Page 33 of Always the Bridesmaid, Never the Duchess
“Andrew,” Kate breathed.
His name on her lips unleashed something inside of him. He entwined his fingers into her long curls and pulled her head back gently. He bowed down and slowly, carefully kissed from the curve of her jawline down her throat until he reached her shoulders. He nipped it and this caused her to moan with desire. Unable to stop himself, he followed the line of her collarbone until he came to the swell of her breast. How he longed to release it from its confines, but he resisted and moved to her mouth. He pressed his mouth against hers and she melted into him.
“Andrew Fitzwilliam what are you doing in the hallway with Miss Avery at this late hour!” Kate wrenched herself from Andrew’s grasp at the sound of his grandmother’s voice. Her eyes were wide with fright, and he knew she feared for her honor. Andrew gave her a reassuring look before turning to his grandmother.
“I could ask the same thing of you, Grandmother. Why are you roaming the hallways of Renwood Castle at this late hour?” Andrew looked down at the old woman. Next to her was the Dowager Viscountess. Both of them were still fully dressed and had apparently not retired.
“Watch your tongue, grandson. You might be the Duke of Devonport, but I have raised you since you were a boy. Lady Pembrooke and I were visiting in her sitting room, and she wanted to stretch her legs as they had grown stiff in the cold. Imagine our surprise to find you in a heated embrace with Miss Avery!” The Dowager Duchess’s dark eyes turned to Kate. “Miss Avery. It seems that I was wrong about you. You are your brother’s sister.”
Kate’s mouth opened and closed. She appeared unable to defend herself against his grandmother’s accusations. Andrew felt his ire rise. “Grandmother, that is not what has transpired.”
“Well, I am sure that by morning, all of London will know the character of the Avery family,” the Dowager Duchess said, scorn in her voice.
“That is my granddaughter that you are speaking of right now, Your Grace. I warn you to tread carefully,” the Dowager Viscountess’s voice had steel in it and Kate straightened slightly.
Andrew looked down at her and grasped her hand. “I happened upon Miss Avery in the hallway. She heard a sound and came out to investigate. I was on my way to my bedchamber when a mouse scurried across the hallway and right up Miss Avery’s dress.”
The Dowager Duchess peered at Kate. Kate schooled her expression and nodded. “It’s true. I let out a squeal of fright and practically ran into His Grace. It was an innocent mistake. I plan to speak to the servants at once to ensure that the house is free of vermin. Perhaps, I need to acquire a cat.”
Their voices had grown louder, and a few doorways opened. Andrew saw the Viscount of Sussex pop his head out, spy several people and duck back into his room like a turtle hiding in its shell. Lady Uxbridge opened her door and her eyes gleamed with anticipation. She smelled a bit of gossip. Andrew found her a tiresome woman.
“Is there anything the matter,” Lady Uxbridge said, her tone eager.
“Nothing for you to concern yourself with, My Lady,” the Dowager Viscountess said. “A mouse in the house. Nothing more. Please return to bed.”
Reluctantly, Lady Uxbridge closed her door. Andrew was quite sure the woman stood on the other side, her ear pressed hard against the wood in an attempt to hear.
Harry’s door opened and he stepped out into the hallway. His hair was mussed, and he had clearly been asleep. He strode down to his cousin. “What in the blazes is going on? It’s like a circus here with all this noise and raised voices. Miss Avery? Why are you here outside Lord Radford’s door?”
“I—uh,” Kate stuttered.
Andrew squeezed her hand. “She was not standing outside of Lord Radford’s door. You are mistaken.”
“Well, there is one way to settle this. I shall speak to the man myself.” Before he could stop her, his grandmother rapped on Lord Radford’s door with her cane.
After a long moment, Lord Radford opened his door wide. His smile was feral and his eyes gleamed. He was in his element. “How may I help you, Your Grace?”
The Dowager Duchess opened his door wide and spotted Julia. “Miss Roves! This is most distressing.”
Harry’s face turned a mottled red, and he dashed to Lord Radford’s door and pushed him aside. “Julia? What is the meaning of this? Why are you in this gentleman’s bedchamber? I demand an answer!”
Julia’s hair was in disarray, and she had clearly pulled her dress up in haste. Tears streamed down her face. “I can’t marry you, Harry. I just can’t.”
More doors opened in the hallway. Andrew knew that this would be the end of Julia Roves if everyone saw her dishonor. He knew what he needed to do. “This is not the time to discuss this. Everyone return to your rooms. We will meet downstairs in the drawing room in fifteen minutes. Everyone else go back to bed.”
His voice brooked no argument, and doors were hastily closed. Harry’s face had gone from dark red to a pale white. His anger was palpable. Through tight lips, Harry said, “I will thrash you, Darian, until you are an inch from death and then I shall ride you to the gates of hell myself. You have gone too far.”
Lord Radford smiled, and his teeth gleamed white in the low light. “You are a fool, Harry. I am simply taking the debt you owe me. Your betrothed was settling your account.”
Julia gasped. “You truly dishonor me with your words, my Lord.”
Andrew stepped between Harry and Lord Radford. “Not here where every eye can see. Downstairs.” His jaw tightened. This was a disaster. He turned to Kate. “Kate. Can you escort Miss Roves?”
“Yes.” Kate’s voice was small and contained none of its usual vigor. She grabbed her friend and dragged her from the room. The two women hurried down the hallway.
He turned to the open door. “Radford, I trust you will answer for this?”
Lord Radford smirked. “Give me a moment to dress and I will meet you downstairs. It should prove entertaining.” He closed the door in Andrew’s face.
