Dukes by the Dozen

by Grace Burrowes

  “I do not know.” His fingers grazed her nipples, and she wanted to melt into him. “That feels so good.”

  “Not as good as the rest of it’s going to feel.” He drew his nightshirt over his head and lifted the hem of her nightgown.

  The next moment, they were naked. Bare skin reveled in touching bare skin. His hand skated over her back and derrière, and she caressed him in the same way. “Will it feel as good as under the tree?”

  She had never seen a male body. Not even a picture. All the books with drawings of Greek and Roman statues had been removed from the library at home. But if Giles was any sort of representation, the male body was magnificent, all bones, sinew, and hard muscle covered by taut skin and dark hair. He growled as he sucked first one nipple, then the other, into his mouth, and it was all she could do not to scream with pleasure.

  “Blast the tree. It will be better. As good as I can make it for you.” Lifting her into his arms, he carried her to the bed and gently placed her down before crawling in and covering her with his body.

  His fingers discovered her core, she sucked in a breath, and the next thing she knew his mouth was on hers, covering her moans. The same tension she’d felt before grew, and this time she knew to let it take her on its wave of pleasure. She hadn’t finished convulsing when he entered her, and then stopped. There was a brief instant of pain, and then fullness.

  “Thalia, my love. Are you all right?” Opening her eyes, she could see his concern.

  “I am. I am fine.” He stayed where he was, not moving, and she lifted her hips. Or rather, her hips rose on their own.

  That seemed to be enough for him to plunge more deeply into her body. She felt stretched and conquered, but she liked it. Nay, more than that. She finally knew what it was to be one with a man. With Giles. The tension she wanted grew again, and when she splintered, he groaned and plunged even more deeply into her, then collapsed, rolling off to the side, and pulling her next to him.

  * * *

  Kendal’s heart was beating so hard that he was surprised it didn’t wake the entire floor. He’d never experienced anything like making love to Thalia. Her small hand pressed lightly on his chest, and he pulled her on top of him. “Was it bearable?”

  “More than bearable.” She smiled as he gathered her hair and put it to one side. “I have never felt anything so amazing.”

  He wanted to believe her, but he’d heard the gasp of pain when he’d breached her maidenhead. “But I caused you pain.”

  She lowered her lips to his. “It wasn’t as bad as I expected it to be. More like being stuck with a thorn.”

  “A thorn?” He tried to decide if that was lowering, then decided it didn’t matter. As long as she was happy, he was as well. “Thorns are very painful.” He rolled them onto their sides. “But not too painful?”

  She grinned against his cheek. “Not the way you did it.”

  Leaning back, she frowned. “Are you looking for a compliment or trying to make yourself feel better?”

  “Neither. I’m trying to make sure you want to do this again.” And again, and again, and again until they were old and gray.

  “I do want to do this again. But I am a little sore, so we might have to wait until after we are married.”

  “I wish I could call for a bath for you now.” He rose. “I’ll be right back.”

  He walked behind the screen and found a basin with a piece of linen and cold water. Dipping the cloth into the water, he went back to the bed, and pressed the damp coolness at her core, hoping to ease the pain.

  “That feels good.”

  “I hoped it would.” Now to get rid of any sign that they had anticipated their vows. He rinsed out the linen and tossed the bloodied water out of the open window.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Saving your maid from embarrassment tomorrow.” The woman had suffered enough. She did not need to feel that what he and Thalia had done was her fault in any manner.

  “I do not understand.”

  He climbed back into bed and wrapped his arms around her. “You bled when your maidenhead was torn. I’ll have my valet take the sheet to whichever room we will go to after the wedding, as proof of consummation, but no one will know that you were no longer a virgin when we married.”

  “Is that important?” Her expression was adorably confused. “Both my sisters anticipated their vows.” She frowned. “Although it caused difficulties for one of them.”

  That was one way of putting it. “Normally, no. It doesn’t matter. But I have a feeling that it might for us.” He gazed at her, his heart never fuller than it was now. “Let’s not take any chances.”

