Page 59 of Devoted to the Duke (The St. Clairs 1)

And if she told him her ugly secret, he would never want her.

When she didn’t reply, his eyes darkened. Suddenly, he stood and yanked her to her feet, his mouth crushed to hers. He released her hands and wrapped his arms about her, imprisoning her. Catherine struggled to free herself and failed miserably, realizing she didn’t want to be free.

Instead, she gave in to the kiss—and what a kiss it was.

Unlike their kiss long ago when his lips softly brushed hers and then teased her mouth open, this kiss had no gentleness in it. It was harsh. Demanding. Possessive. Thrilling. His tongue swept inside her mouth and assaulted it like an invading army. His aim was to conquer—and he did. Her knees buckled but he held her upright, pressing her tightly against him, her breasts crushed against his broad chest.

Her blood stirred and began to sing in her veins. She answered his kiss, her tongue waging war with his, fighting for him. For her.

For them.

She moaned. He growled. She fought to breathe. He stole it from her. Her body molded to his until she didn’t know where she ended and he began.

And still he kissed her.

She had no sense of time. Rational thought became impossible. Only Jeremy St. Clair’s demanding kisses existed, one ending as another began.

Gradually, his hold on her lessened but he did not release her. Instead, he broke the kiss, his lips hovering just above hers.

“You’ve given me your answer, Catherine. Your kiss can’t hide the way you feel about me.” Those green eyes glowed. “You’re mine.”

He kissed her again, deeply. Lovingly. Longingly. His mouth parted from hers once again.

“I’ll purchase a special license tomorrow. We’ll wed by next week.”

His words left no room for opposition. His kisses had broken her resolve. She would marry this magnificent man.

Even if her secret ate away until nothing was left of her.

“I have one request,” she managed to say, her breath ragged.

He nuzzled her throat, causing her pulse to jump. “Anything. I can deny you nothing.”

“My sister. Leah. She must come with me. I cannot leave her with Statham.”

Jeremy smiled at her. “I always wanted your sister to meet mine. Now, Rachel will have the sister she always wanted.” He kissed her again, softly, reverently.

Catherine thought this must be what heaven was like.

*

“No, please foldthe garment this way,” Catherine demonstrated to the maid who was helping her pack. She hid her frustration, knowing a downstairs maid had none of the skills that a lady’s maid possessed and that she was lucky she had any help at all.

A knock sounded and she turned to see Jervis standing in the open doorway.

“Yes, Jervis?”

“Lord Statham wishes to see you at once, Lady Catherine. He is in the study.”

She turned to the maid. “Remember when you finish to go assist Lady Leah.”

“Yes, my lady.”

Catherine stepped into the corridor with Jervis. “Did he say what he wanted?” she asked anxiously. She hadn’t seen him this morning and had hoped to leave the house before he even rose.

“No.”

“Thank you for sending the maid to help. I want to be ready to leave the minute Morefield’s coach arrives.” She placed a hand on the butler’s arm. “I know you have been with the Crawfords for years, Jervis, but if you wish, I’ll see if Everton has a place for you.”

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