Fenella J Miller - [Duke 02] (15 page)

She sighed and stretched out her legs as her bruised foot was decidedly uncomfortable squashed beneath her. The crackle of the sweet smelling logs on the nearby fire was relaxing. She had no wish to drift asleep and sat up shaking her head to clear it. She should go to her own chamber, but a strange lethargy was pinning her to the sofa. For some reason she couldn’t find the energy to stand. It had been a confusing morning and her head ached, perhaps it would not matter if she dozed for a few minutes.

*

Ralph spoke briefly to his mother, ordered refreshments to be fetched and hurried back to the ante-chamber. Anna had gone—the room was empty. Then he saw her stretched out on the sofa sound asleep. His breath caught in his throat. She was so beautiful, so perfect in every detail.

He strolled across and sat opposite deciding he would wait until she woke. He fetched a warm comforter, one his mother used on occasion, and gently draped it over her. Then he resumed his position quite happy to spend the rest of the day gazing at the woman he intended to make his bride at the earliest possible opportunity.

How could he have fallen in love so quickly? He was about to retreat as quietly as he had arrived when her eyes flickered open. When she saw him she was radiant—her smile etched itself on his heart.

*

Anna saw his expression change from tender to something else entirely. His eyes darkened, his shoulders tensed and he leant towards her. He didn’t move; he was waiting for her signal. Her head told her to remain aloof, that she had just stepped out of a frying pan and should not step straight into the fire. She extended her hand towards him. In one bound he was beside her dropping to his knees.

“My darling, I know I should not but I cannot help myself. It has been torture for me standing back and allowing Rupert to be with you. Thank God there's no barrier, legal or otherwise, to prevent us being together.”

His eyes burned into hers, she was held captive by his ardour, could scarcely catch her breath. Her hands slowly came up to frame his cheeks. Her fingers traced the outline of his jaw and his bristles prickled her fingertips. His skin was as hot as his eyes.

Slowly he closed the distance between them. She was transfixed. What they were doing was breaking every rule but still she couldn’t stop herself. His arms reached around her waist and she was lifted from the sofa and crushed to his heart. His mouth closed over hers. Nothing had prepared her for the intensity of feeling
this
kiss provoked. This was nothing like the one she’d received before, not a gentle press of his lips on hers but a statement of intent.

His lips travelled slowly over hers then left a trail of fire across her cheek, down her neck and when she could almost bear no more he returned to her mouth. She was drowning in a sea of pleasure and wanted it to continue forever. Her hands tangled in his hair, every inch of her held against his taut frame, not understanding what was happening between them but loving every moment.

He turned, placed her on the sofa and then slid in beside her. His fingers traced the curve of her cheek and she arched her back to press closer to him.

He drew back and gazed down at her. “You are irresistible, my darling. I want to make love to you.”

He remained poised, waiting for her response. She smiled. He dropped his head and moved his lips along her throat leaving a trail of fire behind. Then she was rudely dropped back on the sofa and he was standing behind a chair. What was wrong? Had her wanton behaviour offended him? She felt as though a bucket of icy water had been tossed over her. She shivered and was ashamed.

“Darling, don’t look like that. I took advantage of you, my only excuse is that I love you to distraction and these past few days have thought of nothing else but having you in my arms. I believed I would never have the right.”

She relaxed and smiled tenderly. “Don’t apologise, my love, you would not have come to me if I hadn’t invited you. Are you not going to ask me if I reciprocate your feelings?”

His shout of laughter defused the tension. “I should hope that you do, sweetheart, or I have sadly misjudged the situation.”

Anna patted the space beside her encouragingly. “Then, my love, come and sit next to me.”

He shook his head. “I dare not, I almost pre-empted our wedding night. I don’t trust myself when I’m so close to you.

The heat spread from her toes to her crown at his outrageous comment. She didn’t know where to look. How could he say such a thing when they were not even officially betrothed? Before she could protest he was on one knee in front of her.

“My darling girl, make me the happiest of men. Do me the inestimable honour of becoming my wife.”

“I am delighted to accept your kind offer, Ralph. Now kindly get up off your knees and stop making a cake of yourself.” He straightened and sat beside her taking her hands in his. They looked so small inside his grasp. She raised her eyes to meet his loving gaze. “Are we run mad to do this after such a short acquaintance? How do we know we will suit?”

“Do you love me? I’ve yet to hear those words from you.”

“I love you, Ralph, but I can’t think why as you’re the most overbearing, highhanded gentleman I’ve ever come across.”

He pulled her hands to his mouth and gently kissed each fingertip in turn before answering. “And you, my darling, are the most aggravating, argumentative, headstrong young lady
I’ve
ever come across.” His smile made her toes curl. “Therefore we are ideally suited.”

“I should like to be married in June—it’s April now so this will allow us ample time to get to know each other better before we say our vows.”

A discreet cough from the direction of the door jerked them apart. Sarah stood there dabbing her eyes with a miniscule cotton square. “My dears, I can’t tell you how pleased I am to see that you have wasted no time in declaring your feelings.” Her tone made it quite plain that for some reason she disapproved.

He gave Anna’s hand a warning squeeze and then rose smoothly to his feet bringing her up with him. “Mama, you must be the first to congratulate us. Anna has agreed to marry me. I’m sure we have your full support and approval, do we not.” The warning in his voice was quite unmistakable.

“Of course you do. I’m sure Rupert will offer his sincere congratulations as well.”

Anna felt wretched. Why was Sarah not pleased? She should have spoken to her first before expecting Ralph proposal. Had she inadvertently betrayed the trust Sarah had placed in her? If Ralph hadn’t kept his arm firmly around her waist she would have run to his mother’s side.

