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

by Olivia Bennet

  Now it was Oliver’s turn to laugh. “Good luck with that. I’m sure he had his eyes on Jamie, now that I think about it. He suggested that we get them together, and that perhaps they would marry in the future.”

  “That sounds just like him.”

  “Speaking of marriage, now that this is all over, I think we should focus on ours.”

  “I couldn’t agree more. I will send off a letter to Joan in the morning. I am ready to get my life back on track.”

  “You should also send a letter to Margaret. Now that I know you grew up in the house of a Lord, she may have an easier job.”

  Priscilla laughed. “I did, and I do know a bit more about being a lady than I have let on, but I think it is still a good idea to learn more about this. I want to be the perfect wife for you, not one who struggles to fit in with society.”

  “I’m sure Margaret will be a great resource, and I believe, once she realizes what we have gone through and hears your story, she will be much more willing to help.”

  * * *

  A few days later, Priscilla was sitting at a table in a coffee shop with Joan. They would look for her wedding gown and Priscilla wanted to let her know all that had happened.

  “I was totally honest with him about everything, and I am sure you have heard about what happened with the Baron.”

  “Oh yes. Everyone in town has heard about what happened with the Baron. Even in these short few days, people are already sharing stories about how he took advantage of them and how he has these connections with criminals who lie, cheat, and steal.”

  “I’m glad. It’s time for people to realize the type of gentleman he is.”

  “Indeed. I have to say that I am a bit relieved, too. I hated seeing you so easily controlled by him. He really did brainwash you, I think. You have been at his will for so many years, and I’m happy to see that you have broken free.”

  “Yes, you are right, of course. Oliver was very understanding about the whole thing after he realized what had happened.”

  “I was going to ask about that. So, everything is back to being good?”

  “Yes, so it seems.”

  “Wonderful. I guess we better finish our tea, then, and go find you a wedding gown!”

  * * *

  “Please sit down, Son.”

  Oliver had called for Jamie to join him in the office. He wanted to explain what had happened to him so as to not keep him in the dark. This was his family, and he had a right to know what had occurred.

  “Jamie, I want to talk to you about what happened with Miss Ainsley. I know she has been back for a few days now, but I have advised her to let me talk to you about the events that took place. Lord Kenley is a bad gentleman, and as you know, he attempted to harm all of us. Thanks to you, though, Miss Ainsley is safely back at home with us where she belongs. I want to thank you for that and for coming to me when you knew that I had made a mistake.”

  “I didn’t feel as if I had a choice, Father. She didn’t do what you thought she did, and once I figured it out, I knew I had to tell you.”

  “You did the right thing, Jamie. I am a proud gentleman, and it is difficult for me to admit when I am wrong, but yes…I am going to admit it. I was wrong, and I have apologized to her. She has forgiven me, and we are still going to get married as soon as possible. That is the other thing I want to talk to you about. As you know, when we marry, she will cease working as your governess. Instead, she will be your stepmother. So, we have to talk about what we are going to do about your education.”

  “What do you mean, Father?”

  “Well, you are a young gentleman of ten, and at this point, many of your peers are already at boarding schools. I was at boarding school by the time I was eight years old, in fact. As a young gentleman who will one day be a Duke, in my opinion, getting you into boarding school now is the right decision. However, if you believe that you are not ready, I would fully understand. In that case, we will postpone for a year and hire a new governess.”

  Oliver could almost see the wheel’s turning in his son’s head as he considered the options he had.

  “Father, I think I would like Miss Ainsley to be my last governess. I will go to boarding school.”

  Oliver smiled. “Jamie, I am very proud of you for making this decision. I have discussed it with Miss Ainsley, and we both agree that you are ready, and in some regards more than ready, to join your peers.”

  “When would I go, Father?”

  “I will write to the headmaster at my old school and see when we can get you in. How does that sound?”

  “It sounds fine. I am a little afraid, but if Miss Ainsley was brave enough to cross a gentleman like Lord Kenley, then I can be brave enough to go to school.”

  Oliver laughed. “You both are very brave, indeed.”

  Epilogue

  Everything was swirling before her eyes, and Priscilla couldn’t help but think that time had literally stood still.

  As she and Oliver stepped out of the small church hand in hand, the noise of the crowd was deafening. People were cheering and clapping, and she heard someone to her right say, “Your Grace, congratulations.”

  She turned and got a jolt as she realized that the woman was speaking to her, not Oliver. The moment they were married, she had become the Duchess of Dowding.

  As Priscilla looked out into the crowd and greeted the people around her, she saw Jamie standing with Lord and Lady Darnerton. All three of them were smiling widely at Priscilla and Oliver, and she couldn’t help but heave a sigh of relief that things between her and Lady Darnerton had greatly improved.

