CHOCOLATE, TEA AND THE DUCHESS (19 page)

sat mere feet away, badly in need of release. She felt a surge of love for her husband as

he lay in the arms of someone who, like her, accepted him for who he was and not for

the title he carried. Their coupling thrilled her, the power, the sheer animalistic fervor.

The men stirred, Phillip raising his head and calling to her. "Darling, come here."

Felicity got to her feet slowly and walked to the bed, finding she was quickly

overcome with emotion. Tears formed in the corners of her eyes. The wiping of them

garnered Phillip's attention. "What is it, love?"

She sniffled. "I've never seen anything so beautiful."

He pulled her down next to him, as Alex left the bed to clean himself. In

whispered tones, they talked. "What do you mean?" Phillip asked.

"Alex was so receptive and you were so masterful. I can never be the way Alex

was, Phillip. I see why you need him."

"I need you too, and if I should have to chose, I would choose you, my dear wife.

I do pray you never ask me to do that, but you are most important to me."

Felicity kissed him, pouring into him all that her heart felt. She loved this man,

for he had acted with grace, dignity and honor in marrying her. The honesty that could

have destroyed him in proposing Alex as a part of their relationship had touched her

deeply.

Alex began to dress, the rustling of his clothes attracting Phillip's attention.

"Where are you going, Alex?"

"I thought to leave you alone with Felicity."

Phillip smiled, gazed into Felicity's eyes. The look was so tender, it caressed her

soul. He raised his brow and she understood, as though they shared a secret language.

With a slight nod, she conveyed to Phillip her thoughts. "I am not sure the lovely

Felicity wishes you to leave—ever."

Alex's mouth displayed an elegant gape, his eyes darting from Phillip's to

Felicity's. "What does that mean?" His voice sounded hopeful.

Felicity lifted herself to rest on her elbows. "Alex, I wish to have you as a part of

our family."

Alex raked his fingers through his hair, taking a step back before turning to pace.

Felicity looked at Phillip, worried that her bluntness had ruined what seemed so

promising for Phillip.

Minutes passed as Alex continued his aimless ambling about the room. He

seemed to be muttering to himself. Phillip held Felicity tight, kissing her forehead. She

took his gesture as reassurance, something she needed desperately.

When Alex turned to them once again, Felicity's heart raced. He seemed so

serious as he approached the bed.

"You do understand, at some point, I must marry."

Could this be what she thought? Was he saying yes?

"I realize marriage is in your future, Alex. It happens to the best of us." Phillip

kissed Felicity's cheek. Felicity leaned into Phillip, and the comfort she felt

overwhelmed her. "Until such time, I would have you occupy a suite of rooms at

Thornhill House."

Alex's answering smile lit the room. The bed dipped as he took his place to the

right of Felicity. "It would be my great honor."

"You will be our guest tonight and we will discuss the particulars in the

morning."

In turn, Alex kissed both Felicity and Phillip and the three hugged. Felicity felt

an emotion toward her husband she hesitated to define. She'd always admired him, but

this was more. She'd keep her own counsel, lest she do anything to upset the glorious

balance that was her marriage.

* * * * *

Felicity sat quietly in her bedchamber a few weeks after Alex had taken up

residence at Thornhill House. Over these weeks she had watched her husband with

Alex and reveled in the subtle changes she saw taking place. Phillip seemed more

comfortable with himself, more likely to smile instead of frown, and was more attentive

toward her, though she honestly had never felt neglected.

She'd not been with Alex sexually, not quite able to adjust fully to the dynamic

that existed or the tension she felt when Alex was in the room. Phillip encouraged her,

expressing his desire to see her with Alex, but Felicity held back, spending much of her

time assessing her own feelings.

She'd grown positive that she loved Phillip. He was all she'd ever dreamed a

husband should be and so much more. She was sure most wives would have no more

idea how to deal with him than she did at times. He was strong, self-assured and so

handsome. Her heart nearly stopped whenever he entered a room. Just hearing his

footfalls set her quim to clenching.

His lovemaking, in the weeks that followed Alex's taking up residence, had been

extraordinary. He'd left her breathless and sated at every turn. His promise that she

would not be replaced in his affections had been kept and then some.

He never pushed her toward Alex, but instead, let her know the choice was hers.

To say their situation was unique was an understatement. Her parents had asked about

the addition of Alex to the household, in passing, of course, and Felicity explained that

he was a relative of Phillip's who her husband insisted upon helping with his living

arrangements. They were satisfied, though far be it from them to question the mighty

Duke of Thornhill.

A knock shook her from her quiet reverie. It was her maid, Emily. "Your Grace, I

came to check on you. Is there anything you need?"

"I believe I would enjoy a bath."

"I will have it taken care of for you immediately."

The process of filling the hip bath with buckets of steaming water was a tedious

one. She'd always felt badly for the young footmen who carried bucket after bucket up

the many stairs. She'd been taught to appreciate the people who worked for her parents

and had never taken for granted their loyalty and dedication to even the most mundane

of tasks.

Soon, the wonderful aroma of lavender oil, which Emily had poured into the

steamy water, filled Felicity's chamber.

"Emily, you may retire for the evening."

"Thank you, Your Grace.

After helping her out of her dress, stays, and chemise, Emily left her to her quiet

soak. She rested her head against the rim of the metal tub, closing her eyes to take in the

wonderful warmth. The next thing she felt was soft fabric being placed over her eyes

and tied behind her head. She'd never heard the door open or close. Nor had she heard

the footfalls as the Aubusson carpet obviously had absorbed the sound. "What are you

doing?"

"Shh."

With a linen cloth and a cake of fragrant soap, he bathed her, carefully, slowly,

seductively. Whenever she asked a question, he placed a finger over her lips and

repeated his admonition, "Shh."

