Duke of Arrogance, page 20
“I know you are quite fond of Arabella. I hope you will help welcome her to our family. And I expect you to be standing by my side when we wed.”
Arthur raised his head, meeting Jon’s gaze. “You do?”
“I most certainly do. We may have missed out on several years together, Arthur, but we will always be in each other’s lives, now and in the future. I value family—as does Arabella—and you are important to both of us. Come, let us go to the dining room and celebrate.”
Jon and Arthur went to the dining room, where the Colebournes and Treadwells awaited them. Greetings were exchanged and Jon motioned to Thistle. The butler brought over a tray of champagne flutes and distributed them before stepping aside.
Jon raised his glass. “You are some of my dearest friends and I wanted to be able to share our news with you.”
“Our news?” asked the Duke of Colebourne, his smile widening.
“What news?” the Duke of Treadwell asked, mischief gleaming in his eyes.
Jon took Arabella’s hand and lifted it to his lips for a sweet kiss. “This wonderful woman has agreed to become my duchess.”
Samantha and Elise squealed in delight as Elizabeth beamed from ear to ear.
“I will take over the toast, Jon,” Colebourne said. He raised his glass. “To a true friend who has found lasting happiness with the woman who is meant for him. To Jon . . . and Arabella!”
As she sipped her champagne, the bubbles tickled her nose. Arabella had never had champagne before and decided she should drink some every day. The light, frothy drink was like drinking liquid happiness and she wanted every day to be a happy one for her and Jon.
“Come, sit, we’ve dinner to eat and plans to make,” Jon urged.
He led her to the seat on his right. Elizabeth took the one on his left as the others also found a place. The first course came out and the buzzing began.
“My first question is where Jon asked you to marry him,” Samantha said, “and when?”
Between the two of them, they recounted the plans Arabella had for beginning a school and how Jon had gifted her with a suitable property as a wedding present. Everyone thought the school a terrific idea and begged to see it so plans were made to show it to them tomorrow morning.
“Since I have already seen it multiple times, I will let Arabella show off the property to you. I will be at Doctors’ Commons obtaining a special license since it was too late to do so today.”
“That is my question,” Elise said. “Where—and when—is the wedding?”
“We haven’t discussed it,” Arabella revealed. “I hate to say I don’t care where or when, only that it occurs soon.”
“What if Elise and I hosted it?” suggested Treadwell. “George and Sam did so for us. Sam put the wedding and breakfast together quickly, despite feeling so puny.”
“Oh, yes,” Elise agreed. “Let it be our turn to do so.” She smiled at Arabella. “You and Jon can host the next wedding, whenever that occurs.”
Everyone turned and looked at Elizabeth. Her cheeks pinkened at the attention. “I don’t foresee that happening anytime soon. Besides, Jon seems to chase off any gentleman I show an interest in.”
“That’s because you seem to attract nothing but rogues,” her brother retorted.
“You are a rogue,” his sister said. “At least you have been until Arabella tamed you. I am certain now you will be the picture of propriety.”
“I will not let him chase off anyone,” Arabella proclaimed. “You leave things to me.”
“Thank you,” Elizabeth said. “I will look to my sister-in-law in the future for advice regarding matters of the heart.”
“I still reserve the right to chase away anyone I deem unsuitable,” Jon said.
“Unless I truly have feelings for him,” Elizabeth interjected. “If Arabella can bring London’s biggest rake to heel, she may be able to teach me to do the same. Not that I have any particular rake in mind,” she added. “I reserve the right to be interested in whomever I find to be fascinating.”
They went through several courses, the women talking of how to decorate the Treadwell townhouse for the occasion and making suggestions on what to serve at the wedding breakfast.
When the meal ended, George said, “We should make for the ball. We’ll be fashionably late and have news to share.” He looked to Jon. “Will you be making an announcement tonight regarding your betrothal?”
