Mistletoe and Mayhem: A Regency Holiday Romance Anthology, page 91
“I can hardly stop you.”
To her immense pleasure he tore his shirt over his head, flung it back upon the rock behind him and slipped into the water.
Now her face was flaming and she hated how, like every woman in England, she was not immune to his physical attributes. True, the Duke of Bladestow was one of the most strikingly handsome men she had ever met. And she’d met a few of her brother’s friends and more at her come out this season. None that caught her interest and she blamed this man.
The combination of Blade’s black hair and blue eyes, set in the lean, chiseled facial features of perfect symmetry, saw many a woman lose her sense and heart to him. At the moment, most disturbing was the knowing intensity in those eyes. They practically screamed ‘I’m here for you’ and it aroused a wild yearning in her blood, making her feel as if she couldn’t get her breath.
But marriage was forever and forever was a long time.
She wished she understood why he wanted to offer for her. To make a fine match? He could have had any of this season’s eligible debutantes. He’d courted no-one during the season, including her. Yet here he was, supposedly desperate for her hand.
Was it because he wanted to align their families, given he was like a brother to Philip? Could it be he liked her and thought to make a comfortable life? That wasn’t enough for her. What she desperately hoped was that he loved her.
But it wasn’t easy getting men like Blade to express their feelings. Her brothers’ never showed emotion, not even when their mother died.
The pool suddenly seemed so much smaller than before. His head lay perched on the edge, but his eyes followed her every movement. In her wildest fantasies, she wondered what it would be like to be in his arms. To have him make love to her. But unless he could give her his heart, she didn’t want to become one of his many conquests—or even to become a duchess.
Willing her traitorous body to calm her racing heart, Harriet focused on her predicament. How did she get out of the pool? She wished she’d not decided to ‘take the waters’ au natural.
He must have sensed her need to flee, for suddenly he stood. Water traced over his rippling muscles and her mouth dried. The light accentuated every hard muscle in his wide shoulders, his powerful chest, which tapered to narrow hips where the water blocked her view of the rest of his delights. The steam curled around him like a lover.
His casual nudity spoke of his confidence and experience with the opposite sex. He knew damn well what the sight of him was doing to her.
Oh, she was in trouble. If she gave in to his seduction here, he would demand her hand in marriage. If her father learned of this, he would send for the bishop.
She longed to make the choice of a husband for herself. She needed more time. She needed to learn what was in his heart.
Courage invaded and gave her wings, so to speak. She heaved herself up on the edge of the pool and finding her feet she fled around the rock to where her clothes lay. She could hear him cursing and also laughing behind her. She heard him fall back into the water.
“Not so brave after all, Lady Harriet. Another time perhaps?”
“Perhaps.”
She could barely answer him as her teeth chattered. She rubbed vigorously with the drying cloths she’d brought with her. Once dressed she approached the bathing pool once more.
“I’ll leave a drying cloth for you,” and she placed it on the rock next to his discarded shirt. Before she could turn to leave the words slipped out of her mouth. “What would you have done if it had been Diane in the pool and not me?” Diane was her younger sister.
His smiled dimmed. “How could you even ask me that?”
“Given your reputation, I’d be silly not too.”
“And I thought you knew me.”
She shrugged. His hurt sounded legitimate. “You might think you know me, but I’m not sure I know you. Society doesn’t make it easy for women to know anything except what a father or brother will tell them.”
“Nonsense. You’ve known me all your life.”
“Long ago. From a distance. You are an older male and as such I mainly know of your good points from my father.”
“That is what your guardian is there for. To guide you. To ensure you are not taken advantage of.”
“Like you’re doing now?”
“Only because I thought we had an understanding.”
That made her spine straighten. “You’ve never addressed me about an understanding. You’ve never even courted me. Is this why you are here?”
“Your brother and I—”
She only just stopped a laugh at his expected answer. “What? He’ll guide me too? Dictate more like it. I like to decide about a person, wouldn’t you?”
His frown deepened. “As a man I make my own decisions, that’s true, but I take advice when needed.”
She nodded, attempting to keep her eyes from drifting down to sneak a peek at what was hidden under the water. “I think the words ‘own decision’ are key. I will make my own decisions on what happens with my life.”
“I’m not sure what you are trying to tell me, and standing in the frigid air is not the place to find out,” he suggested. “You’ll catch cold.”
“Then I look forward to continuing our discussion. Just us. No one else.” She rose and sneaked one more peek at his glorious naked body before turning to leave.
“As do I. I very much look forward to that.” His smile was back in his words.
“Perfect. We are in accord.” Her legs were shaking and not from the cold. She was now very sure the reason he was here was to offer for her, and she had no idea what she wanted to say.
He lay back in the warm water, floating, and her eyes almost widened at the sight. “How did you get here?” he asked.
She looked at him and smiled. “I walked. The brisk walk home always warms me.”
