Beguiling the Duke, page 11
“You allowed him to kiss you?”
She nodded. “And…touch me. He wanted to lift my skirts, but I wouldn’t let him go that far. I said he’d have to wait until we were wed. He said he understood, but then the next day, he ignored me completely.”
Lawford said something under his breath, and Sadie would have sworn it was a curse. “Where is this bounder so I may introduce him to my fist?”
Pausing again, she looked over at him. “Why do you feel a need to resort to violence with every man who oversteps with me?”
“I’m afraid that’s how I was raised. ‘Always protect women and never allow bounders to get away with bad behavior. More importantly, never miss an opportunity to show your superiority.’” He grimaced. “I don’t give a damn about that last one, but it’s what was hammered into my head.”
“You’re a duke. I’d say your superiority is on constant display.”
He brushed his palm over his cheek with another grimace. “You’re right, and I know that. For some reason, I feel particularly protective of you. My wanting to toss that Finch fellow on his arse the other night and hoping I might someday have an opportunity to ruin Osborne’s day is entirely because I want to avenge you.”
How could she not feel flattered? And giddy, but hopefully not in a way that would entice her to act foolishly as she’d done in the past. “I should add that you are a superior person in that you have demonstrated great kindness and compassion—and that has nothing to do with you being a duke. That, I think, is just who you are.”
He stared at her. “That is one of the nicest things anyone has ever said to me.” His voice was soft, almost disbelieving. It seemed he was also flattered.
Sadie was quite happy to participate in mutual admiration with him. It made her want to trust him completely. “I haven’t even told you the worst part about what happened with Osborne.”
His eyes rounded. “It gets worse?”
“I confronted him. I asked why he was ignoring me and if it was because I refused to let him take liberties with my person.”
Lawford smiled at her in open admiration. “Of course you did. What did the blackguard have to say for himself?”
The memory flashed in her mind—she didn’t allow it much space, and it had been years since she’d even imagined his face, let alone that horrible encounter. “He laughed at me. I was so shocked that I just stood there while he turned and walked away. I asked some of the other girls who were also enjoying their first festival, and they—” Sadie’s lungs hitched. She’d never told anyone this. She’d believed her emotions were long buried. Taking a breath, she steeled herself. “They also laughed. They said I shouldn’t be so thin-skinned, that I ought to just have fun and stop being so serious. I felt so silly and naïve.” She tipped her head down as her throat burned. She would not cry. Not four years later. Not in front of Law.
“Come with me.” He started walking once more, pulling her along with him so that she had to move very fast to keep up. “We’re going to the labyrinth, and we’re going to banish that memory from your mind. We’re going to replace it with something much better.”
There were two ways to enter the labyrinth, which meant two separate paths to the center, which was a pond with ducks and a bridge leading to the other path so one could take another way out. Both labyrinthine paths included many alcoves, which were perfect spots for finding privacy. Sadie’s heart crashed against her ribs as they approached the south entrance. What was he going to replace her terrible memory with?
“Is this the way you went in with that scoundrel?” Lawford asked.
“Yes, but this isn’t really necessary. I rarely think of that anymore.”
He escorted her into the labyrinth. The path was wide enough for two couples to pass each other.
They reached the first alcove a moment later. These were narrow openings into slender spaces originally designed for one person to hide in, usually for the purposes of finding solitude. However, they were more often used for clandestine meetings.
“This one?” he asked.
Sadie pulled him to a stop. She looked up into his eyes. “This isn’t necessary.”
“I think it is. You may rarely think of it, but it clearly bothers you. You deserve nothing but happiness and a new memory to cherish instead of abhor.”
“Then find a different alcove.”
A few moments later, there was another alcove to the left. Lawford moved toward it, then immediately veered away. “Someone’s in there,” he whispered. He waggled his brows at her. “Wouldn’t want to interrupt.”
Putting her hand to her mouth to keep from giggling, Sadie grinned. At the third alcove, he approached slowly, then peered around the edge. Then he pulled her inside with him.
“This is rather snug,” he said, rotating their positions so his back was to the opening. “Even more so than the cupboard this morning,” he added in a husky murmur.
Their bodies were pressed together so that she could feel his heat and inhale his scent. Why had she wondered what he would replace her memory with? It seemed obvious. Still, she wanted to be sure.
“What did you have in mind to do here?”
He stroked his thumb along her chin and jaw. “I’d thought to kiss you, but now I’m wondering if that will dredge up the bad memory.”
She slid her hands up his coat and twined them around his neck. “I think you’re right—this will give me a new memory. It’s already much better than four years ago.”
He chuckled softly. “I hope so.” He looked into her eyes, his lips parted. She was desperate for him to put his mouth on hers.
“Kiss me, Law. Now.”
Clasping her waist, he squeezed her just before his lips crashed onto hers. She wasn’t sure what she’d expected, but heat and arousal immediately consumed her.
This wasn’t how she’d ever expected a kiss to be. It completely overwhelmed her, but in the best way possible. It stirred some deep, dark passion she’d never known she had. She clutched at him, her lips and tongue tangling with his. His hands moved to her back and waist, at one point dipping to her backside and pulling her flush against his hips.
