The Duchess' Desperate Deal, page 15
“Why don’t you join me? There’s room enough for both, and I’m sure...” She trailed off when he shook his head, smiling to take the sting off his rejection of the offer.
“If I get into the tub with you, we will get involved in activities we have no time to indulge in.”
He grabbed the washcloth and, after lathering it up, he came to her, taking a seat at the wide edge of the tub. “I can wash your back if you want.”
As an answer, she leaned forward, hugging her legs and resting her head on her arms. And he rubbed the soft cloth over the creamy expanse of her back in wide, slow circles.
He continued washing her in silence, with unhurried movements. One arm, the other, her chest, giving an extra rub to her nipples, which turned to hard pebbles. He forced himself to not linger, or his resolve would falter. She reclined back and lifted a leg as he ran the cloth along the length of it. All the way to her pink tiny toes.
“Even your feet are beautiful,” he said as he closed his lips over her big toe and sucked.
She gasped, and her eyes widened. He saw surprise and reluctant arousal. Damn it, she was so responsive. He would bet she’d felt that tug all the way to her core. No. Stop it. With a kiss to her instep, he released her leg and stood, chagrined that his cock had decided to stand as well.
With a ruthless push, he suppressed it, walking towards the door on the far side of the bath.
“I’ll go get dressed now,” he tossed over his shoulder. “Finish washing and I’ll help you with your gown. Then we can leave.”
“WHAT TIME IS IT?” HANNAH whispered as they approached her house in a small, one-horse cabriolet.
He had explained it was better this way as he tucked a warm carriage blanket around her and pulled the hood up. No point in waking his coachman. Gabriel sat next to her, driving the carriage with expert ease through the still, dark, and cold streets. They found little traffic in the few streets to her residence. The hour being too late for most night revelers and too early for working folk.
He checked his watch. “Almost five in the morning.”
“Good, then. My staff doesn’t wake until six.”
“Will there be a footman at the door?” he inquired.
“No. I told them not to wait for me. I have a key, and I’m perfectly able to let myself in.”
“And your maid?”
“Also abed, I imagine.”
“How will you disrobe?”
She looked at him sideways, remembering how adept his fingers had been at removing her clothes. “I can manage.”
They had arrived at the imposing facade of the ducal mansion. Six stories tall, it occupied the corner lot and boasted gardens on three sides. With its ornate stonework, intricate cornices and long rows of tall windows, it proclaimed the grandeur of the ducal status.
He jumped from the carriage and helped Hannah descend, accompanying her up the set of wide marble steps to the grand porticoed entrance supported by stately columns. There, in the shadows of the portico, he gave her a quick kiss and waited until she had crossed the door and locked it from inside.
Only then did he return to the cab, taking one long look at the house as he turned the corner. A lone light shone from one of the upstairs windows. Hannah was safe at home. But this situation was less than ideal. He had to find another method for their meetings.
CHAPTER 29
“YOU WANT US TO GO AWAY from London?” Hannah’s question held more enthusiasm than surprise, which boded well for his plans.
“Yes,” he said, kissing her bare shoulder as she reclined against his chest in the huge bath. “We could go somewhere quiet, where no one knows us. Have a holiday. Just the two of us.”
She turned around to face him, her slippery body rubbing against him with delicious results. He sucked in his breath to control another surge of lust.
“Where are you thinking of going?”
“A coastal town. Maybe near Weymouth? But smaller. With an inn near the beach. At this time of the year, it’s bound to be empty. We wouldn’t be able to bathe in the sea, of course. But we could walk along the beach. And take breakfast in bed. Forget about the rest of the world.”
“Hmm, that would be lovely. You don’t think people would recognize us?”
“Not outside the rarefied society we inhabit. We will travel under assumed names.”
“I would like that. When would you like to go?”
“I’ll make arrangements to depart as soon as possible and will send a message when I have the details. Maybe as soon as tomorrow. Can you be ready?”
“Yes, of course.” Her eyes sparkled with anticipation, and warmth spread through his chest.
“It’s settled then. I’ll look into the train tickets and the accommodations.”
“I have a private train coach. We could use it—”
“No. That would defeat the purpose of anonymity. I will book us first-class tickets in a private compartment. Would you be able to bear the inconvenience for a few hours?” he teased her with a twisted smile.
She laughed. “To go on a holiday with you? I could bear anything.”
Her words eased something inside him. He couldn’t provide all the luxuries she was used to, but she still wanted to go away with him.
He kissed her. Hard. Molding their lips together. Possessing her mouth with the intensity of his feelings. Feelings that were growing at an alarming rate.
“We may not see each other tonight,” he told her when at last their mouths separated to catch a breath. “Especially if we are to catch the train tomorrow.”
She frowned. “I suppose that makes sense.”
He gave her another quick, hard kiss. “Don’t frown. I’ll miss you too. But we will have days to get our fill of each other. Tonight, sleep well, my darling duchess.”