  “Tempting fate?” Her eyes were wide and worried.

  “In a manner of speaking.” A sudden chill swooped down his back.

  Kendal nestled Thalia’s back against his chest. With her in his arms, he slept better than he ever remembered sleeping.

  A noise woke him—the sound of feet shuffling outside the door. What the devil was going on?

  Then Thalia’s maid stepped into the bedchamber through the dressing room. “Hurry, come with me into the passageway.”

  Thalia was still fast asleep. “Both of us?”

  “Yes, Your Grace. You mustn’t be found in her room.”

  That was a good point.

  She awoke as he lifted her. “Your maid is waiting for us.”

  Thankfully, she didn’t waste time asking questions, but headed immediately toward the servant. They entered the passage by way of a hidden door in the dressing room. Thankfully, one of the previous dukes hadn’t wished the servants to be running around the main house, and the place was riddled with secret ways in and out of the rooms. “Where are we going?”

  “I’m taking her to another chamber. When she’s safe, I’ll tell Lady Hawksworth where she is.”

  “Very well. I shall go to my room and change. Are the servant’s stairs still safe?”

  “No, Your Grace.” A footman Kendal hadn’t noticed before spoke. “We will need to use the passages to make our way to the chapel.”

  “Cellars?” That would be the easiest way.

  “Yes, Your Grace.”

  He hugged Thalia. “I’ll meet you down there. Go with them. I shall see you soon.”

  Kendal rushed back into the bedchamber and grabbed the blood-stained sheet. Once back in the passage, he turned in the direction opposite to the one Thalia had taken and exited into his room.

  Hearing pounding and voices in the corridor, Kendal dropped the sheet on a chair, pulled on a pair of trousers, then stepped through his door. Four men in Somerset livery were standing outside of Thalia’s bedchamber. One of them looked as if he was preparing to break the door down. In his most dukely voice said, “What the devil are you doing?”

  Two of the footmen flushed red, and another slumped back against the wall, but the fourth one said, “We are to bring Lady Thalia to the Duke of Somerset.”

  “You can go to perdition. I don’t care if you came from King George. You will leave now and not return, or I’ll have you all thrown into the dungeons until your master is ready to depart.”

  Hamish the under-butler came around the corner from the main staircase. “Your Grace, may I be of service?”

  “Remove these interlopers.”

  Kendal wanted to laugh when the under-butler snapped his fingers smartly, and at least ten footmen came rushing over. “Remove these men.”

  “Where would you like them put, Your Grace?”

  He felt a particular glee in giving the order, “The dungeons.”

  Hamish bowed. “As you wish, Your Grace.”

  The rest of Thalia’s family piled into the corridor, and Hawksworth raised a brow. “What is going on?”

  “Your father’s servants were attempting to gain access to Lady Thalia’s bedchamber.” Kendal watched a scowl form on her brother’s face. “They are being taken to the dungeons.”

  Hawksworth turned a malevolent look toward Somerset’s
footmen. “I cannot think of a better place for them.” Once the servants had been taken away, he glanced at Hamish. “See if you can get their names. When I eventually become Somerset, I will not have them work for me.”

  “I will do my best, my lord.” Hamish turned to Kendal. “Will there be anything else?”

  “Keep a guard on this part of the house.”

  The corner of the under-butler’s mouth tipped up, as if he knew no one would be here any longer, and the guard was a ruse. “It will be done.”

  “Where is Thalia?” Laia asked.

  Of course they would all be concerned. “Safe elsewhere. I suggest we all dress and meet back here. I’ll lead you to the chapel.”

  “There are things we need to give her before you marry,” Euphrosyne said.

  He raked his hand through his hair. “I don’t know what to tell you. I don’t even know where she is.”

  Chapter 9

  Thalia found herself in the same bedchamber she and her sisters had discovered yesterday. Now the only question was what was she going to wear to her wedding?

  Mannering joined her. “If you come with me, there is a bathing chamber through that door.”

