The Unexpected Duchess (31 page)

Derek knew when the tension left her legs. It was around the third deep lick. The feel, the heat, the taste of her made him insane. His hips moved unconsciously against the mattress, mimicking the movement of thrusting into her. He wanted her so badly, couldn’t remember the last time he’d been this consumed with lust. But this was Lucy’s first time. She might be a hellcat outside bed, might tease him, tempt him, and torment him, but she was a virgin, still, and he couldn’t just take her with the swiftness with which he longed to. No, he had to make this completely unforgettable for her. After all, he wanted her to come back for more. He smiled at his own thought.

His tongue traced the soft pink edges of her. And he nudged her most sensitive spot with the tip of his tongue, again, again. Lucy’s hips nearly bucked off the bed. His mouth followed her, claimed her, refused to retreat. He was holding her wrists now, had them pinned at her sides next to her hips. She struggled to pull her hands away from his strong grasp, but he didn’t allow it. “Easy,” he murmured against her intoxicating curls.

“I want to touch you,” she moaned, trying again to free her wrists from his grasp.

“Love, if you touched me right now, I’d explode.”

She bit her lip and shuddered again. “I want to make you explode.”

He smiled against the warm flesh of her thigh. “You first.” His tongue plunged back into her cleft, mercilessly swiping against the hot wet flesh. Once, twice. He swirled his tongue against the little nub of sensation that he knew would take her where he wanted her to go. Her breasts were heaving against the sheets, the sensitized nipples being rubbed raw by the soft linen. Everything that touched her skin was a torture, a torture leading to that apex between her legs where all sensation was concentrated at the moment. Her hips tensed. She lightly squeezed his head with her knees while her hips moved in an unconscious rhythm along with his torturous licks. He kept up the stroking with his tongue again, again, again, until Lucy’s feet arched off the bed. Her hips bucked, and the most powerful sensation of her life rocketed through her. She let out a keening cry while the feeling burst through her in an explosive moment that left her shimmering and shivering, hot waves of lust and amazement rolling through her entire satisfied body.

Derek held her while the rhythmic shudders coursed through her. Then he wiped the tears away from her eyes and pushed the sweaty bits of hair off her forehead. He nudged his nose against hers and kissed her full on the mouth. “How was it?” He stared into her dazed eyes.

A catlike smile spread across her gorgeous face. “I’ve never felt anything like that, ever.”

He kissed her smooth shoulder. “I’m glad to hear that.”

She playfully slapped at his shoulder. She was still breathing heavily, panting. “I’m serious, Derek. I never knew that existed. If I’d had any idea that you were capable of … that, I’d have kissed you instead of arguing with you the first night I met you.”

He let out a sharp crack of laughter. “Now, that I highly doubt.”

“Truly,” she said, wiping the back of her hand across her forehead. “That was simply amazing.”

He grinned from ear to ear.

Lucy widened her eyes at him. “Oh, no. Now I’ve fed your arrogance.”

“What? A man can’t bask in the glow of admiration for his lovemaking?”

She bit her lip, already preoccupied with something else. “Derek, would you … do you want me to do that to you?” she asked a bit shyly. She ducked her head under the covers, revealing only her eyes, and blinked at him.

Derek shuddered. “Oh, God, Lucy. I don’t think I could live through it if you did that to me, now. Someday? Hell yes. But tonight I just want to make it special for you.”

He rolled atop her and she threaded her arms around his neck. “I want you to make me yours, Derek. In every way.”

He kissed her again, deeply. He pushed his knee between her legs, his probing heat slid between her thighs searching for her wet warmth. He kissed her eyelids, her cheekbones, her ear, her neck. “I’m sorry, love,” he murmured just before he slipped into her, burying himself to the hilt.

Lucy gasped lightly at the invasion, but the sharp pinch was over quickly. The pained look on Derek’s face was much worse than the discomfort she’d felt. “Don’t look so upset,” she said, kissing his cheek.

“Did I hurt you?” he panted.

“I’m fine.”

Somehow Derek knew she wouldn’t be dramatic about it. She might have a rapier for a tongue, but she was honest and forthright and simple in so many ways. Ways he greatly admired.

He kissed the tip of her nose. “I love you,” he breathed, just before he began a slow steady rhythm with his hips that had Lucy wet and wanting all over again.

