Page 33 of A Duke's Lustful Riddle
Tracing the outline of her lips, she recalled the passion she and Gabriel succumbed to in the storage room. She was overcome with the need to have him pull her close and kiss her again. He could no longer deny his interest in her after yesterday.
She hoped with such a display of feeling that he would make his intentions known publicly and spare her having to go through the season, seeking another to marry. He was absolutely maddening constantly running hot and cold.
It was only right for a gentleman to marry a lady after sharing such an intimate moment. Wasn’t that correct? He had not had an audience to their intimate moment, however. Perhaps, that very moment had not held the significance that it did for her? With that thought, her mood shifted slightly.
However, Gemma didn’t have much time to spend mulling it over. She was due downstairs to see her dearest confidante. Maybe she could share her thoughts with Felicity and get her opinion. There was no other woman Gemma trusted more to be completely honest with her.
“Felicity, what a great surprise,” Gemma said as she glided down the stairs to meet her best friend.
Felicity smiled wide at Gemma as she ran her hands down her orange ensemble. “It is a grand morning, is it not? And grand mornings call to be spent with best friends.”
Gemma wanted to smile along with her friend, but she was still struggling with the kiss that had occurred the night before. She was overcome with emotion to tell Felicity, but she feared the consequences of what that might entail.
“I am happy to see you,” Gemma admitted truthfully.
After her interesting night, it was pleasant to bond with her friend. All of this time, she had cherished every moment with her friend- for not everyone was so lucky to have someone like Felicity.
“As am I to see you, dearest friend,” Felicity said. “I thought we could meander the gardens as we talked today.”
“You don’t have to suggest that twice. I love the gardens so much that I could hide out there all day if I was permitted to do so.” Gemma gestured for Felicity to follow her outside.
It was warm out, a little too warm for what she had on, but she wasn’t about to complain, nor would she change her outfit. She felt as beautiful as the flowers blooming in the gardens.
The two started walking and took in the garden with its fresh blooms and newly sculpted bushes. The air was fresh with the scent of freshly cut grass.
“The garden looks well taken care of since we last saw it,” Felicity said. “Gabriel must have hired new workers.”
The mere mention of the man’s name transported Gemma back to the storage room and the heat between her and Gabriel. The memory had her blushing through the roots of her hair.
She memorized every feel of his lips against her and his hand in her hair. As she walked alongside Felicity, her mind continued to flash back and forth between the present moment and the fiery passion with Gabriel.
Gemma would never admit it out loud, but she hadn’t bathed since and she loved knowing his touch was still on her. It was a rather strange admission, but it was going to be one that she kept to herself.
“Gemma, are you listening?” Felicity said in a loud voice.
Gemma snapped out of her own internal dialogue and laughed quietly. “Why, of course, I am listening.” She reached up and smoothed an imaginary stray to hide her guilty look.
“I said, aren’t you excited for your dinner at Sagewood Manor? Everyone is talking about how the duke and Lady Vivienne would be a perfect match.” Felicity looked quizzically at her.
Gemma’s back stiffened and she visibly paled in the bright sunlight. The thought of Gabriel with another woman was simply too much for Gemma to take in.
“Where did you hear this?” Gemma struggled to keep her voice even and calm. Hysterics would not do at this moment.
“At ladies' tea the other day. Lady Sagewood and Lady Vivienne were there talking about how lovely the duke is and we all agreed. Whoever he ends up with will have made quite the catch.”
“Indeed.” Gemma couldn’t help but agree. “His family’s legacy is a long and stable one. Any woman should consider herself lucky to be in the company of such pedigree.”
Felicity let out a low giggle unaware of the thoughts running through Gemma’s mind. Gemma couldn’t help but wonder… why then had he kissed her with such fervent passion if he was planning to court another woman? Anger began to rise up, but she tamped it down. She couldn’t let her friend see her anger without having to explain her encounter with the duke yesterday.
At the topic of Gabriel, a shiver rippled through Gemma. This was nearly constant now. Her mind and her body longed for Gabriel, even under the anger beginning to surge within her.
Her thoughts flooded with the sensation of his lips on hers and the sudden, unexpected ignition of desires unknown. It was on a continual loop in her mind, and she couldn’t find a way out of it. Their encounter was nearly driving her mad. She needed to distract herself.
Inappropriate or not, she asked her friend, “I was wondering, Felicity, how you might be getting along with the solicitor?” She kept her tone nonchalant and relaxed. Naturally, the question carried great weight. If she couldn’t share her own encounter, maybe Felicity had one of her own to share.
Based on the instant flush of color in her friend’s face, Gemma concluded, “Something happened.”
Felicity looked around nervously, shushing Gemma. “If I tell you, you absolutely cannot tell another living soul, for it is most improper.” Felicity lowered her head and stammered as she outlined this key point to Gemma.
