Page 40 of Trapped with a Wicked Duke
"My mother."
Rose's mouth dropped open and she quickly closed it. "Your mother?"
Thomas drank the last of his whiskey and poured himself another healthy glass. "He loved her to distraction. Unfortunately, I take after Mother more than him. And my father was quick to point that out to me."
Rose blinked in surprise. "What do you mean?" she asked, her voice soft.
Thomas sighed, his eyes still fixed on his father's portrait. "Mother had an affair with a married man. It was all over town, and it destroyed Father's reputation. And mine, by association." Thomas took another sip of his whiskey, his hand shaking slightly. "I was a rake, much like Father was before he met Mother. But after her scandal, I was cast aside by theton. No onewanted anything to do with me." He looked up at Rose, his eyes filled with regret. "I have been trying to change that, to make a name for myself that is not tarnished by Mother's actions. But it seems like no matter what I do, I am always remembered as the son of the Duchess who had a scandalous affair with a married man."
Rose could see the pain in Thomas's eyes, and she felt a pang of sympathy. She was shocked by his news. She would never have suspected his mother to have behaved in such a way.
She reached out and placed a hand on his arm. "I am so sorry," she said. "That must have been so difficult for you."
Thomas looked down at her hand, then back up at her. "It was worse for my father. It has been a long road, but I am trying to make a difference. That is why the vote tomorrow is so important. If I can pass this reform, then maybe, just maybe, people will start to see me as more than just the son of the duke with a scandalous mother."
"But you have done so much good since then. And now, with your reform bill, you have the chance to make a lasting impact that will erase any negative memories of your past."
Thomas smiled, his eyes lighting up with hope. "That is what I am hoping for. But I cannot do it alone. I need the support of my peers, and I need to show them that I am a responsible and trustworthy man. And sometimes people aren't ready for reforms. It's a change."
"And change is frightening," Rose said, nodding.
"Exactly," Thomas agreed. "But if we want to make a difference, if we want to leave a lasting legacy, we must be brave and push for the changes that need to be made. It may not be easy, but it will be worth it in the end. I want this reform bill to be my legacy."
Rose could see the determination in Thomas's eyes, and she felt a sense of pride. "I know you will succeed," she said. "You are a good man, Thomas. You are nothing like your mother and your father would be proud of you."
Thomas smiled, his eyes softening. "You are too kind, Rose," he said. "You have no idea how much that means to me."
"You know, Thomas," Rose said, placing a hand on his shoulder. "I have faith in you. This bill is going to pass. We have all talked about it, and I know that everyone is in agreement."
Thomas looked at her, a hint of hope starting to glow once more in his eyes. "Do you really think so?"
"Yes," Rose said firmly. "You are going to be helping so many people, Thomas. You should be proud of yourself."
Thomas sighed, leaning back in his chair. "I do not know what I am going to do after all of this is over," he said, sounding defeated. "What would you do if you had your dreams fulfilled, Rose?"
Rose thought for a moment, her eyes distant. "I am not entirely sure," she said. "But I would find something else to fulfill my heart."
Thomas looked at her deeply, his eyes searching hers. "You are free to go, Rose," he said quietly. "You should leave tomorrow morning and follow your dreams."
Rose's eyes widened in surprise. "Thank you for helping me in your own peculiar way, Thomas," she said, a smile playing at the corners of her lips. "But there is something I want to try first."
Rose leaned in, closing her eyes as she pressed her lips to Thomas's. It was a soft kiss, tender and filled with gratitude. As she pulled away, she opened her eyes and met his gaze. "Thank you, Thomas," she whispered. "For everything."
Thomas reached and pulled her into his arms. His lips met hers and with a ferocity that made Rose gasp, he entered her mouth with his tongue. As he held her, she felt all of his worry and uncertainty leave him to be exchanged for passion. He lifted her and carried her to the chaise in the corner of the room. Taking care, he lowered her down, his eyes never leaving hers.
Rose felt herself come to life in his arms. She reached up and touched his face, tracing the dark stubble on his jawline. She wanted him to touch her. "Thomas—"
His lips captured hers and stopped any more words. She felt the heat of his body pressing down on hers. Desire stirred in her and she tangled her fingers into his hair, not allowing him to escape.When he moved from her mouth to her neck near the small spot by her ear, she felt a tingling that started in her toes and rose up like fire to her head. She gasped, and he chuckled.
He nuzzled her neck and the lightning tingle increased.How can just a touch of his lips do this to me?Rose didn't think she could take much more. Her nerves were on fire and she longed for release.
Desire curled in her belly and made her bold. She shifted and her lips found his neck. With nimble fingers, she quickly unbuttoned his shirt and he shrugged out of it. Her hands traced the hard outline of his stomach and her tongue flicked out on his nipple. He groaned and then reciprocated by tracing a line of kisses down her collarbone to the neckline of her dress. He groaned in frustration when her gown stopped his journey. Using his hands, he rent the fabric in two, causing Rose to let out a small cry. She clasped her hands in front of her bared breasts.
He captured her hands with his own. "Don't. I want to have nothing between us, Rose. I need you. I need to feel your skin against mine." He leaned down and enveloped her nipple with his mouth, causing Rose to squirm and press herself closer to him. "I want to taste every inch of you." His lips moved further down to her abdomen, and she arched her back.
Rose reached down and unbuttoned his breeches. He released her long enough to kick out of them before lowering himself back down. His tongue darted out and swept across her bottom lip and stirred her desire once more.
Her hands moved down to his thighs. She had never seen a man's naked thighs and she found herself stroking them with her hands before they moved upward. Everything was so firm beneath her fingers. Her fingers lingered where the back of his thighs met the curve of his buttocks. She pulled away. "I want to look at you."
