Page 25 of Disguised Desires of a Scarred Duke
William sat between Edward and Eleanor on the coverlet and squinted under the sun. He helped Edward pour glasses of lemonade for the ladies and pull lunch items from the basket.
Cold chicken, Stilton cheese, bread, butter, marmalade, the Prince of Wales biscuits, and more apples filled the space between them. It was a fine picnic meal, especially since it wasn’t peak apple season yet.
The duke’s cook, Mrs Abney, had safely stored a great deal of fruit from their apple trees last season. He wondered if she somehow knew he would return to London this year since apples had always been his favourite pome fruit.
Yet not even a bushel of apples could sate William’s hunger when Eleanor was near. When he accepted the plate of food she handed him, the duke dared to brush his hand over Elle’s fingers.
She looked up at his face for a few seconds. The sunlight reflected in her violet eyes made them resemble sparkling amethyst crystals.
William smiled at her, then gulped when she parted her lips and gave him a quick peek at her glistening tongue.
How he wanted to taste that luscious tongue again! Their first kiss had happened far too long ago. He was beginning to forget the sound of her lovely moan as their tender kissing had become more urgent that day in the small neighbourhood park.
Maybe they could meet there again tomorrow at sunset. They could find a way to preoccupy her maid for a few more stolen moments as the golden horizon provided a romantic backdrop.
If he didn’t get to be alone with Eleanor again soon, he might die of starvation. He was at risk of succumbing to a relentless kind of hunger for a woman that he’d never experienced before.
The mere thought of kissing her again made his stomach growl.
William tore a chunk of chicken meat off the bone and stuffed it into his mouth. He was so hungry with longing for the beautiful brunette at his side that he ate with haste and then filled his plate again.
“You must excuse Mr Black’s table manners. He rarely eats breakfast and was raised by a passel of hogs,” Edward teased, then poured glasses of sherry for himself and the duke after the ladies declined anything stronger than lemonade.
William ignored his friend and slathered more butter on his bread. But he had a harder time ignoring the three male youths resting on a blanket a few feet away who were scowling at him.
He only dared meet their eyes once to avoid a confrontation, but William had felt their glares for several minutes.
Glares of revulsion, no doubt.Women pity me, but the men stare like they’ve found a battered animal fit only for euthanizing.
He’d told Edward that this picnic in the park was a bad idea, but his friend was determined to steal as many hours with Regina as possible.
The more time William spent in public, the more he risked getting recognized or ridiculed. He usually kept his hat pulled low on his forehead, and his nose pointed towards the ground.
But he could feel strangers constantly staring at his scars all the same.
It had become such a normal occurrence he’d become good at disregarding the unwanted attention. Unfortunately, that was harder to do when youths were near. Young people weren’t as likely to keep their shock and opinions to themselves.
Still, watching a play in a crowd shouldn’t be as concerning since everyone faced the stage. The duke hoped the older boys sitting nearby would focus on the show and not cause a scene just for sport.
That had happened in the past with unfortunate results.
“Are you gentlemen still coming to Essex for Lord and Lady Charter’s house party in a few days? Lucy told us they are planning a scavenger hunt!” Regina said. She clapped her hands like a giddy child.
William studied the two sisters for a moment and marvelled at their differences. Both were undeniable beauties, but while Regina resembled an elegant porcelain doll, Eleanor had the air of a wild-hearted woman not quite suited for the confines of society.
Or a gilded cage.
When Elle’s thick, dark hair was swept up in a knot like it was now, rebellious strands eventually escaped to dangle across her shoulders.
Her pretty but nearly shapeless dresses could rarely hide or contain her voluptuous curves. Though the sight of a lady’s decollete wasn’t uncommon with today’s fashions, Eleanor’s was especially enticing with all that creamy flesh straining for release above her neckline seam.
“We are, indeed, Miss Regina! A week in the country will do us both good. Would you agree, Mr Black?” Edward still admired Regina while he directed his question at the duke.
William snapped out of his reverie and nodded. “Yes, Montrose, I do. Though I’m not thrilled that most of Mayfair will join us, time away from this dirty city is most welcome.”
“You say such a thing while lounging in a beautiful London park!” Edward replied with a twinkle in his mischievous blue eyes. “But I feel the same. There’s nothing like the country air to refresh a man’s senses. Unless it’s the scent of a beautiful lady with auburn hair.”
Regina giggled again as William suppressed the urge to roll his eyes.
