Page 7 of Claiming His Lost Duchess
Graham leaned into her touch, letting her pull him into a kiss.
And then the spark that had been growing between them exploded.
He grunted against her lips, his grip on her tightening to an almost bruising pressure and she sighed, reveling in the release they shared. It took a moment for her to notice that Grahamhad slipped out of her and away and she whined at the missing warmth.
“I was only getting situated in a more comfortable position,” he whispered from her side and when she turned to face him, he kissed her deeply.
There was something about that moment that Joan knew she would treasure for a long time and as she let him pull her closer, pressing her face against his neck, she found herself falling into a deep sleep much more easily than she had in a long while.
Daybreak greeted Joan with a headache.
With a wince, she opened her eyes, noting that the windows had not been closed the before. It allowed her to note how early it was and she sighed, wondering what discomfort had sprung her awake. She felt warm,toowarm even and it confused her.
She slowly turned to look behind her, unable to withhold the gasp that had escaped her lips as she found a man lying beside her, fast asleep. And naked.
Oh God, she gasped, horrified.What on earth have I done? How could I – with a stranger?
Memories of the night before returned and she was forced to relive an onslaught of actions that had been fueled by whateverwas left of the courage that had led her out of her house, until this point. She was horrified and shocked by how she had let this man into her room and had also giving him permission to bed her.
I must leave now, she decided, embarrassed and scared.
With burning cheeks, she quickly crawled out of the bed and got dressed, throwing her clothes on haphazardly. She knew she did not have much time, as he could wake up at any moment. Joan could imagine that the conversation would be a nightmare and the idea of getting caught was a horrifying and risky premise she had no desire to indulged in.
As she pulled on her shoes, she noticed a satchel sitting on a table, by the bed and beside the satchel was a ring.
His family heirloom.
She hesitated for a moment, then she grabbed the satchel, stuffing it amongst her things as she walked to the door. But just as her hand came upon the door handle, she couldn’t help but turn back for one last look at him. Just the sight of his peacefully sleeping form served as a fresh reminder of the warmth of his touch and the dizzying feeling that accompanied his kisses.
With a heavy mind, she pulled her bag closer to herself and left the room.
CHAPTER THREE
FIVE YEARS LATER
“Cousin! How wonderful to see you!”
Joan stared at Georgina in surprise for a moment, then she remembered her manners and stepped away from the doorway to let her in as she mimicked the same sentiment.
“Georgina! What a lovely surprise! How are you? Goodness, it has been so long!”
It had taken a lot of focus to keep her voice from shaking as she spoke, her brows furrowed in confusion as she wondered if she might be hallucinating, and if she was not, what had brought her cousin to see her.
“Oh, I have been well! And I see that you have managed to pull through, just as you said in your letters.” Georgina said, looking around the entrance of the estate with an odd expression.
Joan couldn't help but hope the visit would be brief.
In all the years Joan had been here, she had exchanged numerous letters with her cousin, but the other lady had never mentioned wanting to visit, and Joan never thought to ask. Because she did not want Georgina tainting the life she had built for herself here.
The letters were meant as a way to keep her cousin away, hoping that she would simply believe that Joan was doing well without needing to check on her to ensure that was the case.
She had done quite well for herself in that time and did not need to rely on Georgina for anything. She had gotten a job as a tutor to young ladies in town, and she lived in a small estate that had belonged to her aunt, although the woman had passed and the possible new owner had yet to be found.
Life had been quiet and quaint, and they had been peaceful days that Joan wouldn't trade for anything.
“Did you doubt it? I am quite resourceful, you know,” Joan joked, raising her head proudly.
“I can see that as well,” Georgina said dryly.
