Page 20 of Promised to the Worst Duke in England (Disreputable Dukes of Club Damnation #2)

September 30, 1815

Tattinger House

Berkeley Square

Mayfair, London

Alan’s nerves felt strung all too tight as he enjoyed a brandy with the Duke of Eggleton in his study. He and Imogen had returned to London a week ago, and by the end of August, he’d been free to remove his injured arm and shoulder from the sling.

“What has you so anxious this evening, Averly?” his friend asked with teasing in his voice as he sipped at his brandy.

“Truth to tell, I have no idea other than the fact that my wife has requested my undivided attention tonight without explaining why.” She hadn’t been best pleased when Eggleton had called, but all she told him was not to linger with the duke, for her news could no longer keep. “God, I hope she isn’t dying. Saying goodbye to Miriam in July taxed my strength.”

“Understandable, and I still miss her,” Eggleton said with a nod and the shadows of sadness in his eyes. “She was a lost soul, but she meant well.”

At Imogen’s urging, Alan had returned briefly to London at the end of July when it became obvious that Miriam wasn’t long for the world. He’d joined Eggleton, the duchess, and a couple of other members of Miriam’s family at her bedside, where she’d told them all goodbye and spoke to each for a few minutes. To him, she said she hoped his marriage would prove long and happy, and that he would learn how to forgive himself while living again.

He had assured her his union was off to a good start then he’d leaned over her and kissed her forehead. Not long after she spoke with Eggleton, who was her cousin, she said she was tired and wished for a nap. An hour later, since Eggleton had kept vigil by her side, he told the company assembled in the drawing room that Miriam had passed peacefully in her sleep.

Alan had returned to Kent directly after that, for her death had thrown him back into the shadows of his past and how she had been one of the only people keeping him in check during those turbulent times.

But now he had Imogen, and she provided a different sort of peace and acceptance.

“I will always miss her.” Alan’s respect for his wife had increased exponentially because she’d made him gain closure for that part of his life without acting with jealousy. “What should I do about Imogen’s summons? We have been wed for just over three months, yet there are still days when everything is either awkward or a trial.”

“That’s because it is. And it will be throughout your life together. There is nothing wrong with that; marriage is like that.” Eggleton shook his head. “Don’t fret what she wants to tell you. It’s likely nothing, and regardless, give her a good fuck. It will be good for you both.”

Eggleton rested his brandy glass on a small round, rose-inlaid table. His eyes twinkled with humor. “I am happy for you, Averly. You needed this stability in your life. I couldn’t have hand-picked a better wife for you if I’d tried.”

“It is due to her influence.” When he peered at the remainder of the liquor in his glass, he frowned and then set his tumbler next to the duke’s. He wanted a clear head when he saw his wife tonight, and since he’d cut back on his alcohol consumption, he didn’t crave it as he’d done months ago. “She doesn’t hold my past against me.”

“While you do the same for her. It is amazing that the two of you hold similar backgrounds.” His friend chuckled. “Truly, it warms my heart to know you’re in love with your wife. As I am with Abigail.”

“I still can’t believe it.” Truly, he was fortunate to have such a caring friend after he’d cocked up his life. “It seems also my name is slowly being accepted back into polite society, if the stack of invitations received in my absence is any indication.”

“It is all too the good. Abigail and I would be delighted to have dinner with you.”

His heart swelled in gratitude. “I would like that, and Imogen gets along well with your wife, so they’ll probably gossip the whole evening.” Suddenly, his life had shifted in ways he never thought possible. He heaved a sigh. “In truth, one of my concerns is that she hasn’t fallen pregnant yet. I hope tonight leads to an heir.”

Eggleton snorted. “So you can send Imogen and the child away, and find a new mistress? Isn’t that what you’d originally planned?”

“I…” Heat sneaked up the back of his neck. “That was the man I was in the past. Now, I want a child and her. To have a family I can protect, to cherish, to spend time with is a particular dream I persist in having.”

Admiration reflected in Eggleton’s eyes. “You truly have grown, my friend. I hope that dream comes true for you. Imogen is wonderful. She would have to be to endure the shit you’ve put her through.”

“She’s a brick of a woman, and she even enjoys my penchant for ropes and toys.”

Eggleton held up a hand. “I don’t want to know those details, my friend.”

They both shared a laugh. “Would that this foolish war end. I wish to take her to Rome so she can study the paintings from the Masters. Her talent at painting keeps me in awe.”

“There is plenty of time for all of that. The war won’t last forever. Travel will be allowed soon enough. Enjoy what you have before you, for the Christmastide season will soon be upon us. There will be much celebration during that season.” He stood and clapped a hand to Alan’s shoulder. “As for me, I am going home to my wife. I’m quite certain you have other things to occupy your time besides talking with me.”

Alan tugged at his cravat’s knot. “I do.”

A knowing light glimmered in Eggleton’s eyes. “Enjoy yourselves, and don’t worry. I’ll pop into the club in a few days to see how you’ve fared.”

“Thank you. For everything.” His friend didn’t have to put up with him and his horrid moods and behaviors, but Eggleton had, and that had meant everything.