  The room was tiled and had a fully tiled stove that went from the floor to the ceiling as well as a large bathtub. She had read about this from the accounts of travelers, but she had never thought to see one. “Does that pump bring hot water?”

  “Yes, my lady.”

  In much less time than it would have taken if servants had carried in hot water, she was in the tub soaking.

  About the time the water was cooling, her maid returned. “I went to your old chamber and brought the gown Lady Hawksworth planned for you to wear to your wedding.” A pained expression crossed Mannering’s face. “Your sisters, aunt, and Lady Hawksworth insisted on coming with me.”

  As Thalia got out of the bath and wrapped herself in a flannel robe, she couldn’t help but laugh. “I want a house with secret passages.”

  “I have to say,” her aunt said entering the bathing chamber, “I have been trying to come up with a way to put them I our house.”

  “I have as well,” Laia said.

  “It is amazingly practical,” Euphrosyne said.

  “I think Somerset castle already has them.” Meg’s brows came together. “At least I am sure that’s what your brother said.”

  “I’ve never seen them. But how did you know where I was?”

  “It was easy.” Meg fluttered her fingers as if anything she wished would appear. “I sent one of my maids to keep watch in your old bedchamber until your maid returned. You might like to know that every servant Somerset has sent to pester you has been locked in the dungeon.”

  “That is the best thing that could happen to them.” Thalia had no sympathy for the men who had lost or misplaced their sense of what was right and did her father’s dirty work.

  “I just wish I knew what he is thinking,” her aunt said. “He must have a feeling something is going wrong with his plan.”

  The other murmured their agreement.

  “I believe some sort of sustenance is to be brought to us and tea.” The way Laia said “tea” sounded as if she would perish without it.

  An hour later, Thalia was dressed in the yellow gown she had not worn yesterday, and her maid was putting up her hair.

  Euphrosyne handed Mannering two silver combs with pearls. “Can you find a place for these?” Euphrosyne’s smiling eyes met Thalia’s in the mirror. “They are new.”

  Laia opened up her hand to reveal sapphire hairpins. “And I would like to give you these pins. They are blue.”

  Her aunt moved to stand behind Thalia. “This necklace is very old, but I think it will suit.” Aunt clasped pearls and sapphires around Thalia’s neck.

  Meg lifted Thalia’s arm and slipped on two silver bracelets. “These are borrowed.”

  “My darling girl,” her aunt said. “It is time to go the chapel.”

  They made their way down a different branch in the passageway—how many paths ended in that chamber?—and found themselves in the room that led to the chapel’s office.

  “My ladies and Your Grace.” Mr. Kennedy’s smile included all of them. “I understand some unwelcome events have occurred this morning, but here we are. His Grace of Kendal and the other gentlemen are waiting.”

  Thalia and her sisters and aunt followed the vicar to the nave. Giles came straight to her and took her hands. “Let’s marry.”

  “Yes.” Before her father did anything else.

  Remembering that her mother would be in the balcony, she said her vows in a firm, strong voice. When Giles promised to worship her body, heat rose in her cheeks, and she heard light laughter from the pews. As soon as the rector pronounced them man and wife and they had signed the register, she took his hand. “Come with me.” Thalia lifted the lever in a stone box and they were through the entrance before she heard her father cursing.

  “That was close.” Giles took the lead up the stairs. “I’d forgotten where this went.”

  “I am glad it was the closest one to the nave.”

  They burst into a room, and Giles closed the door from the passageway and barred it, then did the same with the door to the rest of the house.

  She turned her back to him so that he could unlace her gown. “Where are we in the manor?”

  “I’m not exactly sure. I’ve never left this chamber except through the passage to the chapel.”

  Her bodice sagged, and she turned around and started to untie his cravat. “I must say you looked very elegant.”

  He threw the length of linen over his shoulder and pushed down her gown. “And you were exquisite. How do you manage to become more beautiful every day?”

