Page 36 of A Duke But No Gentleman
Tristan kissed her firmly on the mouth, swallowing any protests she might have at the liberties he was taking with her body.His cock throbbed in his breeches, but he ignored the discomfort.Imogene would never accept him until he conquered her fears—not of him, but of her own body.Her needs were as great as his, but she was unfamiliar with satiating her desires.He wanted to be the man who wholly awakened her.Ignited and fanned her carnal needs.
His finger dampened with her arousal as he emboldened his strokes.Wariness faded as she raised her head in distress.Tristan comforted her with a few low wordless sounds and a kiss to her cheek.
“The warmth and wetness is a natural response to my touch,” he assured her, keeping his touch light.“Your body is welcoming me.Encouraging me to be bolder.”His thumb sought the hidden nubbin of flesh and he gently stroked it.She sucked in her breath and tensed, fighting her body’s response.“Breathe, darling.Let the caress of my fingers flow over you and through you.”
Usually, when he seduced a lady, he managed to get her out of her clothing.Imogene’s gaze was unfocused and her cheeks were flushed, either by the sunlight beating down on them or the wicked things he was doing to her body.Tristan preferred to believe the high color in her cheeks was because of him.He had lost track of time as he concentrated on the lady in his arms.Soft compliments, kisses designed to coax and tease her, and his hand between her legs—stroking her wet yielding flesh as he enticed and tamed her to his touch.The heady musk of her arousal filled his nose, and perspiration dampened his brow.
He demanded nothing, but was silently asking for everything.
Minutes later, his patience was rewarded.Imogene tensed and shuddered, her face pressed against his shoulder.She whispered his name in wonderment.It was a small response, but it might as well have been as shattering as an earthquake.The increased wetness coating his fingers was another sign that she had found pleasure at his touch.
His own arousal thundered back into his consciousness.Tristan had been so focused on Imogene that he had buried his needs.His hand withdrew from Imogene’s hot, welcoming flesh and he wiped the wetness on his fingers on the outer thigh of his breeches.In his mind, he could see himself freeing his cock and thrusting into her womanly sheath.She had found her pleasure with his hand, and it would be twofold with his cock.He could see to both their needs.She would not regret surrendering her maidenhead to him.He would make certain of it.The need to finish what he had started pounded like a drum in his head.
Every muscle in his body tightened as he fought against his instincts.He closed his eyes and concentrated on steadying his breathing and heartbeat.When he opened them, he noticed she was staring at him.She reached out and caressed his cheek.
“Tristan?”
He had accomplished what he had set out to do.The next time he touched her, she would not fight her body’s response.She would let him pleasure her again.With a ragged sigh, he smoothed her skirt down over her legs.“I do not know about you, but I am famished.Shall we see what Cook packed in our basket?”
“Of course.”
Imogene’s gaze shifted to the front of his breeches.Oh, how could he have forgotten about his cock?His need for her was on prominent display.Perhaps he should stand up and head straight for the lake, though he doubted the water would cool his ardor.
Tristan turned away and climbed to his feet.He needed a strong drink, though he suspected his cook had packed nothing stronger than apple cider.
Chapter Ten
Lord Norgrave had added another card to Sandwick’s silver salver while Imogene was enjoying her picnic with Tristan.A note had been included with an invitation to join him at one of the tea gardens.She was still annoyed with him for speculating on the duke’s friendship with his former mistress, but she had decided to forgive him.His invitation reminded her that she had injured Lady Charlotte’s feelings when she walked with Lord Norgrave in Lady Yaxley’s gardens, and she wished to make amends so she decided to play matchmaker for her friend and the marquess.
The next afternoon, Imogene and Lady Charlotte enjoyed their surroundings while they waited for Lord Norgrave to join them.
“This was a terrible idea,” Lady Charlotte muttered as she fidgeted with her jewelry.“You should have mentioned that I would be intruding.”
“For the fifth time, you are not intruding,” Imogene said, resisting the urge to groan in frustration.“You and I are friends.The marquess will not be upset that I have not come alone.”
“I have overheard rumors that he and the Duke of Blackbern are courting you.”The blonde looked as if she was on the verge of crying.“He likes you, you know.I noticed almost immediately when he asked you to walk with him.”
Good grief, Imogene thought.Lady Charlotte was not smitten—she had fallen in love with the marquess.
“Is he aware of your feelings?”she asked, feeling guilty that she had inadvertently added to her friend’s pain.
“I—” Lady Charlotte started as she glanced up to see the gentleman whom she coveted above all frowning at her.“Lord Norgrave, it is good to see you again.”
***
Two hours later, Imogene returned home.Initially, she and Lady Charlotte had made tentative plans to visit Bond Street after taking tea with Lord Norgrave.The strained conversation that had ensued had dampened the lady’s spirits and had given Imogene a slight headache.
Lord Norgrave had been impatient and condenscending.All in all, she was relieved the entire visit was over.
“Good afternoon, Sandwick.”Imogene greeted the butler as she walked through the door.
“I trust your outing with Lady Charlotte was enjoyable?”
“Sandwick, it was dreadful and it was my fault.”She paused and rethought her decision.“No, it was Lord Norgrave’s fault.Well, parts of it anyway.”
“What precisely is the marquess’s fault?”her mother asked, descending the stairs.
“Lord Norgrave invited me to join him at the tea garden,” Imogene explained while she removed her bonnet and gloves.“I invited Lady Charlotte in a clumsy attempt at matchmaking.”