“It is what friends do.” He nodded. “I am only glad you realized what we have known all along—that you are worthy and deserving of good things.”

Eventually, he left his study and made his way through the townhouse until he came to the grand staircase. Then he stumbled to a halt, for Imogen sat upon the stairs, and she was a vision ripped once more from the pages of a fairy story.

Candlelight from the wall sconces gave her an ethereal cast that made her fairly glow while she watched him with secrets in her blue-gray eyes. A gown of royal blue satin gleamed in that low illumination, and the overskirt of a pale blue silk embroidered with silver swirls set his imagination on fire, for she could have been a princess or a maiden in distress waiting for a knight. Her upswept strawberry blonde hair called attention to her fantastic decolletage where the upper slopes of her breasts were clearly visible—fuller than usual or was that wishful thinking? Her shoulders that were on display as well, for the gown’s cut left the garment clinging on her bare arms. No other jewelry adorned her skin except for ruby and diamond engagement ring, but then, with those luminous blue-gray eyes, she needed no more enhancement.

Never had he wanted a woman more.

“Why, Averly, I don’t believe you have ever been at a loss for words, have you?” she asked with an arched eyebrow and a purr in her voice that went straight to his stones.

“I…” He cleared his throat. “God, you are exquisite tonight. What is the occasion?”

“There is none.”

“Ah.” Why couldn’t he remember how to talk? “I assumed you would be in bed.”

“Oh, I will be soon… with you, but when you declined to come up, I had to force the issue.” Slowly, she drew a hand along the bodice of the gown, and he couldn’t help but drop his gaze to her charms very much on display.

He tugged at the knot of his cravat. Why was it suddenly so hot in the house? “Is there something specific you need, duchess?” The teasing endearment still hadn’t fallen out of favor with him.

“Yes, of course.” As she rose to her feet, she brought forth a length of white silk fabric from the folds of her skirting—one of his cravats. Over the past few months, they’d made use of one of them for restraints many times, and she’d taken to it with aplomb. “I want you, Alan.”

“I think we can properly manage that tonight, but you said you needed to talk with me on an important matter.”

“I do.” She gathered her skirting in her hands and ascended a couple of steps then glanced over her shoulder at him. It was quite bewitching. “It can wait for a bit; I’m expecting wicked things from you tonight, for we haven’t been together in five days.”

For various reasons, one of them being she’d been unwell on and off. “I’ll show you wicked.” Then with an easy grin, he chased her up the stairs to their shared suite. Without reservation, he tugged her into his arms. As he claimed her lips in a searing kiss, he pressed her back against the wall. Again and again, he drank from her, chased and bossed her tongue with his, wanted her to know in no uncertain terms that he desired her beyond all other things in life and that she was always cherished. He had the laces at the back of her gown undone in a thrice, but she stayed him with a palm to chest.

The heat in her eyes said she wasn’t done with him. “Remember the restraint.”

“How could I forget? It has been a benchmark in our play since the day you said you loved me.” After closing the door and turning the key in the lock, he once more took her into his embrace and kissed her, and as he did, he continued to unlace the gown. When the ribbons went slack and the bodice gaped, he tugged the garment down her body until it slipped to the floor with the veriest whisper.

“You didn’t put on undergarments.” Not even stockings or slippers, and it sent fires into his blood. Her body was as gorgeous as the last time he’d seen her, and perhaps a bit more lush. “Beautiful. Always so damned beautiful.”

“Such gammon.” A blush stained her cheeks even after everything they’d already done together since the first night. The hard tips of her nipples thrust forward, so tempting. “I simply want you in bed. It has been far too long.”

“Five days,” he managed to croak, for he was quite distracted. “Though that gown is amazing, I far prefer you this way.” Taking her hand, Alan led her away from the puddle of clothing. “I’ll join you in a twinkling.” Quickly, he made good on his promise, wrenching, and tugging, and yanking the clothing from his person. Once he was naked as she, he pulled her into an embrace, crushed his mouth to hers in a heated kiss that left them both breathless. Unable to stop, he continued to kiss her, hoped to relearn the secrets her mouth held, when she returned his advances and twined her arms about his shoulders, he applied himself with more enthusiasm, for the raw feel of skin against skin drove him mad.

“Ah, Alan.” She danced her fingertips down his chest, and every fairy-like touch sent awareness rippling over him. With eyes clouded with the same passion coursing through him, she stared up into his face and held his gaze. “I… please don’t drag out the teasing tonight.”

He rather adored the note of command in her voice. He lost another piece of his heart to her in that moment, and if he hadn’t already been in love with her, that would have done it. “I assume you’d enjoy having your wrists secured this evening, duchess?” Before she could respond, he put his hands at her waist and then tossed her into the middle of the bed.

Her squeal of delight echoed in the room, but she propped herself on an elbow and her smile was wide… devious. “No, but I would like to have you restrained instead.”

Need shot down his spine as he gawked at her. “Me?” That was something they’d not done… yet. “Why?” Knowing she wished to take control of the coupling aroused him more than any words, so he retrieved the length of silk from the floor where she’d dropped it while undressing.