Forever My Duke--Unlikely Duchesses

by Olivia Drake

  “What about you, Natalie?” he asked. “Would you like a turn at driving?”

  She glanced covetously at the reins in his hands. Back home, before her father’s death, she had enjoyed tooling around Washington and Philadelphia in her gig. “Not now, but perhaps later, once I know my way around London a little better. Such gorgeous matched grays you have!”

  Like any lover of good horseflesh, he launched into a recital of their superior qualities, from hocks to withers to flanks. Since her father had bred horses, she could easily hold up her end of the conversation. Soon, they approached a set of open stone gates that led into the park.

  “This road is called Rotten Row,” Hadrian said. “In late afternoon, it’s crammed with horses and carriages as the ton comes to show off their finery.”

  At present, only a pair of gentleman riders cantered far ahead of them. Tall trees shaded the wide, sandy avenue. “Rotten? But it’s lovely!”

  “There are various explanations for the name, but most likely it’s a corruption of Route du Roi, the King’s Road. Over a hundred years ago, King William III liked to walk here from Kensington Palace to St. James’s. Come, brat, since it’s quite deserted, you may drive now.”

  He settled Leo between his legs and let him hold on to the reins, while Hadrian did most of the work. The boy’s small face wore a look of absolute bliss as the horses pranced ahead of the carriage, their silken manes rippling in the sunshine. “Look, Miss Fanshawe, I’m driving!”

  “Indeed you are. And very well, for your first time.”

  Natalie took advantage of the chance to watch Hadrian. The duke appeared to be enjoying himself, and she marveled at his patient instructions when Leo tried to pull on one leather ribbon or the other. After they’d traveled a distance down the road, he steered the team onto a narrower path, stopping the phaeton at a spot where they had a view of sunlight gleaming off a large body of water through the trees. A scattering of stylishly clad people strolled along the bank, as well as a few commoners in plainer garb who walked at a faster pace, perhaps taking a shortcut through the park.

  “Welcome to the Serpentine,” the duke said. “The lake was formed nearly a hundred years ago when a dam was built to capture water from the River Westbourne.” With nimble grace, he leaped down from the phaeton. “Come, brat, I’ve something to show you here.”

  The boy scrambled down with the agility of a monkey. “A surprise?”

  “You’ll see in a moment. First, though, we oughtn’t leave Miss Fanshawe stranded on her high perch.” Hadrian stretched up his arms to her. “My lady, may I offer my assistance?”

  The smirk on his handsome face dared her to leap into his embrace. She was sorely tempted to do just that, to be held against his powerful form again, if only for a moment. Then dignity won out. “I can manage.”

  Presenting her back to him, Natalie proceeded to clamber down on her own, stretching the toe of her shoe to feel for the small iron step. The height of the phaeton and the tangle of her skirts made the descent something of a challenge. Nevertheless, she felt confident of success, until disaster struck.

  The hem of her gown caught beneath the sole of her shoe and unbalanced her. She grabbed at the body of the carriage in an effort to right herself. Instead, she found herself tumbling backward, pulled by a pair of large hands that were clasped firmly around her waist.

  As her feet touched the ground, her backbone met Hadrian’s broad chest. She was caught against his muscled strength, surrounded by his captivating scent of leather and dark spice. Her heart thudded as a rush of intense desire permeated her body, especially when his hands slid in a slow caress over her hips.

  He bent his head down, his warm breath stirring the fine hairs at the nape of her neck. “How fortunate that I was here to catch you,” he murmured in a flirtatious undertone. “The high perch can be difficult for ladies.”

  Natalie subdued a delicious shiver. Aware they were in a public park where anyone might see them, she twisted out of his arms and turned to face him. “I’m sure you’ve had ample experience with ladies.”

  “Jealous?”

  “Indifferent.”

  His chuckle conveyed disbelief as he tossed his hat in the phaeton and then sauntered toward Leo, who had wandered away to stare at a saddled brown pony tethered beneath a nearby oak tree. A wiry man in dark, neat garb was standing with the animal. At the duke’s approach, the man bobbed his head in a servile manner and then trotted over to hold the team of grays.