“I love you,” he whispered against her ear many minutes later just before he exploded inside of her and collapsed on top of her, satisfied and happy.

“I love you, too, Derek,” she whispered into his ear.

CHAPTER FORTY-NINE

Lucy rolled over and stared at the gorgeous man sleeping beside her in the early-morning sunlight. The truth was, she’d tiptoed over and opened the curtains to get a good look at him. Then she’d scurried back to bed and slipped under the sheets, a bit self-conscious of her own nakedness. Derek, however, had nothing to be self-conscious about. The man was an Adonis. She could stare at him all day.

He stretched his arms above his head and rolled over in his sleep to face her. Lucy watched him carefully. She was discovering all sorts of new and wonderful things about him, in addition to the fact that he was an absolute dream in bed. For instance, she noticed for the first time that his dark hair was slightly curly at the ends. She snuggled into her pillow and watched him, his perfectly straight nose, his sensuous mouth, his strong rigid shoulders so muscled and … ooh. She took a closer look at the scar on his right shoulder. No doubt a result of one of many battles.

This man was a survivor. The thought hit her out of nowhere. He had been born into an unextraordinary family and made himself extraordinary. And he was that. Extraordinary. Extraordinarily handsome. She covered her smile with her fingers and then reached out and traced a fingertip along the ridge of hair that trailed down his belly.

There’d been a time when she thought he didn’t belong in the aristocracy. But now she realized how noble he really was. The man had survived the hell of war, led his troops through battle, and won. He was noble. The best sort of noble. More noble, certainly, than many of the pampered members of the
ton
who had done nothing more extraordinary than be born into their particular family.

Derek had told her he loved her last night. Told her so while he’d been deep inside of her, making her feel things she’d never felt before. Could it be true? Could this extraordinary man really love her? How long would it take to get used to that thought? She’d told him she loved him, too. And she did. She did. She loved everything about him. His loyalty to his friends. His refusal to back down. His humor in the face of her rudeness. His handsome face and his prowess in his role in the army. Not to mention the things he knew how to do in bed. She breathed deeply, a wicked smile on her lips.

Derek rolled over a bit more and opened one bright eye. “Good morning.”

“Good morning,” Lucy replied, snuggling back down next to him.

He put an arm around her waist and pulled her close. She turned in his embrace so that her back was to him. She fit perfectly in that space, his arms wrapped around her.

“How did you sleep?” he asked.

She nearly choked. “Ahem, we didn’t sleep much, did we?”

“Hmm. You’re right.” He kissed the back of her head. “I wonder what time it is.”

She sighed. “A bit after dawn.”

“The damage is most likely done to your reputation. Therefore, I see no sense in leaving the bed until morning. I’ll have a tray brought up for breakfast.”

Lucy half turned to face him. “No! I cannot be here and have a servant bring us food.”

He gave her a slow, sensual smile. “Why not?”

“Why not? I’m probably already the scandal of the year given the fact that I’ve visited you alone at your house in the middle of the night and have yet to come out.”

He pulled the hair away from her cheek and stroked her face. “My servants would never disparage the name or reputation of the future Duchess of Claringdon.”

Lucy stopped short. The future Duchess of Claringdon? Her. She was the future Duchess of Claringdon. It was an amazing thought, but true. She grinned. “I am a bit hungry.”

He laughed and rolled over atop her and kissed her full on the lips. “You are beautiful.”

“You mentioned that earlier. I don’t quite believe you.”

He looked sober. “Lucy, what are you talking about?

“I know I’m not Cass. She’s so … perfect and I just wonder if…” She trailed off into confused embarrassment. What had she wanted to say?
I just wonder if you’ll still love me in the future? If you’ll take your love away from me if I displease you? Like my parents did when Ralph died.

He stared into her soul. “Cass is beautiful, that’s true, but she’s not more beautiful than you are. You’re absolutely breathtaking. I thought that the first night I met you.”

She widened her eyes. “At the Chamberses’ ball?”

“Yes.”

She gave him an incredulous look. “No, you did not.”

“I most certainly did. I thought how it was really too bad that such a beautiful lady was so set on hating me.”

Her smile faded. “I didn’t hate you, Derek, truly. I only wanted to help Cass.”

