Page 21 of Her Beastly Duke
Since he found Briar so alluring, mayhap … No. He only had to think about the circumstances of how they met to know. She would not do. The lady he chose connections and reputation must be suitable for his duchess, and sadly, Briar’s were not. She did not have the high standing and impeccable pedigree of the previous duchesses, and the situation her father left her in was absolutely appalling. It was evident how truly desperate they had become.
He must put his feelings toward her aside. He felt a deep ache in his chest just thinking about it. With a groan, Julius took another swig from his glass. He stood up and began pacing again. She had just arrived at Berkley Estate, but he already wanted to exorcise her from his memory. Her interesting face and dimpled smile were features he had always found irresistible. She was taking up much of his consideration. As much as he tried to push it away, he was drawn to the way that she made him feel. He had stepped into another world, and he liked it.
Raking his fingers through his hair, Julius left the drawing room and climbed the stairs to his chambers. He stripped from his clothes and lowered himself on the cool sheets, determined to dismiss Miss Walcot from his awareness. With that, he closed his eyes and slept, a smile on his face.
Julius awoke the following morning thinking of Briar.By God. Would he ever be able to get her out of his head? The last thing before he slept last night and as soon as he opened his eyes. He regretted not kissing her last night. It was one of the hardest things he had ever done when her hot, needy eyeshad lingered on him. Without uttering a word, she was asking him to. It had taken a great deal of self-restraint not to call her back when she walked away. Thoughts of quietly going to her room after everyone had retired to give her what she wanted were swiftly dismissed. Instead, he awoke with an aching need; somehow, it was more intense than the night before.
Julius placed a pillow over his head and sighed heavily. He finally got up from bed, dressed, had breakfast and went to the library. He had left instructions that Briar should amuse herself until it was time for him to join her for the game. He sat at his desk and reached for the tenant contracts that were waiting to be reviewed. He applied himself to the task, but an hour later, he found himself staring at the first contract he selected from the pile. He read it several times, but if he had been called upon to explain the terms, he could not.
“Oh! I beg your pardon, Julius.” Briar’s voice intruded on his dilemma. He was so distracted that he did not hear the door open.
She brought sunshine. “Good morning, Briar. I hope you rested well.”
“Good morning. I did not know anyone was here.”
Briar was dressed in a simple blue day dress that molded itself to her breast, and they looked lovely. He had to rip his gaze away from her chest.
“That is perfectly fine. What is it that you are after?”
“Something to read, a novel perhaps.”
Julius waved his hand toward the amply stocked bookshelves. “Please, help yourself whenever you need.”
“Thank you,” Briar said, although she moved toward him rather than the bookshelves. “What are you doing?”
Julius did not mind that she was disturbing him. He could not concentrate anyway. “I am reviewing tenant contracts. It is not one of my favorite tasks. It is rather boring and thankless.”
“I do not envy you spending so much time on something you would prefer not to do.”
Briar had no idea how her words resonated. He would much rather be spending his time with her … in bed. With that, Briar started wandering around the room, perusing the shelves. She cocked her head to the side as she read the spine of a few volumes. His throat constricted with how unbelievably attractive he found that. He quickly looked down at the contract to hide this effect but barely saw the words. Julius took a deep breath and willed himself to concentrate. Finally, he completed reviewing the contract and put it aside before snatching another.
As much as he wanted to, he could not pretend she was not there. She was there, hovering in his periphery, elegant and graceful. Her hair was pulled back in a simple chignon, leaving the graceful arch of her neck exposed. He wanted to get up from his chair, walk over and place soft kisses there … from behind. He would loosen the pins on the chignon and watch it fall away as he ran his hands through her hair. His fingers would stroke her tresses and bury themselves in the shiny mass. He would kiss her neck and shoulder while he cupped her full … He was quite relieved when she chose a volume, and the door closed behind her with a soft snick.