“No. Nothing formal. I may, however, feel the need to mention my fiancée multiple times in various conversations.” He grinned. “It’s no secret. By this time next week, Arabella and I should be husband and wife.”
“Elizabeth, you should ride with us to the ball,” Samantha said. “That way your brother and Arabella can be chaperoned by Weston and Elise. Even though we are arriving late, someone might see. It would be best for her reputation to have a chaperone. At least until the happy news gets out tonight.”
They made their way to the carriages outside and Jon seated himself beside her, threading his fingers through hers. Contentment filled Arabella. For so long, things hadn’t gone her way. Now, though, she had a handsome fiancé and wonderful friends.
What could go wrong?
Chapter Twenty-Four
Arabella saw no receiving line was in place, having ended long before their late arrival. She entered the ballroom on Jon’s arm, her loving group of friends surrounding her. Elizabeth was immediately swamped by several handsome young men wishing to claim her attention and spots on her dance card.
“I have no card,” she proclaimed. “I will dance with whomever I wish and whenever I wish to do so.”
“Hear, hear!” George said. “A Sutton with a mind of her own.”
Elizabeth went off with the men, each clamoring for her attention.
“Are you suggesting I have no mind of my own?” Jon asked teasingly.
George chuckled. “Not anymore. To be a well-trained husband, you’ll find you’d better be of like mind with your wife on all matters, great and small.”
Samantha elbowed him. “You make it sound as if I am a dictator.”
He kissed her fingers. “I am merely your slave, Duchess, and eager to do your bidding, especially since you are carrying my child.”
“Oh, that reminds me,” Elise said. “I received a letter from Phoebe today. The baby is almost six weeks old now and she believes he favors Andrew.”
“I cannot wait to meet her,” Arabella said. “You all speak of her and Windham so fondly.”
“We will visit Andrew and Phoebe after the Season ends,” Jon promised. “Once we have gone on a honeymoon.”
“Did I hear the word honeymoon?”
She turned and saw none other than Lord Kenyon, the rake who probably would have kissed her if Jon had not interrupted them on the terrace.
Jon possessively slipped his arm around her waist. “Yes. Lady Arabella has promised to marry me.”
The viscount’s smiled looked genuine to her. “My sincere congratulations, my lady. His Grace is a formidable man. And quite the boxer.” He rubbed his nose. “I should know. My nose got in the way of one of his blows.” Kenyon turned to Jon. “You have landed an exceptional lady, Blackmore. I wish you much happiness.”
Jon thanked him and the viscount moved away. He stopped and said something to a group of people. They all turned and looked at her and Jon.
“And so it begins,” her betrothed said. “The music is about to start up and I’ve heard this is the supper dance. Would you do me the honor of dancing with me, my lady?”
Pure happiness filled her. “Yes, Your Grace. I would be happy to do so.”
They danced that number and by the time they left the ballroom floor, well-wishers gathered left and right, congratulating them on their upcoming nuptials. The news must have spread faster than wildfire for as they entered the supper room, applause broke out. The host and hostess for the evening came over, thanking them for attending the ball and allowing their news to be shared during it.
Then the host called for a toast and hundreds of guests raised a glass in their honor. Arabella found herself smiling widely, taking in the moment. She wanted everyone to experience the happiness she now felt.
Jon led her to a seat and leaned over to whisper in her ear. “You may be happy now but I assure you that I can make you even happier later tonight if you wish.”
Arabella thought of what he had done to her in the bookstore earlier today and felt her cheeks warming.
“You will kiss me?” she asked, gazing up at him in adoration.
“Oh, I will do more than that. I plan to kiss you everywhere.” His blue eyes blazed. “And I do mean everywhere, Arabella.”
Her face now flamed—but she was intrigued.
“You say you plan to do this tonight?”
“Come home with me now and find out.” Jon pulled her to her feet. “My valet knows not to wait up for me,” he said quietly. “We will have complete privacy.”
