What a Devilish Duke Desires (24 page)

A few minutes later, Charles Osgood and Miss Osterham arrived looking more than a little windblown. “We ventured to the green house and lost track of time,” Osgood said.

Lucy noticed the young lady’s cheeks were rosy. It was a good thing they had returned before anyone else noticed their absence.

Mrs. Norcliffe appeared. “I daresay you all look as if you’re enjoying yourselves.”

“Indeed, it has been a fine party,” Ravenshire said, “but we must depart. Angeline needs her rest.”

“Thank you for a lovely afternoon, Mrs. Norcliffe,” Lady Bellingham said.

When a crowd of ladies surrounded Mrs. Norcliffe, Harry took Lucy aside. “Let us leave before the mass exodus.”

“Yes, thank you.” She didn’t want others to mark that she was traveling alone with him.

“Did you enjoy the party?” he asked as they strode through the house.

“Yes, I especially like your cousin Mina.”

“Everyone adores her,” Harry said. “In case I forgot to say it, you were the prettiest lady there today.”

“You are sweet, Harry.”

His smile lit up like a dozen candles. “No, I’m hopeful.”

She knew what he meant. Thoughts of his mother’s words in the garden dampened her spirits for a moment. Somehow in the midst of all their meetings in the park and his carriage, she’d managed to push his ducal status to the back of her thoughts. To her, he was Harry, charming, determined, and always optimistic Harry. But today his mother’s words had reminded her that he was not just any man. He had duties in parliament and duties to his family as well. Everyone in the ton expected him to marry well. He was responsible for his lineage and his future sons and daughters.

For now, she would hold him in her arms and in her heart until the season drew closer to an end. The very thought made her chest tighten as if she couldn’t breathe. She would have to be the one to end it, but she must be patient and wait for the right opportunity. When the time was right, and she would know it, she would inform him that he must find a woman who belonged in his world. Someone who had dozens of elegant gowns and an enormous marriage portion. Someone who didn’t serve lemonade and clean gentlemen’s rooms. Someone he wouldn’t regret marrying for the rest of his life.

But not yet. She wasn’t ready. She probably would never be ready. For now, she would take advantage of every moment until the season and their affaire de coeur ended.

T
he sun had started to set when Harry handed Lucy up into his carriage. No one observed that she was traveling alone with him. Once they were seated, he knocked his cane and the vehicle rocked into motion. He shut the drapes and turned to Lucy. “All day, I’ve thought about only one thing.”

Her lips parted. “What is it?” she asked.

“You.”

She inhaled on a shuddered breath. “Harry, you always make me feel special, even though I’m not.”

He put his finger over her lips. “Hush. You are an exceptional woman.”

She was only a maid and a dance instructor, but when he looked into her eyes, she believed him. “You are so dear to me,” she confessed.

“Lucy, I was a lonely, dispirited man until I met you. Now you are the center of my world.” He kissed her gently. “My God, what did I ever do to deserve you?”

She smiled and pushed back a lock of his dark hair. “You rescued me.”

He cupped her face and kissed her gently on the lips. “Will you forgive me in advance for my confession?”

“Very well,” she said.

“Sometimes I think I’m going mad with wanting you,” he said.

She placed her hand over his heart. “You are never far from my thoughts.”

He traced his finger over her lips, and her mouth parted involuntarily. There was a languorous expression in his blue eyes. His breathing was fast and a little rough. “I want you, Lucy. God forgive me, but every night when I go to bed I wish you were there with me. I can’t help wanting you, needing you, craving you.”

She cupped his face. “You are my first thought in the morning and my last at night.”

His breathing sounded labored. “I want your kisses, and devil take me, I want to touch you.”

A virtuous lady would deny him, but she could not when there was so little time left for them. This short season would be all that they would ever have. “I want you, too, Harry.”

His lashes lowered, and she realized he was looking at her mouth. When she wet her lips, he caught her in his arms and pulled her onto his lap. “Now, Lucy. I can’t wait any longer. I want to kiss you now.”

He thrust his tongue in her mouth in a rhythm mimicking what he really wanted—to slide inside her wet, intimate heat and pleasure her until they both collapsed from exhaustion.

She opened her eyes and traced her finger over his mouth. He took her finger into his mouth and sucked.

She inhaled on an audible ragged breath.

He’d surprised her. “So sweet,” he said, cupping her petal-soft cheek. She would be shocked if she knew how often he thought about baring her body and kissing every inch of her skin.

“You make me want things no lady should want.”

“Your words make me desire you all the more,” he said.

A pink blush stained her cheeks. “When you kiss me, I feel as if I’ve drunk too much wine.”

“You’ve no idea how much you mean to me,” he said. He was breathing harder now. “I want you so badly.”

“So do I,” she whispered.

“Oh God.” He kissed her again, and she opened for him, but this kiss was no sweet, soft touching of lips. He plundered her mouth again and again. All the while, his big hands were sliding along her spine. She was vaguely aware of his fingers fumbling at the back of her gown, and a moment later, she felt the shock of cool air on her skin.

