Page 31 of Taming a Beastly Duke
Passion overtakes them both as they move to be rid of the scant clothing that stands between them and the coupling which can be resisted no longer. However, as Miss Barrett reaches to slip out of her corset, her expression transforms from one of flushed longing to pale, unabashed terror. She scuttles backward away from him, pointing with betrayal and fear in her eyes.
“Murderous beast,” she says, the desire and affection gone in her words, replaced now by accusation and horror. “You murderous beast.”
Marcus reaches for her, only to watch her flee, still scantily clothed, out of the library and out of his life. Charlotte’s disembodied, muffled scream roots Marcus to the spot…
He awoke with a start, sitting instantly upright in his bed. He was soaked with sweat and shaking as the dream’s accusation lingered. He buried his face in his hands, rubbing irritably as if he could remove the memory of the dream from his mind that way. However, as Miss Barrett’s accusation echoed, he realized the memory would remain as vivid as ever.
Chapter Fourteen
The following morning, Adelaide accepted a cup of tea from Miss Potter with trembling hands. The maid gave her a broad smile, but Adelaide noticed it lacked any warmth. Adelaide did not mind, however, as her thoughts were occupied with the events of the previous day. She had slept fitfully with her memories of the duke and the gentle, then passionate way in which he had kissed her in the gazebo. She thought the maid gave her an odd sidelong look, but when she glanced at Miss Potter, her expression was still blandly polite.
Adelaide dared a peek at the Duke, not surprised to see him looking at her intently. However, though his expression was ever stern, there was something softer in his eyes, something almost identical to the gentleness she had seen as he had learned in to kiss her. Her cheeks grew warm, and she looked away, though she could feel that his eyes never left her.
“Do you still have plans for an outing to Sydney Gardens tomorrow, Augusta?” Helena asked brightly, seemingly oblivious to the silently heated exchange between the Duke and her niece.
The dowager duchess smiled proudly and nodded.
“Of course,” she said. “And I do hope that everyone will join us.”
Adelaide was familiar enough with the dowager to know that she was issuing less a request and more of an expectation. She glanced at the Duke, searching for a reaction, but seeing nothing but his increasing pallor and distracted eyes as he was glancing toward Miss Potter.
“Well, I can hardly wait,” Helena said brightly. “Although I do hope that the storm does not return.
The dowager duchess shook her head, gesturing toward the window directly across from her with her eyes.
“I am certain that it has passed, at least for several days,” she said. “This is the perfect time to visit the gardens.”
Helena’s smile widened, and she nodded.
“Early and mid-summer are the best times to visit the gardens,” she agreed. “The most beautiful flowers in all of England bloom during this time of year.”
Adelaide nodded along with the women’s conversation, but her attention kept drifting to the Duke. Likewise, the duke’s eyes hardly left her,even as he pretended to be interested in the newspaper. Adelaide thought it was odd that he did not protest as he usually did when his grandmother made plans to host or arrange an event. Perhaps he had just learned that he would relent in the end and decided that arguing the matter would be in vain. Or perhaps, he had found something more worthy of his attention in her than in an argument with his grandmother.
She glanced at her aunt and the dowager duchess, certain that her flushed cheeks would reflect the increasing heat that coursed through her body, especially below her waist, as the duke’s eyes lingered on her. She was not surprised to see that the two women were exchanging knowing smiles. She was, however, surprised, to see the dowager duchess smiling warmly at her and nodding with gentle approval when she noticed Adelaide looking at her.
Beside Adelaide, Edith giggled softly. Adelaide looked over to see her talking quietly with Lord Thomas.
“I understand they have been constructing some follies,” Lord Thomas said softly. “There is one in particular called the Temple of Venus that I cannot wait to visit.”
Edith gasped softly, her eyes brightening.
“That sounds lovely,” she said. “One of my friends told me that she heard a rumour about the construction of a grotto. I can imagine how lovely that would be on the grounds of such a beautiful place.”
Lord Thomas grinned.
“I daresay it would be quite delightful and comfortable,” he said, giving Edith a meaningful look.
Edith blushed, and Adelaide again noticed the palpable attraction between Lord Thomas and her friend. She realized the couple had not noticed her observing them with too much attention, and she felt shame for eavesdropping. She turned away, but not before witnessing Lord Thomas bend his head close to Edith’s as they continued their conversation. The intimate gesture spoke volumes about their growing attachment, much like the stolen kisses spoke volumes about the burning attraction between the Duke and her.
Mr. Jenkins burst into the room, looking visibly shaken and in disarray. The conversations at the table ceased as the duke looked at the butler. Marcus’s annoyance quickly shifted when he saw the distress on the butler’s face.
“What is it?” the duke asked, setting aside the newspaper.
Mr. Jenkins swallowed, looking nervously around the table.
“I have just received some tragic news, Your Grace,” he said. “Mr. Morrison’s carriage was found off the road early this morning. It seems there was an accident, brought about by treacherous weather conditions. I am afraid… I am afraid that Mr. Morrison is dead, Your Grace.”
Marcus’s hand shook until his teacup crashed against its saucer. The room was as silent as a tomb until the duke found his voice.
