Page 28 of Drawn to the Duke
“But your husband is in demand for his truly remarkable skill.” The duke bit his lip, thinking. “I could secure him commissions to homes I frequent. You and I could see one another—” he drew out the words with relish—“quite frequently…if you should desire it, Anna.”
“Oh, yes!” She wished she hadn’t said it with so much yearning, but then was glad, for it seemed to resonate with this handsome, desirable, virile man.
He grinned suddenly as he snatched her up into his arms, before caging her body as he angled himself over her. “That is the best response I could have asked for, my dearest Anna,” he whispered.
Selina arched up beneath him, inviting him with a thrust of her hips that he was at liberty to take what she offered him.
But he was clearly intent on ensuring she was well lubricated and close to climax before he entered her, his mouth on hers, as he murmured, “Lord, you feel divine! Next time, I’ll give you the most earth-shattering climax you’ve ever experienced, but for now?—”
“I am well satisfied, Your Grace,” Selina whispered, her words truncated with a gasp as his thrusts intensified and she felt her own body flowering with answering sensation, while her heart sang at his reference to ‘next time’.
When their bout of heady lovemaking had come to an end, he held her against him as they lay side by side, Selina’s cheek resting against the soft, downy hair of his chest.
For a long time they snuggled, before Selina raised her head to ask, “Did your intended like the likeness?”
“The likeness?” He frowned. “Ah, yes, the drawing. Indeed, your husband did me such justice that my potential intended was suitably impressed.”
“So, the wedding will go ahead?”
He raised an eyebrow. “It changes nothing between us, Anna. I haven’t seen the lady in question for twenty years. This marriage is for expediency only. Not to enjoy such delights as this.”
“Remind me why you are marrying, your Grace?”
He stilled before he replied. “For the very same reason you married, I would imagine. Security. Practicality.” He shrugged. “Not for love.”
“Have you ever felt love, your Grace?” Lord, what had possessed Selina to ask the first question that came to mind? Obviously because he made her feel secure and desired—the very pre-conditions that made her forget to filter herself.
In the afternoon light, his face was half in shadow, but she saw his energy turn in on itself. Then he smiled as he took her right nipple into his mouth and gently sucked, murmuring, “I daresay this is as close as it comes.”
“This is lust, your Grace,” whispered Selina, nevertheless enjoying the sensation, and surprised when he stopped and sat up, looking at her with a frown.
He scratched his stubbled jaw. “I’m not surewhatit is. Lust is what I thought it, I’ll admit. But then, I have found myself thinking about more than just your body.” He smiled. “In fact, during these past two weeks, I thought of you rather a lot.”
Selina was ridiculously gratified, though she told herself she shouldn’t care. She’d seduced him accidentally so that Edward’s reputation would not be imperiled by the missing painting.
If anything, she should feel even less than those feelings to which he admitted.
But right now, her heart felt very full.
She knew time was running out and she should go, but a niggling thought entered her consciousness and made her hesitate. “Your Grace, I should tell you I overheard something you should know about.” She’d been putting it off, afraid of being quizzed, but concern had needled her since she’d farewelled the duke without having found an opportunity to relay Lord and Lady Saunders’ conversation.
“And what is that, dear heart?”
It was as much the look in his eye as the endearment that made her insides feel warm and moist with pleasure.
“I don’t know quite how to explain it, except that I heard Lady Saunders speak of you to her husband about tonight in a manner that sounded…concerning.”
Chauncy stiffened amid stroking her. “Lady Saunders? She and her husband are good friends of mine.”
“I know, which is why it’s hard for me to explain. But I just thought I should say something.”
“And where, exactly, were you when you overheard whatever it is that is so difficult for you to explain?”
Selina sensed the change in his mood and wished she’d not spoken.
“Where are you going?” His arm shot out to stop her as she flung her legs over the side of the bed.
He pulled her back to him, and Selina turned in his embrace. “Your Grace, you have a ball to attend. I would not be the reason you are late. And what I heard was nothing. Small talk, that’s all. Now, I really should go.”
