Whom Shall I Marry... an Earl or a Duke?

by Laura A. Barnes

  Sophia by now understood Sheffield. She could tell how he held on to his passions with a tight restraint and almost fell into her arms, but hesitated for a reason. He was a practical man who always had a plan. He would not give into the temptation until he was ready. She was tempted to entice him to loosen his stiff exterior. However, she also wanted to learn the purpose of his seriousness.

  So, she rested on the divan, laying out in a tempting pose. She watched as emotions flittered across his face as she waited for his reaction. She shifted her legs, causing the slit in her nightgown to open wider, displaying the full length of her bare leg. He moved one step toward her. She ran her fingers across her chest, sliding her hair off to the side. Two steps closer. Her tongue slid out to trace her lips, biting her lower lip as she waited. Soon he stood above her. When she tilted her head against the pillow, his eyes darkened to the deepest shade of blue she had ever seen. She gulped at the power of emotions spilling forth from the depth of his gaze. It was then Sophia realized she was playing with fire, a fire that would only consume her. Up to now he had only singed her; tonight would be a burn from which she would never recover.

  He trapped her with his stare, declaring his full desires. She had nowhere to retreat. She'd teased him to this point. Now all he could do was give in to her. Be damned with his plans for this evening. No part of their relationship was the standard courtship. It had been explosive from the start. He didn’t need to be the Duke of Sheffield. He only needed to be Alex. So, Alex she would have. His plans for them would come later when they burned the fire that heated the room, consuming them at this moment.

  He dropped to his knees. “Violet,” he moaned as he took her lips in a kiss full of the passion simmering between them.

  She responded by wrapping her arms around him and welcoming him into her hold. Finally, her wish would be granted. She had wondered if she held this power over him and felt relieved that she did. She didn’t want to use it, but only wished to know if she held any.

  Their lips met in a fiery explosion from their bent-up passion. Each kiss overwhelming their need for more. He tasted of whiskey and soon she would taste of lemon after his surprise. For now, the flavor of Violet was enough for him. She would always be enough for him. Their hands removed their clothing. Each touch urgent and full of need. He pulled her off the couch and seated himself against the cushion, drawing her on top of him. He guided her hips as he slid his cock inside her wetness. Her body already throbbed with her desire. He watched the purple depths darken as she enjoyed their new position. Each moment he taught her something new, she responded as no woman he had ever known.

  Their new position shocked Sophia, but the enjoyment she felt turned her astonishment to exploration. She rose as she felt his cock sliding out of her, then swiftly lowered. Hearing his groan of pleasure, she repeated her actions and the next time she rotated her core against his cock. He gripped her hips as his fingers stroked their pleasure at her movements.

  She was heaven and hell in his arms at this moment. Her curiosity always enflamed his desire, but this was on a whole new level. Every time she rose and fell, his cock throbbed inside her tightened core. Her wetness slid between their bodies with every stroke. He knew she was ready; she held on for him. When she lowered her mouth to kiss him, long and slow, he gripped her hips tighter and rose into her. Matching her rhythm, he sent them into the burning fire together. He brought her back against the cushions with him, wrapping her in his embrace. As her body quieted in his arms, he stroked her hair and whispered words of endearments. After their trembles ceased, he kissed the top of her head.

  “You ruined my plans for the evening, my dear.”

  She chuckled. “I was trying to. You were much too serious for my mood, Your Grace.”

  “Alex,” he growled.

  “Alex,” she sighed, pulling back and propping her hands on his chest, resting her chin atop them.

  He regarded the amusement in her eyes. His hands hovered over her hair, debating to untie those knots again. When her gaiety turned into panic at his intentions, he lowered his hands to run along her cheeks. Her violet eyes changed to hesitation. She feared him knowing who she was. It was then he knew his plans for their future would never be. Her identity would remain a mystery. The only way for him to discover who she was would be to follow her when she left Belle’s for the final time. To do that would betray all the trust she gifted him with this past week. Would abusing her trust to live a life of scandal be worth it? All he knew was that he could never hurt her. If he followed her, that would upset her. He decided to sacrifice his desires for her happiness. As much as it tore at his heart, he finally understood that when he left this room, their time must end.