Briar’s heartwas racing when she left the library. It was past six this morning when she awakened, having spent a wretched night tossing and turning before giving up completely. She decided to continue reading while she lay in bed waiting for sunlight to peek through her window, but she had read most of the novel she brought from home. She needed to go to the library to fetch something interesting that would make her forget about lastnight. Mama wanted her to snag the duke, but this was not what Mama had in mind!
Briar had gotten up from her bed and dressed. She supposed her restlessness was due to the combination of sleeping in a strange bed and her nervous thoughts about what transpired with the duke … Julius. She was, of course, grateful to Julius because the opportunity to assist him shielded her from some of the harsher realities of life. She was certain she was not suited for a life of poverty, and Mama would never recover from it.
Briar returned to her bedchamber and sat in the armchair by the window, the novel firmly clutched in her hand. She made no effort to turn the page as she recalled standing ever so close to Julius in the drawing room last night. He was handsome despite the scar although he did not believe so. Some would argue the scar gave him a sinister look, particularly when he quirked his lips in a smile, but there was nothing malevolent about him. He was a gentle soul. Julius had dressed impeccably for dinner and he was affable right up until the point when he lay his hand on her. The fleeting touch that barely grazed her skin had stirred something deep inside her. She could not have imagined how his touch would make her ache for more. She was stunned by the feelings he evoked. Would she never stop thinking about this man?
She had seen the way he just looked at her in the library. How could a fleeting, sensual touch bring this shattering sense of awareness whenever she was in his presence? She had to turn her head away from him while reviewing the books so she could hide the rising red flush creeping up her cheeks. She was hot under his scrutiny. How could lovers possibly mingle in a ballroom while they hid their illicit affair? She dismissed the errant thought of lovers.
Briar went downstairs for breakfast. Apparently, Julius had already broken his fast, so she ate alone. She was amused by howmuch Otis and the footmen fussed over her, perhaps only too pleased to have someone else to serve. There was bacon, eggs, kippers and braised kidneys. Briar was ravenous and ensured she complimented the loaves, cake, and marmalade. Otis was tasked with relaying her compliments to the kitchen staff.
She felt an intense spark, an electric attraction whenever she was around him, and she could not pretend it was not there. The flush, butterflies in her stomach, and the feeling that her knees would buckle at the sound of his voice. Somewhere deep down, she wanted to know if he felt it, too. Was it as intense as to make him forget about all else or constantly think about the next time he would see her again? Did he feel like he could not focus on matters at hand? Did he have a deep ache in his chest?
She had best try to mask her feelings because his feelings may not be the same. Yet, they had such smooth conversations, and he was interested in getting to know her. Now that she had experienced it, she must forget his undeniable touch and his attentiveness. Perhaps she had been going about this all wrong. Instead of wondering what he felt for her, she should find out.
CHAPTER 10
It was time for the game. Briar and Julius took up their positions and stared at each other. Julius was straight, while Briar’s body was turned sideways. Her head was upright, and she gazed into his eyes as if she was trying to decipher something—anything—in their depth. His eyes were hooded, so he found comfort in knowing she would not find anything there. Her beauty was captivating, even with her furrowed brows.
Julius was well aware that they needed to get on with it, but neither of them made a play. Finally, Briar pointed her foot toward him and then bent her right arm, lifted her rapier to the height of her shoulder, making a circle over her head before lifting her left arm to the back and readying herself for whatever Julius would send toward her. The display amused him, and there was none when they fought in the library. Julius admired her confidence in her ability to best him and wanted to throw her off her game.
He did not mirror her moves but rather raised his rapier and lunged toward her. She was caught off-guard, but she quickly recovered. Admirable. She kept her composure, but her eyes narrowed.
“Have you forgotten the etiquette they taught you at fencing school, Julius? Is that how you square up to your opponents? Or is it that you don’t care.”
“The rules of fair play do not apply in love and war,” Julius replied.
