Page 11 of Love, the Duke (Say I Do #3)

C HAPTER 11

MAN’S PRACTICAL GUIDE TO APPREHENDING A THIEF

SIR BENTLY ASHTON ULLINGSWICK

Take in the suspect and befriend him.

He shut the gate while she tried to calm her quickened heartbeat and walked toward him.

“Hello, Ophelia,” he offered as he strode along the tall hedge line toward her.

She abruptly paused. His intimate greeting using her name caused a purely feminine reaction in her that seemed out of place, all things considered.

Although somewhat unnerved by his sudden presence, she asked curiously, “Why are you coming through the side gate and not the front door?”

His mouth curved into a slow smile. “Before I got out of the carriage, I saw you from the window walking back here and thought to come straight to where you were and bypass the servants.”

“And Maman?” she questioned.

“For now, if possible. We have the most interesting conversations when we are alone.”

Ophelia couldn’t argue with that. Her breaths evened out as she met him at the corner of the house. “You are certainly forward to do that, but once again, you’ve man aged to come at an awkward time. Maman isn’t well and I’m afraid I’m not in a very good humor. It would be best if you paid a visit on another day.”

His features softened. “I’m sorry to hear about your mother. Nothing serious, I hope, and I’m surprised to hear of your ill humor. I thought getting the opportunity to question my cousin without constraint yesterday would have put you in a very fine way.”

“It did yesterday,” she offered, trying to disengage her gaze from his. “Though I take exception to you saying ‘without constraint.’ You grimaced at every question. However, I do thank you.”

“I take it you didn’t find what you were looking for in the Southperrys’ book room, or from Mr. Halaway.”

She sucked in a deep breath. “How did you know I—you were following me again?” she asked through clenched teeth. It seemed an impossible thing to do, but he could raise her indignation and the fluttering in her chest at the same time.

The duke twitched his shoulders in such a charming way she felt the desire to do likewise and lifted her chin too.

“It was more like watching you,” he admitted.

“You were so caught up by adoring young ladies and their mamas when I left the garden, I thought for sure I had managed to leave and return without your notice.”

His gaze swept down her face and then back up to her eyes. “I always notice you, Ophelia.”

His words warmed her all the way down to her toes. She noticed again he used her given name rather than properly addressing her. For reasons she didn’t want to explore, she found it comforting that he was watching her. Her trepidation waned and her interest as to why he came over grew.

“So, what did you find in your search?” A sparkle of teasing flashed in his eyes. “More books?”

“Of course.” Ophelia sighed. “And a shelf that had some exquisite snuff and memory boxes on it. There were some miniature portraits in some lovely frames but, regrettably, no historical or religious vessels of any kind.”

“And what about my cousin?” He casually folded his arms across his wide chest. “After meeting him and hearing his story, did you settle in your mind that he couldn’t possibly be the suspect you are looking for?”

“I admit there is a good probability he is not the one who has the chalice.”

“And his aunt Maudine?” the duke prompted her. “Is she a suspect now? Or someone from her ladies’ group?”

Ophelia looked past the handsome duke to the tall dark-green hedge rising over them and took her time answering. “Unless one of them has a weak nose and chin and wears a top hat, they are probably off my list of suspects as well.”

Ophelia hadn’t expected him to toss his head back and laugh. Nor could she have anticipated enjoying watching him. She liked the way the lines fanned out from the corners of his eyes, making him appear relaxed. He was so immensely attractive, she felt her mood changing and her spirits lifting. But then her gaze caught sight of the note her mother had received from home and the book on catching a thief that she was beginning to wonder if it was helpful at all. Their situation hadn’t changed and time to save her brother’s legacy was slipping by quickly as the hours and days passed.

“Why are you here?”

“To see you.”

Though Ophelia tried not to read anything into his words, her stomach tightened at how intimate his words sounded. It felt as if butterflies fluttered in her chest as an errant wind fluttered a lock of hair that had found freedom from her chignon across her face. She brushed it away from her forehead and tucked it behind her ear. “I have things to do, Your Grace.”

“Do they have anything to do with the letter?” He nodded toward the parchment with the broken seal.

“Everything I do has to do with that.” She took a deep breath. “Why are you here?”

The duke shifted his stance and dropped his arms to his sides. “I’ve brought you something.”

