Page 17 of His Duchess' Wicked List

His eyes swept over her face, taking in her full, sensuous lips, her high cheekbones, and her long, dark eyelashes. Hound’s teeth, she was a beauty! He was still fully convinced that he had never seen a woman more beautiful, and he had been acquainted with many, some of them feted for their great beauty. None of them held a candle to Lady Madeline Cole.

He took another small step, inching closer. Now, they were only a hair’s breadth away from each other. Maddie seemed to freeze, standing as still as a statue. He exhaled slowly, watching her face intently, spellbound to see a small dark curl flutter slightly at the force of his breath. Slowly, he reached out a hand, taking the curl within his grasp, and stroking it lightly.

She gasped, shuddering. He saw that she was trembling from head to toe.

He could see her hesitation. He knew she was torn. His experience told him that she was just as attracted to him as he was to her. But it seemed that the lady, despite her saucy list, wasn’t as experienced in these matters as he was. He must take the lead, and he must do it now, while he had the chance. Selina could be back at any moment.

He reached out, pulling Maddie towards him, drawing her behind a large tree where they couldn’t be seen. He gazed down at her, taking her waist in his hands.

“You wanted to kiss a rake,” he whispered, his blood thickening. “So be it, My Lady.”

He bent his head slowly to give her time to retreat if she wished to. She didn’t.

He captured those sensuous, full lips with his own, exploring her mouth. She stiffened at first, placing her hands against his chest as if she were about to push him away. He gripped her waist tighter, pulling her closer still, glorying in the kiss, tasting her fully. Her lips were every bit as sweet as he had anticipated.

Suddenly, she sagged against him, her mouth opening beneath his own. He felt a stab of pure, unadulterated desire snake throughout his entire body. He deepened the kiss, flicking his tongue into her mouth, feeling like he wanted to devour her whole. He simply couldn’t get enough of her.

He was consumed by the sensual energy that had thickened around them like a fog.

Heaven help me.Her lips are even more sublime than I had imagined!

He gripped her tighter, arching her back, pulling her closer to him. He couldn’t stop a small growl in his throat as he further explored her lips, devouring her. He was as hard as a rock, his manhood pressing against her belly urgently. His desire for her was threatening to spiral out of control. If he wasn’t careful, he would lose it, hiking her skirts and taking her quickly against the tree. And he didn’t want that. Lady Madeline Cole was to be savored, like a fine wine.

She was shaking as he abruptly pulled away. And to his surprise, so was he. He simply couldn’t remember the last time he had felt such an all-encompassing desire.

“I know you want to kiss me again,” he whispered, his hands still on her waist. “You should visit me this evening. You can cross kissing a rake off your list, My Lady.”

She was flushed and breathing heavily. “You will give me back my list if I do so?”

“We shall see, won’t we?” He wanted to kiss her again, quite desperately. But he had no intention of giving up the list. He had told her he wanted her to check off all the items on it with him, and he meant it. “You will never know if you do not come.”

“How?” she breathed, her eyes wide.

“I will send a carriage for you,” he replied. “It will be waiting in the mews, just beyond this wall. Be there at ten.”

She hesitated.

He swallowed painfully, trying not to push her any further, trying not to show her how desperate he was to hold her in his arms again. He didn’t want to scare her. But he simply had to kiss her again… and so much more if he could manage it. She was like a fever infecting his blood. One kiss wasn’t nearly enough.

“Very well,” she said, biting her lip. “I will be there at ten.”

He felt a wave of triumph surge through him, as well as exalted joy. At that moment, Selina reappeared, walking quickly up the path towards them. Daniel dropped his hands from Maddie’s waist, stepping away from her.

“Sister,” he called, trying to keep his voice steady. “Did you find it?”

Selina looked slightly annoyed. “No,” she said. “I searched and searched, but I could not find it anywhere.” She stopped walking, peering at them both. “Is everything well? You are both flushed.”

“We have just returned from a brisk walk,” Daniel explained, not looking at Maddie. “That is all.”

“I see.” Selina frowned slightly. “Well, I suppose we should return to the drawing room.”

They started walking down the path, past the gazebo, towards the house. Daniel looked down at Maddie’s hand by her side, feeling a sudden urge to hold it. He prayed she wouldn’t get cold feet and not get into the carriage tonight. His blood was already quickening again at the thought of being alone with her, once more. He could barely wait.

All was exactly as it had been when they entered the drawing room, Maddie noted. Augusta was still sitting at the pianoforte, engrossed in her music. She didn’t even seem to notice when they walked into the room. Maddie doubted very much that she had even noticed them leave.

Her mother and the Dowager Duchess were still drinking cups of tea and had eaten a fair amount of the seed cake and scones that had been placed on the table as well. Both ladies looked up at the trio, in an almost guilty fashion, their conversation abruptly halted.

Maddie sat down in the same chair she had sat in before, trying hard not to look at the Duke. Her heart was still racing, and she felt slightly ill as if she were coming down with a fever.

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