  Struck by surprise, Natalie recognized him as one of Hadrian’s grooms. She hastened toward the duke in time to hear Leo utter a loud “Yippee! A pony! You remembered, Mr. Duke!” The boy flung his arms around him, his head barely reaching the man’s waist.

  Looking slightly embarrassed, Hadrian ruffled Leo’s hair. “Enough of that, it’s time to learn how to ride.”

  Natalie watched from the edge of the clearing as he lifted the boy into the saddle, then showed him how to fit his small feet into the stirrups and to properly grasp the reins. Taking hold of the bridle, Hadrian led the pony on a slow walk around in a wide circle, while Leo hung on, looking torn between fear and glee. As he obeyed Hadrian’s instructions to sit up straight and to use gentle but firm control of the animal, it wasn’t long before he began to relax.

  “Miss Fanshawe! I have a pony!”

  “And a very handsome one, I see.”

  His delight was infectious, and she smiled, deciding not to let her issues with Hadrian mar her enjoyment of the day. Though she had been leery of him buying the pony, not wanting to Leo to be spoiled, she ruefully acknowledged that her concern had been misplaced. Her father had often said the English aristocracy was horse-mad, and if this was to be Leo’s world, then he deserved the chance to learn the proper techniques.

  After a time, Hadrian allowed the boy to ride unassisted as he walked alongside, keeping a close eye and correcting him when necessary. They spent half an hour riding sedately in the clearing before Hadrian suggested it was time to give the pony a rest and that Leo might like to feed the ducks.

  The boy agreed with alacrity, and after leaving the pony with the groom, Hadrian went to the phaeton, reaching into a hidden nook to produce a small sack of bread crumbs. During the short walk to the lake, the boy queried Natalie and Hadrian about possible names for his new pet.

  It struck her that the pony fit the description of the one that Lord Godwin had cruelly sold when Hadrian was a little boy. “Mr. Duke once had a chocolate-brown pony named Mud.”

  “Mud! I like mud! May I call him that, Mr. Duke?”

  “Certainly.”

  The boy went to the water’s edge and began tossing bread crumbs willy-nilly. He was soon surrounded by quacking ducks and having the time of his life feeding them and giggling at their greedy antics.

  Natalie cast a meaningful glance at Hadrian. “Something tells me you’re reliving your own childhood through Leo.”

  He gave her a slightly sheepish look. “He deserves to be happy after losing his parents.”

  “Where did you find such a fine, well-behaved pony?”

  “Tattersall’s—it’s a horse auctioneer not far from here, at Hyde Park Corner.” He watched her with a hint of wariness. “You don’t mind, then?”

  She shook her head. “I don’t want Leo to be pampered, but riding is an important skill for a boy to learn. And he’s certainly old enough to begin.”

  Hadrian’s expression eased, his gaze becoming warm and penetrating. “I recall you mentioning that you like to ride, too. Why don’t you join me here in the park one morning? I’ve the perfect spirited mare for you in the stable, and I’m sure Lizzy has a habit you can borrow.”

  Yearning flooded Natalie with the wish to gallop down Rotten Row, to feel the wind on her face and the power of a fine mount beneath her. As a girl, she’d even occasionally ridden bareback on her father’s farm, but of course that would be far too hoydenish behavior here. Nevertheless, it seemed like forever since she’d ridden purel
y for pleasure. Forever since she’d done so with a handsome gentleman who made her heart race.

  But it would be a mistake to encourage Hadrian. He must have a reason for flirting with her. Since it couldn’t possibly be marriage, that left only seduction. The very thought made her feel altogether too breathless.

  She glanced at Leo, who had distributed all the bread crumbs and was now collecting stones along the bank and putting them into the empty sack. “I’m afraid that’s impossible. I mustn’t neglect Leo’s studies. He’s already had far too much disruption in his life.”

  “So you’ll continue to hide in the nursery, hm?”

  The rough vibration of humor in the duke’s voice brought her head whipping back toward him. “I’m not hiding.” Seeing the corner of his mouth curl in a knowing smile, she murmured, “All right, then, I am trying to keep my distance. I have no interest in engaging in a … a sordid affair.”

