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“I want to see you in this gown every night, Duchess, and I will take my pleasure with you whenever I wish. I will take you in every room in this house until you have moaned and screamed on every surface I possess.”

He felt the walls around his fingers squeeze painfully tight as she found her release, her hands slapping against the surface of the desk as she panted into the dark room.

Slowly, he rose to his feet as she recovered.

Unable to stand it a moment longer, he undid his breeches and released his length into the cool air. Stroking himself as her eyes followed the movement, he reveled in the expression on her face as she saw the whole of him for the first time.

“Soon, Duchess, I shall have you like this and ruin you forever. You will be addicted to me and me alone, seeking your pleasure, begging for it every hour of the day.”

He stroked himself, reaching for her and clasping her hand as he found his release, and they both panted into the quiet of the room.

Seth sighed as they came down from the heights of their pleasure, Alicia closing her eyes in quiet contentment.

He stared at his Duchess, the most perfect woman he had ever beheld, fear and pain warring inside him.

I cannot get enough of her, but I can never truly have her.

CHAPTER 22

Alicia stared up at the chandelier, the glass glinting in the firelight. It was swaying gently from side to side.

Did we cause that?

Seth shifted, drawing her eyes to him. He was languid and relaxed, his gaze almost black in the dim light.

She could hardly move, her legs weak and limp in the aftermath. It took her a moment to realize that he had raised a hand to help her up.

“We must make you respectable again,” he murmured.

Alicia sat up and blushed furiously at her naked state.

Her breasts were hanging over the top of her nightgown, and her skirts were bunched up around her waist.

The Duke’s laugh was reassuring as he gently helped her right her underclothes and pulled her to her feet.

With endless care, he tugged her skirts down to the floor again, straightening everything he could as she did her best to cover her top half. There was nothing to be done about the neckline; it was ruined.

“One moment,” he said softly.

He walked to the side of the room, where a light gray blanket had been draped over the back of the chair. He returned to her, unfolding it carefully and wrapping it around her shoulders.

Alicia blinked up at him, a new emotion rising in place of the confusion she had felt in his presence up until now. It was happiness, she realized. It made her happy that he wanted to care for her—look after her in such a way.

She smiled as he pulled the blanket tighter around her, ensuring she was not going to disgrace herself.

“I doubt the servants will even bat an eye, seeing as you have worn far stranger things about the house,” he said softly, but his tone was still playful.

Alicia was pleased that he had found his pleasure with her this time. It had not been all one-sided; the Duke had climaxed, too. She felt wickedly decadent to have had her first experiences ofpleasure in thewoods, acarriageand alibrary,rather than her bedchamber.

“Shall we go up?” he asked.

“Are you not going to finish your book?” At his sly smile, she could not help laughing. “Unless that was all a ruse.”

“Not at all. Once I am finished with it, I hope you will read it,” he said, resting a hand on her elbow and leading her to the door.

It was late, and the house was dark as they made their way upstairs. The gloom pressed in on all sides, but Alicia noted for the second time that she felt no fear.

Ever since she had arrived, she had felt a sense of belonging in the place. It was different from her father’s house.