The Devious Seduction 0f A Wayward Duke (Steamy Historical Romance)

by Olivia Bennet

  Chapter 17

  Priscilla didn’t know what it was, but the Duke looked exceptionally handsome tonight, and though she was trying to keep herself in line, she was having indecent thoughts about him.

  She was still sitting in the library with him, listening to him talk about his distillery. He kept shifting in his chair, though, and she wondered if he was bored with the conversation. She also noticed that he was drinking his whisky quite quickly, more so than normal, at least, and she wondered if she had said something wrong.

  “How many bottles a year do you produce?”

  The Duke began talking once again. Priscilla could tell that he was very proud of his distillery. She, however, couldn’t help but notice his body and the way his muscles strained at the fabric of his shirt. It seemed with every breath she could see the outline of his masculine chest and her eyes seemed to just fall to his lap. She couldn’t see any shape nor bulge because of the way he was sitting, but her mind was wandering and imagining what he might be hiding.

  Because she was having these thoughts, she was also feeling tingling between her legs, and it felt so good to simply shift a bit in her seat. It was almost like pulses of energy moving through her body and making her feel extremely sensitive to things like the fabric on her breasts.

  “Is that acceptable, Miss Ainsley?”

  Priscilla was startled back to reality the sound of the Duke’s voice. “I’m sorry, Your Grace. Is what acceptable?”

  He smiled at her with a boyish grin. “Where was your mind just there? I asked if it was acceptable if I excuse myself to address an urgent issue with the distillery. I’m so sorry. This was not my intention.”

  Priscilla could feel herself blushing. She had certainly not been paying attention, nor had she even realized that Wright had come into the room. Her thoughts had been consumed with his body.

  “Oh, of course,” she said quickly.

  The Duke smiled at her as he stood and quickly walked out of the room. He turned briefly and said, “I’d like to do this again, Miss Ainsley.”

  She returned his smile and nodded, now fully noticing him trying to hide the bulge in his trousers as he exited.

  * * *

  It was late, and Oliver could not sleep. All he could do was think of how aroused he had become in Miss Ainsley’s presence, and he wanted her body so badly that he could taste it. He wanted to fully consume her and make her body his own. He knew he shouldn’t be having these thoughts about her, but he felt like he was already past the point of no return. Perhaps, he thought, a walk might help.

  He rolled out of his bed and pulled on a silk robe over his nightshirt. He quietly walked out of the bedchamber, taking a small lantern with him, and eventually found his way at the top of the stairs. The house was quiet and there was no sign that anyone was up and about.

  Oliver walked down the stairs, noticing the way the shadows danced across the walls. Suddenly, to his right, he thought he saw movement. He quickly turned and blinked. He was sure that someone had just walked down the hallway towards the library. Jamie?

  As he started to follow the hallway, he shook his head. If Jamie was wandering around the house in the middle of the night, it could lead to trouble. Who knew what type of prank he could set up without anyone knowing?

  Oliver moved a bit faster, and there was definitely a figure ahead, walking quickly. He rushed to catch up with the person. They turned the corner, and then Oliver heard a door close.

  He got to the library and swung open the door. It was dark and empty. The lamp didn’t give off a lot of light, but as the door closed behind him, he realized that it was not the same sound as he had heard before. The closet?

  Oliver quickly turned and went back out into the hallway. There was a closet where the housemaids would keep their supplies, and it seemed like the perfect hiding place someone…like a certain young gentleman…would choose to hide.

  He stood in front of the closet, turned the handle and pulled it open. He gasped when he found himself face-to-face with Miss Ainsley.

  * * *

  Pricilla’s heart was beating so quickly, she was sure that the Duke could hear it.

  “What are you doing here, Miss Ainsley?” he said, closing the door behind him. The light from his lamp illuminated his face, but she couldn’t tell if he was angry or just shocked.

  “I’m so sorry, Your Grace. I couldn’t sleep, so I decided to take a walk. I…”

  “It’s fine,” he replied, interrupting her. “I couldn’t sleep either, which is why I was walking. I thought you were Jamie, so I started following you. I thought he was planning a prank.”

  She laughed, and said, “Well, that was certainly a good assumption." She noticed his dark blue robe brought out the blue in his eyes, which she could see in the glow from the lamp.

  Suddenly, Priscilla noticed the Duke’s expression change. He placed his lamp on a shelf, and then he stepped forward towards her. “I’m sorry, Miss Ainsley,” he said, and then pulled her body next to his. “I have to do this,” he continued, as he leaned down to kiss her.

