The Forbidden Duchess Page 6

  She sat on the desk, an account book in front of her. She lifted her head and her eyes widened on him.

  Chapter 9

  Selene’s heart jumped and raced at the gorgeous sight of him. Couldn’t the blasted devil leave her alone, for pity’s sake!

  “What do you think you’re doing?” He asked a husky note in his voice.

  “Rather obvious, isn’t it?” She pointed to the book. She’d come to the study after dinner to do something to avert her thoughts from him.

  “You know what I mean.” He closed the door. “You ran!”

  “I didn’t run.” Her both hands on the desk, motionless. The effect he had on her froze her on the spot. “I just needed some fresh air.”

  “St James’s Park has plenty of it.” He paced to the desk.

  Her dark-blue dress didn’t have so demure a neckline. His eyes descended to it, taking in her creamy skin. It felt like his fingers grazed her collarbones. She flushed, her eyes dilated. Would this…impropriety never go away?

  “A change of scenery did me good too.” She tried to keep her tone steady. Difficult, with his eyes inspecting her so openly.

  She watched him rolling up his sleeves, as the fire was high in the fireplace. Then he begun undoing his cravat.

  “What do you think you’re doing?” She asked at such unusual action. Her breath caught in her throat at the sight of his shirt opening.

  “Rather obvious, isn’t it?” He devolved her own earlier answer, eyes craved on her.

  The cravat gone, she could see the top of his broad chest through the top opening. She gulped in air, not from embarrassment, but from the need to touch the smooth skin, peppered with black hair.

  “The study is the lord’s domain, so I’ll leave you to it.” She rose and started to the door.

  He posted himself before her. “Not so fast.” His arm snaked around her slim waist and glued her to his body. “I told you, I’m the predator.” His stare descended to her lush mouth. “And you’ve just become my pray.” He husked.

  Her hands on his strong shoulders, her eyes mesmerized on him, liquid fire coursing through her. She was lost! Oh, she didn’t want to find herself. Ever again.

  Then his mouth ravened hers. After that, nothing else mattered.

  One of her hands merged in his sleek black hair, while the other fell to the temptation to touch his warm chest trough the shirt opening. He groaned, gathering her closer. She continued her exploration forcing the cloth to the side as it resisted her keen curiosity.

  Suddenly, he picked her in his arms and took her to where the fireplace stood, with a roaring fire. He placed her carefully on the thick carpet. He went back to kissing her like a starved desert wanderer, incessantly.

  He muttered, hard breath. “I rode like a lunatic!” He came up for air, then nibbled her neck. “No strength to stay away.” His rich velvet voice murmured in her ear.

  She held him as he came over her, her mouth mimicking his; going to his throat, nibbling, licking, further and further. He sat and took off his shirt, giving her free access. She didn’t shy away. Her hands explored all she could, as he seemed to delight in it.

  He looked at her, fire in his clove eyes, reflecting the one on the fireplace. “You’re a fervid witch!” He went back to kissing her, deep, hungry, carnal. His deft fingers unclothing her piece by piece.

  At last, she revealed herself entirely to him. “Beautiful.” He murmured in a husky voice. “The most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen!” His stare feasted on her.

  His mouth descended greedy on her generous breast, adding more fire to her already burning body. She moaned, arching for him to take more. She wanted that again, that explosive feeling he’d gifted her with in the drawing room. Her pelvis sought him, sought pleasure in abandoned carelessness.

  “Witch, you’ll finish me off!” He groaned as he himself interred more, as far as his breeches allowed.

  Her impatient fingers went to his front. He stopped her. “Soon.” His mouth descending her body. “Soon.”

  She waited eagerly for his mouth to go there again. When it finally arrived, she opened herself, arched more, pulled his head.

  The fiery way she yanked him almost made him go out of control. If he were to follow his instinct, he’d be inside her, ravishing her blind. His rock-hard member could wait no longer. He forced it to, keeping it firmly in his breeches despite the discomfort.