  Their awkward moment was interrupted by a knock on the door. A relief, for he could continue to spoil her with his surprises. After they parted ways, he could reflect on the treasures she gifted him with. He rolled off the divan, laying a cover over her naked form. Before he opened the door, he slid on a robe and guided servants into the bedroom. Candlelight flickered across the room and on the table with covered dishes. When the last of the servants departed, Alex locked the door and continued to her side with her new violet wrapper in his hands. He guided her into the garment and held her in his embrace. After he seated her at the table, he handed her a single white rose. She lifted the flower to her nose and smiled at his simple gesture.

  “Now, my dear, I have had Belle’s chef prepare a dinner with all your favorites.”

  Sophia giggled at his explanation and then laughed even harder as he lifted the lids to the platters. All her favorite desserts. Every pie she loved, different flavors of cake, biscuits, and a wide variety of pastries. One dish stayed covered. Her curiosity prompted her to lift the lid. However, his hand stopped her. He shook his head with a smile.

  “That is the dessert of all desserts. First you must eat your dinner, then you can have a bite.”

  “You are being unfair, please give me a hint.”

  “Mmm, lemon. That is all I will reveal.”

  “Mmm, I love lemon.”

  “I know, my love.”

  The endearment hung in the air between them. Neither one of them questioned why he spoke the intimate words. Sophia wished them to be true. Alex had expressed them out of necessity. He wanted her to know how she'd touched his heart during their arrangement.

  Sophia ate, not wanting those sentiments to sink too deeply. She knew he spoke them out of context, yet it still hurt. Was there any truth to them? Instead of asking, she filled a plate with the delicious morsels.

  Alex saw the doubt in her eyes. He wanted to shout out his love, but held the emotion deep inside his heart. She moaned over the delight of his treats. He teased her, and they settled into an easy banter over their enjoyment of dinner. Each regaling the other with moments in their childhood. He learned of her friend that she valued as a sister. He envied her friend, wishing it to be him. However, it gave him comfort that she had someone to confide in who wouldn't shun her. Sheffield had blundered his friendship with Wilde, and after his time with Violet he understood his friend’s quest for Sidney. Wilde must have been as enamored with Sidney as Sheffield was of Violet. Perhaps Wilde could help him deal with his latest predicament. He meant to share his troubles with Violet, but now realized they could never be.

  After Sophia sampled every delicious treat, she reached for the last tray. She glanced at Alex, whose smile spread wide as he waited for her reaction. She lifted the lid and her mouth watered at the scrumptious treat. It was a lemon concoction in between butter biscuits. Scoops of whipped cream lay in layers of lemon pudding. She squealed in delight as she lifted her spoon to slide into the dessert. She brought the spoon to her lips. When she closed her eyes, the tart lemon flavor exploded her senses, with the whipped cream soothing the sour within her mouth. Her moans drew chuckles from Alex. It was divine. No dessert had ever tasted so sweet.

  “You spoil me, Alex.”

  “You are meant to be
spoiled, my sweet Violet.”

  “Mmm,” she moaned between bites. She took a biscuit and dipped it into the lemon. More moans escaped as she had a taste.

  Alex watched her enjoyment. He groaned as her tongue licked the sweet lemon pudding off the biscuit. His need for her had never diminished, and it only grew stronger as she sucked each finger. She settled herself on his lap and gave him lemon-flavored kisses. Each kiss was as tart as the one before.

  “You taste like lemon.”

  “A flavor to imprint on your mind to always remember me by.”

  “You will be impossible to forget, regardless of lemons.”

  She lifted the spoon to his mouth to sample the treat. While she loved hearing his thoughts on never forgetting her, they were too much to bear. She wanted to keep their evening lighthearted and full of passion. He took the bite and closed his eyes as he enjoyed the dessert. A love of lemon treats was another thing they shared in common. When he opened his eyes, they were filled with his need for her again. He untied her robe and slipped the gown over her shoulders, her breasts displayed for his pleasure. When he dipped his fingers into the lemon and smoothed the creamy dessert across her nipples, she realized his full intention for the treat.

