An Unsuitable Duchess (30 page)

He smelled of leather and...Julian. Did every man have a unique scent? He certainly did. She hoped she would soon forget it.

‘If that is all, Your Grace, you may leave. Rest assured I do not blame you for what has occurred.’

She reached over to pick up her paintbrush and her eyes widened when he took her hand. Warmth spread up her arm.

‘There is something else you should know.’ His voice faded in the hushed stillness of the terrace.

‘Go on.’

He swallowed hard, and his green eyes searched hers. ‘I’ve come to realise something of late. It should have occurred to me earlier, however, I have had no experience with it until now.’

The intensity in his gaze held her, making it impossible to look away.

‘I love you with every fibre of my being. I have from the first moment I saw you.’

A lump settled in Katrina’s throat. His words were just pretty sentiment. He didn’t mean them.

She was ready to pull her hand from his when he knelt before her.

The world stopped.

‘Katrina, I never want to live another day without you and I pray that in your heart you love me, even just a little. All I want to do is cherish you and call you my wife—if you will have me.’

She blinked. ‘Did you just ask me to marry you?’

‘I did.’

She shifted uncomfortably under his piercing gaze. ‘I know you are a man of honour, and that you think offering for my hand is the proper thing to do because of what occurred last night, but there is no need. I’ll return to America and you can live the life you are destined to lead, uncomplicated by our association.’

Katrina was amazed she said all that without her voice cracking.

‘Did you not hear what I said? I do not want to marry you out of a sense of obligation. I want to marry you because I love you.’

His lovely green eyes looked at her earnestly.

‘I will not marry a man who will cast me aside after we are wed.’

‘Do you truly believe I will?’

‘You suffered derision because of a carriage ride and cut ties with me. Do you believe marrying me will be easier?’

‘I had everything I thought I wanted after we parted. I regained the respect of most men in Westminster. My counsel was sought on affairs of state. I was asked to give speeches again. But none of that mattered. What mattered was what
you
thought of me. Other people’s opinions and esteem do not define me. My actions define me. I am finished with living the life Society tells me I should.’

Butterflies danced in her chest. ‘You truly love me?’

His kissed her hand slowly. ‘With all my heart.’

‘Always?’

‘Always. Do you love me? Even just a little?’

The lump in her throat was back. ‘I do love you, Julian, with all of my being.’

He released a deep breath and closed his eyes. ‘Do you love me enough to marry me?’

‘I do,’ she said in a rush.

He leaned over and kissed her—deeply and passionately. When he finally pulled his head away they both were breathing hard.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Three weeks later

W
edding breakfasts could be so tedious.

Julian took a sip of champagne and wondered how long he and Katrina were obligated to stay at their own celebration. Surely they did not have to remain until the last guest departed? That could be hours from now—hours that would be better spent by him exploring the enticing curves of his new wife’s body.

Fortunately for Julian, the Russian Ambassador could carry on a conversation with a potted palm. Julian nodded periodically, to keep up the pretence of interest, but his attention was fixed on Katrina, who was visible to the left of the Russian Ambassador’s shoulder.

Once she had agreed to marry him, he had found himself constantly preoccupied with thoughts of bedding her. He wondered how tight she would feel when he entered her for the first time. Would she cry out her release or remain silent? Would she allow him to explore every bit of her?

His thoughts were interrupted when Hart nudged his shoulder. ‘I was hoping this fixation you have with your wife would end once you were married. But I suppose you will need a few days alone with her before you are cured.’

Julian glanced around, wondering what had happened to the Ambassador. And how long had Hart been standing by his side?

‘He walked off about five minutes ago,’ Hart explained. ‘I thought I would come to your rescue. If you’d been standing alone much longer I fear Madame de Lieven would have approached you. She has been regaling everyone with tales of how she was responsible for bringing you and your bride together. I’m certain she would enjoy sharing them with you.’

‘Madam de Lieven? I had assumed my grandmother would have already made certain everyone thought it was
her
doing.’

The look of surprise on Hart’s face made Julian laugh.

