The Lady and the Duke (6 page)

A duke with chestnut hair, eyes the color of rich, spring loam and a mouth she wanted to bite.

Discreetly, Audrey raised her fan and wafted the summer air toward her overheated face. It was highly doubtful that he had given her one thought since she had walked out on him in the lending library. Which was her goal, of course. Meeting Halford had complicated everything, leaving her unsure of what she wanted.

Her fan swished faster.

"Would you like to see the statue of David that the viscountess just had brought in from her estate in Devon, Miss Ellis?"

Lieutenant Whitton smiled at her, teeth flashing white in his tanned face.

"I would love to, Lieutenant, but I fear I should retire to the house instead. This heat is making me faint."

As handsome as the man was, with his blond hair and broad shoulders, Audrey just couldn’t drum up any interest. Especially since she was aware his mother, an intimate of Mama's, was the only reason he had so politely asked her for a turn about the lawn. The gleam in the older women's eyes when Audrey accepted made her nervous. Since she had taken pains to ensure her mother's ignorance of Halford sending flowers, and her return of them, Mama seemed to accept that the duke was not interested. He had not called on Audrey or come around since the dinner party. Apparently, Lieutenant Whitton was to take his place.

Audrey could not be any less enthusiastic about this new development.

"Of course we should return. I should have thought of that," he said, placing a hand on her back and ushering her up the stairs to where the terrace doors lead into the drawing room. She resisted the urge to squirm away as his palm pressed the muslin of her dress to her warm skin. As they stepped out of the sun into the darker interior, much of the heat lifted and Audrey breathed a sigh of relief.

"Might I bring you refreshment?"

"That would be lovely, thank you," she said absently, as she seated herself on an empty chaise.

Audrey glanced around at the party guests who had the foresight to realize the high ceilings and marble floors of Claremont House would be much cooler than a sparsely treed garden. She smiled at the sight of her mother absorbed in conversation with several of her friends, glasses of chilled wine and plates of fruit at their elbows.

It was nice to see Mama enjoying herself for once, instead of always fretting over her unmarried daughter.

There was the sound of a scuffle beyond the portal leading to the main part of the house and Audrey, along with several other guests, craned their necks to see what the commotion was. The door was suddenly flung open and in strode Halford, his face set and grim. His gaze swept the room and upon seeing her, he faltered, his expression softening. Audrey blinked, surprised and unsettled by his sudden appearance.

After their encounter at the lending library, she had not counted on seeing him so soon.

"His Grace, the Duke of Halford," announced the butler breathlessly, having darted into the room on the duke’s heels. Having done his duty, he sniffed, straightened his mussed jacket and retreated stiffly. By the butler’s behavior, Audrey could only surmise that the duke had not given the man any time to announce him, but simply barreled right through.

How very curious.

Just as Halford stepped toward her, Lieutenant Whitton returned with a glass of lemonade in his hand. He stopped directly in front of Audrey, blocking her view of the duke.

"The lemonade was nicely chilled, so I assumed you would prefer it over the punch, which was shamefully warm," he said, full of good cheer.

Audrey forced a smile and took the glass he proffered, willing him to move. He remained blocking her view, as if he had taken root on the spot. There was such a thing as taking chivalry too far. Having done his mother’s bidding, he should be halfway across the room by now, flirting with giggly, petite blond Beatrice Lettington.

Although the venomous twit certainly didn't deserve someone half as nice as the lieutenant.

It was amazing how one's view could change so precipitously. Only a few weeks ago, Audrey would have been delighted for Lieutenant Whitton to wait upon her hand, as he was a second son and not as closely bound to London society as his older brother, but now she had to smother the urge to shoo him away. She impatiently sipped her lemonade as he nattered on about his newest piece of horseflesh and discreetly attempted to peer around the man.

A wall of red and white, edged with gilt braiding, stood between her and the thing she wanted to see most.

"Lieutenant," she interrupted his monologue on the glorious history of the pair of Arabian horses his brother had acquired recently. "Would you be so kind as to fetch me something to eat? I am quite famished."

