Page 4 of The Duke’s Ultimatum (Unrelenting Lords #1)

CHAPTER 4

E leanor took a slight step to the right, to hide more in the shadows, but it was too late. The Duke’s eyes locked in on hers, and there was no denying she was there watching the two of them.

She tried to swallow, but her throat ran dry. Her breathing was erratic, and her stomach was rolled into a tight ball. She couldn’t drop her gaze, even if it meant her ruination. There was something captivating in them that fascinated her. The way he commanded the widow’s body to do as he pleased intrigued her. It was all so new to Eleanor, so wicked, so primal. Such a stark contrast to the prim and proper ball that was happening on the other side of the door he was pressed against.

Without warning, the Duke turned the widow in his arms so now both of them were facing Eleanor’s somewhat hidden frame. However, the Duke took the widow’s neck and tilted it back to rest on his chest, her eyes settling on the ceiling above them, not on Eleanor.

His other hand gathered her skirt and slipped underneath with a sensual moan spilling from the widow’s lips.

Eleanor’s favorite dress began to feel too tight, itchy. She pulled at the lace that lined her décolletage, hoping for some relief. But that was not where she needed it. Heat began to grow low in her belly. The sensation was new to Eleanor, and while she had to admit it sparked her interest, she couldn’t help but deny the edge of danger that was laced through it.

“I asked you if you liked this.” The Duke’s voice was low, husky, and full of lust. His hand moved faster, but his eyes were still on Eleanor.

The widow writhed under his hold. Panting and mewling as he worked her into a frenzy of pleas of “faster” and “yes.”

“Do you want more?” His voice was possessive and fervent, yet his face showed no trace of exertion. “Answer me,” he ground out.

The widow breathed out a “yes” while the Duke attacked her throat with open mouthed kisses.

All the air left Eleanor’s lungs as her body leaned forward, resisting the urge to go to them. There was a growing part of her that wanted to be the one to answer him. She wanted to touch him. She wanted to be the one under his control, under his hands.

The urge to go was becoming too strong. Her heart began to race, her weight shifted between her feet, and her hands itched to reach out. The foreign awareness in her belly was increasing like a storm gathering wind.

The widow jerked hard against the Duke and let out a scream which he captured with his mouth while turning the widow back to face him.

Eleanor stood astounded, processing what she just witnessed. Did I just watch what I think I watched?

She looked around to see if anyone was on the veranda who may have seen her or the couple in the library. She looked back in time to see the widow whisper something in the Duke’s ear. His smile was forced, but his eyes drifted to the widow’s as he shook his head no.

With a slight lift of her shoulder, the widow reached up and kissed him on the cheek. She smoothed her skirts and left through the door that the Duke was just leaning against. But not without blowing him a kiss and giving him a saucy wink in his direction.

Eleanor willed her body to move; she needed to leave before he directed his attention back to her. Come on, Eleanor. Move your legs!

“Eleanor.”

His voice was light and nonchalant, a sound that clashed against her clearly affected body. He raised his finger and beckoned her into the library. He reclaimed his spot, leaning up against the door to the hallway. She was acutely aware that he was blocking an exit. If she didn’t drift too far in, she still had the door she came through.

Her steps were heavy and uneven at first. She made her way to him on wobbly legs and stood behind a chair, using it to lean on for support. Who was she kidding? She used it more as a wall between her and the Duke than support. He clearly had her under some sort of spell, and she didn’t trust him or herself.

He tsked as he moved closer to her. Once again, she was caught in his gaze, unable to look away from the man who was stalking towards her. When he reached her, he moved the chair from between them, putting it aside. Reaching out, he took her by the waist and pulled her into him. A small squeak slipped through her lips as he leaned in toward her ear. Goosebumps broke out over her body as his hot breath tickled her neck.

“Did you like the show, Eleanor?” His voice was like velvet: deep, rich, and seductive.

Her eyes fluttered shut. Her societal training was switched off as her body reacted to him on instinct. She leaned in, wanting to be consumed by this man.