She peered around him but saw no evidence supporting his eager claim. Both hands were free, and she was sure he wasn’t holding anything when he came through the gate.

Scoffing at his declaration, she quipped, “Where is it?”

“I couldn’t be sure you were out here alone for my unplanned call, so I saw no reason to bring it into the garden for your mother or someone else to scrutinize or to examine my motives.”

Curiosity loomed in Ophelia. In an even tone, she said, “You’ve piqued my interest and my frustration this afternoon, Your Grace. And now you are trying my patience. If you, indeed, came bearing a gift, where is your offering?”

Speaking in an amused tone, he answered, “I have none for the church, Ophelia. Other than begging its pardon for all my misdeeds of the past.”

“Oh, for heaven’s mercy, Your Grace. I find myself on the precipice of a headache caused by more worries than anyone should have to endure, and no patience left for your antics. And certainly, this is not the day for you to add to my distress by calling me Ophelia. What if Maman heard you or someone else?”

“What if she did? She wouldn’t say a word. No one ever corrects a duke.” He flashed a small, innocent grin. “It’s a duke’s prerogative to decide when it’s time to be on familiar terms and give a person permission to relax.” He brushed her concern aside so easily. “We are at that point now, Ophelia. I am Hurst.”

Surprise glinted through her. She didn’t think she would ever understand men who were not like her brother. He would never have been so familiar with a young lady. Not even one he’d known for years. But Ophelia was learning new rules. This one she could abide by. There were times she had no desire to be so formal with the duke.

He walked closer to her and gently said, “Say it.”

She held her breath for a moment before answering, “Hurst.”

“See how easy that was?” Before she became aware of his intent, the duke took her hand and began to walk. “Come with me. I left what I brought you beside the garden gate.”

At his touch, shivers cascaded through her entire body and she realized she’d never held a man’s hand unless he was helping her into or out of a carriage, and most of the time that was her brother and they had on gloves. Like hers, Hurst’s hand was bare, but also snugly warm and full of strength. Yet so gentle sizzling tingles raced through her. She had to restrain herself from allowing her grip to match his.

She could hardly think, much less make her legs work properly and walk alongside him.

Gathering control of her senses, she looked over at him and declared, “This is highly improper, Your Grace.”

“My name is Hurst. You must get used to using it, Ophelia.”

“It will take time.”

“I have plenty of that.” He smiled. “Would you have come with me without asking me ten questions if I had simply requested you walk with me?”

“I can’t speculate on that because I don’t know what my options are, but you wouldn’t have had reason to worry about Maman’s scrutiny if you had a nosegay or another box of those delicious confections in your hands.” She finished by giving him a tart expression, which caused him to smile.

“So, you indulged in the sweet treats I brought to your mother the other afternoon?”

“Of course, and Maman didn’t have to insist.”

He chuckled. “If I thought flowers and confections were all it would take to make you happy, I would have brought them today. But that’s not what I have for you, Ophelia.”

How could the sound of her name on his lips evoke the idea of kissing him? She brushed the anticipation of it away before it took root and got her in trouble once again.

Just before they reached the gate, there was a vine-covered archway. He let go of her hand and said, “Stop here. One moment.”

He was barely outside the gate before stepping back inside and closing it behind him. They were sequestered in a narrow portion of the hedge and hidden from view of the house or street.

The duke held a musty-looking tome with gold lettering. At first, she was perplexed; then she held her breath as he held it out to her.

“You said you needed this. I hope it makes you happy.”

In silence she read the title:

Debrett’s Peerage and Baronetage.

Her lips parted in a silent breath of delight. She couldn’t tear her gaze away from the book she’d longed to get her hands on.

Near speechless and trying to slow her heartbeat again, Ophelia found her voice as she took the large volume from him. “I am more than happy.”

“I would have gotten it for you before now, but I was hoping to persuade you from your pursuit by not helping you.”

Ophelia felt as if her heart were swelling as she held the book to her chest. The duke could play the hardened rake well, but he had a kind heart, and he’d just shown her the extent of that kindness.

Before she sought reason or rhyme why, and without thought or pause, she took a step closer to him. “I know this will make a difference in my search to clear my brother’s name. I can’t tell you how I desperately needed this encouragement today.”

He looked in the direction of the small table where the letter from Maman’s friend was located.

“Did you receive bad news today?” he queried.