They had been seeing each other every night for a week now. Sneaking out of events, returning her home in the early hours of the morning. It was exhausting. Neither of them had gotten a good night’s sleep in days. While he was used to it from his days as an officer, when sleep was sometimes a scarce commodity to be indulged in when possible, Hannah was positively wilting. She had dark shadows under her eyes, and each day it was more difficult to wake her to return her to her residence.
Besides the exhaustion, meeting this way was perilous, and not as discreet as he had hoped. The servants may not know what she was doing, and with whom. But they couldn’t have failed to notice that the duchess was going out each night and returning in the small hours.
And then there was the lurking menace of Neil Blackwell. After his threats to Hannah, Gabriel had hired a private investigator to learn everything he could about the man. And what he had learned so far was not good. He didn’t want to trouble Hannah with his findings, but his protective instincts were blaring an alarm. Blackwell was cruel, unscrupulous, and greedy. He had also been living well beyond his means for years now, borrowing on his prospects as the heir to a dukedom. He would not relinquish his claim to the title so easily.
But most of all, he wanted to get her away because he was tired of their encounters being cut short. Of not being able to sleep peacefully after their glorious lovemaking. He wanted to wake up with her in his arms. Arouse her with kisses, make dreamy, slow love to her in the morning light. And then stay in bed for as long as they wanted.
That was simply not possible in London, where they had to keep appearances. He had already completed his business deals in the city and appraised his solicitor and steward of the improved circumstances. Now that they had their instructions for the following weeks, he could take a holiday. He had not had one in years.
“I look forward to our holiday,” she said, placing her hand on his chest and looking into his eyes. “But you are wrong about something.”
“Oh?”
“I will never have my fill of you. I will always want more.”
Oh, damnation. The confession made his breath catch as emotion swelled in him. “So will I, love.”
TWO DAYS LATER, EVERYTHING was ready for their holiday. Gabriel sat at his library desk, holding the train tickets and the telegram from the inn, confirming their availability. The train tickets were easy enough to secure. But to find the right seaside town and inn took some more research and coordination. He had pored over every travel guide he could get his hands on. Had consulted a travel agency, and at last settled on Lulworth Cove, a small beach town east of Weymouth. Close enough to the big resort town and its train station to make it accessible from London, but remote enough from the popular beach town to ensure they wouldn’t meet anyone who might know them.
Lulworth Cove also boasted a lovely beachfront inn. Which would be almost empty at the moment because it was winter. Perfect.
Besides the beach, the surrounding area offered paths, cliffs, and secluded coves to explore. Now if only they could get there already. He couldn’t wait to see Hannah again. It had only been two days, but that was two days too many.
More excited than a lad in a candy store, He penned a message to Hannah, asking her to meet him tomorrow at London Waterloo station at half-past six in the morning. The train departed at seven and would arrive at Weymouth after midday. He would allow her to board the coach first, and once she settled in, he would join her.
“Thakur!” he called, knowing the valet was likely lurking nearby.
Just as he had predicted, Thakur walked into the room a moment later.
“Yes, my lord?” he asked with exaggerated formality.
His valet never called him by his title unless he wanted to make clear he disapproved. Well, too bad, because he was following this course, and there was not enough disapproval in the world that would turn him away from Hannah.
“I need to deliver this letter to the duchess.” Gabriel put the piece of paper in an envelope, added one of the train tickets inside, and sealed it with wax. “If you use a courier, please make it clear they are to wait for the duchess’s response. And don’t announce it is from me.”
“I will do as you say, my lord.” Thakur bowed out of the room with the letter in his hands.
Hannah’s response was quick. Within an hour, he had her scribbled note saying she would be at the train station at the agreed upon time.
Now he only needed to while away the hours until he could have her in his arms again.
CHAPTER 30
WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME she had been so excited about anything? She couldn’t remember. Never. This elation was new. Twirling in her bedchamber, she held Gabriel’s note to her chest. Silliness, of course. It was nothing more than a simple holiday on the coast. She had had those before. Harold insisted they spend a couple of weeks at his beach cottage every summer. She enjoyed those occasions and even took advantage of the private beach to bathe in the sea without the need for bathing machines.
But this was different. Being with Gabriel made it different. She didn’t even care about the sea. They could have spent those days in a cave, and she would treasure every moment.
Walking into her dressing room, she rang for Edith, her maid, to help her prepare her suitcase.
“You rang, Your Grace?”
Hannah turned to her with a grateful smile. Edith had been her maid for the past fifteen years. From the time of her marriage to Harold. She was an unassuming woman of middle years. Not particularly warm or given to cheerfulness, but practical, accomplished, and even-tempered. Unflappable, more like it.
“Edith, I need you to help me pack for a holiday at the beach. I’ll be leaving tomorrow.”
“Of course, Your Grace. But the beach? At this time of the year?” It was a sign of how surprised her maid was that she dared to question her mistress.
Hannah gave her a twisted half smile. “I don’t suppose we will be doing any sea bathing. Pack as if for the country. Very simple outfits I can manage by myself with a minimum of fuss.”