It was wonderfully sensual, this silence. His hands, of course, did more than

wash her body. He glazed over her sensitive breasts, taking time to roll each nipple in

his fingers, sending delicious waves of sensation to her quim. He went lower, until the

cloth he held rubbed against the engorged nub she so desperately needed to have

stroked. She wasn't disappointed when he found it and circled lightly at first but then

with purpose.

The slow burn started in her feet, building, then ebbing, delicious in every way.

The sensations were maddeningly wonderful. Her tongue jutted out, over her bottom

lip, which he captured with his teeth and bit down gently. In a whispered entreaty, he

said, "Come," as he brought her over the edge into bliss. Her body stiffened as her legs

trapped his hand between them.

"Pure heaven," she purred, her breath still shallow.

He kissed her lightly and helped her from the now-tepid water. Wrapping her in

a linen sheet, he dried her and led her to the bed. When she attempted to remove the

cloth that covered her eyes, he silently admonished her, pulling her hand away and

kissing each knuckle.

Felicity's bed had been turned down, and now, she was being laid on the cool,

clean sheets. The feeling was in stark contrast to her body, which had been warmed by

the water and the towel.

The silence in the room was seductive, erotic, alluring. The lack of sight

heightened each movement, each touch. She heard fabric rustling. She assumed he must

be removing his clothes. Then the mattress dipped beside her. She could feel his breath

against her skin, warm, with a hint of brandy.

He kissed her neck, licking and biting gently. She moved her head to the side to

give him greater access. Freshly shaved, his skin was soft. He teased her nipple, soon

replacing his hand with his mouth. He flicked his tongue over the sensitive tip, sending

wave after wave of delicious sensation through her body.

The darkness made her focus on what
he
was doing and only that. She could feel

his skin against hers, warm, inviting, smelling of sandalwood, a fragrance she had come

to adore. She again attempted to touch him, searching for the one thing in the world

that would make the ache between her legs abate. Clever man knew her intent and

moved away. She made to speak, but he again covered her lips with his finger.

He stopped his progression and before she knew what happened, her arms were

brought over her head and with soft fabric, tied to the bedstead. Her meager protest

was ignored as he situated himself between her legs, opening them wide with his

strong hands. He moved lower, over the flatness of her belly, trailing kisses, licking her

navel. His chin grazed the smooth skin, his warm breath
almost
enough to push her over

the edge again. Her body rose off the bed, an attempt to encourage him. He continued

in his own way as he palmed her mons, the pressure he exerted nowhere near enough,

not until he found what she so badly wished him to find.

With his thumbs he opened her wide. He licked, his strong tongue sending fire

through her legs. Something new; he'd never done
this
before.

Chapter Nineteen

"Phillip?"

"Shh."

"I must know if you are Phillip."

No answer, but she knew. She wasn't angry, for she'd fantasized about being

with Alex. Even when she demurred at Phillip's suggestion that she entertain him in her

chamber, she wished each time that she'd said yes.

"Alex?"

"Yes, love, it is me. Do you wish that I stop?" He licked deeply, curling his

tongue around her clitoris.

"Don't you dare."

"As the lady wishes."

She could visualize his bright, teasing smile. "Please take off the scarf and the

restraints."

"Are you sure?"

"Absolutely sure."

He removed the cloth, tenderly kissing her wrists and her eyelids. She pulled his

head down, capturing his lips, tasting herself on them.

He took control, kissing her as she'd seen him kiss Phillip. She was floating along

on a cloud of seduction, wanting him, wanting
Alex
, as much as she'd ever wanted

Phillip.

He again slid down her body, teasing and pleasuring her with his mouth and

hands, until he resumed his position between her legs. With an expertise she prayed

would be reserved strictly for her, he sent waves of bliss washing over her, time and

time again. He could perform magic with his tongue. She'd never dreamed such joy

could be had.

He slithered up her body, covering her. When he took her mouth, her own musk

was on his lips. His kiss was demanding, as much as Phillip's.

With his curly, brown hair cascading over his forehead, he was so unbelievably

beautiful. He smelled of sandalwood and she then realized that was how he'd fooled

her, for Phillip had a preference for the spicy scent. Alex's green eyes had turned dark,

almost black, as he fixed his sight on her. He looked as though he were searching her

face for the answer to an important question.

"I want you, lovely Felicity, but only if you want me."

Felicity's mind was reeling. This would be their first time together like this.

"Does Phillip know?"

With reassurance, he said, "Yes, love, he does."

She answered with a kiss of her own, allowing herself to once again completely

fall under his spell.

When the kiss broke, he whispered against her mouth, "Roll over."

She giggled and did as he bid. He got off the bed then immediately back on,

slipping his arm underneath her, encouraging her onto her knees. "Rest on your elbows,

little one."

His deft fingers found the tiny puckered entrance, applied oil and slipped a

finger inside her. "I understand you have desires that include this." She felt the cold,

rigid glass of her phallus as he ran it over her bottom. Phillip must have given it to him,

because the set was kept in Phillip's bedchamber.

"Yes, I have been known to enjoy its use."

"Do you believe you might enjoy its use now?"

Not trusting her voice to be steady, she nodded. He slipped his finger out and

replaced it with the smallest of her phalluses, easing it into place. She hissed at its

entrance, savoring the burn it invariably produced. He stroked it smoothly, deeply,

eliciting pleasure sounds from her. She had grown to love anal play, as Phillip had

accommodated her often with the phalluses since their purchase, but they'd never gone

further.

"You take this quite well, love. Tell me what you feel."

His voice was low, deep, seductive. She feared she could be lulled into telling