Page 30 of Wedded to the Scottish Duke

She could practically see his face coming toward hers as it had done outside, seconds before she had kissed him.

Damn you and your power over me, Your Grace.

CHAPTER 9

Keith made his way up the stairs. He’d taken a detour through the gardens, making his way to the lake first as he recalled exactly how he had seen Celia for the first time.

He now wished the moonlight was brighter. Maybe with that extra light, he would have seen a little bit more, indulged in a fantasy he now longed to live.

I can have lovers. I’ve permitted myself that. Even if Celia would be a different kind of lover.

When he reached the top of the staircase, his feet betrayed him. Rather than going to the gentlemen’s wing, he went to the ladies’ wing instead.

He didn’t need to guess which one was Celia’s room. He knew, for he had asked a manservant earlier that day. When he reachedthe door, he halted outside of it, just staring at the wood for a minute.

I cannot go in there.

Yet, every fiber of his being burned to do exactly that. He longed to go in, to kiss her, to continue what they had started outside. Did it matter if his infatuation with her made their lovemaking that much more memorable? They didn’t necessarily have to be one-time lovers. He could easily imagine needing to spend more than one night with her.

Slowly, he raised his hand, but he didn’t knock. He hesitated, listening when he thought he heard a voice inside.

“Celia?” It was a woman’s voice inside the chamber.

She has company.

Keith cursed as he stepped back. He would not compromise Celia by knocking on her door when she had a friend in there with her. He didn’t need another reason for Celia to hate him after all the boundaries he had already crossed.

He cursed and walked away, deciding he would try again another day.

It will not be our last kiss. It cannot be.

He didn’t really look where he was going as he remembered the feel of her lips on his and how she was the one to start that kiss. Had there been no sound in the garden, the two of them might have gotten carried away. He might have pushed the rules all the more, perhaps lifted her skirt, shown her exactly all the ways he could make her want to obey him?—

“Celia!” the woman in the room shouted. It was accompanied by a heavy thud.

Keith spun around. Without hesitation, he sprinted back to the room and reached for the door, opening it wide.

“What in Heavens—” The Duchess of Rowley was kneeling beside Celia, who was lying on the floor. “Get out!” She pointed at the door. “You are a man, you cannot be in here.”

Keith didn’t answer for a second as he took in the sight before him.

Celia was completely unconscious. Her eyes were closed, her lips were slightly parted, and her chest rose and fell with quick breaths. Her face was scarlet red, and sweat was beading on her forehead.

“What’s happened?” Keith asked, striding further into the room.

“You can’t be in here!” the Duchess of Rowley cried again.

“As much as I appreciate yer protectiveness of yer friend, why the hell is Lady Celia on the floor?” Keith waved a hand at her. “I heard ye scream and came to investigate,” he added quickly, watching as she blinked madly, registering his words. “What has happened?”

“She… she said it was really hot. She was limping.”

“Limping?” Keith kicked the door shut behind him, not wanting anyone else to come upon him in Celia’s room. He dropped down to his knees beside her, placing his fingers on her neck.

“You shouldn’t touch her.” Diana waved her hands over Celia.

“Scandal doesn’t matter when lives are at stake, does it?” Keith challenged, hardly in a mood to be soft or gentle.

Diana started at his tone, but eventually, she nodded.