Derek nodded and kissed her cheek. “I know.”

Lucy cleared her throat, her face turning pink. She rolled over and slid her arm around his side. “Didn’t you say something about twenty ways to make me feel good?”

He gave her a roguish grin. “Ah, yes. I believe we still have nineteen more to go.”

Lucy laughed and nipped at his corded neck. “By all means, Your Grace. Let’s begin.”

CHAPTER FIFTY

Later that morning, Lucy stood in front of her open wardrobe, hands on her hips, staring at the contents. Which items of clothing might she retain as the new Duchess of Claringdon and which had to go? Oh, she needed Cass’s help. Lucy didn’t give a fig about fashions, and neither did Jane. Jane had on more than one occasion remarked that she’d become a nun for the simplicity of dressing and never having to buy fripperies if it weren’t for all that religious nonsense she just couldn’t get past.

Thankfully, Lucy had managed to slip back into the house early this morning with Garret and Aunt Mary being none the wiser. Lucy was just about to give up on the clothing and go in search of Cass when a sharp knock sounded on her door.

“Who is it?” she called.

“It’s me” came Cass’s sweet voice.

Lucy hurried over to the door and opened it. Excellent timing. “Come in, dear. I was just looking at—”

Lucy snapped her mouth shut. Cass stood in the corridor looking quite pale and wringing her hands. “Oh, Lucy, you must come quickly.”

Lucy’s heart leaped to her throat. “What is it, Cass?”

“Mama and Papa have gone to the duke’s town house to demand that he offer for me.” The words rushed out of Cass’s mouth like water through a dam.

Lucy’s hand flew to her throat. “No.”

“Yes.” Cass nodded, her blond curls bobbing at her temples. “It’s awful. I’m mortified. I’m afraid that if the two of us don’t go and try to explain what’s happened, Papa will end up with a forced offer from Derek and I couldn’t stand it. You must come with me, Lucy. You must help.”

Lucy nodded rapidly and pointed down the corridor. “By all means, let’s go.”

The two hurried downstairs where Lucy took a moment to hastily throw on a pelisse and a bonnet. Then they were off in the coach Cass had come in.

Their insistent knocks at Derek’s door were met with Hughes’s monotonous tone. “Yes?”

“We must speak with His Grace immediately,” Lucy said.

Thankfully, the butler acted as if he’d never seen Lucy before. “His Grace is already occupied with callers at the moment.”

“We know!” Cass brushed past the large man. Lucy was impressed by her forcefulness.

Hughes looked at them both as if they were street urchins forcing their way into the kitchens and demanding scraps. Clearly under duress, he showed them to the drawing room where Lord and Lady Moreland were already having words with the duke. Lucy and Cass rushed inside. But the other occupants of the room didn’t seem to notice them.

Derek stood next to the mantelpiece, his hand braced against it, his face a mask of stone.

Lady Moreland, her nose high in the air, sat on the settee. Lord Moreland paced across the expensive carpet nearly shouting at the duke. “I will not have my daughter treated so cavalierly.”

A muscle ticked in Derek’s jaw. “My lord, if you’ll just be reasonable—”

Lord Monroe pulled on his lapels. “I’ve been reasonable, Claringdon. More than reasonable waiting for you to make my daughter an offer. I demand you make things right.”

“Yes, we were quite convinced an offer was forthcoming,” Lady Moreland said, dabbing at her brow with her handkerchief.

“I’m certain if we all just discuss this rationally…,” Derek continued.

“The time for being rational is over,” Cass’s father nearly shouted.

Cass took a deep breath and stepped forward. “Mother, Father, I know you both think you’re doing the right thing for me, but you’re making a terrible mistake.”

The Monroes turned to stare at their daughter. “That’s enough from you, Cassandra. You haven’t been thinking properly in weeks,” her mother said.

Cass raised her hand in a pleading gesture. “Mother, please. I will not marry the duke.”

Her father clamped his jaw so tightly his jowls shook. “Young lady, you do not know what you’re saying.”

Cass raised her chin. “Yes, I do. I’m telling you that I refuse to marry him.”

“You
will
marry him and that’s an end to it,” her mother insisted. “Captain Swift plans to marry your cousin when he returns. Do not hold out false hope on that score. Besides, he’s a second son. He’ll never hold a title.”