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Lady Young entered the room with an air of urgency. Agnes, hidden in the shadows, watched as her mother angrily tossed a handful of letters into the fireplace. The flames eagerly consumed the paper, the crackling sound echoing in the room like an ominous soundtrack.

Agnes strained to hear her mother’s words.

As the flames danced and flickered, Agnes couldn’t help but wonder about the contents of those letters, the secrets that her mother was determined to erase.

Her mother continued her quiet tirade, her expression a mix of frustration and resignation. Agnes, eavesdropping from her concealed vantage point, grappled with conflicting emotions.

The minutes stretched, and Agnes, hidden in the shadows, contemplated her next move. The air in the room felt charged with tension, and as the last remnants of the letters turned to ash, Lady Young sighed heavily. It was a sound that echoed with the weight of decisions made and secrets kept.

With her mother momentarily distracted, Agnes seized the opportunity to quietly slip out from behind the bookshelf. The room was now tinged with the scent of burned letters.

Agnes left the room, her mind swirling with unanswered questions, and made her escape to her own chamber. The night held the lingering residue of secrets, and Agnes, caught in the web of mysteries, resolved to uncover the truth that remained elusive.

CHAPTER13

“Come here, Agnes…” Matthew purred low under his breath, so low that he wasn’t even sure he heard what he was saying, but she heard him still and turned to him with her sharp, expressive eyes.

Matthew froze at that moment, like he always did every time she looked his way.

How could a human make him feel so… out of it? He was known for his control. Known and admired.

Even as a duke, he was tried every day by people who hated him, who didn’t think he deserved his role and disrespected him. He was tried even by women who only wanted him for his title and would do anything to get in a compromising situation with him.

He was tried, but they all failed because, most of the time, he was in control of his emotions and actions.

He took pride in that. But with Agnes? His control went out of the window so easily that it scared him.

Agnes’s eyes widened softly as they took in Matthew. He groaned, and his body got so hard that it was almost painful.

He wanted her. He wanted her so much, and he wasn’t sure he could hide it anymore. He tried to be a perfect gentleman and duke most times, but it never lasted. Not when Agnes would look at him with such seductive, expressive eyes and he could read every single thing that ran through her mind.

“Your Grace…” she whispered, and Matthew lifted his hand to beckon her.

“Come to me.”

Matthew was not sure where they were. It was a bit blurry, but all his senses zoomed in on Agnes and the soft curves of her body, even in her billowing gown.

She took a deep breath, her chest moving with the action, and started to walk toward him. Matthew got harder with every step she took toward him, and by the time she reached him, he was crazy with desire for her.

“Sweet, sweet Agnes…” Matthew purred, holding out his arms and pulling her to him.

She melted against him and buried her face in his chest, sighing softly.

Matthew wrapped his arms around her and held her close to him. His hands roamed over her back and down to her waist. He pressed his lips to her forehead and kissed her gently.

Agnes moaned softly and pressed her hips against Matthew’s. He felt her body tremble against his and groaned.

Perfect.

He loved the feel of her body pressed against his. He loved how she smelled, like fresh flowers and honey. He loved the way she tasted, sweet and delicious.

And now, he was ravenous for her.

“You make me go mad with want for you, Agnes, did you know?” he growled and pressed his lips to hers in a desperate, passionate kiss.

Agnes moaned into his mouth and pushed herself almost impossibly closer to him. Matthew groaned and kissed her harder. He loved how she responded to him. His touches, his kisses. He could kiss her forever.

Their tongues danced together, and he felt her tremble beneath him.