Page 64 of The Untamed Duke
Nicholas poured himself a second brandy. Quite suddenly, he was tired. Tired of holding his silence. Tired of the blame. Disappointment seeped in, coloring his words.
“So, we are back at your insistence that Marilee and I were lovers.”
“Weren’t you?” Sebastian sneered. “Although, as Ivy pointed out, she and I gained with your actions. I would not have fallen in love with the most wonderful woman in the world if not for you. Your selfishness worked in my favor ...and Ivy believes you should deserve forgiveness because of it.”
“The countess gives excellent counsel. Perhaps you should heed her advice.”
“I don’t give a damn about Marilee. That relationship was doomed long before everything went wrong. I knew it, but was too stubborn to admit it,” Sebastian said. “That was never the crux of the matter, Nick. You were once my best friend. And you betrayed me. I can’t understand it. I probably never will.”
Nicholas lowered his head, staring into the depths of the brandy.Now. He should let go of everything inside him now. Everything that was bursting to escape. All the truths which were ready to spill. Now was when he should reveal everything.
Anger hobbled his tongue. Fury crippled him that Sebastian believed him capable of dishonor. Rage fueled his vindictiveness that wanted his friends suffering because they turned their backs without question. So, like that night on his townhouse steps when Sebastian attacked him, Nicholas remained stoically silent.
Instead, he bowed with lanky elegance in his borrowed coat and shirt. “I was always your friend, Sebastian.”Perhaps you’ll realize it one day.
“Stay away from Grace.”
“I cannot.”
“If you harm her, I swear by all that is holy, I will destroy you.” Sebastian’s eyes were a stormy grey, his chin set at a hard angle.
“If I want her, nothing you do or say will keep me from her.” Nicholas swirled his brandy. “And we both know that.”
* * *
Grace restedher head against the cool wood of the door.
It was just after midnight, and she stood outside Nicholas’s room. One she purposefully gave him, far from Sebastian and Ivy’s quarters and her own. A flash of lightning briefly lit the dim hallway. Thunder rumbled, low and restless. Off in the distance, rolling in from the sea, was one of the summer thunderstorms Cornwall rarely experienced. Like the one that sank her father’s ship, this storm would be loud, violent, and messy.
It seemed as if the storm itself emanated from inside her, a manifestation of her own internal agitation. When it swept through, it would carry her past a point of no return. If she allowed that, words that should never be uttered aloud would rain from her lips. And she would be forced to deal with the aftermath. She trembled, thinking how Nicholas would react if she revealed her secret. That she had fallen in love with him.
She hadn't knocked yet on the door. She couldn’t make herself do it.I’ll say I’m only making sure he has everything he needs. Or that Miss Nancy wondered if he had any special requests for breakfast. Or…maybe…maybe I should be honest. Tell him I’ve thought of nothing but him since the day I left Oakmont, that I could not forget how he kissed me. That I’ve missed him so terribly, I hurt because of it. I should tell him I need him...to hold me. So, I’ll understand why I feel this way.
“Blast it, Grace,” she muttered. “Either knock on the door or go back to bed. You cannot stand here all night.”
Gathering her courage, taking a deep breath, she exhaled with eyes closed, palms flat against the wood as she leaned against it for support. Silently rehearsing what she would say. The worst that could happen was a rejection of her advances. The bracelet on her wrist glittered as if confirming that possibility.
The door swung open.
Grace tumbled forward, landing in a heap of white cambric.
Nicholas uttered a strangled curse, then scooped her up from the carpet.
“Jesus, Grace. Must I forever be picking you up from the floor?” Standing her upright, he twitched her nightclothes back into place. “You stood out there so long, I thought you changed your mind.”
“Changed my mind about what?” Grace stuttered as his hands traveled her curves. Her wrist hurt the tiniest bit, but she forgot the slight pain as his fingers seared it all away.
“Coming in, of course. That is why you are here, isn’t it?” She was a bit wobbly, so he leaned her against the wall as he shut the door. “Are you hurt, pet?” His voice was rough, but his hands were surprisingly gentle as he took her by the forearms.
“N-No.”
She actually gulped, realizing he wore no shirt; just breeches. Taut and smooth, his chest gleamed like expensive satin in the lamplight, muscles bunching as he caged her in. His hands came up on either side of her head, palms flat on the wall. Surprisingly, his expression was somewhat less than friendly.
“Are you...are you angry with me, Your Grace?”
“Hmmm. What do you think?” Leaning closer, his mouth brushed her temple.He doesn’t sound angry, but his expression...it’s so fierce.
“I don’t know. I never know what you are thinking.”
