Page 58 of The Untamed Duke
“I prefer such things in my bedchamber. Or in yours,” Nicholas growled. “But I’ll settle for wherever a kiss is most convenient. And necessary. It would be wise you limit such engagements to the two of us. Should I hear of another placing his hands on you, I won’t be responsible for my actions. I’ve become very possessive in a month's time. Another new development, it seems.”
“Duly noted, Your Grace. You should know I’ve no interest in kissing anyone other than you. I quite enjoy your kisses,” she admitted, her cheeks turning scarlet.
“I hope you like the other things as well,” Nicholas drawled.
“I’ve thought of little else since leaving Oakmont.”
“If we don’t change the subject, I may reenact a few right here in your parlor. Besides, I come bearing a gift,” he said, so slyly, Grace wondered if he would pull the instruments for her complete ruination from his coat pocket.
He handed her a gaily wrapped box, no bigger than her palm and tied with a gold ribbon. Grace couldn’t help but think how strange that he would go through the trouble of wrapping something as scandalous as French letters.
Her horrified curiosity must have shown plainly because Nicholas chuckled softly, shaking his head. “How delightful you are. Had I known such a gift would intrigue you, I might have wrapped that as well. Do go on and open it.”
At his encouragement, Grace untied the ribbon and removed the box’s lid. Nestled on the velvet lining was an exquisitely thin gold band decorated with delicate flowers. Petals of gold made up each tiny blossom with creamy pearls adorning the centers. They twined about the circumference of the bracelet, little flowers shaped like blooms of heather. Tiny gold bees, glittering with diamonds, filled the spaces between each blossom.
Her eyes filled with tears. “I cannot accept this, Your Grace. It is too costly.”
“Nonsense.” Removing the bracelet from the box, Nicholas slipped it onto her wrist. “I had it crafted specifically for you.”
“Young ladies are not allowed to accept expensive gifts. Or jewelry.”
“They are also not allowed bargaining with the Devil, but here we are. No one other than the two of us shall know I gave it to you.”
Grace bit her lip.Nicholas watched her closely, and she had the feeling if she kept the bracelet, it would be an invisible shackle. Something binding her to him, even after they parted ways.
“Why would you give me a present?” she asked softly. Did he always buy his mistresses such lovely gifts? Did he buy them anything at all? And why was she thinking of herself as a mistress?
You are a business partner. No more, no less. A binding contract says so.
His answer wasn’t really an answer, his deep frown indicating he was just as puzzled as she by his actions. “Because you always smell of heather, and your hair is…” He paused, then said in a more temperate tone, “It would please me seeing you wear it.”
Grace swallowed a gulp of the scalding tea, never feeling the burn in her throat. The bracelet, so light and airy, felt heavy nonetheless. She would treasure it. More so because it came from Nicholas. And he had thought of her…
“Thank you,” she surrendered. “I adore it. But you still must go. Ravenswood...and you....”
“I’ll worry about that,” Nicholas murmured, sitting beside her and capturing her free hand. His thumb rubbed across her knuckles. It was soothing. And mesmerizing. As though he were settling a frightened creature. “I truly have missed you, pet. Which is astonishing. No woman has ever occupied my thoughts quite like you these past weeks. Your audacity in leaving me put my temper in league with the devil’s very own.”
“I could not stay. It was too...risky.”
“Hmm,” was all he said, tugging her close and covering her mouth with his.
Heat and lightning lit Grace up from the inside, her heart bursting with the fire. Her helpless little moan was more encouragement than despair. She leaned into him, teacup and saucer balanced precariously between their bodies while he devoured her mouth. She made no attempt at withdrawing, although it would have been wise. One kiss, the slightest caress from his hand, and she readily gave him anything he desired.
Nicholas drew back, his eyes glowing with something unknown. They were hot. Bright. Shades of green dancing with lights that dazzled and beguiled. Perhaps he really had missed her…
“I will be staying the night.” His hand cupped her chin, preventing her from looking away.
“You cannot. Youmustnot.”
“Oh, honeybee. You don’t realize it yet, do you? That you are mine...and I shall play with you as I please.”
Grace thought she must resemble a gasping fish, plucked from the water and thrown upon the ground. She stared at him. “I’m not your plaything—”
Nicholas’s hand tightened. “Aren’t you? Your eyes say otherwise. Your kiss tells me you are. And when you are screaming my name, I know the truth of your soul. You are mine. Until I decide I can let you go.”
“But our contract...at its end, you must end us…” Grace babbled desperately.
“Damn the contract,” he said so soothingly, she hardly noticed the expletive. “I’ll have you, regardless of that bit of paper.”