“Disappointing,” she answered, looking at him so intensely it pulled her field of vision away from all surroundings. “The bishop will be appointing a new vicar soon. He could arrive at Wickenhamden within a matter of days.”

“I know that was unwelcomed news.”

“Very.” She inhaled so deeply her chest heaved as she hugged the book. “But this was good news. Thank you.”

“Enough, Ophelia.” He signaled his impatience and gently took the book from her hands and leaned it against the side of the house. “If you have more gratitude, deliver it in a physical manner.” He stepped closer to her. “A handshake, a pat on my shoulder and a ‘jolly good,’ or even offer a kiss—on my cheek if necessary for your modesty—but no more words.”

A kiss? Her heart started pounding.

“Just use the book well.”

A hasty puff of air forced past her lips. “I will.”

“I hope it is the magic you are looking for.” Pointing a finger and a hot gaze at her, he warned, “And don’t get caught.”

By the way he looked at her, he knew she wasn’t going to stop slipping into book rooms just because she had Debrett’s volume. “I don’t intend to.”

Her breathing became shallow and fast. Perhaps she had lost all thought and good sense, blaming their absence on the gratefulness that he’d brought her the book she’d so desired. Whatever the reason, she found herself taking a tentative step closer to him.

The duke lowered his face to no more than a few inches above hers. The warmth from his body was so close she felt it and heard the uneven rhythm of his breathing and caught the clean scent of shaving soap. His eyes seemed to be memorizing her face.

Staring into his handsome green eyes, she considered her feelings of doubt about his desire for her, discarded them, and asked, “Do you want to kiss me?”

“What I want right now is nothing you should want.” His voice was husky, sensual, intimate.

What he said was probably true, but she was fairly sure she wanted it anyway. The feel of his lips on hers, the strength of his arms around her, holding her close, and to taste the unbridled passion she’d read about in poetry. And she wanted it all from the irascible but captivating duke. The problem was, she didn’t know how to let him know or whether he wanted to oblige.

“I want you to kiss me,” he said huskily.

Her heart hammered foolishly. That didn’t sound right. She thought it was always the man who kissed the lady, but perhaps it didn’t matter. She didn’t really know. She couldn’t ever remember seeing her parents kiss, and her brother had never married. Not that she would have seen them kiss if he had a wife.

Confused by the trail of her own thoughts about something as intimate as a kiss, and the tightness in her chest, she couldn’t do anything but admit the truth, “I don’t know how.”

He waited silently, keeping his penetrating gaze on hers.

For a moment, she wondered if she was brave enough to say what was on the tip of her tongue, but then the words left her mouth with confidence: “Will you show me?”

His breath hitched and a pleased smile spread seductively over his lips. “That’s the best thing you’ve ever asked me to do for you, Ophelia,” he rasped. “And that’s exactly what I’m going to do.”

The duke slid his hand to the back of her neck. It was deliciously and intensely intimate for him to be touching her in such a way, but she didn’t want him to stop. He bent his head closer. Her eyes closed without prompting, and she felt his lips brush feather soft over hers with the merest amount of tender, languid pressure. His lips were cool and refreshing. In that timeless span of a short moment, all her insides tightened and tingled. She didn’t know how he’d filled her with such intense pleasure just by a mere kiss.

He raised his head, and she lifted her lashes. The duke was smiling. Ophelia smiled too, wanting to savor and memorize having her first kiss.

“Do you think you know how to do it now?” he asked. “Or should I give you another kiss to make sure?”

The desirous feelings she’d had for him were suddenly flaming. Feeling flushed, Ophelia had no idea but wanted to try. She moistened her lips. “I can do it.”

“Go ahead then,” he answered, softly.

He remained still. Patient. Tentative, but curious, she reached up and lightly placed her lips on his.

“Perfect,” he whispered into her mouth as his hands slid down her shoulders and back, circled her waist, and caught her solidly up against his chest. His arms held her as if he didn’t intend to let her go.

There were times her brother had hugged her. Not often. He wasn’t good at showing affection, but she never felt unloved because of it. And Winston’s quick embraces had never felt like being in the duke’s arms. His strength, the way he held her so firmly against him, was exhilarating. It was as if she sensed, somehow, she belonged to him, and he would never allow anyone to take her from him.

He pressed a short kiss to her lips, and then to each side of her mouth, and then several more. “I’m going to show you another way to kiss, Ophelia.”