  The couple had arrived at Oliver’s home…their home…the week before the wedding. Much of that time was spent with Lady Darnerton teaching Priscilla what it would take to be the Duchess of Dowding. Though Lord Darnerton would be leaving for home in the morning, Lady Darnerton had offered to stay for another week to help Priscilla settle into her new role.

  “Shall we go to the carriage?”

  Priscilla looked up into Oliver’s smiling face and nodded. They would reconnect with their friends and Jamie at the house. For now, though, they could finally be alone together for the first time as husband and wife.

  Oliver helped her up into the carriage, and then he stepped up right behind her. As soon as the door closed, he leaned into her, passionately wrapping his arms around her and pulling her body into his. He looked into her eyes and said, “I have been waiting to do this for weeks.”

  He pulled her head towards his and as their lips touched, she felt as if her body immediately was caught up in flames. She wanted him so badly, and as his tongue began to dance with her own, she gave a soft moan thanks to the tingling that was beginning to build between her legs.

  Oliver pulled back and said, “I don’t know how I am ever going to make it through this day without ravaging you completely.” He began kissing around her neck and ears, and her breathing began to get heavier.

  “Oliver, just know that I want you as much as you want me, and when we retire this evening, my body is yours.”

  “As mine is yours, My Love,” he whispered before pulling away again. “I have to stop this. If not, I will have no choice but to take you here and now, and I don’t think our guests would appreciate that.”

  They both laughed and held each other’s hands as the carriage continued down the road.

  * * *

  As the carriage pulled up to the house, and they were greeted by their closest friends and family, Oliver suddenly remembered how they had almost lost all of this thanks to Lord Kenley.

  He glanced over to his bride, who was positively glowing, and said a quick prayer of thanks for this moment. As Oliver stepped out of the carriage, he caught a glance of Jamie, and again, thought how lucky his son was that he could have a stepmother as wonderful as Priscilla. Finally, a mother figure for him who he could look up to and cherish. He knew how much Priscilla cared for him, and how much Jamie cared for her.

  “Welcome home, Your
Grace,” Wright said in greeting. Even the staff were extremely happy about the nuptials, and the addition of Priscilla in the family. “You and your guests can gather in the drawing room, and the meal will be served very soon.”

  “Thank you, Wright.”

  Oliver and Priscilla walked into their home, together, with Jamie stepping in behind them. He was followed by Darnerton and Margaret and then Pricilla’s friend Joan and her physician husband. Lord and Lady Bennett would be arriving soon, and Oliver couldn’t wait to fill him in on everything that happened with Lord Kenley.

  As they all gathered in the drawing room, and they all had a glass of wine in their hands, Oliver raised his as he stood before his guests.

  “I would like to propose a toast to the lovely Duchess of Dowding, my new wife. She has made me a better person, and for that, I am eternally grateful.”

  He watched Priscilla blush and smile, stealing a glance at her friend Joan, who was visibly with child.

  “I also want to propose a toast to our son, Jamie. If it wasn’t for him, none of this would be possible.”

  Jamie looked a bit embarrassed to be the center of attention but held up his small beer in response to the toast.

  “Finally, I want to thank each and every one of you for being such a wonderful influence on our lives and for supporting a marriage that isn’t exactly a traditional one. Though we may not have come into this partnership in the normal manner, what’s important is that we found each other, we love each other, and that we have amazing family and friends to share it all with.”

  Oliver raised his glass one final time, and finally, he felt nothing but pure happiness and joy.

  * * *

  Priscilla was exhausted, but she was also extremely happy, and as she stood by Oliver’s side bidding their guests goodbye and good night, she couldn’t believe the peace and love that she was experiencing.

  The day had been magical, so had the time spent with their friends and the wedding feast. For the first time in her entire life, she was truly part of a family. She, Oliver, and Jamie were one unit, and she couldn’t be happier about it. In some sense, knowing what she had gone through for so many years, made this moment well worth the struggles.

  “Are you ready, Dear?” Oliver said quietly, with a wicked-looking smile. “I’d say I’m about ready to retire for the evening.”

  She nodded, returning his smile and squeezing his arm.

  She was certainly ready to be alone with him, though she was apprehensive about how their lovemaking would be the first time. Priscilla had never been with a man, physically, and because of that, she wasn’t sure what to really expect. All that she did know was that she trusted Oliver to show her what to do and how to do it correctly.

  As they walked out of the sitting room and into the hallway, she squeezed his arm again. “I love you, Oliver.”

  “And I love you.”

  They walked arm in arm, and she didn’t feel odd at all as they passed by her former sleeping quarters and approached Oliver’s. He opened the door for her, and she stepped in, gasping at the ornately decorated room.

  “I asked the staff to re-decorate…for us. It’s all brand new.”