“As you wish, Your Grace. But there’s no need to limit yourself to simple garments. I’ll be more than happy to assist you,” the maid replied.
“Oh.”
Hannah had an uncomfortable realization; she had to give her maid some excuse as to why she was not coming. And it had to be a good one. With the usual reserve of a well-trained servant, her maid had not shown that she found anything amiss with her mistress’s out of character late arrivals. But she had to wonder. And draw conclusions.
“You are not coming with me, Edith. I’ll be visiting a friend from my childhood. She lives in a modest house and there’s no room for extra servants.” It was the best excuse she could come up with on the spot. And she thought it was a good one.
The maid, however, was as distressed at the news as if she had dismissed her. “But Your Grace! How will you manage? Who will tend to your toilette and care for your garments?”
“I’m sure my friend’s servants will be up to the task. I don’t wish to overburden them, however. That’s why I ask that you pack simple garments.”
“I...as you wish, Your Grace.” the maid capitulated, unconvinced. “For how many days will you be away?”
“I don’t know, a week, maybe two.”
The maid gave her a stiff nod before turning to pack her clothes in silent disapproval.
Oh, heavens. That had not gone well. She looked at her actions from Edith’s perspective and winced at what the maid must be thinking. Hannah’s husband was ill, and instead of being by his side, she was gallivanting all over London, attending events, and returning in the early morning hours. And now she was taking off on some mysterious holiday.
The servants would have to be fools not to realize there was something afoot. And if... no, when she conceived, they would wonder about her virtue. How could they not draw certain conclusions? She trusted the ducal servants. They were all the epitome of discretion, but she would rather not have her business exposed to them.
Who knew it would prove so difficult to hide a forbidden liaison?
Despite her misgivings, Hannah thrummed with excitement on the way to the train station early the next day. Two footmen were in charge of her luggage and before leaving home, she had even given instructions to her maid to send a telegram to the duke informing him of her plans and assuring him she would send him another telegram upon arrival. That should allay some of her maid’s suspicions and show that she had her husband’s approval. Still, the duplicity sat heavy on her chest.
The feeling didn’t last as she entered the excitement and hectic energy of the station. She headed straight for the platforms, flanked by her trusted footmen. Enlisting a porter to help her navigate the station had been easy. Now she sat ensconced in the first-class train coach. Gabriel had joked about whether she could withstand a few hours in rough accommodations, but she found nothing to complain about in the luxurious interior of the coach.
Now if only Gabriel had arrived already. The train would depart in just five minutes, and she had seen no sign of him. Her eyes darted between her pocket watch and the window. Peering into the crowds for a glimpse of his tall, dark-haired figure.
Where was he? What if he didn’t make it on time? Would the train leave without him? Of course it would!
The slip of the ground beneath her had her gasping and shooting out of her seat. Oh no! The train had started its slow progress out of the station. Her face glued to the window as she frantically scanned the passing crowd outside. Where was Gabriel? Was it too late to get out of the train? Yes, it was. And too late for him to get on, too. How could their plans have gone so awry when, just a few minutes before, she had been looking forward to this trip with so much anticipation?
Her heart plummeted to the bottom of her stomach. Only to somersault to her throat when, just as the train cleared the station and picked up speed, the door that led into the train hallway opened, and Gabriel walked in smiling at her.
“You wretched, wretched man!” she accused, launching herself at him.
He caught her, enveloping her in a powerful embrace. Laughter rumbled through his chest as his arms tightened around her, as if he would never let her go.
“I’m sorry for causing you worry, my darling,” he said, as he planted a kiss on her temple. “I boarded the train before you arrived at the station. But I have been hiding in the hallway. I didn’t want to risk being seen by anyone on the platform.”
“You could have announced your presence to me! I almost perished from worrying.”
“Judging by the way you reacted just now, I don’t think that would have been wise. You would have given it away,” he teased her with a mocking smile.
“I wouldn’t have!” she protested, just because she should challenge his assertion, but there was no heat in her words. Finding him on board had been such a relief that there was no space for irritation in her heart.
The compartment had two benches, facing each other, but he sat and tugged her onto his lap. His eyes captured hers, igniting a fire low in her belly with their intensity. He uttered a curse under his breath that sounded something like ‘damned, I’ve missed you, then there were no more words as his mouth descended on hers, claiming her with exquisite thoroughness.
His lips were hot, dry. Sometimes soft, sucking, sliding, molding to hers. Sometimes hard, claiming, biting, commanding surrender. His tongue traced the corner of her lips, teasing, inflaming, inviting. She answered his invitation. Opening her mouth to take him in. His flavor, his essence. Their tongues mated in a sensual dance, and she was lost.
Sensations cascaded one into the next. Coursing through her like pulses of heat that bathed each corner of her body. She couldn’t get enough of him. Outside, the scenery flashed by as the train sped through pastures and low hills. Charging towards their destination. The speed matched her racing heart. She was hurtling towards something as well.
“Straddle me,” he said in a hushed tone, already maneuvering her skirts into position.
Her eyes widened even as a thrill ran down her spine. “Here?” she whispered.
