Page 44 of Taken By the Duke of Stone

They both turned towards the dog which was now leisurely walking around the bank, shaking himself off and looking like he hadn't just caused a carriage load of problems.

"Well, I thought he was drowning," her teeth began to chatter and he immediately pulled off his jacket and placed it over her shoulders.

"You and Andrew should stay as far from each other as possible starting right this second. The combination of the two of you is a recipe for disaster," he sighed, "How are we going to explain disappearing into a maze and getting drenched?"

She giggled, "If I were not already set to marry you, I would be worried about being ruined."

"You should take more care with your life, Miss Proctor," he shook his head, "At this point, I am afraid to leave you alone for even a second lest you find yourself entangled in a similar situation."

She only laughed at how disgruntled he sounded, pleased to note the hint of worry and panic in his voice. He cared for her. He truly cared for her.

Blinking up at him, she allowed her eyes to travel up his arms. His cotton white shirt was now entirely translucent and she could see the strong muscle of his arm, the wet fabric plastered to it provocatively.

His hair still dripped water and was beginning to curl the slightest bit, falling over his face and giving him a callous air.

She watched as his own gaze took her in in turn. She followed his gaze to where her nipples stood visible against the wet fabric of her dress. The material molding against her breasts and leaving nothing to the imagination.

Her fingers itched to close his jacket around her, but instead, she opened her fists and allowed the jacket to slip off her shoulders.

"Lavinia," her name was a tortured sound bursting out of his mouth.

The Duke's nose flared and when his eyes met hers again, they looked conflicted. He looked like a man that was fighting for control and oh, how she wanted him to lose that battle against his own control.

Lavinia should have felt afraid, she was in a secluded area with a man that was staring at her like he couldn't wait to devour her piece by piece but all she felt was an answering desire to submit to the pulsing desire between them.

"Lavinia," he was closer now and his voice was barely a puff of air between them.

"Yes," she said just as softly.

His mouth brushed over hers, once, twice, the featherlight contact making her tremble. There was an ache inside of her and she knew that only the Duke could make it stop.

After what felt like years of the sweetest torture, his mouth slanted over hers in a kiss that robbed her of all thought.

Heat raced up her spine and made her curl into him. She wanted more, she was ravenous for the taste of him and when his tongue teased against the seams of her mouth, she opened for him willingly.

His hand cupped her jaw and he pulled her closer. It wasn't nearly close enough for her.

Just as his tongue slid into her mouth, the dog barked and the moment was shattered abruptly. Much to her disappointment, the Duke tore his mouth away and rose to his feet and held out his hand to her, "Come. We must go. You will catch a cold."

Ducking her head to hide her disappointed pout, she allowed him to help her to her feet and then he grabbed the dog.

As they arrived at the end of the maze, Lord Dillon, a footman and Lady Hartfield burst through the fence of shrubs. The newcomers took in their drenched appearance and then stared over at the stream behind them and then the dog with its tongue lolling out the side of its mouth.

"The dog was drowning," Victor said.

"Of course, Your Grace," her aunt said with a healthy amount of skepticism.

The brown haired man handed the dog off to the footman with an irritated grunt and then left the other four to trail after him.

"What happened?" Her aunt asked as they climbed into their carriage later, the large jacket still slung over her shoulders.

"The dog was drowning," she repeated the Duke's explanation.

"But you cannot swim."

"I was drowning too." Ignoring her aunt's wide eyed stare that promised more questions, she pressed her face to the glass window and closed her eyes, utterly exhausted by the excitement of the day.

CHAPTER 14

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