  He kissed her neck, and her stays dropped down. “The same way you become more handsome.”

  Soon all their clothing was somewhere else in the room, and they were in bed. “Well, wife.” His eyes were silver and full of love. “Shall we make this marriage legal?”

  “Yes.” Thalia drew him down to her and kissed him deeply.

  He kissed and caressed her until she was begging to be taken, and this time she reveled in him entering her. They cried out together when they came. He stayed on top of her as their hearts thrummed, and she wanted to stay like this forever.

  But someone knocked on the door.

  Giles groaned. “When I get you to Kendal, I’m not letting anyone interrupt us.” He rolled off her, and she pulled the covers up. “Who is it?”

  “Tiller, my lord.”

  “My valet,” Giles told Thalia. “What do you want?”

  The man cleared his throat, and she could imagine him turning red. “Your Grace, the Duke of Somerset wishes to see the bloodied sheet.”

  Thalia bit her lip. “The cur! I cannot believe he would demand such a thing. If you had not insisted on keeping the sheet, he’d say we weren’t married.”

  Now all he had to do was find the damn thing. “I think I left it in my bedchamber.” His beloved wife glared at him. He asked Tiller, “Where is the sheet I brought in this morning?”

  For several seconds there was silence. “I sent it to be laundered, Your Grace.”

  Giles lost any patience he possessed and bellowed, “Find the blasted thing now and bring it here, and it had better not have been cleaned!” He lay back against the pillows. “I can’t believe this. Why in the name of heaven would he have done that?”

  “Did you tell him not to? His job includes insuring things are clean.”

  “No. It never occurred to me.” He threw his arm over his eyes. “I’m going to have to run away with you and keep you hidden until you’re obviously with child.”

  Their situation was dire, but Thalia had to smother her laugh. “Perhaps it will not be that bad.”

  Another knock came on the door. “My lady, I mean, Your Grace,” Mannering said. “Do you wish to dress?”

  Thalia glanced at her husband. “I suppose I should, but first, can you p
lease help Tiller find the sheet from my bed last night?”

  “Of course, Your Grace.”

  For the moment, they were alone again, and she felt so sorry for her husband having to deal with her father. “It will be all right. I might be breeding even now.”

  Giles rolled over and held her. “The only thing that’s important is that we are together.”

  “I agree.” Trying to cheer him, she said, “If need be, I know the way from the chapel to the cottage.”

  “You are a remarkable woman, and I could not be happier that you are mine.”

  “I am.” Leaning over, she kissed him. “Forever.”

  Sometime later, his valet and her maid knocked on the door and were given permission to enter.

  “We found the sheet,” Mannering said. “It was not washing day.”

  That was a blessing.

  “We have your clothing,” his valet said. “You are wanted in the Duke of Berwick’s study.”

  They dressed and made their way to Berwick. Kendal was not surprised to find Thalia’s brothers and brothers-in-law there as well as her sisters. What did surprise him was the way in which his wife addressed her father.

  “Somerset, what is the meaning of this?” She stood just out of arm’s reach of her father. “To demand the bedding to prove I am married, that is outside of enough.” She pointed a finger at him. “I trust you have seen it and are satisfied that I am no longer a virgin.” Her brothers and sisters quickly masked their shocked looks. “I am waiting for an answer.”

  The man’s mouth worked as if he was having trouble responding. “I never gave you permission to marry Kendal.”

  Thalia raised one brow and her chin, and Kendal almost started clapping. “Indeed? That was not what I was told. Did you not sign the settlement agreements?”

  The old man started to grab them off the desk, but Berwick beat him to it. “He did.” Holding the documents out, he read, His Grace the Duke of Somerset agrees with His Grace the Duke of Kendal that a marriage shall take place between Lady Thalia Somerset and the Duke of Kendal . . .”

  Somerset lunged at Berwick and Kendal caught the man. “Don’t do it. You signed the contract. Whether you meant to or not is not at issue. She is now my wife. You will look like a fool if you attempt to repudiate our marriage.”