  Alex’s lips slid down to lick the pudding off, each stroke of his touch savoring her tartness. As he sucked the lemon sweetness between his lips her buds tightened in his mouth. She moaned her delight at his attention, and he wanted to try more.

  By now, nothing should shock her about Alex’s passion. However, he kept her surprised with new ways to love her. Even the books he supplied for her curiosity never did justice to his ideas. He lowered her to the bed and showed why he'd ordered the special dessert. He licked the lemon pudding off every inch of her body and in return she bestowed the same favor upon him. This time laughter filled their love-making. Every stroke of the tongue or smearing of lemon teased and tickled, enhancing their passion. As they lay in each other’s arms, they expressed their humor with more laughter at the stickiness of their bodies.

  Alex rose and called the servants, ordering a bath and a change of the bed sheets. Sophia moved into the changing room, embarrassed at the mess they created. He chuckled and teased her until her body glowed red. Which only brought forth more laughter from him. When the servants left, he coaxed her to join him in the tub. As she pressed her back against him, he soaked her body. His touch gentle as he wiped the lemon concoction away. Her hair lay in rivulets against his chest. He lifted it from her nape to wash away more of the dessert. There he discovered a small mole underneath her hairline and placed his lips upon her imperfection. Another treasure to mark the beauty of his Violet. Her body relaxed against his as she dozed in the warm water. Not wanting to disturb her sleep he continued to wash them of their stickiness. When he finished, he carefully held her. The simplicity of the moment soothed him, although their time was ending. As the water chilled, he rose with her in his arms and settled them between the clean sheets. The whole time his Violet never stirred. He wished to wake her and make love to her before he left, but he didn’t want to disturb her slumber. There would be time in the morning for him to love her goodbye. Before he drifted off to sleep, he took a gift from his jacket pocket. It was supposed to persuade Violet to continue their union—his plans now scratched since she would never agree. He lifted the locket over her neck. As it nestled between her breasts, he placed a soft kiss across her lips and whispered words of love into the darkness.

  SOPHIA AWOKE AS THE sun began to rise, her body wrapped tightly in Alex’s arms. His grip even in sleep wouldn't relinquish her. She'd been aware of his intentions when he entered the room the evening before. He meant to ask her to continue their arrangement, with a house in the country. Belle had informed Sophia of Sheffield's plans while she'd helped with the new nightgown. Sophia could never agree to such an outlandish request. The scandal alone would embarrass Sheffield. She couldn’t hurt him with her true identity. No, it was best they part ways.

  The hardest thing she did was to untangle herself from his arms. As she dressed to depart, she watched him. He mumbled her name as he reached for her. With a hushed whisper to soothe him, he settled back to sleep. Tears slid from her eyes as she stood watching him rest. Her bags were already waiting for her below. Belle would have Ned escort her home as discreetly as possible. Her time spent with Alexander Langley, the Duke of Sheffield, was over. She leaned over to place a soft kiss on his lips, whispering to him as she pulled away. Her head devoid of her mask. She lay bare to him in case he would awake at that moment to see who she was. But he didn’t.

  “I love you, Alex.”

  With those last words she turned to leave. She paused at the door, her every desire to turn and beg him for whatever relationship he wanted. But she didn’t. If he couldn't love her openly and honestly, then it wasn’t fair to either one of them. After a while they would grow to resent each other. Not wanting that to happen, she left to cherish in her heart their time together.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Alex awoke to sunlight blazing into the room. When he reached for Violet, his hand encountered the cold sheets. The only thing he grabbed was her mask. It rested on the pillow next to him. He picked up the silken garment and smashed it within his grip. He sat up quickly looking for his beloved. She was gone. He knew it before his eyes searched for her. He felt it in his heart as the emptiness invaded his soul. However, he found Belle resting in the chair near the window. The look of pity in her eyes was more that he wanted to see. He rubbed his hands across his face.

  “When did she leave?”

  “At dawn.”

  He nodded. There was nothing left to say. Violet spoke it for them when she departed without saying goodbye. It was time for him to resume his life. He had a lady he needed to court for marriage. No more stolen moments. Violet would only be a memory he could reflect on when he felt lonely.