Her mind was a whirlwind of images, his hands on her. His hands on the widow. The widow! Hot anger flashed in her veins. He was just with the widow, and now, he was seducing her. The rake!

Eleanor opened her eyes and pushed back against the Duke. “Let me go this instant.”

He let her step back but kept his hands on her waist.

She looked down at his arms and back up into his eyes. “This is highly inappropriate,” she seethed. “Not to mention what you just did with the widow. You’re disgraceful!”

The Duke said nothing but raised an eyebrow.

Eleanor bristled at his silence. “Will you not answer for your actions? You represent my family now, and this is how you behave?” The warm, sensual heat she was just feeling turned into a raging fire of fury. “This rakish behavior is unacceptable.”

The Duke’s full lips widened into a slow grin.

“My behavior?” he quipped.

Eleanor’s brows furrowed. “Yes, your behavior. I didn’t see anyone else mauling the widow in this library, did you?”

The Duke chuckled. “One.” One hand slipped from her waist as it rose to lift one finger in front of her face. “I was not mauling anyone. And two…” He raised another finger. “If I was, she was enjoying it.” His voice dropped, and Eleanor felt the bottom half of her body clench on its own accord.

Eleanor stiffened at her body’s reaction to his sinful words. “Regardless, your behavior is deplorable,” she spat.

The Duke tilted his head to assess her. Eleanor realized his one hand was still holding onto her waist, so she tried to step back. The Duke’s other hand fell back to her waist, and he tightened his hold.

“I think what is done in private is no one’s business but the people who are involved. Wouldn’t you agree?” he purred.

Eleanor could only stare. Curse those eyes and that seductive voice. When he spoke, she couldn’t help but get lost in his words.

“I, um…”

He took a step towards her, closing the distance her step back caused. “And, if we’re discussing my behavior, we should mention yours.”

“Mine?” She shook her head to fight the trance his voice was putting her under. “What of my behavior?”

The Duke nodded. “What were you doing on the veranda, Eleanor?” His words were like silk against her skin.

“I was, um, looking for you.” Eleanor’s head began to spin. She tried desperately to hold on to the outrage she previously felt, but she was quickly losing steam.

The Duke’s eyes darkened. “Well, you found me. Now, why were you looking for me? Shouldn’t you be in the ballroom dancing the night away with your many admirers?” He leaned down, lightly rubbing his lips against her neck, causing a jolt of electricity to run down her spine.

He breathed her in. “How are you still available?”

Eleanor squeezed her eyes shut. She couldn’t concentrate with his devilish touch upon her skin. “I, uh…” Think Eleanor! “I haven’t found anyone yet.”

The Duke let out a low growl that had her opening her eyes.

She needed to regroup and bring the conversation back to something she could control. “Mama asked me to find you. It’s about time to introduce you.”

“Ah. I see. So when you found me, instead of turning around to tell your dear mother that I was otherwise indisposed, you decided to stay and watch. Tell me, Eleanor…” He tilted his head, and his mischievous eyes roamed over her face. “… is it polite to watch the private encounter between two consenting and willing adults? I had no idea I had a voyeur in my charge.”

Once again, Eleanor stepped backward. “How dare you!” Her voice carried across the library.

“Ah ah,” He brought a finger to her lips. “We don’t want anyone interrupting us in this private moment. Unless…” He glanced over his shoulder to the door. “Unless you want to get caught?”

Eleanor’s mouth snapped shut. The thought of getting caught standing this close to the Duke without a chaperone was too much to bear. She tried looking over his shoulder to the door that led to the ballroom, but the man was so blasted tall, she couldn’t see past him.

Her eyes dropped to the scant space between them. He was right; regardless of his actions, hers were just as bad.

She took a deep breath and exhaled. “I’m sorry for my part in this whole debacle.” The words came rushing out. What she wouldn’t give to be stuck conversing with Lady Marsh right about now.

She was becoming flustered again. She needed to get away from him before her primal instincts took control once more.

“I’ll forgive you and pretend it never happened if…” His voice trailed off.

“If?”

“If you admit you liked it.”

Eleanor’s world tilted on its axis. “What?!” she yelled, her voice carrying through the empty library once more.

