Page 16 of The Duke and the Runaway Bride

His warm breath fanned her ear. A tingling sensation ran through her body and erupted in her stomach. Her body tensed and then loosened. A welcome shiver ran up her spine.

“Still, I believe you might enjoy a little of that,” he continued. “Just the right amount to drag you from the boredom of your life. One thing I can guarantee is that I shall be nothing like Lord Mutton. I will be much more than you can handle, but you will soon learn. We do not love each other, do we? Still, we will make love. You are a beautiful woman, Lady Beatrice. Far more beautiful than Miss Jennings. I had a brief chance to have my hands on your sumptuous body, and I can’t wait to do so properly. Your cheeks are red, and your breathing is labored. Are you feeling well?”

Beatrice felt more than well. The Duke knew exactly what he was doing to her, and she couldn’t believe how easily he had riled her up. Yes, if she got to share a bed with him at times, that would make her marriage far superior to a marriage with Lord Mutton, no matter how he treated her outside of the bedchamber.

The Duke took her chin just as he had last night and tilted her face up. Their lips were an inch apart, and Beatrice’s eyes flicked to his thin pink lips. Her heart beat uncontrollably, and she lost track of time and place.

She needed him to kiss her. She needed him to do a lot more than that, but she would settle for a kiss for now.

“Don’t believe everything you hear,” the Duke said softly before letting her chin go. “And you won’t have to wait very long for what you truly desire. We will be married soon, and you will have my touch. Until then, I will take my leave.”

Beatrice could not respond. She tried to control her breathing and pounding heart. She watched the Duke leave and did not know if the rumors were true, but she did not care if they were. She could deal with any amount of suffering if he made her feel that way again.

He had done nothing except touch her face and whisper in her ear—it was the most excitement she’d experienced with a man.

She did not look forward to the marriage, but she did look forward to the wedding night. She could not imagine how it would feel when he touched her properly.

* * *

“How are you not furious?” Robert asked.

“What does it matter to me? I need to marry someone, so it might as well be her.”

“And she was in my room to try and seduce me?” Robert asked.

“She was. She did not specifically want you—sorry to hurt your ego. She wanted any other man. No, not any other. She would have wanted an eligible bachelor, and I suppose she would have chosen an attractive one, so there is that. You are eligible and handsome, old chap.”

“Very kind of you to say so,” Robert drawled, taking his own chin in his hand. He moved his head from side to side as if looking in a mirror. Once he was done admiring his own handsomeness, he gestured for the waitress to bring more drinks. “I do know Lord Mutton, and she has dodged a horrible marriage, for sure. He has never married for a reason, and I believe that might have been his only chance. If he were a more motivated man, he might take it badly and seek revenge, but he will continue with his life as if nothing has happened.”

“It’s a good way to be. Perhaps,” Edwin replied.

The waitress came over with two glasses of cognac and cleared the empty ones. White’s was not very busy that evening, but there were a few of the regular patrons. It gave Edwin and Robert the space to talk about the unusual sequence of events, and Robert enjoyed hearing about it.

He had often spoken about marriage but had never been determined to wed. Edwin knew he would eventually, but it would be on his own terms. It was somewhat of a blessing that Edwin had gone to that room instead of Robert.

“Speaking of people who might have a right to be annoyed by the whole thing, have you spoken to Miss Jennings about it yet?” Robert asked.

“I have.” Edwin sighed. “She arrived at my home shortly after I returned from Lord Ramsbury’s place. She was not pleased and became completely furious when I informed her of my intention to break off our engagement.”

Robert took a sip of his drink, completely engaged in the hijinks. “I can’t imagine. She must have put up a fight.”

“Oh, she did, and then the insults came. If it were a different situation, I would have put her in her place, but she deserved to blow off some steam after what I did to her. She was intent on changing who I was, and her conversations are boring and facetious. I could go on about her flaws, but we might not have time. When I informed her of how they would talk about her if we were to wed after my being caught with an almost naked woman, she decided it was perhaps best if we called off the entire thing. She cares about her reputation more than anything else, and the worst thing that can happen to her is to have the tongossiping behind her back. This way, she comes out of it looking respectable for not marrying me.”

“It never fails to amaze me how you can talk your way out of most things,” Robert scoffed.

“I can, but I usually talk myself into things, and that is where I get into trouble.”

“To getting into trouble,” Robert said, raising his glass in a toast.

“To getting into trouble,” Edwin echoed. He clinked his glass against Robert’s, and they both drank.

“And to saving me from a forced marriage,” Robert added.

“To saving my friend,” Edwin cheered.

“I still can’t believe you are getting married,” Robert commented. “When you told me about Miss Jennings, I was surprised. You have always been well respected in the ton, but most women are wary of you. Completely unfounded, of course.”

“I am theCruel Duke, but I have dangerously dashing looks that draw the ladies in. One look, and they can’t resist, no matter my reputation.”

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