The Perfect Duke (15 page)

“NOW.” She moved forward and pressed her lips to his.

At first, surprise held him rigid. He’d only dreamed of this moment. Her curves against the hard planes of his body. Her lips seeking his. Her fingers in his hair.

He crushed her to his chest, his hands roaming from her neck to the small of her back. She moved against him, causing his manhood to ache. A groan escaped him and he forgot the tower or anything else existed, until he heard the snickers.

“Appalling, the behavior of the lower classes.”

Garret couldn’t mistake the Earl of Pemberton’s arrogant tone. He started to break the kiss, but Cara placed her hand behind his head, locking their mouths together until the party had moved on.

As soon as she dropped her hand, he stepped back. “Why didn’t you let me confront him?”

“And do what? Ruin the reputation you’ve worked so hard to build. I’ll not let the Kendal name be sullied because of me.”

He stared at her determined face for a moment, then gave her a slight bow. “If you’ll gather the children, I’ll wait on the causeway.” He turned and strode off. She was right, but he still felt fury at Pemberton’s comment. What cut even deeper was the fact that a month ago, he might have made a similar comment. The Ton would have “expected” no less.

She shouldn’t have kissed him. Cara rested her palm against one of the rough wooden stakes used to chain the animals when they were in the open. She concentrated on taking deep breaths, wishing she hadn’t laced her corset quite so tight.

It had been a mistake. The taste of him still lingered on her mouth. She moistened her lips, remembering how her whole body had come alive at his touch.

The impeccably dressed nobleman responsible for her indiscretion had eyed her with disdain. It wasn’t his fault. In truth, she’d been searching for an excuse to kiss Garret for weeks. Instead of being honest about her feelings, she’d tried to convince herself that since he was a nobleman she couldn’t care for him. The heroines in her tales would have taken a chance on love.

But she’d been a coward.

She straightened and went in search of Emily. Right or wrong, she’d stop pretending he didn’t matter to her. She spotted the little girl patting the elephant’s trunk. With hurried steps she closed the distance between them, but as she got closer she breathed a sigh of relief. The animal appeared to be enjoying the child’s ministrations.

After prying Emily away from her newfound friend, she located Michael. He collected the rest of the children and they went in search of Mr. Stone.

In a short time, they approached the causeway. The big Irishman she’d seen at the boxing establishment caught her attention. He and a middle-aged woman were engaged in earnest conversation with Garret.

Cara stopped when she’d reached the three of them, then turned to face the children. “Michael, I believe the coaches are waiting. Would you take everyone and see them settled? I won’t be a moment.”

“Yes, Miss McClure.”

Garret’s voice came from behind her. “Emily, would you stay with me? I have someone I’d like you to meet.”

The others ran ahead and Emily came forward, her doll clutched in one arm. Cara smiled at her, then turned to face the group. Garret held out his hand to the little girl and she grasped it, then leaned against his leg. Tenderness welled up in Cara. How far he’d come from the man who used to frighten children.

The woman knelt until she was eye level with Emily, her old-fashioned, respectable dress pooling around her on the ground. She reached out a roughened hand as if to touch her, but the girl shrank against Garret. Tears stood in the older woman’s eyes. “She has the look of my sister. God bless her soul.”

Garret lifted the little girl’s chin until she gazed up at him. “Emily, this is your aunt. She wants you to live with her.”

Cara thought she’d misunderstood. “Her aunt? Emily has family?”

The woman nodded. “Sweeting, I’m sorry I didn’t come for you. They told me you’d perished in the . . . fire.”

The child drew back. Emily’s aunt stared up at Garret with a helpless expression on her face. He gave her an encouraging nod and the woman turned her attention back to her niece.

She gentled her voice. “Your mama was my sister and I loved her. She’d want you to come live with me . . . but not unless you want to.” She smiled at the girl. “Of course, it would be nice to have some help with the animals on the farm. The kittens need to be petted and we have a horse that insists on being fed apples.”

Emily loosened her grip on Garret. “Could we have elfants?”

Garret chuckled. “I think a farm might be a bit cold for elephants, but I’m sure you’d like to meet your cousins.”

“I have cousins?” Excitement shone in her eyes. “Tommy has a boy cousin.”

“Well, you have two girls, Mary and Beth.”

“Will they like me?”

Garret ruffled her hair. “They’ll love you. But that doesn’t mean you aren’t to visit us. If you want to return, let me know and I’ll come to get you. I promise.”

The woman held out her hand. Emily shyly took it, then smiled up at Garret. Her aunt wiped at a tear as she stood, gratitude filled her voice when she spoke. “Thank you for finding me.” She smoothed Emily’s locks with her free hand. “I never would have known.”

“You’re welcome.” Garret grinned at Emily. “Take good care of her, and if she ever needs anything, let me know.”

“I will.” Hand-in-hand, aunt and niece moved out of hearing, the loving expression on the aunt’s face all that Cara could have hoped.

Garret came forward and stood beside her. “Lord Morgan, may I present Cara McClure.”

Morgan smiled, a wicked smile full of laughter and understanding. “Ah, the infamous governess.”

Cara felt heat rush into her face as she executed a curtsey. “Hardly infamous, my lord.”

“I’d be doubting that. Mr. Stone seems quite a new man since he met you.”

“I concur.” Garret smiled at her, those lines in his face giving him the boyish charm that tugged at her heart.

Morgan winked at her, then turned to Garret. “I’ll be taking the girl and her aunt back to Bradford’s estate. We’ll be by later for her things.” He turned his attention back to her and performed a perfect bow. “It was a pleasure meeting you.” He joined Emily and her aunt, then led them through the exit.

“How did you find her?” She was pleased Emily now had a family, but a part of Cara would miss the little girl dreadfully.

“I asked Bradford to make some inquiries. He’s very good.”