  “Nor have I.” He stepped closer, his eyes caressing her face. “I can’t imagine anything between us ever being sordid.”

  Nor could she. His seduction would be conducted with gentlemanly finesse, with passionate kisses and tempting touches. Heavens, it was herself she didn’t trust. Even now, she longed to feel his lips on hers, his hands on her body.

  She glanced out over the lake for a moment, trying to draw calm from the serene blue water, before returning her resolute gaze to him. “You’re perfectly aware that I’ve a weakness for you, Hadrian. However, I also know that noblemen regard seducing women as a game.”

  He reached for her gloved hand and raised it to his lips. “This is no game, Natalie, I promise you that. My intentions toward you are honorable.”

  Oh, those eyes. The sunlight picked out flecks of blue in the deep, gray depths. When he looked at her like that she was ready to believe every word he uttered even though it had to be nonsense. She felt the pulse of that ever-present bond between them, eroding her willpower and inviting her to forget all the reasons why he was so dangerous to her. The firm clasp of his fingers radiated a persuasive appeal. She could almost taste his kiss, feel the rasp of his cheek against hers, relish the stroke of his fingers between her legs …

  An old woman in a shawl coughed as she walked past them. The spell broken, Natalie pulled her hand out of Hadrian’s grasp. She stepped back and drew a deep breath to steady herself.

  “See, that’s what I mean,” she murmured, irked more with herself than with him. “You’re forever bewitching me. That’s why I’d vastly prefer that Leo and I live with my grandfather.”

  “I thought Sir Basil had refused your request.”

  “He didn’t know of our passionate embrace.” She lifted her chin defiantly. “Perhaps I should tell him.”

  Hadrian mustn’t guess that she’d sooner cut out her own tongue than admit such a thing to her grandfather, who might very well challenge the duke to pistols at dawn if he refused to make an honest woman of her.

  He cocked an eyebrow. “I can’t stop you from leaving if that’s truly your desire. However, Leo should remain in my house.”

  “But Audrey placed him in my care.”

  “She charged you to deliver him to his family, a duty that you’ve fulfilled quite admirably. By the way, you’ll be happy to hear that my solicitor is petitioning the court to assign legal custody of Leo to me.”

  Natalie felt as if she’d been poleaxed. “What?”

  He frowned slightly. “I thought you’d be pleased. You did say that you wanted me to adopt him. You don’t want Godwin to be his guardian, do you?”

  “Of course not!” She turned her stricken gaze to the boy, who was kneeling in the grass beneath an oak tree, building a tower out of the stones he’d collected. The thought of losing him wrenched her heart. She reminded herself that this was what she’d planned, for Hadrian to raise Leo. Yet she’d assumed that day wouldn’t come for many weeks, until the duke had affianced himself to Lady Ellen. “This means … I’m no longer responsible for Leo. He doesn’t need me anymore.”

  “Nonsense, he needs you more than ever. You’re the only mother he has.” His voice low and rough, Hadrian caught hold of her hand again. “I never meant to distress you, Natalie. I want you to stay at Clayton House for as long as you wish.”

  She swallowed hard, realizing that her reluctance to leave England was due at least in part to Hadrian. “It will take a little time, I suppose, to advertise for a governess.”

  “And also for Leo to be completely settled into his new home. As you’ve said, he’s suffered far too many changes in his life—”

  The approach of hoofbeats cut him off. Muttering what sounded like a curse, he released her hand as two gentlemen on horseback approached. They were the same pair of riders she’d spied earlier on Rotten Row. Both appeared to be of an age with Hadrian, one with fair hair and sharp blue eyes, the other stout with a bull neck and ruddy features.

  “Ho there, Clayton,” the blond one called. “Where have you been hiding this mysterious beauty?”

  “A fine one, indeed,” observed his companion. “It seems only sporting to make her known to the rest of us fellows.”

  Hadrian’s lips tightened into a cool smile. He introduced the blond as the Honorable Mr. Barford and the heftier man as Lord Comstock.