If there was more to learn, she wanted to know what it was. Her first kisses had been so much more than she’d imagined, what more could there be?

The duke slanted his lips firmly over hers and moved back and forth. She braced her palms on his chest as he pressed her tightly against him.

A soft moan collected in her throat, and her lips relaxed and softened beneath his. Ophelia kissed him while he moved his hands up and down her back, gently in soft strokes that inadvertently tickled her sides as his thumbs moved against her rib cage.

Instinct took over and she followed his lead. Their kisses became harder, deeper, and longer. Without mindful effort, she lifted her arms and entwined them around his neck, clasping her hands together at his nape. She loved the feel of her fingers finding and then threading through his silky collar-length hair.

As if she’d done it many times before, she opened her mouth, and his tongue explored inside with light, caressing strokes, causing a tightening in her abdomen. This way of kissing, his lips moving seductively back and forth over hers while he held her tightly, sent pleasurable feelings swirling inside her. And though it might not be true because of her lack of knowledge, she sensed the duke was feeling everything she felt too.

His lips left hers and brushed along her jawline over to the shell of her ear, kissing the soft, sensitive skin behind it. She let out a moan, her skin prickling with tingles. She could have lost herself forever in such budding feelings, but to all things there is an end.

Too soon, the duke uttered a low sound and suddenly put an arm’s length between them. A gulp of chilly spring air slowly cleared Ophelia’s thoughts; her breathing started slowing down. It was the same for the duke as she watched his expanding chest slow and return to normal.

“I didn’t intend to get so carried away,” he offered.

The duke may have spoken like a gentleman, but he didn’t present himself as one right now. His hair was ruffled out of place around his ears. Had she done that when she had her hands at his nape? His neckcloth was askew and his coat at an odd angle on his shoulder. Seemingly, the unwavering resolve he carried himself by had fled. Albeit temporarily, she was sure. Now she found she liked seeing him with his hair mussed out of place. If the wind were blowing in the opposite direction, she was sure she could have seen the scar he and her mother were talking about that day in the drawing room.

“Neither did I.”

“I heard someone or something moving around in the neighbor’s garden just beyond the hedge,” he spoke softly.

Ophelia hadn’t heard anything but their breath and sighs. “Perhaps a rabbit. No one lives next door. But I’m glad you heard it. I wouldn’t want anyone to see us kissing. Or to even know we had.”

Thank heavens the duke took control when she could not put propriety and privacy before passion. She had no doubt they had been kissing far longer than was respectable even for married people.

Maman had advised many times it was the lady’s responsibility to keep a man in line concerning romantic pursuits. Clearly, Ophelia hadn’t been able to. The experience had been too wonderful, and she wanted to continue enjoying everything she was feeling. She might never have another opportunity to be kissed again. There was no way of knowing. The duke was right. She could end up in prison or worse for searching book rooms of private homes.

It suddenly occurred to her that it might be appropriate to let the duke know how much she enjoyed the kisses. Her mother had taught her a thank-you was never out of line. And other things about decorum and proper behavior. But she’d never been taught the appropriate way to react after a passionate embrace with a man. That was probably because there wasn’t supposed to be a long, passionate embrace between two unmarried people. But before she could decide what to say she noticed a serious expression on the duke’s face.

Had she done something wrong? Had it been her fault they had kissed so long?

“I shouldn’t have said what I did earlier, Ophelia. I don’t know what I was thinking.”

“I didn’t mind,” she answered, some of the afterglow of their embrace still with her. It would be a long time before she forgot this day, and, for a fleeting moment, she wondered if she would ever forget her first kiss. It was something worth remembering.

“I know it wasn’t ladylike of me, and I shouldn’t have been so eager, but I wanted to know what it was like to kiss and be kissed. I could have refused, but I didn’t want to. I simply got carried away because of your—your—”

“My desire to kiss you too?” His voice was low and husky. “My passion for you? Because I wanted to touch you and hold you in my arms?”

“Because of your generous gift,” she offered the correction, and didn’t want to even think about the possibility what he said might be true. Had he really wanted to kiss her that badly? “You have no reason to apologize for your forward behavior.”

He brushed a hand across his hair and then adjusted his coat to correct his appearance. The threat of an attractive smile tweaked the corners of his mouth. Hers too.

