The Duke's Deceit (14 page)
Authors: Sherrill Bodine
Tags: #Literature & Fiction, #Romance, #Historical, #Regency, #Historical Romance, #Holidays, #FICTION/Romance/Regency
“Do you remember once telling me you hadn’t known you were lonely until I came? Was that the truth?” The harsh urgency in his voice spun her around, practically into his arms. There was no place to retreat from him, with the fireplace at her back.
Truth and lies. Half lies and half truths. All that lay between them quivered in the air. If she could go back and change one moment of their time together, would she? Hadn’t he brought her to this moment? Wasn’t she much stronger, more resilient because of him?
The truth would leave her exposed before him. Once, she wouldn’t have had the self-confidence to brave that moment. Now it was possible to meet and hold his gaze.
“Yes, I meant it. You … you made me feel, and grow inside. I’m sorry I lied to you about the engagement.” Her voice gained strength. “But I’m not sorry for the moments we’ve shared.”
Slowly he lifted her right hand, kissed the inside of her wrist, and laid her palm against the cheek she’d slapped that morning.
“I’m not sorry for any moments we’ve shared.” His arms closed around her, and he brought his lips to within an inch of hers. “Will you kiss me, Mary?”
It was too much to resist, and always would be; his touch was as beguiling as his voice.
Raising her face, she met his lips eagerly. She shivered as his fingertips traced a slow, intricate pattern on her throat.
He pressed her closer, muttering endearments onto her cheeks, her eyes, the curve of her neck, and again on her eager mouth.
“Stay with me, Mary. There’s no pretense in the way we touch each other,” he whispered into her hair.
She was transported by the feelings of pleasure only he could inspire. For a moment she allowed herself the luxury of hope … until it was shattered by an equally strong reaction of guilt.
She pushed herself as far out of his arms as she could. That amounted to pressing her palms against his chest and making him look into her eyes, for he wouldn’t let her go.
“But you are betrothed to Arabella!”
“If you’d seen Bella kissing Charlesworth, you would know my engagement is off. At this very moment they are no doubt discussing wedding plans with my mother back at the Hare and Hound.”
Obviously her confusion was mirrored on her face, for he chuckled deep in his throat.
“Bella and Frederick saw Sir Robert take you up in his coach. They followed, but Freddie had the presence of mind to send a message back to Avalon House. My mother followed them, and I followed her. By the time I arrived, Lancaster had landed Charlesworth a facer and Bella was weeping all over him, displaying an overwhelming and undeniable affection.”
“What happened to Sir Robert?” she asked, her head swimming again with the news of all these unforeseen, but much hoped–for, events.
“Rest assured he won’t be bothering us again. I fear I became violent,” he drawled with obvious satisfaction.
“I’m glad,” she sighed, resting her cheek contentedly against his fine lawn shirt.
She felt the heat of his skin and was aware in new, exciting ways how their bodies touched and knitted one to the other.
He licked at her ear, slowly tracing its shape. “I love you, my bloodthirsty Mary. Dare I hope the sentiment might be returned?”
The pattern of her breathing changed. She tilted her head back to gaze up at him.
Vulnerability flickered behind his blazing eyes. The expression on his proud face tore at her heart. Surely he couldn’t doubt her response.
“I’ve loved you nearly from the beginning,” she spoke in a voice rich with feeling. “Perhaps … perhaps I could finance the horse farm for Uncle Ian and Lottie. Then I could stay in London. We … we could be together.”
His husky laugh caressed her face, as his fingers tangled gently in her hair. “My sweet life, it doesn’t matter where you choose to be. I’ll follow.”
“You’d do that for me?” she whispered.
Their eyes found each other, the meeting achingly sweet, full of promise for the future.
“I would do it for the same reason your mother followed her heart—the same reason she was content with her choice. It doesn’t matter where I am, as long as I’m with you.”
Mary believed him.
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