  “So you’re the American,” said Lord Comstock, appreciatively eyeing her. “The town is abuzz with the news that Clayton has taken you into his home, Miss Fanshawe, along with an orphan child. So very unlike him!”

  “And now it’s clear why he’s kept you all to himself,” Mr. Barford added, clapping his hand over his heart. “You’re a diamond of the first water. An absolute paragon of perfection.”

  Despite her earlier tension, Natalie found herself amused by the exaggerated praise. The scowl on Hadrian’s face diverted her all the more. He’d accused her of jealousy, but it seemed he was the one bitten by that bug.

  Unable to resist teasing him, she aimed a flirtatious smile at his friends. “How very kind you both are. It seems that English gentlemen are not so cold and aloof as I’d believed.”

  “Don’t judge us all by Clayton,” Lord Comstock said with a sly look at Hadrian. “The fellow’s always been a stuffy stick-in-the mud, even back in our school days. Shall I call on you sometime and tell you more?”

  Hadrian, stuffy? His friends clearly had no notion of the enthralling man underneath all that cool hauteur. Still, the prospect of learning more about his past intrigued her. “Thank you, I’d very much enjoy hearing those stories.”

  “I’m afraid that’s impossible,” Hadrian said in a clipped tone. “Comstock, your wife may object to your visiting a lovely young woman. The same goes for you, too, Barford. Now, if you’ll excuse us, gentlemen.”

  As she and Hadrian took their leave, Natalie found herself a little disconcerted to learn the men were married. It was just that they’d admired her in the manner of carefree bachelors. But that, apparently, was the way of the ton. In the future, she must be more careful not to give the wrong impression.

  The Duke of Clayton was enough of a flirt for one woman to handle.

  Chapter 21

  Hadrian’s day went from bad to worse when, shortly after luncheon, he was summoned from his study by a footman bearing the message that Lord and Lady Godwin had come to call.

  Though in no humor to entertain his father’s cousin, he put away his papers and strode down a long corridor toward the front of the house, his heels ringing on the marble floor. He and Godwin had parted on bad terms nearly a week ago, and he felt duty-bound as head of the family to broker peace. After their disastrous last meeting, in which the earl’s solicitor had cast doubt on Leo’s identity and Lady Godwin had accused Natalie of attempting to defraud them, Hadrian had departed abruptly from Oak Knoll with Natalie and Leo.

  But now he had an obligation to deal with the fallout.

  Mounting the stairs, he hoped this meeting would go better than the morning’s excursion. That had started out well, with Natalie softening towa
rd him, until he’d mentioned his legal guardianship of Leo. The stricken expression on her face had been a dagger to his chest. Blast it, he’d expected her to be pleased, not dismayed. Then, just as he was smoothing her ruffled feathers, Comstock and Barford had arrived.

  Natalie had enjoyed their flirtatious compliments, at least until she’d learned the truth about those two rakes. Much to Hadrian’s vexation, the incident had only confirmed her beliefs about lecherous noblemen. There’d been no chance to reassure her on the way home, either, for Leo’s presence had prevented any private conversation.

  You’re perfectly aware that I’ve a weakness for you.

  Her frank words stirred the memory of that intimate interlude in her bedchamber several days ago. Ever since, the lust to possess her had burned in Hadrian. But he was mindful of the fact that for once, his rank put him at a disadvantage. Unlike the ladies of the ton, Natalie was a free spirit who had no interest in marriage to a man of wealth and power.

  A man who belonged to the aristocracy that she scorned.

  He clenched his jaw. At least he could feel reasonably certain that she wouldn’t depart for America straightaway. For one, she wanted Leo to have a suitable governess, and that would take time. For another, she was loath to part from the boy. Her affection was evident in the tender warmth on her face whenever she gazed at the brat. Now, if only she would look at him that way.

  Fool! Had he fallen so low that he could envy a child? Apparently so!

  Mastering his dark mood, Hadrian entered the blue salon and started toward the group of people gathered at the far end of the long chamber. Seated in their midst, his mother appeared strained by the task of playing hostess to a branch of the family that she heartily disliked. And they were all here, Lord and Lady Godwin, Lady Ellen, even Lord Wymark.