“My greatcoat is on Ghost. Take it. I won’t need it because it will take me only a few minutes to reach the stables on my horse.” He gave one of his renown seductive smiles. “Besides the memory of you arising from the pool will warm me.”
She hated that she blushed and hoped the cold had made her face rosy red anyway. But his chuckle told her he’d noticed. Just before he dunked completely under the water he uttered, “I’m really looking forward to having a private conversation with you, Lady Harriet. My little mermaid.”
With that, she turned and fled. She rounded the rocks and was about to run past Ghost when she saw a parchment flutter to the ground. It had fallen out of Blade’s greatcoat when Ghost shied at her approach.
She grabbed it before the light breeze could blow it away. It was crumbled and she was about to shove it back into the pocket it had fallen out of, when the devil on her shoulder made her glance at it.
It looked like a list and the heading was ‘Must Haves’. She would have left it at that, but the first item on the list grabbed her attention—Must be of good breeding.
Instead of putting the scrap of parchment back, she kept walking swiftly towards Hearthstone House, the cold forgotten as she scanned the list.
It was headed, the Duke’s Must haves…
She must be of good breeding
She should not be too tall, or too short
She should be obedient
She must be intelligent
She must have an even temperament
The longer she read, the more furious she got. What was this list for? Had he ticked her failings off against these requirements? Was she to be delivered to him like an ordered Christmas present? It couldn’t be so. Could it?
She reread the note. It certainly seemed he’d made a list of attributes he found agreeable in a wife. Was his visit here to engage with her, to see if he could tick each of these qualities off?
She screwed up the note in her palm and almost threw it into the wind, but she could not let it go.
The items sounded like an attribute list for a duke searching for a wife. And it was written in his hand.
Even temperament indeed!
She’d give him an even temperament.
Obedient!
He couldn’t possibly think she’d fit that requirement. If he did, he was in for a rude shock.
A very rude shock.
Chapter Three
The following morning Blade felt more himself. He’d dressed appropriately late, near midnight, when his carriage finally arrived. Not in time for him to join the others for dinner, so he’d had no chance to talk with Harriet or her brother. However, this morning he’d convinced Philip Rondell, Viscount Trello, to accompany him on a morning ride.
All night he’d pondered on Harriet’s words at the hot pool. How had he read this so wrong? Trello had led him to believe that his sister, Harriet, would welcome the match. Trello too, thought Lady Harriet held a tendre for him. Most women would be ecstatic at his attentions.
Whoa! Was he really that arrogant? He smiled to himself. He’d never had a complaint before. He knew he could have the hand of any woman he offered for.
Almost all. Once again Lady Harriet differed from every other woman he’d met. And that only attracted him more.
She had the body of Venus, curves in all the right places and then some. Her breasts were high and firm and the nipples peaking above the water, all tight and wet, had made his mouth water.
“What are you smiling at on this cold, sunny winter's day?” Trello pulled his horse in beside Ghost.
“I was thinking about Harriet. What made you think she would be open to an offer?”
Trello shrugged and tried to keep his steed under control. “My sister is intelligent enough to understand a match with you is not only prudent but would make her happy. Our families are very close and family is important to her.”
“But have you or your father conversed with her on this subject?”
Trello looked bewildered. “Not exactly. Isn’t that why you are here? I understand father wishes to talk with you about the marriage contracts and formalities. Harriet is your domain. You’ve never had trouble getting women to do as you wish.”
“Your sister is not like most women.” Blade cursed under his breath. No wonder Harriet’s reception was a little confusing. He’d ignored her all season and now suddenly he wanted to marry her. He would have courted her if he’d been able. Jolly Prinny! He wished he could throttle the Regent. Worse still he had sworn an oath not to reveal the task the Regent had set him.
Harriet sensed what he was here for, but no one had talked to her about the situation. If those he loved were planning around him without his input, annoyed would be putting it mildly. Angry and hurt too.
“This may not be as simple as you are making out, Trello.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. I think I know my sister and she holds a tendre for you. Why do you think she turned down so many proposals this season?”
“She did?” The idea of her marrying anyone else blackened his mood and made him realize how lucky he was to find her still unattached. Just then he heard a horse galloping, and he looked up to see Harriet galloping toward them.
Trello saw her too. “Now’s your opportunity to win a fair maiden’s heart.”
“That may be too much to ask. I’ll start with her agreement to marry me.” Harriet stirred his senses. He loved her intelligence, her spirit, and her beauty, but he’d never considered love when he thought of marriage—not since…. Men like him and Trello had to consider all their obligations to family, tenants, and God and country when choosing a wife. Love wasn’t an option to dictate the path of their lives.
“I shall see you back at the house. When you’re free, I’d value your thoughts on the Carthors venture.” With that, Trello galloped away.
Like the gentleman he was, Blade used the reins to hold Ghost in check, waiting for Harriet to catch up.
