Page 14 of Her Rogue of a Duke
“You are sharp and intelligent,” he commented. “And occasionally, rather humorous.”
The corner of her mouth twitched as she regarded him. “It seems like you are straining to find compliments for me.”
There was that quick-witted cheekiness that so irritated him. If he were honest, though, sometimes he found it rather amusing.
With a smirk, he replied, “Well, I must admit, it is not the easiest task. Still, from what I can tell, you have a kind heart for most people. You are also generous with your time and attention. There is much about you that is admirable.”
Francesca gazed up at him, her brows a touch furrowed as if she were confused.
“I wonder why you dislike me so, then,” she murmured. “If, as you say, there is much about me that is appealing.”
Joshua could not exactly confess that the source of his aversion toward her stemmed from her name. It was not something she had any control of, after all. As he searched for a more rational response, the sky above them opened, and rain began to pour down. Neither he nor Francesca moved a muscle, however, as they both began to get soaked through. They continued to stare at each other, the tension between them growing so thick, it made Joshua’s chest tighten.
He was not certain which of them moved first, but one moment they stood apart, and the next, Joshua found himself cradling her face in his hands, pressing his lips to hers. Francesca’s response was immediate, with a small gasp, her soft lips parting under the pressure of his. She did not push away from him, though. Far from resisting, she grasped the lapels of his tailcoats and pulled him closer. She responded to his kiss eagerly, albeit a little stiffly at first, as if itwereher first. Perhaps it was. But with each moment that passed, she grew bolder and more confident, and that ignited a fire within Joshua.
His hands traced a fiery path from her face down to her sides, down to the lush curves of her hips, his fingers digging into them as he flexed his lower torso into her body. He had no doubt she could feel his growing desire, and while it baffled him, he was not a man who was used to denying himself. His reputation as a rake was well-founded, after all.
What truly astonished him, though, was the fervor with which she responded. There was a determination in her kiss and in her touch that he was not certain how to interpret. He could not help but wonder if she was being driven purely by desire for him, or did it stem from a deeper, more vengeful desire to spite Lord Terrell?
Not that it really mattered to Joshua. She was here, in his arms, responsive and willing, and so long as she remained so, he would indulge her wild wants. He was half-convinced she would eventually push him away before things escalated too far, but he was curious to find out just how far she was willing to lose herself in the storm of her desires.
Drifting his hand lower, his fingers deftly found the hem of her skirt and began to lift it gently, inch by tantalizing inch, over her smooth legs.
Francesca was momentarily lost to the sensations coursing through her body. The Duke’s lips and hands explored her with a fervor and expertise far surpassing anything she had ever known. She had not even permitted Lord Terrell suchintimacies, yet, somehow, with the Duke, it seemed almost instinctive to yield to her primal urges. Combined with the rain soaking through her clothes and chilling her skin, his fingers only ignited each spot he caressed, rendering her far more sensitive than she ever thought possible. Eventually, when his strong hands finally did settle on her rear and she felt something hard press against her stomach, a heat stirred up in her core and her body fell awash with unfamiliar urges.
She knew it was improper and that if they were caught together, it would spell her ruin, but she could not seem to bring herself to care enough presently. It was as though a haze had fallen over her mind and the world beyond them ceased to exist, as she was wholly consumed by the Duke's enveloping warmth…
But then, she felt her skirt lifting, the cool, damp air brushing against her ankles and calves. The startling sensation jolted her from her lust-filled stupor and everything came back into clear and painful focus.
The consequences of their actions loomed large, piercing the fog of desire that had consumed her until now.
With a startled gasp, she pushed at his chest and tore free from his embrace. Joshua released her without protest, but his jaw was set tightly and his eyes flashed with annoyance.
“What… what was that?” she demanded, a mix of confusion and anger lacing her tone.
“Clearly it was a kiss,” he retorted with a growl. “And a rather good one at that.”
Her already flushed cheeks burned with embarrassment, and yet her heart gave a little flutter at the compliment he had just given her. Still, she could not let herself be charmed by the rogue. She could not fathom why she had so willingly given in to his advances, but she would not make that mistake again.
“You are a scoundrel,” she hissed before turning to march back into the manor.
“A scoundrel who has so willingly offered you shelter, protection, and assistance without asking why,” he called after her.
Her heart thudded in her ears, muffling his words. But suddenly, she stopped just at the threshold of the balcony doors, his words giving her pause… and then an idea. She would not marry Lord Terrell, but she still needed to marry someone, and she could hardly find a suitable match without assistance…
Whirling back to face him, she said, “You are so eager to see me leave, yes?”
He looked momentarily taken aback, but then he nodded. “I suppose.”
“Well, I am not keen on staying with you for longer than necessary either,” she informed him. “I might have a proposition that could resolve our situation, if you are willing to hear it?”
The Duke furrowed his brow, clearly curious. “And what, pray tell, did you have in mind?”
“I need to marry,” she stated matter-of-factly. “And the sooner I do so, the sooner I can leave your home. So, here is my proposal… you help me find and court a suitable gentleman, and I will be out of your way a lot sooner. We both get what we want in the end, but I must add the stipulation that you cannot ask me any questions about my situation while I am staying with you. Is that an acceptable agreement, Your Grace?”
He studied her for several moments in silence, his expression thoughtful. At length, he began walking toward her and she tensed, worried he might try to kiss her again. Her heart began pounding at the idea, but he came to a stop in front of her and extended his hand for her to shake.
“We have a deal,” he stated.