"Of course. I would be delighted," he said, his expression brightening, blue eyes filled with cheer. Despite the fact his attentions were unwelcome, he really was adorable. If she had met him before Will, she was convinced she could have fallen in love with him quite easily. As it stood, however, she just wanted him to go bother someone else.

"Would you mind finding me a plum? I adore plums."

"At your service, Miss Ellis. A plum, it is," he replied, with a short, very correct bow and strode off in the direction of the buffet tables set up in the adjoining room. Audrey sighed with relief and looked around.

The duke was nowhere to be seen.

She frowned and stood up, her heel catching on the hem of her dress. Ignoring the snigger from Beatrice as the girl whispered to a friend from behind her fan, Audrey smoothed her dress and walked to the terrace doors. Perhaps Halford was outside. She took a few steps across the bricks and peered out on the lawn, where several hearty souls still wandered, determined to enjoy the garden despite the heat.

Will was not one of them, however. Wherever had he gone?

"For shame, Miss Ellis. You are indeed as devious as you had claimed."

The soft accusation came from behind her. As a shiver worked its way down her spine, Audrey slowly pivoted to find Halford leaning on the doorframe directly behind her, his shoulder propped against wood.

"I have no idea what you mean," she replied, deciding that she
was
speaking to him again, after all. One conversation could not sway her resolve. How else would she find out what had prompted such a strange entrance?

The corners of his eyes crinkling in an already familiar way that made her heart ache, just a little. "Do you not? A plum, my dear? They don’t come into season for at least another month."

"That should keep him rather busy then, don’t you think?" she asked crisply. He chuckled and shook his head, his gaze never leaving her. They stood for a moment in silence, studying each other. Audrey glanced away first, not knowing how to fill the gap between them.

"It’s good to see you," he murmured.

It
was
good to see him also; perhaps too good.

When she didn’t reply, Will’s mouth tightened and he straightened from the doorframe. He held out his arm and she regarded it for a moment, before placing her fingers on his sleeve. Covering her hand, he led her down into the garden. They strolled for several minutes in silence, until they had moved into a little used portion of the garden.

Her fingers slipped from his arm and he stopped, turning to face her. "I never meant to upset you, Audrey. I cannot apologize enough."

"I told you I don’t want your apology." She strove to keep her voice even, her gaze fixed over his shoulder. Lord, would it never end? Did he regret their kiss
that
much?

"I know." The regret and yearning in his voice drew her eyes inexorably to his, where the rich, warm brown of his irises captured and held her enthralled. "I am not apologizing for the kiss any longer. It’s for being such an ass
about
the kiss that I am apologizing now."

A little frisson of shock went through her at his words and the sincerity in his expression. Audrey studied him a moment, then a tug of reluctant amusement lifted one corner of her mouth. "So, what you are saying is, you are apologizing for the apology?"

Will opened his mouth, closed it again.

"Yes." He paused a moment. "I believe that covers it."

Audrey snorted. "You’re cracked in the head, do you know that?"

A look of relief flashed across his face and he grinned at her.

"And we’re right where we left off," he said, teasing. "Whew! I was beginning to think I might have to beg."

"So was I." Her answer might have been droll, but her insides enacting a frenzied little dance. The flowers were more than an effort to smooth over the incident in the gazebo. They was a genuine attempt to winnow his way back into her good graces because he had realized he had made a mistake, but it
wasn’t
the kiss.

Audrey's happiness at the thought was treacherous and she could feel her resolve crack, just a bit.

With a quick glance around at their empty portion of the garden, Will stepped forward and pulled her to him. She came into his arms readily, wallowing in the delicious feeling of his arms around her. He leaned down and brushed his lips over hers.

"Mmm," he murmured against her mouth. "You taste like sugar and lemons."

Audrey sighed and slid her fingers through his hair, tugging him closer. It was astounding how much she ached for a man she hadn't even known a few weeks ago. She was quite sure she was going to die if he didn’t kiss her again the way he had in her parents’ garden.

"You talk too much."