  “I am surprised at your behavior, Sheffield.”

  “How so, Belle?” His voice held a hint of dejection.

  “The old Sheffield would demand her name. He would bully me into betraying her confidence so that he could lord his title to discover what he wanted to know. This man who lies before me is a man I have never met.”

  “Not now, Belle. Right now, I understand her motives and I am respecting them. Later, I don’t know how I will feel or what my reactions may be. For now, I must give her the freedom she deserves. She gave me the greatest gift that I shall cherish always. There can be no more, even I am aware of that. What I wanted to request of her would never have worked. She is too precious a lady to have been asked that.”

  “Stop, before you make me cry.”

  Sheffield’s laugh grew bitter at her words. “I guess today is the day for all miracles.”

  “Weird isn’t it? How one woman has impacted you to this degree?”

  “Violet is a gem who shines brightly as no other.”

  “Yes, and she will continue to shine even more after her time spent here.”

  “If you don’t mind, Belle, I would like to be off before I realize how deeply her loss has affected me. This room already holds too many memories that I need to run from.”

  Belle rose and walked to Sheffield’s side. She lowered her head and placed a kiss upon his cheek. She ruffled her fingers through his hair before she left. Once the door closed, he took notice of every square inch of the bedroom. Every spot reminded him of Violet. Her smile. Her touch. The sweet scent of her. Her laughter. Her husky moans. The longer he stayed here, the more his need grew. Alongside his need, his anger flourished. With a swipe of the bed sheets he rose to pour himself a drink. After two shots of drinking the fiery liquid, his frustration was fueled more. For Violet loved to kiss the flavor of whiskey from his lips. He threw the glass into the fire, swearing his fury. He dressed to leave the memories behind. Before he left, he lifted her mask and straightened it out with fingers that shook. With a delicacy, he folded the material and placed the garment in the pocket of his sui
t jacket.

  As Belle stood outside the bedroom, she heard Sheffield’s pain. She cringed at the sound of glass breaking and knew that no matter how he hid his emotions, Violet had broken his heart. However, Belle held a few secrets. One of them involved Lady Sophia, not Violet. Now that her side of the plan was complete, it fell to Sidney to finish the rest. Soon, Sheffield would become enamored of his Violet in a different light. Belle chuckled as she walked to the parlor where her guest waited to hear how the future needed to proceed. When Sophia left this morning, it was to the same effect. Not the anger, but the sadness. Tears had slid along her cheeks and her eyes reflected the lost part of her soul.

  SOPHIA ARRIVED AT HOME without the servants noticing. She slipped into her bedroom and curled upon her bed in a fit of tears. They wouldn’t stop streaming down her face, one after another gliding along her cheek resting in her hair. She hugged the pillow to her chest as she poured her soul into a misery she'd never held before. Walking away from Sheffield as he slept was the cowardly way to leave. But she knew if she stayed, he could persuade her with his wishes. Her tears choked her, making her sick. She needed to be quiet in case her maid overheard her despair. She'd only stopped at home to gather a bag. Then she would depart to Sidney and Wilde’s house to stay with them until her parents returned. She would confess her sins to her friend. Sidney had been patient, waiting for her questions to be answered, and wouldn't judge her. Sophia held knowledge of Sidney and Rory’s plot to destroy Sheffield. Now that she had given her heart to Alex, it would be up to her to dissuade them from their justice-seeking vendetta.

  After a long enough time of feeling sorry for herself, she rose and discarded her gown. When she lifted her chemise over her head, her necklace became twisted in the straps. Necklace? Sophia wore no jewelry while she was with Alex. After she untangled the mess, she lifted the jewelry from her neck. She gazed at the necklace in her hand. It was a simple piece with a silver chain and locket. A locket with an amethyst jewel set into a heart. More tears slid along Sophia's cheeks at the symbolism of the gift. Alex gifted her with his heart. She choked out a sob and slid to the floor with grief. With a kiss to the jewel, she placed the necklace back around her throat and clutched the locket over her heart.