  He opened her moist folds with his fingers, finding her hot and ready. His avid mouth took everything with torturing insistence. Her moans giving the hint at where she stood. She contorted in response to pleasure and he knew it was time.

  Taking out the rest of his clothes, he embraced her on the carpet, directed his tip to her entrance and pushed hard and deep. Thirsty.

  And froze as he sensed her pain at the same time he sensed the hymen break.

  Putting his hands at the sides of her head he levered himself. “Selene!”

  Her face had an expression of discomfort and innocence.

  “You’re a virgin!”

  “Yes.” She said simply.

  This could not be. It made no sense! How? He moved to withdraw.

  “You devil!” She laced him with her legs. “You’ll not leave me in this state!”

  And she pulled him in again, the pleasure so hellishly overwhelming, he grunted. He buried his head in the curve of her neck, embracing her anew. He shouldn’t be doing this. Not this way. He was beyond stopping, though, having found her so tight, moistened and voracious. He withdrew and thrust again. Now she moaned with pleasure. Hard, teary, almost there, for nothing in this world would he let go!

  He distracted himself by suckling on her breast and she went wild. He thrust further suffering from painful control and agonising delight. For her, he oughtn’t to stop moving. Albeit he must or he wouldn’t make it. His breath hard, his sweat trickled down his back. She contorted under him, driving him insane.

  Then she exploded in a wild sob, gripping his maddened member with her body. He let himself go deep, deeper, completely out of control. In no time, it made him spill profusely, in the most savage orgasm he’d experienced in his life. He thrust and thrust until he became empty. He fell on her, ragged breath, spent, in peace.

  After a couple of minutes, he rolled to the carpet, bringing her with him. Like this, they stayed for a long time, just feeling each other’s warmth and heartbeat. The ardent way she’d given herself to him would forever be in his memory. That she had chosen him above all men; that she surrendered to him so abandoned; that he had this chance to make her so inexorably his constituted the most remarkable event of his life.

  “Explain to me,” he finally broke the silence. “How is it possible to be a virgin during one year of marriage?” He’d pulled a blanket from the armchair and now she lay snuggly against his broad chest.

  She looked up at him. “Not once did John come to my chamber.” She shrugged. “I don’t know why.”

  “That’s so out of sorts.” He mused. “There could even have been an annulment.”

  “The public shame would have followed me forever.” She sighed and turned to stare at the fire. He’d give anything to hear her thoughts.

  “It must have felt lonely.”

  “Not really.” She shifted her body to get more comfortable. “I was terrified in my wedding night. I didn’t know what to expect. Nothing happened. The same for the following nights. It became clear that it would remain thus, so I went about my life.”

  He’d never have left her alone, with or without marriage. Well, he didn’t, did he, now? “You should have told me.” His fingers played with a strand of her rich brown tangled hair. “I took you like a seaman just arrived from a long journey.”

  She smiled, really smiled. It transformed her perfect face, as if the sun had come out of the clouds. It enchanted him. Smiling at him would get her whatever she wanted from him.

  “I have no complaints.”

  Which made him want her again. No! He couldn�
��t! She would be sore, you uncivilized wretch!

  He stood up in one swift movement, put on his breeches, wrapped her in the blanket and carried her to his chamber. Fortunately, they didn’t meet anyone on the hallway. He placed her gently on the bed.

  “Just a moment.” He said. And went back to grab her clothes and rushed back. Luckily, the carpet was of a dark colour and would not show the blood stains.

  Going to the washstand, he picked up a washcloth, moistened it with water and came to bed. Carefully, he parted her thighs and begun cleaning her.

  “Oh, dear, you don’t need to do that!” She said, shying away.

  “Let me…” He continued with such tenderness, that she did.