‘In truth, the only reason you and Katrina are together is due to some careful planning by Miss Forrester and myself. If we’d left it to the two of you, you would still be sending her weeds.’

Julian glanced at his beautiful wife and recalled the first time he had called on her at her home. ‘Do not discount those weeds. I think they may have helped win her love.’

‘Love!’ Hart spluttered into his glass of champagne.

‘Yes, love. We are in love. She is all I will ever need.’

‘You say that now. It is your wedding day. It would be poor form to say otherwise. But no woman can hold a man’s attention forever.’

Julian studied his friend, wondering if he truly believed that. ‘Some day, Hart, you will meet a woman and find that you cannot stop thinking about her. You will try, but to no avail. She will frustrate you, and excite you, and make you feel as if you are losing your mind. Then one day you will wake up and realise you never want to stop thinking about her, because if you did your life would be empty. There will never be anyone else for me.’

Hart was about to reply when Julian’s grandmother approached his side. ‘Lord Hartwick,’ she said, ‘you surprised me this morning. I had a wager with my maid that we would need a search party to find you. Well done—you arrived before the ceremony began.’

‘Had a search party been required, I can promise you, ma’am, that I would not have been found.’

She narrowed her eyes at him and Julian was grateful he was not on the receiving end of her assessing gaze.

‘Why don’t you see what is keeping Miss Forrester? I believe I saw her step onto the terrace some time ago.’

Hart rocked back on his heels and gave her a cocky grin. ‘I’m certain Miss Forrester is clever enough to find her own way back inside.’

‘Then fetch me a glass of champagne. I don’t want you spoiling my fun.’

‘It would be my honour.’ He bowed flamboyantly and walked away.

Julian wasn’t certain if he was relieved that the odd exchange had ended or wary because his grandmother felt the need to speak to him with no one else about.

‘That was hardly subtle,’ he said.

‘That man needs a woman to take him to task.’

‘Do I dare ask what fun you were referring to?’

She smiled up at him, clearly pleased about something. ‘He did not tell you? Capital! I was certain he would not be able to resist exposing my secret.’

The idea that Hartwick and his grandmother shared any sort of secret was making Julian’s head ache. ‘Is this a secret you’d care to share with me?’

‘Of course. That’s why I came over here. Your wedding gift from me has been placed in the study. You may do with it as you wish.’

‘Would you like me to ask what it is?’

‘I would.’ She tugged his arm and Julian brought his head down so she could whisper in his ear. ‘Do you recall that caricature printed of you and Katrina together in your carriage? You are now in possession of the printing plate.’

Julian jerked his head back and stared at her. ‘How did you acquire it?’

‘When I had someone I trust inform Cruikshank about your carriage ride, I specified that I wanted the plate in return for the information.’

He could not have heard correctly. ‘
You
gave Cruikshank the information that fuelled that caricature? Why? Why would you do that?’

It was a struggle to keep his voice down.

‘He was not aware I was the one providing him with the information. I am careful about such things.’

‘You never answered me. Why did you do that? Katrina could have been ruined,’ Julian said through his teeth.

‘Nonsense. I needed to force your hand. You did not see that you loved her, but I did. I expected you to do the honourable thing. Instead you took a different approach, you frustrating boy.’

Julian closed his eyes and began to count to ten. Hopefully by eight he would no longer have the desire to pack his grandmother’s bags and send her off to his mother’s house—right now.

‘How did you come by this information?’

‘I live in this house with you. I notice things. While I wasn’t certain you would actually go on a carriage ride with her, I suspected you were spending time with her. You were much too cheery. I was correct in my assumption, was I not? Hartwick would not confirm or deny anything to me. However, that boy does not hide his amusement well.’

Julian was back to counting. He took a deep breath. ‘So you have been in possession of that plate all this time?’

‘I have—and now it is yours. You may thank me by producing a number of great-grandchildren for me.’

‘You might want to consider remaining far away from me until Katrina and I return from Devonshire.’