“You want . . . me . . . now?” she sputtered.
He framed her face with his large hands. “We will be wed in but a few days. Does it matter if we celebrate a tad early?”
She smiled at him. “What are we waiting for?”
He laughed. “I knew I had chosen right.” He tucked her arm through his and said to the table, “The excitement has been a bit much. I am taking Lady Arabella home early.”
She saw a knowing look on the faces of their friends as they bid them good evening.
When they reached the foyer, she stopped. “Wait. We don’t have a carriage here.”
“I told Thistle to have my carriage follow. So that we might leave early.” He grinned.
“You knew I would say yes, you scoundrel.”
“I had high hopes that you would.”
“And if I hadn’t?”
“I would have found a way to convince you otherwise.”
Jon led her outside and she saw his carriage with its ducal crest waiting. Wordlessly, he opened the door and lifted her inside.
They kissed heatedly until the carriage came to a halt in front of his townhouse. He led her inside, where not one servant appeared, and up the stairs. They reached his bedchamber and he closed the door behind them.
“You will have rooms of your own, where I hope you will store your wardrobe and ready yourself for the day. I hope, though, that you will spend your nights with me. Starting with tonight.”
He lowered his lips to hers. The kiss was magical. She pushed her fingers into his thick, dark locks and pulled him closer to her. She knew it was scandalous what they were doing, her in his bedchamber, making love even before they were wed. It didn’t matter, though. She wasn’t about to waste a moment when she could be with the man she loved.
He broke the kiss, as breathless as she was. “May I undress you?”
She grinned shamelessly. “Your eyes already have, Your Grace. It’s your hands that need to catch up.”
He kissed her soundly. “Who knew I would choose such a tigress?”
It took a good half-hour to remove her clothes because he took his time, his hands roaming everywhere as he did, kissing her in-between garments leaving her, kissing her where those garments had just been. Finally, she was down to nothing but her chemise. Even her slippers and stockings were gone. Nerves set in now. What would he think of her when she was laid bare to him?
She looked down, her playfulness gone, feeling inadequate.
Jon’s fingers captured her chin, lifting it until their gazes met. “What’s wrong?”
Arabella swallowed. She would be truthful. She knew no other way.
“I know you have done this dozens—no, probably hundreds—of times. I am afraid that you will find me . . . lacking.”
His hands cupped her face, his thumbs gently stroking her cheeks. “And I have told you that you are different from every other woman I have ever known. The desire I feel is new to me. You have lit that flame within me, Arabella. Yes, there have been others before you. They all fade now into nothingness. And there will be no others but you. I know it is the way of the ton to wed and then fall away into affairs once an heir is secured. I am a loyal friend and I intend to be a loyal husband. There is only you, my sweet. Only you.”
He kissed her softly and she knew he would be devoted to her. Relief swept through her. He must have sensed it. His mouth left hers and trailed hot, wet kisses down her throat. Then he kissed her breast through her chemise, licking until the thin material grew wet and her nipple hardened. It seemed all the more erotic with the barrier between them and yet she wanted his mouth on her bare skin.
“Take it off,” she said breathlessly.
Hot desire flooded his eyes. “With pleasure.”
Jon captured the hem of the garment and pulled it over her head, tossing it to the floor. He fastened his mouth on her breast, sucking hard, causing her core to tingle and pulse. He lavished attention on it and then switched to the other, teasing her nipples with his teeth, causing heat to pool in her belly and even lower. His hands drifted everywhere, much as his lips and tongue did, touching, tasting, teasing, filling her.
She broke the kiss. “I want your clothes off. I want to see you.”
He laughed and swept her into his arms, carrying her to his massive bed. Their bed. Placing her upon it, she watched as he quickly shed his clothes.
His physique left her gasping. His shoulders were broader than she’d thought. His chest was dusted in a light covering of dark hair which trailed down the flat planes of his belly. His arms and thighs bulged with muscles, making him look like a Greek statue come to life. His manhood jutted, large and proud, from a nestle of dark curls.