  As soon as his lips touched her own, she felt as if her body was overcome with a pulsing energy that she couldn’t explain. Her back arched and she pushed her hips against him, feeling his stiffness against her. His tongue slid between her lips, and he squeezed her shoulders hard. She could hear a deep, guttural moan, but she didn’t know if it came from him or her.

  Her hips were involuntarily moving against him, and with every slow thrust she felt her wetness increase. He then began kissing her neck, and she put her arms around his torso and pressed her breasts against his chest. His hands moved slowly down the side of her body, all she wanted was for him to touch her…everywhere.

  He pushed himself against her, again, brought his lips to hers…she was beginning to breathe heavily, and her loins were on fire, longing for a touch, any touch.

  Suddenly, though, he pulled away.

  “Miss Ainsley,” he said, panting. “I’m so sorry. I don’t know what came over me.” His head fell. “I’m so humiliated.”

  “No,” she said, taking a slow step towards him. “Please don’t be. It was…wonderful.”

  The Duke’s eyes came up to meet her own, and he almost looked like a wild animal for a moment. Then his expression softened, and he said, “We need to take a break, I think.” He chuckled and reached for the lamp. “I want to see you, tomorrow,” he said, and leaned forward to kiss her cheek. “Sleep well.”

  With that, he quickly turned from her and left the large closet, leaving her alone with her trembling body, which was hungering for his touch.

  * * *

  Oliver rushed down the hallway to get back to his bedchamber. He couldn’t believe that he had done what he just did, but at the same time, he was happy for it. His erection was unbearable.

  He had to see Miss Ainsley again as soon as possible. He felt as if he wanted to totally ravage her body and explore every part of her. He needed to feel her moving and thrusting against him like she was only moments ago. He longed to roughly grab her breasts, and feel her wetness, and bring her body to a type of ecstasy that she had never experienced in her entire life. He wanted her to scream out for him, begging for that full-body release of passion.

  Oliver knew that there was no going back now. He had to have her, but he also had to make sure that they were doing this the right way. He couldn’t move too quickly, but he had to keep her interested.

  As Oliver finally made his way back to his bedchamber, alone, he felt a sense of relief. His body was raging with desire for her, and he knew that without a doubt, she felt the same longing for him. The way her body reacted to his left no question in his mind that he and Miss Ainsley had a mutual attraction, and he couldn’t wait to see where this would lead them.

  * * *

  “Lord Seton, please pay attention to your lesson.”

  Priscilla was struggling to keep her student on task this afternoon, and if she were honest with herself, she was ha
ving trouble focusing, too.

  “I’m sorry,” Lord Seton replied, dramatically throwing his head back. “I just struggle with this type of math.”

  “I can understand that, My Lord, but you must focus on this lesson. Not only is it important now, it will be important for your future.”

  “I know, but it seems no matter what I do, I just don’t understand it.”

  Priscilla looked at him with a bit of pity in her heart for him. She knew that he was smart enough to learn these lessons, but the way she was teaching him just wasn’t working. She would have to think of another way.

  “Fine,” she replied. “I think we will move on from your math lesson, then. I have to think of another way of putting it so that you will understand. In the meantime, I propose that we move on to your French lesson. If you get done with it quickly, we can be done for the day.”

  “Really?”

  “Yes, really.”

  “That’s early!”

  “Are you complaining about being done with your lessons early, My Lord?”

  “No, Miss Ainsley. If anything, I’m excited!”

  Priscilla laughed. The truth was, she had planned on cutting the lessons short anyway. She needed to take a ride to town and wanted to make sure that she got back before it got too dark.

  After the incident last night with the Duke, she had trouble sleeping, and she tossed and turned most of the night. Now she was exhausted, plus she had so much on her mind, including him and the fact that he had almost caught her…

  “My Lord, please just finish up with that conjugation, and you can be excused for the day. I have errands to take care of this afternoon, and I want to be back by this evening.”

  “Are you going to town?”

  “Yes, My Lord.”

  “May I go?”

  “Not this time, My Lord. It will be a quick trip. I have to buy some paper for your lessons, and then post a letter. Believe me, I don’t plan on doing anything fun.”

  “So I won’t miss out on anything?”

  Priscilla had to laugh. “No, My Lord. You will not miss out on anything. We can talk to your father, though, about another trip to town later in the week or perhaps next week. Is that something you would like?”

  “Oh, yes, Miss Ainsley!”

  “Wonderful. We will talk to him, then. In the meantime, let’s finish up your French lesson.”

  * * *

  Oliver could not concentrate on his work. He could only think of Miss Ainsley and what happened between them the night before. He stared at the pile of unopened letters, and then glanced at the stack of invoices that needed to be sent. If he didn’t start focusing on his work, now, he would be simply wasting his day away.