She laughed and looked past his shoulder. ‘Very well. However, remember I don’t have many more good years left. A house filled with children would have me dying with a smile on my lips.’ She tapped her fan on his shoulder and walked away.

He scrubbed his hand across his brow and shook his head. How he wished he could leave for Devonshire now. Once more he eyed his wife. How many days of bedding her would it take until she was with child?
His
child.

Katrina was deep in conversation with Winter’s wife, and her tempting lips were raised in a warm smile. His gaze skimmed down her long neck to the swell of her breasts, searching for that beauty mark he knew was barely visible over the silver edging of her gown. Would her skin taste salty when he slid his tongue along that edging? Would her nipples grow hard?

This. Was. Torture.

As if sensing his gaze, Katrina raised her head and caught his eye. Slowly she sank her teeth into her plump lower lip. His control snapped. There were advantages to being a duke. Leaving his own wedding breakfast early with his beautiful duchess was one of them.

When he finally reached his wife’s side, he took her hand, and brought it to his lips. It was all he could do without raising too many eyebrows and embarrassing her. ‘You ladies seem to be enjoying yourselves.’

The Duchess of Winterbourne smiled congenially. ‘We were discussing a new portrait painter I’ve recently become acquainted with. I believe you would find his work most pleasing, Lyonsdale.’

Julian looked back at Katrina. ‘Of course—we will need a portrait of you for the gallery.’

The women shared an indecipherable look and Julian’s eyes narrowed as he caught the exchange.

‘I will leave the choice of artist up to you, although I assumed you would use Lawrence,’ he said.

‘Mr Lawrence is going abroad with a commission from the Prince Regent,’ Katrina said. ‘Olivia has been kind enough to offer me other suggestions. Although I do not know if this one particular painter’s work is suitable for the gallery.’

The Duchess of Winterbourne tried to hide her smile, but was unsuccessful. ‘Please excuse me, I believe I am needed across the room.’

Once she was far enough away, Katrina leaned towards Julian. ‘Perhaps you should stop looking at me as if you plan on having me for dinner,’ she said into her champagne glass.

‘But I
do
plan on having you—as soon as I can manage it,’ he said, brushing his lips against her ear. ‘Now that you are finally my wife, we can be alone for longer than a few brief moments at a time. And, Katrina, I plan on being alone with you for a very long time.’

There was a catch in her breath. ‘Are you trying to frighten me?’

She tried to nudge him away, but Julian tugged her back. ‘I don’t believe you frighten easily.’

‘Then what are you trying to do?’

‘I am attempting to make you want me as much as I want you at this very moment.’

She took another sip of her champagne as she glanced at the people around them. ‘I don’t believe any effort on your part is necessary.’

Julian could see the rise and fall of her breasts. Knowing what they looked like under her gown had Julian imagining all the different things he wanted to do with them.

He cleared his throat, trying to summon his voice. ‘One of the advantages of being a duke is that I can escort my wife upstairs right now and no one will question me.’

His voice sounded low and hoarse, even to his own ears. Moving his head away from Katrina’s, he drained the rest of his glass and tried to regain some of his composure.

‘What are some of the other advantages?’

Katrina’s voice had acquired a husky quality. The minx knew exactly what she was doing.

Bending his head back down towards her ear, he let out a low, warm breath. ‘Another is that I can taste every inch of my beautiful duchess’s body for hours.’

To his satisfaction, Katrina wobbled ever so slightly against him.

‘Have you been thinking up ways to scandalise me?’

‘No...not exactly...possibly...’

Chuckling against her ear, he heard her
harrumph
.

‘Then you’re going to have to do better than that.’

Ah, a challenge! What would she do if he told her what he had wanted to do from the moment he’d first seen her?

‘At this moment all I can think about is sinking into you and filling you. Do you understand my meaning?’

This time there was a more distinct wobble. It was probably visible from across the room. Before he even had time to gloat about what his words had done to his bride she had placed her glass down on the tray of a passing footman and tugged on Julian’s arm, propelling them to the doorway.