“Garret, I . . .” What should she say? “I seem to be thanking you a lot lately.”

“No need.” He shrugged and turned to study the Tower. “I did it for Emily. Every child should have a home.”

One more thing to love about him. And she did love him. The thought frightened her to the core of her being, but it also made her happier than she’d ever been. “About the kiss in the tower.”

“You were right.” He didn’t move, but seemed to draw away from her. “I allowed my emotions to get the better of me.”

She crossed to the railing and stared out over the moat filled with crushed oyster shells. Green patches littered the expanse, like tiny islands adrift in a river of grey. “What’s going to happen when you return to Belcraven?”

He followed her and leaned back against the stone. “You mean when
we
return, don’t you?” His boyish smile made her want to reach out and stroke his cheek. “We’ll go back to the way we were before.”

“I see.” She studied the top of the balustrade, running her fingertips over the smooth cold stone.

When she finally faced him, his expression radiated tenderness and she had the urge to bury herself against his chest. He honestly thought they could resume their previous relationship, after all that had passed between them. “The children are waiting.”

She escaped over the causeway and he fell in step beside her. Her insides trembled and it was all she could do to restrain the tears that threatened. She bit her lip, the pain helping to distract her.

In two days time the man
she
loved must disappear. An arrogant duke would take his place, or he’d destroy the Kendal name and everything that was important to him.

Cara studied her ragged thumbnail. Tonight she would commit what very well might prove to be the ultimate folly and she needed Tess’s help. She risked a glance at her friend, who was happily nibbling at a strawberry tart. “I’m going to give myself to Mr. Stone.”

Tess choked, causing the jam-filled pastry to smear red around her mouth. “You’re what?”

She handed Tess one of her favorite lace-edged napkins. “I’ve fallen in love with Mr. Stone.”

Her friend raised her eyebrows and dabbed at her mouth with the linen cloth. “Are you sure?”

Cara stood, went to the window, and clutched the edge of a brocade drape. “I’ve been waiting for him all my life.” A flower-laden courtyard spread below the elegantly appointed room. The sweet smell of honeysuckle wafted through the window from a vine nearby. She’d always envied her friend her sense of style. Now she envied her uncomplicated life.

Tess joined her. “Then marry him first.”

“I can’t.”

“Why? Doesn’t he love you?”

“I don’t know.”

“Are you trying to tell me that you want to throw your future away on someone who might not even care for you?” Tess was an actress, but in spite of that, she could be more straight-laced than Papa.

“Yes.” Perhaps it sounded silly, but she needed to be with him, even if it was only once.

Tess took her arm and waited until Cara met her gaze. “You’ll be ruined.”

“Ruined for what?” She shook off Tess’s hand and returned to the table. She wanted to throw herself on the chair, but Tess favored ornate furniture with fragile legs. With a sigh, she lowered herself onto one of the graceful confections. “Don’t you see? If we return to Belcraven, it will be too late.”

“Why?” Tess frowned at her, appearing formidable in her elegant blue day dress. “Stop chewing your lip.” She placed her hands on her hips. “What aren’t you telling me?”

“What makes you think I’m not telling you something?”

Tess raised her hand and counted off on her fingers. “First, until today you’d wanted to wait for the man in your dream. Second, I’ve met Mr. Stone and it’s not possible that he is anyone’s steward. And third, you always chew your lip when you’re nervous.”

“I do not.”

“Yes, you do. Now stop avoiding the issue.” Tess returned to the table, took her seat, and folded her hands on the inlaid polished wood. “You can start with telling me Mr. Stone’s real identity.”

She should have guessed Tess would recognize when someone was playing a role. “He’s the Duke of Kendal.”

Her friend shook her head. “Oh, Cara. I warned you.”

“Yes. And I never intended it to happen. But I can’t ignore how I feel.”

“Why not?” Tess placed the napkin on top of her half-eaten scone and nudged the plate away. “Marry Mr. Russell, or that nice young man at the school. They’ve been after you for years.”

“If you were truly in love, would you be able to marry someone else?” Cara leaned forward. “You don’t know Garret. He’s changed in the last month. He’s kind, and gentle. You should see him with the children.” She sat back. “I’m not saying he can’t be arrogant. But he’s no longer the ‘Marble Duke.’”

Tess grasped the edge of the table. “He may be everything you say. But you can’t
marry
him. He’s a duke and you’re a—”

“I know what I am.” She closed her eyes against the pain. “I’d never bring him so low. All I want is one night.” She opened her eyes and stared at Tess, willing her to understand. “Is that so much to ask?”

“What of your dream of a family and children? If you do this, there’s a strong possibility you’ll never find a man who’ll want you.” Cara had never seen Tess o serious. “Is he worth it?”

“Yes.” She’d thought it through. At least tonight he would be hers. No one would be able to steal her memory and tomorrow he could return to Belcraven.

To his destiny.

Tess let go of the table, sat back in her chair and sighed, resignation on her face. “I should have known when you finally decided to fall in love, it wouldn’t be halfway.”

“I do love him. And I want tonight to be perfect.” Cara got up and crossed to a side cabinet that housed Tess’s collection of glass bottles. She opened the door and lifted one of the fragile pieces from the shelf. The rose-colored glass glowed from within when she held it up to the light. “I hate to ask, but I certainly can’t seduce him at home.” Her neck and cheeks grew warm. “I . . . I thought you might have a suggestion.” She replaced the crystal and gathered the courage to face her friend.

Tess smiled, the kind of smile only friends who’ve known one another since childhood can share. “Of course. I know just the place.”

And the Beast would sit, not speaking, but gazing at her. At last he found a few halting words, until they conversed daily. And as the time passed, they discovered a bond that felt forged in iron. And so it went, until the day the Beast asked her to be his wife.