Desire pulsed within her, making her crave something beyond her reach. She knew enough of how bodies and sex worked to understand how to ease the occasional lustful ache, but Law’s touch spun her to a new height, to a need that made her desperate for more.
His lips left hers, and he kissed along her cheek and jaw to her ear. “Is this better?” he whispered.
“Oh yes.” She sucked in a breath as he licked and suckled her neck just beneath her ear. “But…I want more.”
“Do you?” he murmured against her flesh. His hand came up and caressed her breast through her gown. “I confess I do too. The things I would like to do to you…”
“Tell me,” she begged, spearing her hand into his thick hair.
He kissed the base of her throat, speaking between licks and gentle sucks. “I’d take your hair down so I could bury my face in it.”
Her hair was thick, with coarse waves. “It’s rather wild.”
He lifted his head to look into her eyes. She could barely make his features out in the light from the lanterns spread along the labyrinth path. There was no mistaking the sensual smolder in his gaze, however. “I like wild.”
He cupped her neck and put his thumb to her lips. “I’d strip your clothing away and I’d touch your breasts. I’d try a variety of things to arouse you. Hmm. I wonder which you would like best.” He moved his hand down from her neck and tried to slide his fingers into her bodice. “This fits incredibly well. I’m afraid I can’t touch you the way I’d like. Ah well, another time, perhaps.” He kissed her again, making the thoughts in her head jumble within a delicious sensual haze.
Her breasts tingled, and she longed for him to touch her as he said. But he hadn’t said. “How would you like to touch me?” she asked between kisses.
“I’d like to caress your breasts with extra attention for your nipples. Those are the most sensitive. I’d lick them and suck them, roll them between my fingers before I gave them a gentle pull.”
Sadie dug her fingers into his scalp. “I want that.”
“Alas, that would require disrupting your wardrobe in a way that we should not in our current situation.”
“Then what else can you do?” She kissed him, long and deep, sliding her tongue along his as she’d learned to do in their short but wonderful acquaintance.
He lifted his head and gave her an earnest stare. “Do you really want to know?”
She nodded. “Please.”
“I could…raise your gown so I may touch your sex. Is that what you want?”
“Yes.” She’d denied the blackguard—whose name she couldn’t even think of now, which made her positively elated—that very act. But with Law…she wanted that. She wanted him. “I want you to touch me. I want you to make me feel…complete.”
He grinned before kissing her again, his teeth pulling on her lower lip before he moved down to her throat. “You want an orgasm?” he asked. “To come apart?”
Her body quivered in response. “Yes. Please.”
He stripped the glove from his right hand and tucked it into his pocket. “You must be quiet, no matter what you feel. Can you do that?”
“Yes. Anything.” She longed for him to deliver her from this torment while also relishing every moment.
Law bent and put his hand on her calf beneath her gown. Slowly, he skimmed his hand up her inner leg, eliciting shivers of desire that spread through her entire body. The skirt lifted with his hand as he kissed her neck.
Sadie cast her head back against the hedge, uncaring that it might pull at her hair. She could easily explain errant curls—for her, they were a when, not an if.
His hand cupped her sex, and she nearly collapsed as sensation cascaded through her. He stroked along her flesh, slowly at first, bringing his mouth back up to hers for a searing kiss.
Her hips bucked as he brushed the most sensitive part of her sex, the part she rubbed when she was trying to ease herself. Somehow, he was much better at it, sparking a continuous arc of pleasure and need. She wanted more. She wanted everything.
“Please, Law,” she said against his mouth.
His finger slipped into her, and she would have cried out if he hadn’t been kissing her. The intrusion was different, but felt so right. Her body welcomed him eagerly, her pelvis arching toward him. His movements were slow and deliberate, gradually gaining speed and friction. He alternated between using his finger to thrust into her and his hand to stroke her clitoris. It was soon a frenzy of motion, of utter rapture as her legs began to shake.
She felt the storm coming, the promise of absolute ecstasy. His hand moved ever faster driving her to the peak until she clenched around him, her muscles working to bring her to the climax.
Clutching at him, she gasped. It was too much. His hand closed over her mouth as he whispered, “Shhh,” beside her ear. “Bite my hand if you must.”
She would not. Could not. But she moaned as wave after wave of pleasure crashed over her. He didn’t stop stroking her until the last shudder swept through her body.
After a final press of his palm over her sex, he pulled his hand away. Her gown fell back to her feet, and what was left of her quivered with a sublime satisfaction.
“Thank you,” she rasped softly, her eyes closed as she leaned back against the hedge. She’d no idea she would feel so wonderful, so complete.
She opened her eyes to see him watching her, his eyes slitted, his jaw tight. “Are you all right?”
Exhaling through his nose, he nodded. “Yes.” His lips curled into a heart-stopping smile. “The only thing that matters, however, is that you are.”
“More than,” she said with a light chuckle. “I’m feeling rather scandalous, and even that is somehow lovely.”
