Page 72 of A Duke But No Gentleman
His beautiful mouth curved upward.“Well, perhaps not everything.You will have your own private rooms that you may decorate to your taste; however, I expect you to share my bed each night.It makes sense that you should feel comfortable here.”
Tristan turned away from her, and walked to a chest of drawers.The top panels parted to reveal a hidden washstand.It was more sophisticated than the one she used in her bedchamber.There were four narrow drawers in the front, but he leaned down and an unseen drawer on the left held a chamber pot.The one on the right was a wooden ledge a person could use as a seat to wash one’s legs and feet.He picked up the pitcher and poured enough water into the basin to wash the sweat from his outdoor exertions.After everything she had experienced, he still managed to make her blush.Her pulse increased at the realization that he intended to wash in front of her.
To confirm her suspicions, he tugged the ends of his shirt out of his breeches and pulled the garment over his head.Imogene should have given him a modicum of privacy by averting her gaze, but she stared at his muscled back in rapt fascination.The times he had removed his shirt in her presence, she had only viewed his incredible physique under candlelight.With the afternoon sun filtering through the windows, he was giving her a chance to study and admire the gentleman who appeared so eager to marry her.
Imogene resisted the urge to leave her soft perch and go to him.She wanted to trace the intriguing contours of muscle and bone with her fingers.If she was daring, she would press her lips to his back and taste the salt on his flesh with her tongue.Unintentionally, she must have made a soft sound of longing, because Tristan suddenly glanced at her, his eyelids narrowing.
It was then she became aware that she was leaning forward with her hands clenched into fists at her sides.Hoping he would not notice, she slowly straightened her spine and relaxed her fingers.With a careless grin and a nod, he offered her his back again.
Fiendishly clever devil.
Tristan was deliberately trying to seduce her by giving her a tempting view of his body.
Imogene heard a drawer open and close.He muttered something under his breath that she did not quite catch.There was a splash of water as he dropped a cloth into the basin.
“I beg your pardon?”she asked.
“What?”
Tristan glanced back and frowned as if he had forgotten that she was there.Imogene did not believe it for one second.The duke was aware of her as much as she was of him.The warm air in the room carried the heady scent of his masculine essence and her subtle floral fragrance.She raised her eyebrows, letting him know that she was not fooled by him.
“Oh, right.”He sat down on the narrow ledge to remove his shoes and stockings.“Now that we are alone, I am curious to know the purpose of your visit.Not that I am disappointed.I am overjoyed to see you, darling.I just did not expect to see you until the ball.”
His position gave her a good view of just how enthusiastic he was about her presence.The impressive bulge in the front of his breeches revealed he was aroused, but he made no effort to close the distance between them.
“Ah… the reason,” she said, clearing her dry throat.Perhaps she should have asked McKee to send up some tea, after all.“Why have you not replied to any of my notes?”
Tristan stood, and her gaze lingered below his waist.In fact, his manhood seemed to swell under her frank perusal.He grimaced and turned away.His hand went to the buttons at his waist.She imagined his current state of arousal must have been quite uncomfortable in its tight confines.
Imogene held her breath as she waited for him to remove his breeches.Would he?Her nipples puckered in anticipation.A part of her was surprised by her reaction.After Norgrave’s attack, she had felt nothing but anger.Even Tristan’s kisses had not awakened her body.She had worried that such feelings were beyond her.
Her discovery was wondrous!
Her eyes moistened with joy, but she was done with tears.Even though he was unaware of it, Tristan had helped her rediscover a part of her that she thought she had lost.Or maybe he was.The duke was a clever man.She would not put it past him to have manipulated her unexpected visit to his own benefit.
And hers, as well.
“I wanted to give you a chance to miss me.”His shoulders rippled as he soaped the small towel in his hands.He wrung out the excess water and commenced to casually wash himself.
“I have,” she said, her throat threatening to close up on her as she became overcome with emotion.“I wanted to thank you for all of your gifts.I love each one of them.”
Imogene held up her right hand, even though he had his back to her.“I wear the ring.It fits perfectly.”
Just like him,she thought sadly.
Whether he sensed her distress or merely wished to see his ring on her hand, Tristan glanced over his shoulder.His playful expression sobered when he saw the tension in her face.He tossed the wet cloth back into the basin and walked toward her.
Dropping to his knees, he clasped her hands.The soap with which he had scrubbed his chest, arms, and armpits smelled of sweet almonds.“Imogene.What is it?You did not come to simply thank me for the gifts, did you?You have already conveyed your pleasure and thanks in your notes.”
Imogene stared at his strong hands covering hers and trembled.Although she had not spoken about her fears to anyone, he was correct.She had come to him for another reason.
“You are safe in my care, Imogene,” he said, using the sincerity in his voice and eyes to ensnare her wary gaze.“I want nothing but truth spoken between us.”
His admission coaxed a breathy laugh from her.“Then you do not know women as well as you claim, Your Grace.”
Her smile had him grinning in response.“You may be right, my lady.”His forehead furrowed as he tried to deduce on his own what troubled her thoughts.“Am I rushing you into your marriage bed, Imogene?Do you have doubts about me… about us?Of what we can be together?”
She turned her face to his hand when he caressed her cheek, and leaned into his touch.“If only our troubles were so simple.”