“How dare?—”

The Duke’s hand bolted out and covered her mouth as he spun her around. They were both facing the door with her back pressed up against his chest. Two more knocks came from the other side of the door.

“Eleanor? Are you in there? Your mother is looking for you.”

Caroline. She was a friend of Eleanor’s. Another knock and Caroline’s voice drifted in from the hallway. “Eleanor? Are you all right?”

Eleanor nodded against the Duke’s hand, signaling she knew the voice.

Once again his breath tickled her neck as he whispered, “Tell her to leave.”

Shock waves rolled through her body. She’s spoken to countless men in her life, so why did her body pick this one to react to?

“Yes! I’m here.”

The door began to push open, and the Duke’s grip tightened around her waist. They were standing in front of the door. If Caroline fully opened the door, there would be no excuse on Earth that would explain their closeness. Other than her ruination of course.

“No! Wait!” she yelled.

Eleanor released a breath when the door remained closed.

“Is everything all right in there? Shall I get your mother?” Caroline sounded worried but thankfully didn’t try to push the door open again.

“I don’t think your mother would approve of our current entanglement, do you?” His salacious words were whispered in between soft kisses up and down her neck. She could feel his smile against her heated skin.

“No need to get my mother.” Eleanor cringed at the tremble in her voice. “I’m just a bit flushed from the ballroom; I needed a rest.”

The Duke traced his tongue along her neck in between little nibbles and lazy kisses. She leaned back against him, her head resting on his chest, and let out a breathy moan.

“Eleanor? Are you sure?” The door began to move towards them.

Eleanor bounded back up. “Yes! Please, no need to come in. I don’t want anyone to see me like this. I’ll be out in a few moments.”

Caroline didn’t answer. Eleanor stared at the door, her mind warring between willing the door to remain closed and forgetting all about propriety and her upbringing to indulge in more of whatever the Duke was currently doing to her body.

Chills and heat were in a race to see which sensation would devour her body first. Eleanor was ashamed to admit she found the feeling intoxicating.

“Oh, well, I will be by the refreshment table if you need anything.”

Eleanor listened for the retreating sound of Caroline’s footsteps. When she was certain Caroline was gone, she turned in the Duke’s arms to face him.

“You are incorrigible,” she ground out.

The Duke let his hands fall to his sides as he took a step back, a smile playing on his lips.

Eleanor bristled at his smirk. “You’ll have to excuse me; I do not find my potential ruination to be a laughing matter.”

The Duke shrugged. “I wasn’t laughing.”

Eleanor raised her hand and pointed at him. “You are smiling. Nothing about this should be taken lightly.”

The Duke straightened up and righted his rumbled shirt. “You’re absolutely correct. For instance, now that I know you are not only a voyeur but a wanton creature, I will have to keep my eyes on you to make sure you don’t sully our good name.”

Any lust or interest she may have felt during their close proximity drained from her body and was replaced with red hot anger.

“This is now the second time you have offended me since I came in here. How dare you!” Eleanor stomped closer to him, jutting her pointer finger into his hard chest. “You know nothing about me. If you did you would know that I am a highly respectable young woman who is known by her peers to be levelheaded and quite intelligent. I, sir, am no wanton creature.”

The Duke nodded in agreement. “A respectable young woman… who likes to watch,” he said with a wink.

Eleanor opened her mouth to respond when the Duke raised his hand. “I suggest you leave through the main door since your friend knows you’re in here. I’ll leave through the door to the veranda.”

“We are not done talking about this.”

The Duke slid a warm hand around her hand that was still pointing into chest. He slowly traced his thumb across the back of her hand before lowering it. “I think we are.”

He turned on his heel and walked towards the veranda door. Eleanor stood staring at his retreating back, reeling at how quickly the night had spun out of control.

“Oh, and Eleanor?” He turned back towards her when he reached the door. “I’d be careful if I were you. It seems I have some leverage over you now, don’t I? Enjoy the rest of your night.” With that he disappeared into the shadows of the veranda leaving Eleanor alone with her thoughts.

The only saving grace was she now truly did feel sick.