“You deserve to feel scandalous and lovely.” He kissed her, then put his glove back on his hand. The hand that had, moments ago, given her an unrivaled pleasure. “Now, shall we walk to the center of the labyrinth so you can bask in your new memory?”
Sadie had never felt such gratitude and warmth for another person. How had this duke become such an integral part of her life in less than a week? “Yes, let’s. There are a pair of follies at the center as well—one is a temple in its full glory, and the other is the same temple, but in ruins.”
Law shook his head. “I can’t imagine the thought and cost that went into these gardens.”
“You can ask Phineas Radford about it tomorrow. His family owns and cares for the gardens—their estate borders the property. Someone from his family always judges the pudding competition, and he’s been doing it the past few years.”
They left the alcove, and Sadie wondered if her cheeks were aflame. She’d become quite heated during their…encounter. How was she walking through the labyrinth as if her life hadn’t completely altered course just moments ago?
But had it, really? She was still Sadie Campion, unlikely maiden fair. In truth, she’d behaved even worse than four years ago. She’d allowed Law, a man to whom she was not betrothed and would not be betrothed, to touch her intimately.
Nevertheless, she couldn’t bring herself to feel badly about it. She was glad for this year’s festival, however it turned out. Now, she knew what she wanted. It was more than a yearning for a household and family of her own. She craved love and partnership, and she didn’t want to settle for anything less.
He broke into her thoughts. “I want to apologize again for my attitude about wanting to strike gentlemen who wrong you. It’s brutish and uncalled for.”
“But what your father taught you, apparently.” She understood what it was like to be raised in a certain manner, to develop behaviors that seemed inseparable from who you were. If her mother hadn’t died and Sadie hadn’t taken on responsibility at a young age, how different might she be?
“Yes.” Law was quiet a moment as they passed another couple on their way toward the center. “In the months since he died, I’ve realized I don’t want to be like him. And now, without him scrutinizing my every move, I don’t have to be.”
“He sounds demanding.”
“Very. That’s not to say he was cruel or overly harsh. He laughed all the time. But he wasn’t kind or generous. He needed to be at the center of everything—adored and admired.”
“Is that what you want?” She felt him shudder in response.
“God, no. In his shadow, I wanted to disappear. The comparisons between us were inevitable, and I was always found lacking.”
“What of your mother?”
“I think I told you that she died when I was fourteen. She’d given birth to her eighth child, and it was all her body could take.”
Sadie turned her head toward him as she clutched his arm more tightly. “But you only have two younger sisters.”
“The others didn’t survive. She lost some before it was time for them to be born. The others died shortly after entering the world. My father was devastated that she couldn’t give him a spare. Yet, he didn’t remarry after she was gone. I think he truly loved her.”
“That’s something, I suppose.”
“I don’t really know since he never told me.” He gave her a faint smile. “Perhaps it’s just more comforting if I imagine it that way.”
His words went straight to her heart. Sadie knew what it was like to make excuses for a parent who wasn’t always as supportive or aware as they ought to be. “Were you and your sisters close?”
“As much as we could be. They are five and seven years younger than I am. They share a strong sisterly bond that is much different from what I share with them. That makes me happy. I looked out for them, and it was important to me that they marry well.” He chuckled. “That’s the name of your town.”
She smiled. “Yes, and I’ve never truly considered what that means.” They turned a corner, moving closer to the center. “Marrying well, I mean.”
“That they wed someone appropriate, but mostly that they are happy. My youngest sister married one of my friends from Oxford. He doesn’t have a title—he’s the grandson of an earl. My father was not in favor of the marriage, but I convinced him to accept what my sister wanted. I knew they would be happy together, and they are.”
She heard the love in his voice and thought his sisters were incredibly lucky to have him. However, it also made her feel a bit…bad about her own brothers. Would they want the same for her? They were certainly enthusiastic about a potential match with Law, but that had come from before they—or she—had even come to know him.
“I’m so glad for her,” Sadie said. “But I’m sorry your father couldn’t embrace your sister’s choice. Was that because he wasn’t titled?”
“Yes, and, in my father’s opinion, he lacked the ability to be as forceful and…dominating as he should be. He had high expectations for me and my sisters. He wasn’t entirely in the wrong. There are standards to being a duke, or at least a great deal of responsibility and duty. I take my role in the House of Lords very seriously, probably more seriously than my father did. He liked wielding power. I do too, but for the purpose of effecting change.”
Everything he said only made her appreciate him more. If she wasn’t careful, she thought she could love him. If she didn’t already.
No, no. She couldn’t allow that. The chasm between them was insurmountable. Just listening to him talk about his responsibilities was enough to make her recognize they had no future together, no matter how much they enjoyed each other’s company. He led a complicated life in the heart of Society, and she made sure the larder was stocked and that everyone had clean linens. She’d no idea how to support him in London, and she had to think her naïveté would lead her to humiliation and failure.
They’d reached the center of the labyrinth, a wide space of a few acres. Dozens of people were gathered, and right away, a couple came toward them.