Jon joined her on the bed, his hot flesh pressing against hers as his hands again roamed her body and his mouth followed in their wake. Soon, she felt as if she would explode into flames. He kissed his way down her belly and went lower, causing her to tense.
“Where are you going?”
He glanced up. “I said I would kiss you everywhere. I will never break a promise to you.”
“Even . . . there?” she squeaked.
“Especially there,” he said, his grin wicked.
He parted her folds and his tongue plunged inside her, much as his fingers had earlier today. He stroked and suckled and had her writhing on the bed, her breath shallow and fast. Tremendous pressure built. Built. Built. And then exploded. She rocked and bucked and laughed, all the while calling his name.
His mouth joined with hers and she found the taste and scent of her on him oddly erotic. As they kissed, she felt his cock push into her. At first, she shoved against his shoulder, needing him to stop because it hurt. Then something seemed to give and he slid in to the hilt.
“See? A perfect fit,” he quipped. “It won’t ever hurt again, love. It’s only this first time.”
“Good,” she said. “I wasn’t sure I would like this.”
He retreated and then sank into her again. She sighed.
“Did you like that?”
“Oh, yes. In fact, so much I’d like you to do it again, Your Grace. Several times.”
“Let it be said that I know how to follow orders.”
With that, he eased from her and pushed into her again. Each time, the pleasure seemed greater. Each deep stroke showed her how much he cared for her. He might not love her but he did make her happy. She would take what she could from him. Her love for him would be enough for the both of them.
They settled into a frenetic dance which heated her entire body. She felt herself rising with each thrust, her nails digging into his back, her legs now wrapped about his waist so his strokes penetrated even deeper. Then the same wonderful feeling from before blanketed her again. Something must also be happening with him because he roared with pleasure and then collapsed atop her. She welcomed his weight, clinging to him.
He rolled quickly to his back, bringing her with him. “How was that?”
She smoothed his hair. “I would say you are rather skilled, Your Grace.” She hesitated. “I only hope that I satisfied you.”
Jon took her hand and brought it to his lips. He slipped her finger into his mouth and sucked on it, sending a tremor through her. He did it to each finger, lazily sucking on them and kissing them.
“You will always satisfy me, Arabella. Always.”
He pulled her head to his chest and her cheek rested against his heart as he stroked her hair. They lay like that for some time and then he said, “I should see you home.”
Disappointment filled her. She knew she couldn’t stay the night with him but she hated leaving him. The closeness they now shared was the most powerful thing she had ever experienced.
“Must you?” she asked.
“Yes. I won’t have you gossiped about. Did you and Elise decide upon a day for our wedding?”
“This is Tuesday. Or it was. I am sure it is Wednesday now. We thought Friday morning would be nice.”
“Friday sounds lovely,” he told her. “Will you come to me again tonight?”
“I would come to you through the fog. The rain. Sleet. Snow. I would cross a desert or an ocean, Jon. Anything to be with you.”
“Good.” He kissed her. “Let me help you dress.”
He acted as her lady’s maid and she returned the favor and played valet. They left his bedchamber and returned downstairs. His carriage still stood in front of the townhouse and they boarded it. Within minutes, they were at her father’s.
He walked her to the door and kissed her. “There is a tea party at Lady Winters’ residence this afternoon. May I escort you there?”
“Only if you bring the special license,” she said smartly. “I’d like to see it.”
“Then I will have it in my pocket and show it to you.”
He kissed her again.
“I love you,” she said and then froze when she saw the look cross his face. “I’m sorry,” she said quickly. “I did not mean for that to slip out. I do love you, Jon. I can’t help it. But I don’t expect you to feel the same. I won’t say it again. I promise.”
He kissed her brow tenderly. “Goodnight, Arabella,” he said wistfully.
