Page 15 of Starlight and the Duke (Cherish and the Duke #5)

R ob’s panther eyes were piercing as he stretched out on the bed beside her, his expression intense and territorial, silently proclaiming that this was where he belonged.

Not for the length of a week. He was demanding to be here every night for the rest of their lives.

She could have hurled back a string of reasons why he needed to marry someone else, but she had neither the heart nor the desire to lecture him. Instead, she gave herself over to him as he undressed her and made fierce love to her.

Once. Twice.

Intense. Scorching. Unmistakably devouring. Untamed. Clothes off and bodies entwined.

With each kiss and embrace, he proclaimed his love for her. As sure as the sun rose every morning. And as surely as the silvery moon marked the impending night.

She wanted to cry a thousand tears for the impossibility of it all. How could something beautiful ever spring from their coupling? She would have begged, pleaded, crawled on her knees if only it would do any good.

She closed off her painful thoughts and gave herself over to his exquisitely gentle touch. Would her skin feel so soft or her breasts fill the cup of his hands so perfectly if they weren’t meant to be a match?

Would their souls have been cut from the same bolt of celestial cloth if they were not destined to be together?

Her heart beat so strongly for him sometimes, she was certain it would pound through her chest.

He made love to her a third time as dawn approached, no doubt feeling a physical ache at the thought of their separation. But he had to leave her, or her servants would talk.

Not yet.

A few more minutes. They still had a little time before the traitorous dawn stole him from her side.

They took no precautions, enjoying each other without limitations, since there was no risk of her conceiving. Rob had readily agreed to this careless arrangement, because what did he have to lose? Nothing at all, especially if she were proved wrong and found herself with child.

She saw the hope in his eyes. Then he would gain everything. The wife he wanted. A child, no matter whether a boy or girl. Only a son could inherit his title, but how was this a problem once it was shown she could be fertile? They could always try again for a son if their first was a daughter.

If only this were possible. But what were the chances?

Nil. Impossible.

Fiona’s eyes began to tear.

Noticing this, he rolled off her and brought her along with him as he rested on his back. She nestled within the circle of his arms. Were they making a terrible mistake by indulging in this week-long love fest?

She wasn’t feeling very festive. Nor was he.

This was what worried her most. Were they working toward a happy outcome? Or merely making their inevitable heartbreak worse?

Fiona drifted off again, and opened her eyes to find the morning sun brightly shining upon her face. Rob must have opened the drapes for her before he left her bedchamber, because it was still too early for Molly to come in and wake her.

Feeling unsettled, she tossed on her robe and padded across the carpeted floor to peer out the window, not surprised to find Rob striding from the stable toward the house after his morning ride. This had become his routine these past few days.

She enjoyed riding, too. But their nighttime frolics had left her sated and shamelessly lazy. These nightly activities were new to her and quite exciting, but they also took an overwhelming toll with each coupling.

It was not only because Rob’s body was flawless and the scent of him divine. Nor was it merely that his arms were the perfect amount of strong and solid, and she particularly enjoyed falling asleep while wrapped in his muscled embrace.

She would have enjoyed waking in his arms, too. But he was always careful to leave her bed before anyone in the household stirred.

Having him all to herself this week had filled her with dreams and possibilities, but she knew allowing these feelings to slip into her heart was dangerous. The entire point of their seven days together was to gorge themselves on each other and be done forever.

But it was having the opposite effect.

Rob glanced up and smiled upon seeing her at the window. “Good morning.”

She smiled back and waved. “I’m meeting with my estate manager this morning. Care to join me?”

“Does this mean you weren’t just making up an excuse to leave Milbury’s home last night?”

She shook her head. “All real.”

“Sounds fun. Sure.”

“You don’t have to if you don’t want to. I only mentioned it because you usually like this sort of thing. You always had a good head for business.”

“I do wish. What time are you meeting him? And is he coming here?”

“No, I’m meeting him at the farm. Nine o’clock sharp.”

“All right. Let me wash up. See you in the dining room in half an hour.”

Once he disappeared into the house, Fiona went to her wardrobe to select a suitable gown to wear for inspecting a farm. She withdrew a dark-gray muslin, momentarily thinking of the drab gown Lady Cordelia had worn last night, and how hideous she looked in it.