“Rupert has nothing to do with this.” He smiled his special smile at Anna. “Although I shall always be grateful to him for introducing us, if it hadn’t been for his outrageous behaviour we would never have met.”

No—she
would
comfort her friend. She stepped out of his grasp and walked smartly across the salon. If she allowed Ralph to dictate to her so soon in their relationship then a precedent would be established. They would be constantly at daggers drawn because one thing she did know—she had no intention of being a subservient wife.

“Sarah, my lady, we discussed this earlier. You know Rupert and I would never have

made a true much of it. I think of him as a dear brother. Remember, both you and Ralph wanted me to persuade him to join the army? This debacle has produced exactly the result you wanted.”

Ralph strolled over to join them and gave her a darkling look. No doubt he would wish to take her to task when they were private.

“Also, you will recall telling me, Mama, not to despair as matters would resolve themselves in my favour. I don’t understand why you are so reluctant to celebrate with us.”

Sarah stuffed her handkerchief into her reticule. “I know it’s quite irrational but I hoped when this business with Rupert was resolved I would have Anna to myself for a few months at least before being banished to the Dower House.”

Anna flung her arms around her friend. “You shall not move out of this house unless you wish to. Perhaps when it is overrun with the patter of little feet you might find it more peaceful elsewhere but until then I should be bereft without your companionship.”

Too late she realised this was not her decision to make but her future husband’s. Yet again she had spoken out of turn. She spun to face him expecting to see a look of disapproval on his face. Instead his smile was the widest she’d ever seen.

“I can see I shall have my work cut out to be master in my own home in future with you two forming a coalition against me.” He chuckled and shook his head in mock despair. “To think I had intended to banish you, Mama, the very moment we were married. Now I shall be obliged to live with the two women I love more than life itself. How shall I bear such a hardship?”

“Go away, you aggravating boy, dearest Anna and I have a wedding to plan.”

“I’m considering sending to London for a special licence…” he began, having winked outrageously at Anna before he spoke.

“You’ll do no such thing, Ralph. We shall have the banns called in the village church as all our family have done for generations.”

“Sarah, he is funning. We have agreed we shall be married in June.” She dared him to contradict and he chuckled and raised both hands in surrender.

“There, Mama, plenty of time to do everything necessary.” He waved his acknowledgement and strolled off.

Anna thought him the handsomest man alive and also the kindest and most considerate. Certainly it would not be a peaceful marriage, but it would never be boring, that was for sure.

“Thank the good Lord he is gone. Now we can start our planning; we have hardly long enough to arrange a wedding breakfast, send out invitations, and complete your new wardrobe. However, if we have only two months then we must make do with that.”

Anna spent the next few days closeted with Sarah discussing wedding plans but each time the door opened she looked up hoping to see Ralph. “Sarah, my head is spinning with all the names of people I’ve never heard of who must be invited to the wedding breakfast. Pray excuse me if I leave you to your lists for a while, I wish to stretch my legs.”

Her future mother-in-law looked up her expression distracted. “Yes, dearest girl, you run along and find Ralph. No doubt he is prowling about waiting for you to come to him.”

Good heavens! Was she so transparent? She would have to be more careful if she wished to keep anything from Sarah. She emerged into the hall to see him striding towards her.

Quite ignoring Foster and two footmen he opened his arms and she walked in. She breathed deeply loving his aroma of lemon scented soap, horses and masculinity. She lent her cheek against his chest knowing she was loved, protected, had by some miracle found the man who was her perfect match.

“Anna, sweetheart, I was coming to find you. I’ve just received a letter by express. I have to go to London urgently on business.” He walked her, still within the circle of his arm, away from the interested spectators.

“Will you be away long?”

“Two nights, no longer I promise you. It’s the start of the Season; it will be heaving in Town.”

The look of disgust on his face made her giggle. “I’m so glad you dislike a crush as much me. I was never a hopeful debutante; just think, my love, if I had done a Season I would probably already be married.”

“You would, but to me. We would have met, I would have known immediately you were the girl I was looking for. I might prefer to have my teeth pulled than attend Almacks but until this year we have always opened our house in Grosvenor Square. I warn you Mama loves nothing better than to parade in her finery at such events.” Gently he stroked her cheek and tilting her chin, he covered her mouth in a kiss of such sweetness she was transported to a place she hadn't known existed.

Too soon he raised his head; the love in his eyes melted the last of her reservations about marrying a man she'd known for a few short weeks. “I suppose being in London could be acceptable. After all there’s the theatre, the opera, museums and lectures to attend. It needn’t all be overheated ballrooms.”

He grinned and touched her cheek. “Next year we can hold the ball of our own if you wish.”

“Thank you but I’d much rather stay here with you in the country.”

“Don’t let Mama wear you out, darling. Having remained stationary for three months she appears to be making up for lost time. Your presence has energized her, but she will run you ragged if you don’t stand firm.” He pressed a final kiss on her open mouth and stepped back his eyes tender. The crunch of wheels on gravel reminded them the carriage was waiting in the turning circle.

“Take care, Ralph. I shall be lonely without you.”

“I shall be back before you have time to miss me. Mama will have you out on morning calls tomorrow and no doubt the next day as well. What with seamstresses, wedding lists and writing invitations you won’t have a minute to spare.”

“I say, Ralph, wait for me, I’m coming to Town with you. Might as well apply in person to Horse Guards.” Rupert bounded down the stairs his valise in his hand, hotly pursued by Evans waving his topcoat and beaver.

“Good idea, as long as you don’t expect me to converse with you on the journey.” Ralph winked at Anna and she giggled.

“Fair enough—not one for chat myself. I'll keep him safe for you, Anna. I intend to postpone my departure until after your nuptials, you know.” He shoved his arms into his coat and rammed his beaver under his arm. “Well, are we going, brother?”