Page 23 of A Scandalous Love for the Enticing Duke
She rolled her eyes at that, and it reminded him again of Eleanor. “So much that I find it a bore, these days. What else is new?”
Everyone laughed at this, even Isabelle and Benjamin who had been staring daggers at each other all this time. Quickly realising that quick wit was a trait of the Birminghams, he retorted“Perhaps, you would find it more exciting if I complimented your intelligence and humour? They are refreshing, I must confess, and it’s amusing I would think so after only two meetings, but like physical beauty, such things cannot be hidden. They are revealed as the tongue speaks. After all, out of the abundance of the heart and the mind, the mouth speaks.”
He knew he had done well when he saw her eyes twinkle, betraying that she was indeed, impressed.
“A man who knows his way with words and even reads theBible. I declare you are a danger to clueless, unguarded hearts, My Lord.”
“Ahh, back to that, are we, milady?” He winked at her, and he could swear he saw her cheeks colour up. Encouraged, he went further. “I enjoy reading every good book. The Bible falls into that category, and the only heart I happen to be interested in, is yours milady. Only I intend to win it, not endanger it.”
She shook her head at him this time around, but her lips remained curved in a big smile.“I’m afraid my heart is well guarded. Perhaps, you may want to change your mind and try another?”
Notwithstanding her teasing demeanour, he could hear the edge in her voice and wondered if there was more to those words. They discussed some more before he turned to greet Isabelle. Then very subtly, he enquired about the whereabouts of Eleanor. He was promptly told that she had gone off to the library again, and as soon as he could excuse himself, he found his way to the library. True enough, he found her there, her head buried in “Lady Or Pirate.”
“I would say that isn’t a book any lady should be reading,” he began as he stepped into the library. She had been so engrossed that she had not heard him come in, but now, she looked up, her eyes widened in alarm. It took him back to the first time they had met. “You know what they say about pirates. They corrupt the maidens and lure them away with well-crafted lies, only to have them ruined and heartbroken.”
She was immediately on her feet, and he saw her look at the door before returning her gaze to him. For a fleeting moment, he amused himself with the possibility that she might be contemplating running away, just to avoid him. Then raising her chin up defiantly, she retorted,“I would say a lot of the so-called gentlemen are pirates then, for they behave in terribly similar manner.”
He had missed this, he knew. Shaking his head, he moved closer to her.
“Why have you been avoiding me, Eleanor?”
“I know not what you speak of,”she denied sharply, her chin still in the air.
He moved closer. “Are you sure? Because ever since the last time we were together like this, since you realised who I truly am, you wouldn’t look at me. And tonight, just as you saw me heading your way, you took your leave like a rabbit scurrying away from the sound of a gunshot, his tail between his legs.”
“I am not entirely certain that comparison sits well with me, My Lord. I will beg you to refrain from insulting my person. As for your accusations, I do not deny them. Seeing as you are bound to my sister, I thought it best to erase every memory of whatever it is that we shared and treat you as a stranger. I will never betray Agnes that way.”
“Oh. Of this I am certain. What I refuse to believe, though, is that you indeed succeeded in erasing those...memories, you called them?” He took more steps towards her as he spoke. Slowly, holding her gaze like a man on a mission with his eyes on the prize. As he spoke the last word, he came to a stop, a mere foot in front of her. He caught her sharp intake of breath. If he hadn’t been watching her so closely, he might have missed it. It thrilled him that she remained affected by him, gave him hope. Wanting to taunt her further, he continued,“Are you certain you have forgotten these things? The easy camaraderie we found with each other? The playful and quick banter, the shared laughter. Have you forgotten how you felt when our hands touched? Surely, you mustn’t have, Eleanor. For I haven’t. It is all I have been able to think of for these past few days. I feel as though I am going mad for I can’t stop. I have no hope.”
The book in her hands dropped, and she gave another involuntary sharp intake of breath. Ever the gentleman, he bent to pick the book and handed it over to her. In truth, he simply wanted an excuse to touch her again. As she took the book from his hand, he brushed his fingertips over the back of her hand, and the attraction sizzled. The tension in the air now was palpable, and not a word had come from her.
“Have I rendered you speechless, Eleanor? Why do you not answer my questions?” He stepped closer until only a thin slab could fit between them.Their breaths mingled as his arousal stirred below. This close, he could see her long beautiful lashes, the freckles splayed over her nose. He could see her lips, pink, soft, supple, drawing, daring him to have a taste, to drink from this sweet fountain. Unable to help himself, he placed his forefinger under her chin and lifted her head so that he could look into those violet crystals again. Gorgeous, that was what she was. Utterly, breathtakingly gorgeous. His brain scrambled, and he could not think of anything else, could not form any words. All that he could think about was how her lips would taste against his, how it would feel to ravish her completely like he had been dying to do ever since that first moment. Slowly, he lowered his head, giving her the chance to pull back, to stop him. He was far gone, but if she spoke, said any word to express her discomfort, he would stop.