  Just the thought of her body against his, remembering the sound of her deep moans, and the feeling of her hands on him, was enough to cause him to stiffen.

  Oliver shook his head and started reading his correspondence. He must do something to get his mind off of Miss Ainsley.

  The first letter he opened was an order for whisky from a new customer. That, of course, was good news for him and for the distillery. He was still struggling to make ends meet and pull in profits.

  He pulled the second letter from the top of the pile, and immediately noticed the seal indicated that it was from Darnerton. Reading the letter told him that his friend would be visiting the area for business in a couple of days and was hoping to see Oliver.

  “Please bring Wright to me,” Oliver said to the footman standing near the door.

  “Yes, Your Grace.”

  Oliver began writing a quick response to Darnerton inviting him to dinner.

  “You called for me, Your Grace?”

  “Yes, Wright. Thank you. I have a letter that I need sent to Earl Darnerton. Just let me fold it and seal it, and hopefully someone can get it out. It is a bit urgent.”

  “Of course, Your Grace. I may have Miss Ainsley take it if that’s all right with you. She is going to town this afternoon.”

  “Oh? She is?”

  “Yes, she informed me this morning. It shouldn’t affect Lord Seton’s lessons.”

  “Do you know why she is going?”

  “No, Your Grace. She simply said that she was going in case I needed anything. Now, of course, I do. She can take the letter if it’s acceptable.”

  “Of course. I certainly trust Miss Ainsley.”

  “Shall I take the letter to her, Your Grace?”

  “Actually, Wright, I need to speak with Miss Ainsley about something else. Would you have her come to my office before she leaves? Then, I can give her the letter personally.” And I can see her.

  “Wonderful, Your Grace. I will send her in after Lord Seton’s lesson is complete.”

  * * *

  Priscilla was standing outside of the Duke’s office, and she was trembling. Not only was she nervous about seeing him, she was nervous about what he could possibly want. All Wright said was that the Duke wanted to see her before she left for town.

  She followed the footman through the door, and upon seeing the Duke, her apprehension seemed to fade.

  “Miss Ainsley,” he said with a shaking voice, smiling widely at her. “It is always a pleasure to see you.”

  “And you, Your Grace.” She wondered if he would bring up their encounter, but doubted it, as the footman still stood in the doorway.

  “Wright tells me that you are heading to town this afternoon. I was hoping that you would do me a favor.”

  “Of course, Your Grace. Anything.”

  “Excellent. Please deliver this letter to the postmaster’s office. Tell him it’s from me for the Earl of Darnerton, and he will take care of everything else. It will only take a moment, I would imagine.”

  The Duke handed her the letter. She took it, and then he caressed her hand and smiled at her. She was sure that the footman would not see that gesture, but it told her that the Duke was still very interested in her.

  “It would be my pleasure, Your Grace.” Just his touch, alone, was enough to send a wave of pleasure through her body. Priscilla could feel the heat in her cheeks and the tingling between her legs.

  He nodded at her and said, “I’m happy to hear that, Miss Ainsley. Safe travels, and I will hopefully see you soon.”

  Chapter 18

  “Lord Seton,” Miss Slade said, as she straightened up his jacket. “You don’t want to be late for dinner. Your father won’t like waiting. Where have you been?”

  “I’m sorry, Miss Slade. I lost track of time. Since I was able to leave my lessons early, I was reading, and I didn’t realize that it was getting late.”

  “I can understand that, My Lord. We will do our best to get you presentable.”

  “It shouldn’t take long,” Jamie said, smiling at Miss Slade through the mirror. “I’m quite handsome already.”

  Miss Slade laughed. “Yes, My Lord, you are. Let’s just get this hair under control.”

  Jamie watched as Miss Slade tried to tame his blond curls. “Why did you get out of your lessons early?”

  “Miss Ainsley had to go to town. I asked if I could go with her, but she said it wouldn’t be a fun trip. So we can go at another time.”

  “On the other hand, My Lord, now you can spend some time with your father. I say you are done and ready for dinner.”

  Jamie walked down to the dining room, and his father was already there.

  “Good evening, Son.”

  “Good evening, Father.”

  Jamie took his seat, and a footman immediately brought him a bowl of soup.

  “I hear your lessons were short today. That was a lovely surprise, I’m sure.”

  “Yes, Your Grace. Miss Ainsley had to run some errands in town.”

  “I know. I have sent her on an errand for me, too. Darnerton is going to be here on business, and I wanted her to take a letter to the postmaster for him. Would you like to join us for dinner when he’s here?”

  “Oh yes, I would!”

  Jamie watched
as his father smiled at him. He seemed like he was in a very good mood, and he had been since they had all gone on the walk together. Jamie took that as a very good sign.