Harry broke the kiss. “Let me look. Let me touch.”

She knew she ought to stop him, but she didn’t want it to end. In truth, she wanted his hot hands on her skin. As he bared her breasts, he cupped them, and she was lost in his touch. He swirled his tongue around her nipple and suckled her. A bolt of sheer ecstasy coursed through her veins. When he ministered to her other nipple, she whimpered and squeezed her thighs together, eliciting more pleasure. God help her, she was panting and wanting more, much more. She was aware of dampness between her thighs, but she was beyond caring.

He lifted her skirts and petticoat, baring her thighs. “Straddle my lap and hold on to my shoulders.”

She tried to stay his hand, but he whispered, “Let me pleasure you.”

When he touched her intimate folds, she inhaled on a shattered breath. His fingers were sliding and parting. He rubbed a sensitive place, and she could not help arching into it. She’d touched herself before, but never like this.

He captured her nipple and sucked while he teased the sensitive bud again. Her feminine folds were slick and she was arching into his touch. “Yes, sweet Lucy. Let yourself go.” Then he suckled her other nipple, and she shattered apart with a high-pitched sound in the back of her throat. Then she collapsed against his shoulder.

Gradually, she realized that he was still breathing hard. When she looked at his lap, she could see the bulge and knew he was aroused. She looked into his eyes. “I don’t know how to…reciprocate.”

He took out a handkerchief and sucked in his breath when she worked the buttons loose on his trousers. When she slipped the last one free, he sprang out. Her eyes grew rounder. “Oh, my goodness. You’re huge.”

“Why, thank you,” he said. Then he took her hand and wrapped it around him. “You don’t have to do this.”

She met his gaze. “I want to give you pleasure, Harry.”

He set his hand over hers and showed her how to slide up and down his hot shaft and touch the sensitive tip. When she kissed the tip and swirled her tongue around him, he groaned. His thoughts scattered as she continued. It had been a long time since he’d been with a woman. He was within moments of exploding. “The handkerchief,” he said, his voice a little hoarse. His head fell back and he spent his seed, knowing he was soaking the scrap of linen.

He held her tightly and kissed her softly. She laid her head against his shoulder and set her hand over his heart. “I can feel you beating for me,” she said.

He kissed her forehead. “So sweet,” he whispered. He cupped her face. “You’re so soft.”

He was still breathing hard when he met her gaze. “I hope you have no regrets.”

Her lips twitched. “Well, I don’t know. I might ask for a repeat performance.”

He laughed. “The carriage is slowing. We’d better make ourselves decent.”

He finished hooking her gown and then buttoned his trousers just as the carriage rocked to a halt.

Harry opened the carriage door and frowned.

A matron ran toward them. “Help!” she shouted.

“Lucy, do you know her?”

“That’s our neighbor Mrs. Green,” Lucy said. Her heart pounded. “I fear something is wrong.”

Harry jumped out and helped Lucy down.

She felt as if her heart had fallen to her feet.

Mrs. Green was out of breath when she reached them. “Oh, th-thank the Lord you’re here.”

“Is Grandmama ill?” Lucy said.

“No, it’s a nasty bruise from a fall, but she’s frightened half to death. A man tricked her into opening the door.”

Lucy gasped.

“Where is she?” Harry said.

“In my rooms,” Mrs. Green said.

“Take us to her,” Lucy said.

Harry’s heart pounded as they followed Mrs. Green up the steps.

When they reached Mrs. Green’s rooms, Lucy ran to her grandmother. “Grandmama, are you hurt?”

“N-not too badly.”

Lucy saw the nasty bruise on her grandmother’s arm. “Who did this to you?”

“I’ve no idea.”

Mrs. Green shook her head. “I don’t know what the world is coming to when a villain hurts an elderly blind lady.”

Harry meant to hunt the fiend down. “Mrs. Longmore, did he threaten you?”

“H-he said Lucy was hurt,” Grandmama said. “I opened the d-door, and he shoved me. He demanded to know Lucy’s whereabouts.”

Lucy fisted her hands. She wished she could punch the blackguard in the face. “He is an evil man to hurt you, Grandmama.”

Harry’s jaw hardened. “Do you know this man?”

Lucy nodded. “It had to be Buckley.”

“Who the hell is he?” Harry said. “I beg your pardon.”

“The dance master I assisted until Mrs. Vernon turned him away for drunkenness. He believes I’m responsible for the loss of his clients, but he’s deluded.”

“I’ll kill him,” Harry said.

“Hush,” Lucy said. “I must check our lodgings. He may have stolen items. I know he’s injured and possibly desperate.”

“You are not going there,” he said. “I will check. He might have returned.”

“I’m coming with you,” Lucy said.

“Mrs. Green, will you look after Mrs. Longmore while I accompany Lucy?” Harry said.

“Yes, of course,” Mrs. Green said.

Harry knelt before Mrs. Longmore and took her hand. “Do not worry. I’ll take you and Lucy to a safe place tonight.”

“Thank you, Your Grace.”

“Mrs. Green will stay with you until we return.”

