Page 8 of Beguiling the Duke

When she returned, dressed for the cold air, he took her hand and led her outside. She smiled as she saw the beautifully decorated sleigh waiting for them, complete with soft blankets to keep them warm against the winter chill. Garlands of juniper and holly draped the sides of the open sleigh, and the horses each wore a wreath as a collar.

“Allow me,” Matthew said, helping her into the sleigh.

As he settled in beside her, Lizzie felt a flutter in her stomach at the warmth of him pressed to her side. She arranged the blanket over their laps and legs. The sound of the sleigh bells added a magical touch to the moment when they jerked forward, and Lizzie leaned back against Matthew, feeling the strength of his body and the heat of his presence.

They glided down the long drive to the road and headed away from the village. No one had been on the road since the snow fell last night, and the fields looked pristine.

“Are you enjoying yourself, Lizzie?” Matthew asked, breaking the comfortable silence.

“Very much so,” Lizzie replied, taking a deep breath of the crisp winter air. “It’s lovely out here.”

Matthew chuckled. “Just wait until you see where I’m taking you.”

They fell into a comfortable silence again, enjoying the peacefulness of the moment. Lizzie’s thoughts drifted to Matthew, and she couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like to be with him for longer than a few days. But she quickly pushed those thoughts aside, reminding herself that she had no desire for another relationship.

“Ah, we’re here,” Matthew said, interrupting her thoughts.

Lizzie looked around, taking in their surroundings. They had arrived at a secluded coach house, surrounded by snow-covered trees. She assumed they were still on St. Ervan’s property, but she didn’t see other buildings nearby.

Matthew helped her out of the sleigh, and their bodies brushed against each other, igniting a spark of desire that apparently had lingered dormant since the night before. Lizzie tried to ignore the feeling, not wanting to seem desperate for his touch.

“Shall we go inside?” Matthew asked, holding out his arm for her to take.

As they entered the coach house, a soft glow of sunlight through the windows greeted them. Dust motes drifted through the light, but the space wasn’t dirty, even though there was no sign of it being in current use for housing animals.

She shivered. The room was colder than being outside in the sunlight. Matthew stepped closer and wrapped his arms around her. “Let me warm you.”

Leaning against his chest, she decided she needed some clarity before they began what she knew was coming. “You didn’t come to me last night.”

“I’m sorry. I discovered someone I used to know had arrived for a visit this week.”

“Lady Amelia.”

“Yes. I assume you know our history.”

“Only a little. You were engaged, then she married someone else.”

One of Matthew’s hands rubbed up and down her back, slowly now, no longer trying to warm her, it seemed. “We were never officially engaged, but I thought…”

“You don’t need to explain.”

“That’s in the past, though. I have no feelings for her.”

Lizzie lifted her head to look him in the eye. “That’s none of my business. I’m only interested in right now.”

His eyebrows pulled together. “I don’t believe a woman has ever said that to me.”

“I don’t want there to be any misunderstanding between us.” Still wearing her gloves, Lizzie traced a finger along the edge of his waistcoat. “No promises. If you suddenly find you have feelings for Lady Amelia later, that’s fine.”

Matthew growled. “May we please not talk about her or any other woman? There’s only one woman on my mind right now.”

When he pulled her tighter against his body, she felt the hardness of his arousal and ground her belly against it. That was what she wanted. No talk, only passion.

Lizzie’s heart raced as Matthew’s hands explored her body, and he bent to press a kiss against her lips. She felt herself melting into him, losing herself in the moment and in his embrace. She tugged at the buttons on his waistcoat and loosened his cravat. There were far too many garments between them.

Matthew stepped back and shrugged out of his overcoat, tossing it onto the hay nearby. Then he wrestled with the tight sleeves on his coat, until Lizzie grabbed the cuffs and tugged him free.

As he continued to undress, she took off her pelisse, draping it over a stack of hay bales. She began to lift the hem of her gown when Matthew stopped her.