All I want is to please him…
His fingers caught the edge of her dress, pulling it free and letting it slide down her back to reveal her chemise. Then, his large hand cupped the back of her neck, his thumb pressing into the fine hair at her nape.
“That is right, Duchess,” he murmured. “The debt is due. And you will find,” he added, his eyes dropping to her full mouth, “that I am a thorough collector.”
He simply held her then, his thumb stroking that sensitive spot, forcing her to breathe in the heat of his body and the promise of the coming darkness.
“You want me to go slower, my sweet?” He rasped.
“Aye,” she said as her desire took over, filling her with a confidence she had never known. She wriggled out of herchemise, revealing her body to him then. “I want to take our time.”
“Your wish is my command,” he whispered in her ear as he drew her into his arms. “You know just being with you is all the reward I require? That your happiness is all I desire, Duchess?”
Chapter Twenty-Five
“Master Oliver, would ye like to meet me boy, Matthew?” Her grace, Elspeth, Duchess of Arrowfell, asked, taking pity on the restless young lad. She rose to her feet and motioned to a waiting footman. “He is in the nursery just upstairs; Mister Gordon here will take ye.”
“It would be an honor, your grace. Shall we, Master Oliver?” the footman asked, a furry white eyebrow raised as he bowed to the young boy with a playful smile.
After arriving at Arrowfell for the afternoon’s gathering, Oliver’s attention was drawn to the occasional squeaks from the upstairs room. Benedict knew that parliamentary politics, social calendars, and changes in weather were not particularly interesting for a child’s curious mind. Yet, he was proud that his son did not say otherwise and had minded his manners.
The boy’s eyes lit up in an instant as he leapt to his feet awkwardly from the settee. “Oh, yes. Please, Mister Gordon! Iwould love to have someone to play with, Your Grace! I cannot remember the last time I played with another boy!”
“Then a playdate ye shall have,” Elspeth said as she nodded at Benedict thoughtfully. “He will be lucky to share in yer company, and we are grateful yer faither brought ye today.”
“We will join you in a few moments,” Isla said with a smile. “After we chat a bit more and finish these delightful macarons.”
“Oh, thank you!” He said as he followed the footman out of the room.
The Arrowfells were nestled in the West End near St. James’s, and their London home was a joyous study in domestic bliss. Every inch of the townhouse was already decorated for the Christmas Holiday. Its halls were warm, strewn with crisp pine garlands and festive ornaments that twinkled in the sunlight. The comforting scent of spiced bread baking came up from the kitchens below, tickling their noses pleasantly. The drawing room embraced them in soft, buttery yellow light, warmed by a roaring fire.
Benedict looked at Isla as he finished his Earl Grey, sitting comfortably next to Hugo. She was standing by the fireplace, polishing off another macaron and ravishing in a deep sapphire velvet gown. She was admiring a portrait above the mantle. Her dark blonde locks were swept up in a chignon, highlighting her high cheekbones and the scars that were so uniquely her.
“What do ye miss most about the Highlands?” Isla asked Elspeth.
“I am quite spoiled, Yer Grace,” she said as she grabbed another macaron from the tray. “We maintain Inverhall estate and often go there for holidays. In fact, we are scheduled to leave just after Christmas. We will be stayin’ for several weeks through the new year.”
“A brave journey in December, Your Grace,” Benedict said as he raised an eyebrow to Hugo. “Such a ways to travel with two young children, and with the weather turning on us.”
“Don’t I know it,” Hugo said with a sharp laugh.
“You must be most smitten with Her Grace to go to such lengths.”
“I rule my duchy with an iron fist, but I am utterly powerless against my wife’s will.”
Benedict did not joke further, for he could not. He knew all too well how a powerful man could be brought to his knees by a beautiful woman. He looked from Hugo to Isla, then, a faint smile touching the corners of his mouth.
“Well, I am hopin’ we miss the worst of the winter storms. I am confident we will make quick work on our journey,” Elspeth said. “It is a lovely Christmas present from me husband,” she said as she sauntered playfully over to him, placing a chaste kisson his cheek. “Aye, we will have to have you both at Inverhall soon! Perhaps even this summer!”
“Aye, that would be grand! I am from a small village outside of Edinburgh, nae too far from Inverhall.”
“Imagine that,” Elspeth said with a smile. “I am so glad ye came here today. I ken we will be friends.”
“Aye, me too,” Isla said warmly.
“Tell me, have you ever read a book calledThe Highland Respite?”
“I havenae, Yer Grace,” Isla said. “I lovedThe Highland Holidayso much, is it the same author?”