Fiona sighed and shook her head as she stared at her reflection in the mirror. “You are nothing like that disapproving crow.”

So what if it was not her prettiest gown? Rob always looked at her as though she were the most enchanting vision alive.

Oh dear. She was going to cry again if she allowed her thoughts to stray to him.

Firming her resolve, she donned the gown that had been designed for functionality and was easy to slip on and off.

Molly came in just as Fiona was putting on her sturdy working boots, so there was little left to do but assist with her hair. “And help me with this necklace, Molly.”

“Oh, m’lady. It is lovely,” her maid said when Fiona showed her the lapis lazuli gem now held on the thin gold chain. “I noticed you wore it yesterday, too. Mind you don’t lose it in the muck.”

“I’ll be very careful with it.”

Molly grinned. “Oh, I know what you are about. You want that luscious man to see you wearing his gift.”

Fiona laughed. “I am merely being a polite hostess.”

“Right, m’lady. If you say so. Is it just me or is he getting handsomer by the day?

My eyeballs haven’t stopped rolling in their sockets since he carried the neighbor’s injured boy back to the house.

Never seen a man look so good shirtless.

Thick, solid muscles. Broad shoulders. Tight stomach.

Poor Gladys is still walking around cross-eyed after a glimpse of him. ”

Fiona sighed again. “He is spectacular, isn’t he? Quite handsome when he smiles.”

“Which he does all the time now. He is happy being around you. His entire expression softens whenever he sees you. And that devastatingly handsome smile of his is pure heaven. Have you noticed how it shines through his eyes when he is around you? I’ll bet you make him smile a lot at night, too.”

“Molly!” Fiona tipped her chin in the air. “I wouldn’t know about that.”

“Oh, is that so? Do you think I cannot tell he has been warming your sheets? Probably warming some rather unused parts of your body, as well.”

“Molly!”

“Well, I hope they are being put to good use. That man could set a woman on fire with merely a glance. But I know he’s been doing far more than glancing at you. He probably knows tricks that would make a sailor blush.”

Fiona rested her elbows on her vanity table and groaned. “I refuse to talk about him.”

“You needn’t say a word. The blush on your cheeks tells me all I need to know.” Molly let out a long breath. “M’lady, please think about what you are doing.”

“I don’t know what you mean.”

Molly cast her a gently stern look.

Fiona relented. “I can do nothing but think of him, and each time I am led to the same conclusion. This has to end. For his sake, he has to move on and marry someone able to give him children.”

Molly gave her a hug. “But this is his choice to make, not yours. He is fully aware of your situation and you are not deceiving him in any way.”

Fiona’s stomach began to churn. “I never would lie to him.” And was she not obligated to prevent him from making the biggest mistake of his life?

She changed the topic of conversation, knowing there was no point to dwelling on the hopeless situation. “Please advise Simmons I’ll need the rig brought around.”

“Right away, m’lady.” Molly nodded and then bustled out.

Fiona walked downstairs soon afterward, her heart turning light and breezy when she saw Rob seated at the table nursing his cup of coffee.

He was frowning, lost in his thoughts and looking quite daunting, for anyone who did not know him would have thought twice before approaching him when he wore that serious expression.

However, he rose and managed a smile as soon as she walked in. “Good morning, again.”

“Did you wait for me before digging into the salvers?”

He nodded. “Didn’t want to be rude and start without you.”

“Nonsense, you must be starving after your morning ride. Did you enjoy it?”

“Yes.” He shot her a look that revealed he had enjoyed their night rides, too.

Heat shot into her cheeks.

He cast her a knowing grin.

Dear heaven. He needed to behave or her entire staff would know how they had been spending their nights.

Well, they probably did anyway. Molly certainly knew.

Eager to leave the house and be away from prying eyes, Fiona shoveled down her eggs and kippers, finished her tea, and then rose. “Time to go.”

“All right.” Rob had gobbled down his food, too. But this was only because he had seen her move fast and realized she wanted to set out for the farm as soon as possible.

The rig was ready and waiting for them when they walked out the front door. Rob helped her climb in, and then took the driver’s seat himself.

With a crisp flick of his wrists on the reins, they were off.

However, the simple ride proved something of a dilemma, for their shoulders constantly grazed, reminding Fiona how nicely broad his were.