He laughed at her muttered comment and ran his hands up her back. Deft fingers caressed her shoulder blades, trailing down again to span her waist. Slowly he slid his hands over her belly, inching up her ribcage until they rested just underneath her breasts. Her breath caught but he gave her no quarter, lips moving against hers with a relentless purpose.

He tasted her mouth with a slow, through purpose, lazy in his exploration. Despite her lack of experience, Audrey tried to match him, boldly tangling her tongue with his as they stood wrapped around each other, pressed close enough a slip of paper wouldn’t have fit between them. Will groaned and his thumbs swept up, caressing the soft underside of her breasts, causing her nipples to tighten almost painfully. They ached with the need to feel the weight of his palm. She leaned into him, silently begging him to touch her. If he didn’t touch her, she would go mad.

He moved his hands up and closed them over her breasts, rubbing his palms over her nipples. The relief was almost as profound as the pleasure that swept her. He swallowed the sound of her desire, somewhere between a moan and a whimper, his mouth sealed on hers. The way his chest, his hips, his
body
felt against her was unlike anything she had experienced.

It was freedom and joy and everything she had always wanted but had been afraid to reach for. Well, she was reaching for it now, and holding on with both hands.

With a groan, he ripped himself away, halting about a yard from her.

"Holy hell, you’re killing me, Audrey," he growled, the evidence of his desire straining against his trousers in the most fascinating way. She nibbled her lip, knowing she was an irredeemable wanton for thrilling at the knowledge she affected him in such a manner.

"I would apologize, but I cannot find it within me to repent," she said, a smug smile spreading across her face. She folded her arms over her sensitive breasts and shivered. A tortured look flitted over Will’s face and she laughed.

He was so adorable, standing there all rumpled and mussed, and frustrated. Wanting her. It was a heady feeling. A wry smile twisted his lips and he shook his head, yanking his waistcoat straight and running his fingers through the chestnut waves of his disheveled hair.

"I’ve never met anyone like you." At her skeptical expression, he shook his head, exasperation written across his face. "It is the truth. You don’t bow and scrape. There is no care for my consequence, no quarter given because I am a duke. I rather like it."

"That is a sad statement, Your Grace. Surely there are others who see you as a man, not a title," she teased, uncomfortable with the sharp glance he had given her, as if he could see past her barriers to the uncertain, wary girl beneath. She was not proud of her insecurities and wished to keep them to herself. The vicious, sly teasing of her contemporaries this past season had taught her wariness.

Stepping forward, Will took her hands in his and brought them to his lips, where he pressed his mouth against her knuckles. The sensation of his lips against her fingers caused the air to leave her lungs, and she held her breath at the serious look in his eye.

"There is only you, Audrey. I can see that, though we've known each other but a handful of days."

A bee buzzed by in the lazy sunshine, the breeze whispered through the willows and the sounds of the garden party drifted through the branches, but Audrey could only see Will.

Captivated by the elusive wink of his dimple.

Captured by the soft movement of his mouth, and the hot look in his eyes.

"I have not had so much fun in years as I do with you, and you will keep me humble." Audrey forced a shaky laugh at his words, but the moment was too intense for levity. His intense gaze ensnared her. "I know it may seem impulsive, but believe me when I say I've put much thought into this. We are meant to be together."

Audrey didn’t know what to say. He was everything she could ever ask for, and yet…

She wanted that quiet life in the country filled with mundane activities, and children, and a husband who was there every day. Not one of the highest peers of the realm, who must travel and spend many months in London during Parliament. An important man, whose wife would be expected to entertain well and with elegance. Audrey wasn’t the type of woman who became a duchess. Her interest lay more in books, gardening and village life than entertaining the
haut ton
. Just the idea of it gave her the shivers.

"I’m not…I don’t know."

Will's smile faded a little at her stumbling words.

It was obvious he had not been expecting that sort of an answer. She liked and desired Will, and perhaps, just perhaps, the beginnings of love were unfurling within her wary heart, but if she married him everything she had dreamt of would slip through her grasp like water.