  Her emotions were restless. She didn’t know exactly why, but she felt it. His respectful strokes, reminding her of the stormy pleasure he’d lavished on her. Her body stirred at the simple thought and his hands right there contributed to this shameful reaction. Maybe this sudden turn from maidenhood to womanhood did something to her feelings. She had no regrets. If anything she wanted it all over again.

  Wanting him anew made her look at that manly part of him. The bulge in his breeches told her he thought the same. Without thinking much about her actions, she put the cloth aside and lifted a leg over his. She heard him breath in.

  “What are you doing, Selene?” He had a helpless expression on his handsome face. “We cannot. You must be sore.”

  She begun caressing him rather clumsily, stroking, then kissing, licking aimlessly. He lay back on bed, exhaling in capitulation.

  “I will decide on that.” Her aimless hand came to cover his bulge. He moaned. In a second, he came over her and they begun kissing as ravenously as before, their hunger not sated yet.

  “The witch strikes again and I’m a helpless instrument of her whims.” He mocked, palming her buttocks in earnest.

  “The devil tempted the witch with his wicked devices.” She mocked back and he chuckled.

  In question of seconds, they were lost in passion; nothing would move them from it.

  The days that followed were idyllic. Philip thought, as the morning light invaded slowly the room. They rode in the fields, made picnics on the hills, when the early spring weather allowed. They played wicked card games after dinner or read peacefully in the library. During most days, Philip tended to the manor routines. The steward had it under control, so he spent all the time he could with Selene. And he was admittedly enthralled by her. He couldn’t leave her alone during the day. The nights consumed him. His body, his desire, his thoughts. The more he had her, the more he wanted her. Discovering she’d been a virgin solely fuelled his craving for her. Knowing he’d been her first gave him a sense of pride and possession. He considered her his for as long as this…passion lasted. It didn’t give signs of subsiding so soon.

  Naturally they had to hide this…madness from the servants. Thus he went to her room after the house slept and came back to his chamber before it awoke. Of course, he sent everyone to bed early. He considered the arrangement rather frustrating. He wanted to wake up by her side and ignite her the morning away. Even though they were in the country, news travelled fast in between households. If someone suspected what they did deep into the night, news would reach London, with disastrous consequences.

  Being a duke gave him a somewhat broader freedom to do as he wished. Limits existed, though. He couldn’t be sure how the ton would receive the news that he might be bedding his step-aunt, however widow or young she was. A widow in half-mourning, no less.

  Selene slept on her side of her bed. Rich brown hair spread on the pillow, her long lashes feathering her cheeks. One firm round breast showing from under the coverlet, tantalizing him. He did not repress his desires. He bent over her and took her breast in his mouth, worrying her dusky nipple. She moaned, waking to hold his head there.

  “Good morning.” He drawled, as his hand covered the other breast.

  She opened her eyes to broad daylight. “Philip!” She startled, trying to sit up.

  He held her there. “Sunday, all’s at church.” He enjoyed his name on her lips, in her sleepy voice.

  “Is that so?” Her hands started hovering over his bare back.

  “Uh-uh.” He uncovered her and she flexed her thighs to cradle him, his engorged thick long manhood. “You aren’t going to drag me in again, are you?”

  “If you provoke me as you’re doing now, I just might.” Her pelvis already moving back and forth.

  “Hm, let me provoke you a little more.” His fingers slid down her belly.

  Then she did drag him in and he went happily.

  Chapter 10

  “We need to go back to London.” Philip said, as he drank his coffee.

  “We?” Selene asked and nibbled her bread.

  In the morning room, the early spring sun piped through the curtains and fell on Philip’s chiselled features, making him even more attractive.

  “Parliament sessions to attend.” He explained.

  “Why should I go with you?” She dressed a dark green dress today. It matched her vivid green eyes and contrasted with her rich brown hair, making her irresistible.

  “You go where I go.” He commanded. He dressed as usual, black breeches and coat, a white shirt and cravat.

