“To Scotland, according to the young lady,” the innkeeper answered, regarding her curiously. “Is she a relative of yours, miss? She seemed very young.”
“My wife has an interest in the young lady. Let us leave it at that,” the Duke interjected, laying down sufficient coins on the counter to cover Patrick’s expenses, and another small pile beside it.
The innkeeper’s face grew chastened, and he bowed his head to Cecily in apology. Whether for his form of address or his speculation, she didn’t know.
“Begging your pardon, Your Grace. I didn’t realize.”
Cecily shook her head graciously, not trusting herself to speak at this moment.
“Thank you for your assistance, my good man,” the Duke said breezily. “Now, we must be on the road again. How long will it take for fresh horses to be hitched? I trust this will cover the costs.”
He waved his hand at the second pile of coins, evidently accustomed to having his wishes obeyed. As Cecily knew all too well.
Do not think about that right now!
“We’ll see to it straight away, Your Grace,” the innkeeper responded, gathering up the money eagerly and ringing a bell for assistance. “Would you like refreshment while you wait?”
“No, we’ll be outside. Come, Duchess.”
Cecily had no choice but to follow the Duke back into the courtyard. Why must he always be playing some game?
“Why did you tell him that I was your wife?” she hissed once they were out of earshot. “There was no need to lie, and you should not have done it.”
The Duke shrugged and beckoned her around the side of the stable yard, where at least they would not be observed by anyone emerging from the inn.
“I don’t care what I should have done,” he stated bluntly. “That man was too curious about our business, and it was the best way to shut him up. I assume you don’t want every gossip from here to London knowing that both of the Holt sisters are currently keeping company with men they are not married to.”
Cecily closed her mouth. No, she did not want that, and the Duke had acted with discretion. But still, his assertion irked her in some way. He presumed far too much, even if she had accepted his proposal.
“Anyway, I felt like it,” he added, only riling her further. “You will be my wife soon enough, and these people might as well know you as my Duchess now. We are both of age, and there is no reason to hide our engagement or delay our marriage.”
“What about how I feel?” Cecily snapped. “I am not your wife yet, and it made me feel… dishonest, and vulnerable, and…”
“You are thinking about what we did last night, aren’t you?” the Duke asked softly, stepping closer. “I believe you know you are already mine, Cecily, but you will not feel truly at ease until you are in my bed with my ring on your finger.”
“You are outrageous!” Cecily huffed, her breathing unsteady and her heart hammering in her chest. “I have never heard such indelicate things in my life.”
“Outrageous to look forward to bedding my wife?” the Duke chuckled. “There’s not a man in England who would think so, Miss Holt. Nor do you really object to my supposed indelicacies, as you term them. I only speak honestly of mutual desire. You are only repeating what society would have you say. Think how good you felt last night when I showed you how to touch yourself.”
“This is not a game, and I am not a toy!” Cecily objected crossly, not wanting to remember the powerful sensations that had coursed through her body and rendered her helpless.
The Duke leaned in. “Life is a game,” he whispered in her ear. “You are far more than a toy, however. You are the most sensual and responsive woman I have ever met.”
She shuddered with desire as his lips and tongue brushed her ear, and his hand pushed away a golden-brown curl from her face.
“You see? You are excited by my slightest touch, Miss Holt, and this is only the beginning. Admit it; enjoy it. I know I shall.”
“I can’t,” Cecily protested unconvincingly, caught in the inexorable pull of his body so near to hers, breathing in the scent of woody cologne on his warm skin. “I mustn’t…”
“Then I shall have to command you again next time, won’t I?” the Duke purred. “Perhaps that makes it easier for you to accept the pleasure I offer.”
“We are not married,” she reminded him, trying to make herself step back, but her limbs were uncooperative even though he was doing nothing to restrain her. “We should not even be speaking of these things, Your Grace.”
“Be still,” the Duke told her, cupping her face in his hand and looking into her eyes with a very intense blue gaze. “You are as good as my wife already, and part of you knows it.”
At those words, Cecily gasped as a powerful throb of pleasure shot to her core. As the Duke had instructed, she remained still when he took her into his arms and drew her against his strong torso.
Dear God, it was worse than last night. At least they had been alone in a candlelit bedroom and not outside in broad daylight.
