Page 67 of Disguised Desires of a Scarred Duke
But being home wasn’t enough. He wanted a family of his own to share in these joyous occasions. There was only one woman who could make him the happiest man on Earth. And the happiest man to ever leave the sea.
Fortunately, Edward has been a worthy messenger between the Whitfield and St Clair houses. The two men had formulated a plan that they shared bit by bit with Eleanor and Regina during each of Edward’s visits.
One very important element of their plan was William finally learning which bedroom window belonged to Eleanor.
That night, he snuck to the side of the Whitfield townhome and waited at the designated time. As he pressed his body against the stone wall, he felt something soft land on his head. He grabbed the chain of sheets knotted together and carefully climbed up the outer wall to her second-floor window.
After Eleanor helped pull him inside, she hugged him so tightly he nearly lost his breath.
“Please tell me that you are here to carry me off into the sunset and never look back,” she whispered against his chest. “And please tell me your real name.”
William wrapped his arms around his love and stroked her long hair. She was in her dressing gown. Her silky hair was loose and hung below her shoulders.
The last time he saw her like this was the night they made love. It was the best sight a man could ask for because it showed him that Eleanor was safe.
“I know for a fact that Edward already told you my name. But I am happy to introduce myself, my dear. I am William Anthony St Clair, the Duke of Ashbourn, at your service. Is this your bed? It looks very inviting.”
Eleanor hugged him even more tightly. “How do I know you’re really a duke? Edward tells a lot of wild stories, you know.”
William could feel her smiling against his chest as they hugged and swayed, neither of them in any hurry to let go.
“Well, you just have totrustme, I suppose.”
William’s reference to Edward’s clues about Eleanor’s trust made his lover laugh.
“Or ask my mother. She looks forward to meeting you when this is all over.”
Eleanor finally pulled back from William’s body to look him in the eyes. “Are you sure you’re comfortable with our ruse to put an end to Margaret and Cecil’s plans? We can do this differently. It doesn’t have to go that far.”
“Oh, I’m looking forward to it,” William replied. “The looks on their faces will be priceless. And the message will finally be clear about who’s in charge of your life, Miss Whitfield. That person being you.”
William hugged her again, afraid of the world separating them before they could be together in the open once more.
“Please stay with me tonight, Anthony. For just an hour or two? We have to be quiet, so you’ll need to control yourself.”
“You can’t stop my desiring you, my sweet. But I can wait just this once.”
The duke immediately peeled off his clothes down to his cotton drawers, then followed Eleanor to join her in bed. Once under the blanket, he pulled her close again to spoon her from behind.
“Mmm … this is nice. You smell like a field of lavender in a summer rain,” William whispered into her hair.
“Did Edward teach you to talk like that?” Eleanor giggled and reached up to stroke William’s cheek.
“Maybe. But he didn’t teach me this.”
William slid her dressing gown up high enough to stroke Eleanor’s belly, then slid his hands higher up to cup her breasts and massage her nipples with his thumbs.
“Your Grace, I thought you said you could wait,” Eleanor said before releasing a long sigh that revealed her pleasure. “And what’s that poking me back there?”
“I’m just reminding you why you keep me around, m’lady.”
William treated Eleanor to more sensuous caresses that promised more to come, then nestled her gown back into place.
Together, they grew drowsy. Then the duke slowly drifted into sleep.
There was much to be done to make it possible for the duke to be with Lady Eleanor in society again, but they were sure to enjoy getting there.
The same could not be said for Mr Cecil Phillips and Lady Margaret Whitfield. William hoped they had no idea what was coming.