“You have always been far braver than you should be, Ophelia, and I make no apology to you nor anyone else for our kisses. I don’t regret a moment of it and don’t want you to either.” He paused as his expression turned serious. “One thing I can’t do is allow you to continue to rummage through book rooms of homes.”

All residual sensuous feelings dissipated in an instant. Drawing on all her deportment as well as determination, she fixed him with a rigid glare and said in a near whisper, “You are not my guardian. It is not up to you to allow or disallow anything concerning me. You can’t stop me.”

“But I am helping you in ways that will not get you in trouble,” he argued. He quickly brushed the tail of his coat aside and propped his hands on his slim hips. “My help is what you have wanted from the moment you walked into my life. I went to great trouble to bring my cousin to the party so you could hear what he had to say about the chalice and be assured of his innocence.”

A breeze freed the strand of hair from behind her ear and scattered it across her face, but she managed to stare back at him without flinching or blinking and say, “I know. I’m grateful.”

He threw up his hands as if he didn’t understand her simple answer and pointed toward the book resting against the side of the house. “I bought the book for you.”

“I’m glad for all your help so far, but what I need you to do is start looking on bookshelves for me.”

“I’ve told you it’s wrong to search through anyone’s belongings. Do you want us both to get thrown into Newgate?”

“We are both too clever to have that happen.”

“It’s not right, Ophelia. Neither your brother nor your father would approve, and I’m not going to change my mind and approve of it either. I’m assisting you in other ways to keep you out of trouble.”

“I understand, but I believe the sacrament is gathering dust on a titled man’s bookshelf. We can share responsibilities. You help the way you can, and I will help my way. Together, maybe it will be found before it’s too late.”

His mouth narrowed and he gave a short snort of laughter. “I’ve told you it’s preposterous, wrong, and will get you nowhere but in a pot of hot water. I’ve asked Wyatt and Rick, who have been dukes much longer than I have, about this, and neither of them knows of such a man among the peerage.”

She swallowed hard. “It’s all I can do right now.”

The duke’s brow rose in disapproval and his jaw tightened. “No, you can stop,” he said on a hissing breath.

“And do nothing?” she exclaimed. “No, sir. That is what I cannot do.”

“I know how much this means to you, but you can’t sacrifice your character for it. I told you when we first met, I can pay for the chalice to be replaced. What you are doing is madness. I’ve told you invading someone’s privacy isn’t something that should ever be done to anyone. I know you’ve heard the saying that two wrongs won’t make anything right, Ophelia. Take my word for it, that’s true.”

“No, whoever said that is wrong.”

Despite her intentions to remain unaffected by his words, her heartbeat faltered. Her throat thickened. It did bother her that she was going against everything she’d been brought up to believe and how to behave. She wouldn’t have chosen to steal anything from anyone. Not even a thief.

“Have you ever done anything wrong, Your Grace?”

He was prudently silent for a moment and didn’t meet her eyes but finally admitted, “Of course I have.”

“Wrong things for a good reason?”

“More times than you have for sure.” He blew out a deep breath of impatience. “And every time I have, I’ve later wished I hadn’t.”

Ophelia wondered if something deeper than he was saying was going on inside him. Was it only that he had a strict code of honor, and maybe his own code about what was right and what was wrong for himself? Was there more to the faraway look that appeared in his eyes than just what she was doing and what he was saying? She sensed there was. Maybe he was thinking about something he’d done wrong in the past.

It wasn’t that she hadn’t reflected on what she was doing. There had been plenty of that. She didn’t want to do bad things that she knew were wrong. Things that would have had her brother and father extremely disappointed in her. She felt guilty for being so willful, and one day she’d have to forgive herself for searching the homes.

But that wouldn’t be today or tomorrow. For now, she had to continue with her plan.

“I will be watching you like a hawk after his prey tomorrow night at Lord Swillingwill’s house, so don’t try to get out of my sight,” he said with a warning in his tone.

“And I will be watching you. I started this search without you, and I can finish it without you. I certainly won’t force you to help me with anything.”

“Force?” he questioned the word with a grunt as the word stuck in his craw. “You couldn’t force me to do anything I don’t want to do, Ophelia.”

“You are right, Your Grace. If I could have forced you, I would have already done it by now.”

He smiled at her sassy retort. “All right, enough of the madness you have created in my life. You want my help? Fine.” He sucked in a deep breath as an expression of fierce concentration settled on his face. “Marry me.”