When Harry escorted Lucy up the stairs, he felt her hand tremble on his arm. “No matter what, I will see that you and your grandmother are safe.”

“Thank you,” she said. Her stomach felt as if it were tied up in knots.

When they walked inside, Lucy had to steady herself against a chair. Buckley obviously had ransacked drawers. One of them had splintered apart on the stone floor. There was broken crockery everywhere. The wall mirror had shattered on the floor. The mantel clock lay broken in pieces near the hearth. When Lucy picked up her grandmother’s cane, she started shaking.

Harry took the cane and set it aside. Then he pulled Lucy into his arms. “I will take you and your grandmother to a hotel tonight for your safety. Gather enough clothing for a few nights. Tomorrow, I’ll send servants to clean.”

She felt as if she were walking against a strong wind.

“Focus on your grandmother,” he said. “She’s had a nasty shock and needs you. Let the servants take care of things; you take care of your grandmother.” When she looked as if she meant to argue, he added, “Your grandmother will feel more reassured if you are by her side.”

“You’re right, of course. I just could not think properly. There’s so much to be done. I don’t even know where to start.”

“You and your grandmother are suffering from vexation. I’ll stay in the hotel as well in case you need me.”

“What about Bandit?” she said. “Someone must care for him.”

He smiled a little. “I’ll send a message to Barlow. He’ll look after Bandit.”

“I fear Buckley will return.”

“We’ll discuss what must be done tomorrow. Now go pack the valises for yourself and your grandmother.”

She reached beneath the bed and pulled out the two small valises.

When she opened the cupboard in her room to retrieve her clothing, she saw the empty wooden box. Her eyes filled with tears. She covered her mouth.

Harry strode inside her room. “Lucy, what is wrong?”

“It w-wasn’t enough for him to destroy our meager b-belongings. He took all of m-my money.”

He held her against him. “Lucy, I know it seems bad, but I will help you. You are not alone.”

“I worked so hard.”

“I know, sweet girl. I know. You will come about. I promise, and I will be there every step of the way.”

Buckley chuckled to himself as he strode along Covent Garden. He’d roughed up the old lady and best of all, he’d found money in one of the cupboards. He strode inside the apothecary’s shop and slapped Lucy’s coins on the counter.

“What about the girls?” the apothecary said.

“I need my tonic first.”

The apothecary snorted and pushed a bottle across the counter. “I’ve put out the word there will be whores. You better bring ’em. I want my share of the takings. No hags.”

Buckley guzzled his laudanum. “I’ll bring the whores, don’t you worry.” He would snatch a couple of ’em tonight.

“Where’s the redhead you promised?”

“I’ll bring her next time.” He’d missed his opportunity today, but he’d get another. Too bad he’d missed his opportunity to nab Lucy, but he’d catch her off guard soon enough. He’d make the bitch pay for stealing his clients.

Buckley swigged from his bottle again and limped out the door. He stood in a dirty old alley waiting for his prey in the dark. A woman wearing an apron stepped on the cobbled pavement. He tripped her with his foot. When she stumbled, he covered her mouth and dragged her deeper into the alley where no one dared try to rescue a screaming wench.

Lucy held her grandmother’s hand as the carriage rolled along the streets of London. “All will be well, Grandmama. We will stay in a fashionable hotel.”

“I’ll see that supper is ordered in a private dining room,” Harry said. “I’ll make sure our rooms are adjacent in case you have need of me.”

“You are v-very kind,” Mrs. Longmore said.

“I assure you I will hire people to hunt this man and bring him to justice. Meanwhile, you are both under my protection and safe from harm.”

“You do not have to stay,” Lucy said. “I’m sure we’ll manage.”

“I would not rest easy,” he said.

When he escorted them inside, Lucy drew in a sharp breath. There was a huge, tiered crystal chandelier full of lighted candles hanging in the foyer. Their shoes clipped on the marble floor and the mahogany tables attested to expensive furnishings. “This is too luxurious,” she said under her breath. “We can make do in a small inn.”

He shook his head. “Take your grandmother to the settee while I procure rooms.”

“Do you think they will have any available?” she asked.

He smiled a little. “I imagine they will.” The staff always reserved the best rooms for prestigious guests. Being a duke had its advantages.

A few minutes later, a porter appeared and took their spare belongings up the stairs. Lucy was embarrassed that their valises were worn and frayed. She would have felt far more comfortable in a modest inn.

Lucy held her grandmother’s hand as they waited for Harry to make the arrangements. Later she would inquire about the expense of the room. She had no idea how she would repay him, but she must find a way.

When Harry was done, he walked over to Lucy and her grandmother. “I sent a message to Barlow. We’re all set now. The rooms are on the first floor. It will be very private.”

They walked up the stairs slowly to accommodate Mrs. Longmore’s affliction. When they reached the corridor, a maid stood at the door. Lucy walked inside and regarded the room wide-eyed. The four-poster bed had crimson hangings and numerous pillows for comfort. There were beautiful night tables with gold fixtures and a dressing table as well.