She said nothing; instead, her eyes fluttered to his own lips. Then she swallowed and brought her tongue out to wet her lips. The sight of that pink goodness was his undoing. Dropping every inhibition, he pulled her forward and crashed his lips against hers.
Savagely, he took, not having it in him to go any slower. His eyes fluttered closed, and he ravaged her lips and needing more, held her head with both hands, so he could angle it for a deeper penetration. With his tongue, he pried those lips apart, and when they wouldn’t give in, he nibbled her lower lips and found his way to the small of her back with his left hand. As soon as he found that spot, he pulled her closer, nestling his erection in her belly. She gasped as she felt it, and that was his opening. Not hesitating, he plunged his tongue in and proceeded to discover every hidden contour in her mouth. She moaned in that moment, reducing his senses further as more blood rushed down below. Their tongues tangled in a feverish dance. Fluids mixed. Reasons vanished.
It was bliss. Eternal bliss, and he only wanted to kiss her forever. She tasted so sweet, like rich tea and creamy cookies. She smelled of roses, exotic, erotic, filling his nostrils, playing the strings of his senses. For her, only her, he was an instrument. He only wanted to be played. He did not know when his hands slipped to her buttocks, but as he gathered the perfect cheeks into his hands and squeezed, she gasped again and wrenched her mouth away, bringing the kiss to a forceful end.
His eyes flew open to see her staring at him with wild eyes. Her chest heaved as she tried to catch her breath, and he fought hard not to let his gaze wander to the bosom he had felt pressed against his chest, only seconds ago. The way she was looking at him, if she only gifted him with a slap, he’d count himself lucky. While she had not refused him, he knew without doubt, that he had taken great liberty.
He stood, looking at her. Speechless, himself, as he waited for her to say something. Do something. No words left her lips. She simply picked the book that had dropped again as their tongue danced and ran out of the library.
Astonished, he stood, staring at the door which she had just gone through. He had an epiphany in that moment. She was going to be the death of him. Surely, kissing her had been a terrible mistake. He knew without a single doubt, that he could never marry Agnes. Not after tasting from the sweet nectar of Eleanor. Everything else be damned. Tomorrow, he was going to visit his parents and declare his interest in the woman his heart wanted. Consequences be damned, alas, he would never survive a lifetime without this woman, his goddess, his Eleanor. Now he knew Benjamin had been in his rights to call them witches. There was no other way to describe this madness. He had been bewitched. The worst part of it all was that he didn’t ever want this spell to be broken.
Chapter 16
As daylight broke the next morning, Nicholas found himself headed for his parents’ townhouse. His mind was made up. He was resolute. Today, he would speak the truth to his parents and tell them of his love for Eleanor. He would endeavour to make them see reason. They wanted him to marry? He was going to give them that. They wanted a Birmingham? He was going to give them that. Only, he was going to choose exactly which Birmingham he wanted. As he came down the stairs of his townhouse, he got stopped by his butler, Andrew.
“My Lord, it is quite early. I am afraid, breakfast is yet to be served. You are not usually up by this time and so formally dressed... Do I take it you have a meeting?”
“Ahh yes, Andrew. You could say that. I am headed to my parents’. It is quite a matter of urgency, but nothing to worry about. I am certain that it would be no problem to join them in the breaking of their fast. Tell Liza not to worry about a meal for me if she is yet to begin. If she already has, then you may help yourself to it. Good day, Andrew!” He tipped his hat at Andrew, and not waiting for a response, stepped out of his house. There was a swing in his steps, and as he settled into his carriage, a familiar tune found its way to his lips, and he began to whistle.
Soon, he arrived at his parents’ and his mood appeared to have vastly improved. He was received by the footman, and he wondered where Callaghan was. That immediately became the least of his worries when he stepped into the house. Everywhere was gloomy, and the servants moved around with a drag in their steps, their heads bowed, even as they acknowledged his presence. It appeared as though they were all sad, and Nicholas immediately became concerned. Had a wave of sadness swept through this household? What was this? He looked around and finally saw a familiar face.
“Deborah! Good day. How are you this fine morning?”
“Ahh. Master Nicholas. You have decided to pay us a visit today. Ahh. I believe you hav’ da’n well. When we saw our Lord walkin’ about all ail and ’arty, we reckon’d he had fully recover’d. Unfortunately, his illness struck again yesterday, and he has returned to his bed. It’s such a sad thin’, I tell yer. His Grace deserves non’ of this. A good man, he is. A darn good man. Such a shame.”
