Hannah’s heart sank to the pit of her stomach. “It isn’t what you think it is…”
“Then, please,” Hannah said, happy her voice didn’t break. She was dangerously close to crying. “Explain.”
“I…I did write the letter. And everything I said in it is correct. But I am certain that she rejected me when I offered my proposal.”
“Why would I be here if I did, Mr. Albertson?” Miss Flynn asked. Unlike Hannah, she didn’t care to show that she was crying and she dabbed delicately at her eyes with a handkerchief she pulled out of nowhere. “It hurts to hear you deny me like that.”
“You were the one who denied me first,” he nearly hissed.
“This won’t come to an end like this,” the Duke cut in sharply. “She has a letter proving her words, yet you, Mr. Albertson, only have your words to go by. How can we believe who is telling the truth?”
“Believe me, Your Grace,” Rowland said. He took a step closer and Hannah flinched. He must have seen it because he stepped back. “I am the one telling the truth.”
“I believe you,” the Duke said.
“As do I,” the Duchess inputted. Hannah remained quiet. She stared at the lady before her, examining every inch of her body, every move she made, though she knew Rowland was waiting for her to say that she believed him as well.
“But, until the truth is made clear,” the Duke went on, “Miss Peggy Flynn will stay here.”’
“Your Grace!”
“She is claiming to be your betrothed, Mr. Albertson. Would you rather I cast her out on the street?”
Rowland’s silence was loud as day. Hannah watched as Miss Flynn grew even more sad by his obvious wish to cast her out.
“She will stay with us,” said His Grace. “It is decided.”
No one argued with him after that. The Duke called in the butler and ordered him to escort Miss Flynn and her things to her room. Miss Flynn rose without a word, though she sniffled a few times and she sent a pining look toward Rowland. The rush of anger that consumed Hannah was welcomed. She preferred that than whatever she was feeling just now.
No one said anything as Miss Flynn left. When she was gone, Rowland made his way to Hannah, sinking to his knees before her. Hannah would have loved the bold gesture if it wasn’t for the circumstances that brought it.
“You must believe me, My Lady,” he said, taking her hands in hers.
“I do,” she said without thought, though she wasn’t very convinced. Everything he had told her about Miss Flynn, the way he had talked about her that night in the woods—it all came rushing back to her, making it difficult to think straight. But she knew she had to put her trust in him so she squeezed his hands. “I believe you.”
His body went slack with relief and Hannah reveled in it.
If he’s so desperate for me to believe him, perhaps Miss Flynn really was telling a lie.
“I hope you understand why she has to stay here, Mr. Albertson,” the Duke said, breaking into their moment.
Rowland looked up at him, then rose, nodding. “It wouldn’t look well for the family if word were to get out about this. Especially not after the very public ball we had in honor of our engagement.”
“That is exactly it,” the Duke said. Hannah didn’t have to look at him to know that he was incredibly dissatisfied with this situation. “And while she’s here, it will be much easier for us to get to the bottom of this situation.”
“The wedding is within a week,” the Duchess cut in, her tone sharp and angry. “And there are many other things we need to deal with.”
“Darling,” His Grace said lowly.
The Duchess breathed slowly out her nose, visibly reining in her anger. “Everything will be fine, My Dear,” she said, resting a hand on Hannah’s arm.
“I’m sure it will be, Mother,” Hannah responded. Her voice was flat, her words deaf to her ears. Through her daze, she rose. “Forgive me but I don’t think I’ll be attending breakfast. I will be retiring to my room.”
She hardly noticed that she was already walking away. The emotions were quick, strong, and fleeting—shock, denial, anger. Now, she was simply numb.
She made it halfway to the door before Rowland stopped her. “Are you sure you are all right?” he whispered to her.
Hannah nodded. She gazed up into his eyes, coming back to the present, seeing the sincerity in his eyes. She focused on it, focused on everything he had said and done before Miss Flynn showed up. “I’m fine,” she told him.
But he didn’t allow her to go, not yet. “Lady Hannah, I love you. And only you.”
It wasn’t until he said the words did Hannah realize that she’d never heard him say it before. He always made it known, proved it through his actions rather than the things he said, so hadn’t noticed just how much she needed to hear it until the words were out of his mouth.
Annoyingly, tears pricked her eyes and she looked away. But she didn’t dismiss him entirely, instead reaching out to grasp his hand. “I love you, too,” she said to him
And she left it at that. Without looking back, Hannah turned and left the room. With each step she took away from him, she let those suppressed emotions overwhelm her and by the time she made it to her bedchamber, the threatening dam of tears overflowed.
Chapter 30
“I cannot believe this is really happening.”
Joanna watched her husband pace back and forth in his
study, while she sat calmly in one of the loveseats. Watching always made her own anger grow more controlled.
“I never thought something like this would happen to our own daughter,” she said thoughtfully.
“Not that surprising to me, seeing we didn’t have it easy ourselves,” he said. When he spoke about their past, Christopher always did it in a nostalgic manner, despite everything they had gone through. He preferred it that way, focusing on the good and the fact that throughout it all they had ended up together. This time, however, he sounded bitter, as if he had brought down a curse upon his own daughter.
Courteously Seduced By An Enigmatic Duke (Steamy Historical Regency Romance) Page 20