  “I’d like to know where this autocratic streak comes from.” She wondered. “I dislike it.” Even though she’d planned to be in London as well. The Countess of Pendleton’s ball would take place in a couple of days. It would be her first since her half-mourning had begun. Naturally, she wouldn’t be able to dance, nevertheless, going back to society would be pleasant anyway.

  He dismissed the footmen, who left and closed the door. “I want you in my bed, wherever that might be.” He sent her a look so scorching she almost went to him.

  But the man was insufferable! “I am not your plaything for you to do as you wish!”

  “No, you’re the witch who set fire to my blood.”

  A trail of the same fire coursed through her body at his words. “Ask nicely and we’ll see.”

  “As a duke, I don’t have to ask anything nicely!” Why couldn’t the woman simply abide, for pity’s sake!

  That dark green dress of hers made her skin seem even silkier, her eyes flashed greener and her hair shone copper in the sun. He was in danger of giving in to the impulse of taking her there and then. One night away from her would drag on like eternity. The days already did, when he couldn’t touch her, kiss her. This wretched passion would be his doom! So let doom come, because eternal damnation would be less painful than staying away from her.

  “Well, you’ll have to.” She answered. “There’s nothing that obliges me to follow you anywhere!” She stood and left the morning room, head held high.

  Damn woman! Her defiance aroused him like hell. If he gave in to his impulses, he’d throw her over his shoulder and take her to his bed. Now! He decided to cool down his head instead and leave it for later. Meanwhile, he’d sort things around the manor.

  After luncheon, he found her in the library. He came in and closed the door. “Come to London with me tomorrow.” She looked up at him with deep green eyes flashing. He swallowed hard. “Please.” He walked towards her. The sight of her already stirring his groins.

  She smiled and the whole room seemed bathed in honey. He neared her armchair. “That would be nice, Your Grace. Thank you.” She answered.

  He gazed at her. He could do it all his life and never get bored, so beautiful and full of life. The gaze she sent back heated his body to boiling point. The library was silent, isolated from the world outside. It had an intrinsic air of intimacy, with the fire burning in the fireplace. He wanted her.

  In a moment, her hands flew to his middle in a light caress. He sucked in air. She started using her nails and his member engorged, then her hands palmed him and slid up and down, making him definitely hard. She kept doing it and he nearly ravished her. She reached his waistline and unbuttoned him. She wasn’t going to… She f
ound him already hard and ready. Her fingers held him. Oh, no! Her mouth approached. Perdition.

  Feeling her warm lush mouth on him produced the most unbearable pleasure he’d ever experienced! She took him deeper. She was rewarding him for his “good” behaviour; he knew that. And didn’t care. His palm covered one of her cheeks and the other hand held her by her nape, to keep her tormenting him. She moaned, the vibration making everything terribly heavenly.

  “Wh-where did you learn this?” Her tongue lapped his glans. He moaned and his head fell back.

  Her mouth left him to lick under his shaft. “Your library is very…extensive.” She murmured and went back to sucking him.

  “You wicked witch!” His words merely discernible, dripping with delight.

  She went on even more eagerly and his control fast slipped. Her head moved back and forth, the sight as arousing as the caress.

  “Selene.” He muttered as he felt close to the edge. “Please don’t…don’t…” But she didn’t stop. “Oh!” He came in such a furious stream, he lost notion of reality. She continued sucking until she’d gotten all he had.

  That night, they succumbed to renewed passion.

  Their carriage reached London under pouring rain. They’d left Brighton at sunrise, Philip riding his horse beside her carriage. After the first stop, he decided to spare his mount and travel with her in the carriage. Selene looked at his chiselled profile as he stared out of the window. His proximity unsettled her. While he rode, she felt a better peace of mind, but this close… The memories of the last nights still so fresh. She’d been experiencing nights as she’d never thought possible in her entire life. Every time he took her, she abandoned herself to his caresses, letting him do whatever he wanted with her. In the end, it had been what she’d wanted, as well. He taught her, showed her ways to give and obtain pleasure and she became an avid learner.