  Priscilla looked around at the small sculptures, the paintings, and the tapestries. A warm fire burned in the fireplace, and the bedding looked absolutely divine.

  “It’s beautiful, Oliver,” she said. “I love it.”

  “It’s not as beautiful as you are,” he replied, pulling her into his arms. He was obviously not interested in small talk. He passionately kissed her, and she felt his hands beginning to untie her gown.

  She pulled away from him quickly, and said, “Here, let me help you.” She began removing the layers of clothing and gently placing them on a settee, which was to her left.

  “Now, you are mine,” Oliver said, as he pulled her over to him. The only thing between her body and his was the thin fabric which made up her chemise.

  “Always,” she said as she helped him unbutton his shirt. As her fingers brushed over his hardened muscles, Priscilla could feel his breath, which was quickening with every second that passed.

  His shirt dropped from his body, and he took Priscilla’s hands and placed them on his chest. His heart was beating strongly, and she gently, yet firmly rubbed his body.

  Oliver pulled her back into his arms again, hungrily kissing her and teasing her tongue with his own. With every moment that passed, she wanted him more. As they kissed passionately, she realized that he was unbuttoning his trousers.

  “Don’t be afraid to touch me,” Oliver said, taking her hand and slowly slipping it into the open front of his trousers. When her hand made contact with his member, he gave a low moan.

  “Yes, Priscilla. Just like that.”

  She was now holding him in her hand, his manhood reacting to her touch. It was both fascinating and terrifying, as the weight was so heavy that she wasn’t sure how it would fit inside of her. Without prompting, she took her other hand and began to caress him. With each stroke, she noticed that he was getting stiffer and stiffer.

  “You don’t have to prepare me. Just seeing you like this is enough,” he said with a smile. “Here, let me prepare you.”

  Again, he kissed her mouth, and then began gently biting her ear and neck. She then felt his hands pulling her chemise up and over her body. Within a moment, she was totally without clothing, and for the first time, she was totally vulnerable to him.

  Looking at his body, there was no question that he was ready to enter her. Priscilla didn’t know when that would happen, but she did know that her entire body was on fire with desire for him, and she wanted to touch every part of his. So, as he continued to nibble on her neck, she caressed his body.

  Suddenly, she sensed his hands on her breasts, and his thumbs gently stroking her nipples, which seemed as if they were going to explode. She couldn’t help but stop touching him for a moment, as a gasp escaped her. She didn’t realize how good it would be to have his rough hands touching her like that. He then gently squeezed her nipples between his fingers, and she moaned loudly.

  “If you like that, just wait…” he said, as he took one of her breasts in his hands. He leaned in and began to move his tongue around the nipple, and then gently took her into his mouth. Oliver lightly began to suck, and then when his teeth grazed her sensitive skin, she moaned again, sensing her body’s response directly between her legs.

  As he teased her breasts with his mouth and tongue, she could detect his hands moving lower on her body. The anticipation of his touch was making her breath heavy, and she could feel an intense tingling between her legs.

  Priscilla knew her wetness was growing, and as she felt Oliver’s fingers begin to explore her body, her head dropped back and again, she moaned as his fingers touched her most sensitive area.

  He began to rub her as he continued to alternate between kissing her breasts and her neck. Priscilla began moving her hips against his hand, and with every touch she felt herself getting more aroused. Having him touch her was like nothing she had ever felt before and she couldn’t believe that she could experience such pleasure.

  “You like this?”

  Priscilla could only moan in response as she continued to slowly move her hips. With each slow movement, her pleasure was building. When he slid a finger deeper inside of her, she gasped, but it felt so good that she began grinding her hips even harder and faster.

  “I’m going to make you feel so good, you don’t even know,” Oliver whispered to her. He removed his hand, and she could see it glistening in the light. He directed her over to the bed and said, “Lay down, Priscilla. On your back.”

  She did as she was told. She was totally exposed to him, and it seemed as if her entire body was trembling. For the first time, she saw his manhood revealing itself from his trousers. It was hard, stiff and large. He pulled his trousers off, and now both of them were fully naked and seeing each other for the first time.

  He crawled on top of her rough
ly and began passionately kissing her again. She sensed his stiffness against her leg and again, as if there was some type of unseen force, her hips began to move against him.

  “You can touch it again,” Oliver whispered to her as he continued to kiss her neck and ears. He was holding her down with his body, and she liked the weight of his body totally covering her own.

  Priscilla reached down and took his stiff manhood in her hands, wrapping them around him. He began to move his hips against her hands, and then said. “Yes…that’s it. We are almost ready.”

  Again, Priscilla could feel him get even stiffer, which she didn’t think was possible. She knew that within moments, he would fully be inside of her. The thought of that made her so aroused that she could now sense her wetness all over her thighs.