Page 8 of His Grace, the Duke
Rosalie blinked a few times, swallowing her tears. She glanced over her shoulder to see the other two maids were busy putting the clothes back in their boxes. “Was that really necessary?” she muttered at the modiste.
Paulette just smiled again. “You handled him well. I never thought I’d see ze day our Burke bowed to the will of a woman.”
“You know him.” The words were out before she could stop them. “Mr. Burke... you... you’re acquainted?”
“Oui, I ‘ave known him most of his life,” Paulette replied. “His maman is my close friend... and he is like a son to me,” she added, giving Rosalie’s arm a gentle pat.
Rosalie heaved a sigh of relief, tears stinging her eyes again. Heavens, what was wrong with her? She couldn’t remember the last time she cried so much in a single day.
Paulette cupped her cheek. “Whatever happened between you, he is here. And if he is here, he is yours.”
The modiste’s soft-spoken words were enough to crack Rosalie into pieces. She raised her hands, pressing her palms over her eyes as she took a few shuddering breaths. After a few moments, she calmed, lowering her hands from her face.
Paulette stroked her back. “Better?” Rosalie nodded.
“Bon... now, leave zis mess with me.” She gave Rosalie’s cheek another pat. “Go to him, before he drowns himself in his coffee for want of you.”
5
Rosalie
With the helpof a footman, Rosalie was directed to the library. She slipped inside, closing the door softly behind her. It was nothing like the library at Alcott Hall. This was a long, narrow space with dark paneled shelves. A few wide windows took up one wall, letting autumn sunlight pool across the carpets. A seating area framed an ornately carved marble fireplace, which crackled with a cozy fire.
Burke sat on the long red sofa facing the door, waiting for her. He launched to his feet as soon as the door clicked shut.
She leaned back against the wood. Her chest rose and fell with each deep breath, watching him cross the room towards her. “Never do that again,” she declared. “You embarrassed me in front of Mrs. Robbins. In front of—”
She didn’t get the rest of her admonishment out before Burke had her in his arms, his mouth covering hers, silencing her words with a passionate kiss. His hands cupped her face before sliding into her hair, digging into her messy curls as he tipped her head back. She was lost for a moment in the feelof him, the strength of his arms, the rich taste of coffee on his tongue, bitter and warm.
He pressed her into the door with his hips and broke their kiss, his lips seeking purchase lower on her jaw, her neck, the exposed “V” of her breasts. The door rattled as their weight shifted, and the fog of lust around Rosalie cleared.
“Wait,” she gasped, pushing against him. “Burke, wait—stop—” She broke free of him, slipping under his arm.
He turned on his heel to follow.
It was a mistake to come to him like this. She couldn’t think clearly when he was looking at her. She needed space. Heavens, she needed a chaperone. Nothing else could guarantee she behaved, not when her emotions felt so inflamed by his mere presence. No man had ever made her feel so...wild. It scared her as much as it excited her. She didn’t like feeling so out of control.
She spun around when she reached the bookshelves, and he was right there, boxing her in. She flung out both hands, pressing against his chest. “We are not doing this. We need to talk—”
“Then talk,” he growled, his hands holding tight to her shoulders as he dropped his face to her neck, eagerly breathing in her scent.
She bit back a whimper. Her body was a traitor, melting for him as she felt the stubble of his jaw against her skin. She shivered with want, hands fisting his coat lapels. “Burke, I’m so angry at you. I’m angry at—everything—”
His hands lowered back to her hips as he gave her another desperate, claiming kiss.
She jerked free with a gasp. “No! You’re a beast and I could scream.” She shoved against him. “I’m furious and hurt and-and desperate for you. I can’t—I hardly even know myself!”
His hands tightened on her hips. “Show me,” he rasped in her ear. “I want all your rage, your passion.” His hands slid up her hips, over her breasts. “Unleash it on me. Show me how I make you feel. Christ, Ineedit.”
Something inside her snapped, and she was fighting him for dominance in another bruising kiss. “You make me crazy,” she hissed. “Why did you agree to this? I watched you dance with Olivia. You couldn’t warn me?” She tried to jerk away. “She’s your fiancée! Ohgod—you’re a devil sent to ruin me—”
“And you’re the siren who’s bewitched me!” He held both her wrists with one large hand, raising his other to her mouth and brushing her lips with his thumb. She blinked back tears at the look of hurt in his eyes.
“You’ve upended my entire life, ripped out my heart, laid bare my fucking soul. I can’t escape this pull—can’t escapeyou.” He gripped her jaw tight, raising her chin to meet his stormy eyes. “You can run, and I will follow. I will always follow because we belong together. You know it too. So, stop bloody fighting it.”
He spun her around, his own anger overpowering hers as he pressed her against the shelves. She stifled a moan as his hot mouth sucked on the nape of her neck. Meanwhile, his hands worked feverishly to raise the front of her dress.
“Burke, someone could come in. They’ll see—”