“Good morning, Harry.” She frowned at his use of the name he’d given her when she was a young girl. He’d called her Harry because she’d tried to do anything the boys did. If she wanted to be a boy, he’d call her by a boy’s name. She’d loved it at the time.
“Oh, please. I’m not a little girl chasing after her brothers anymore.”
He let his eyes linger on the tight-fitting riding jacket she wore. “Most definitely not a little girl.” He loved the flush that raced across her cheeks. She didn’t stand a chance if she tried to play with him. Seduction was his middle name and hers was innocence.
“Stop trying to distract me. It won’t work.”
Oh, it was working. She couldn’t look him in the eyes. “May I accompany you on your ride?”
She sighed. “Of course. Why do you think I’m out here in the cold this early in the morning? It will give us a chance to talk without others listening.”
Any time he could grab alone with her, he’d take. “Shall we head for the winter croft?”
“I’ll race you,” and she was off before he’d had time to gather Ghost’s reins. It didn’t matter, her gelding was no match for his stallion. But he wanted her in a good mood, so he held back and let her reach the croft first.
They slowed the horses to a walk, and it amused him when she let out a vast sigh as if the weight of the world sat upon her shoulders. “You let me win.”
“Is that important?”
She shook her head. “No. It’s just sometimes you surprise me.”
They walked in silence for a while. He watched as she chewed on her bottom lip. He wanted to ask what was wrong, but understood she was working through something. Finally, she pulled her horse to a stop and looked over at him.
“Are you here to ask for my hand in marriage?”
He wanted to smile but knew that was the wrong thing to do. She was too serious. “I am.”
She nodded, the lip still being chewed. “Ever since I was a young girl, I knew they would expect me to marry and marry well.” She looked directly at him. “So I made a list.”
“A list?” She was watching him closely.
“The things I’m looking for in a husband.”
This time it was he who moved tentatively in the saddle. What she was looking for in a husband? Why did that unsettle him? To society, he was a perfect catch for any woman. He was a duke, from a very distinguished family. He was wealthy—very wealthy. Women seemed to find him attractive, and he had a reputation as a wonderful lover. Plus, their families were very close.
She continued. “Shall I read what’s on my list?” She didn’t wait for an answer.
He must be kind
He must treat me as an equal partner
He must never take a mistress
“I beg your pardon?” She carried on as if number three was a mere slip.
He must be honest and keep nothing from me
He must have a sense of humor
“Wait, please. A mistress?”
She tipped her bonnet back. “I do believe you are blushing, Blade. A mistress. I assume you know what they are. My brother has one, or is it two? Country and town. Do you have a mistress?”
His face flushed with color and she loved how suddenly he didn’t look like the formidable duke, but instead a tad more vulnerable.
“No.” The word was forced out between clenched teeth.
“Not at the moment or never?” She knew he’d had mistresses. “May I remind you, number four on my list is honesty.”
His answer would help her decide what sort of life she might have with him as her husband. Or if she should even consider his offer.
“I currently do not have a mistress. I would never court a wife with another woman sharing my bed. I am honorable.”
He was honorable, so she believed him. The relief that chased after her doubts was instant. “Would you take a mistress after you marry?”
“No.”
“What if your wife didn’t wish to share your bed?”
“That would never happen.” The confident smile hit every inch of her body like a velvet glove, stroking her imagination, and the gravelly tone of his words sent heat flaring even in this cold.
Bother. She didn’t or couldn’t parle words with him, not on this topic. He was far too experienced for the likes of her.
“Is that everything on your list?” His question surprised her. “Because if it is, I can confidentially state that I meet every requirement.”
Drat. She wished she knew what else was on his list. “Before I share more, what would be on your list?”
He laughed and the sound made her lips curve up. She loved how open he was with his emotions. She could always tell when he was happy, sad, angry, or that special posturing only dukes portrayed.
“I don’t have a list.” His laughter died as she frowned. “That’s probably not true. I have an image in my head of what I am looking for in a wife.”
An image in his head? Wasn’t that a lie? She’d found his list. Now her assuredness was under threat again. “So, no list on parchment?”
“Don’t be ridiculous. Why would I need to write it down?”
Liar. “What is it you are looking for? Or why me?”
He dismounted and tethered his horse, reaching up to help her down. With no thought, she fell into his arms and couldn’t hide the shudder through her limbs as he purposely let her slide down his muscled chest.
When her feet finally found the ground, he leaned down and whispered in her ear, “Mainly it’s because my thoughts, when I look at you, are not gentlemanly or honorable. And given your breeding and family connections, that makes you more than perfect for the role of my duchess.”
His warm breath in the cold air wasn’t the only thing causing a mist over her eyes. Goodness gracious, why did he affect her so? She wished he didn’t affect her because marriage was for life and surely it should be built on more than mere physical attraction? What happens when she grew older? If there is only physical attraction, what happens when beauty fades?
“There are many beautiful young ladies with more than suitable family connections,” and she pushed out of his arms and walked towards the croft with her mind whirling.
