***
Pierce stormed into his bedchamber angrily tugging at his cravat until it loosened, flicking it across the room to land on the floor in a snowy heap of white. He heard Tucker, his valet, come up behind him and knew without turning to see the expression on his face that it would be one of carefully masked irritation. Tucker worked hard to ensure that everything always looked neat and proper and everything was in its place so the disrespect of his cravat would surely irk the man enormously but Pierce didn’t care. He shrugged out of his jacket and before he had a chance to toss that as well, Tucker was at his side rescuing it from the same fate as his cravat.
“Thank you. I apologize for my behavior, would you like me to retrieve my cravat for you and hand it to you in a civilized manner?”
“It would probably do you good but you know I’d never require that of you.” Tucker said as he scurried over and bent to retrieve the cravat himself.
Pierce walked over and poured himself a drink from the crystal decanter that was sitting on his sideboard before collapsing into a forest green winged back chair. He felt his head aching at the thought of how complicated his life had recently become. He let his thoughts wander to Eliza and her soft auburn curls and her piercing green eyes. Her skin was like porcelain, so pale and smooth. She had been the first and last girl he had fallen in love with, before he decided that love was just a fallacy.
He closed his eyes and imagined what she had felt like in his arms when they had danced together, of the way she would smile up at him as if he was the only man in the room. He felt a twang of anxiety in his chest at the thought of seeing her again—what if those old feelings resurfaced, proving to further complicate his life? There had been a time when he had been anxious for a future, for a family with her. Her actions; however, had squelched those ideas completely. He never allowed himself to think in those terms anymore, everything he did now was out of duty and nothing more.
Placing his half drunken brandy back on the table he bent and yanked his boots off before turning the bed covers down on his large bed and crawling in hoping to be able to escape into sleep for a few hours before his mother would inevitably be calling him for dinner.
Pierce lay on his back, looking up at the ceiling as sleep eluded him. His thoughts were churning and now instead of thinking of Eliza, he found his mind wandering to marvelous amber eyes and an insufferable little chit that surprised him from minute to minute with her outrageous behavior. One minute she’d act haughty, like she couldn’t be bothered by him and couldn’t possibly tolerate another minute in his company, other times she’d act totally out of character as a lady. He knew her mother had died in childbirth when she was born and tried to chalk up her sometimes unrefined behavior to the lack of proper motherly guidance but then he’d remember a number of Lady’s that grew up motherless who were still educated and cultured and knew that couldn’t be all to the story.
Noelle was such a mix of contradictions, from the way she professed his kiss was merely pleasant trying to dismiss the whole ordeal completely after her body had reacted to his touch as if it was starving for the passion which ignited between them. One minute she’d be looking at him with raw desire in her startling eyes, the next she’d be insulting him and acting as if his very presence was repulsive. She was a mystery to him but he wasn’t sure he was ready to let his guard down around her, never quite sure what he might encounter from the beautiful minx.
Thinking of Noelle, he glanced out the window and noticed the rain cascading down the panes in thick rivulets. He pulled himself out of the warm cocoon of his bed and went to glance through the window to see if she had by chance gotten caught out in the storm during her stroll through the gardens. The rain obliterated his view making it nearly impossible to make out a single thing. He desperately wanted to get back into bed and forget about the girl but something inside of him compelled him to go check and see that she made it safely into the dry shelter of the house.
Pierce tucked his shirt into his breeches before pulling on his boots, forgetting about his jacket and cravat before heading out into the hall and down the staircase on his way towards the door. Before he reached the entryway, the large door was thrown open and in walked Noelle, drenched completely from head to toe. Her thick hair was pasted to her head as raindrops rolled from her face and down over her collarbone. Pierce tried to ignore the way her wet dress clung provocatively to her curves as he stared at her speechless. Even standing soaking wet in the doorway, completely disheveled, he found her more tempting and beautiful than the most well groomed woman he had ever seen.
Hope looked up to see Pierce standing a few yards away staring at her, his hands clenched in tight fists at his side. It took everything in her to ignore the way his dark eyes bore into her, causing her already chilled skin to break out into goose pimples. Her attempts at ignoring him were futile, for she found it equally hard to look away from his striking appearance. His dark hair was ruffled; his black eyes were gleaming with a wicked glint, his jaw clenched fiercely. Her eyes widened when she realized he wasn’t wearing his jacket or cravat and that his shirt was partially undone, revealing a deep V of brown skin covered in a scattering of course, dark hair. For a brief moment she fantasized about laying her head on his chest and feeling that hair rub on her own smooth cheek before forcing herself to look away from his distracting chest and back at his face.
It was a mistake—the look she saw in his eyes frightened and excited her at the same time, he looked like he wanted to devour her. Laughing nervously she brushed some of the wet strands from her face, “Pardon my appearance your grace.”
“Pierce. I thought we had dispensed with the formalities already.”
She only nodded, “Yes, well if you’d be so kind as to have somebody show me to my room then I can change into something more appropriate.”
His eyes raked her body once more, “I don’t mind your appearance at all. Don’t worry about changing on my account.”
“Ha! If you hadn’t noticed, there isn’t much I do based on your account, I simply insist on changing so I don’t catch a chill.” She folded her arms across her chest to try to gather a modicum of warmth into her body but Pierce mistook her actions for an attempt at modesty.
“Come on, I’ll show you to your room.” He said reluctantly, not wanting to have to look away from the fetching picture she made.
Hope dutifully followed him, purposely lingering a few paces behind so as to avoid further conversation. She couldn’t help but notice from her position the way the muscles moved in his strong legs as he walked and his broad back which tapered down to lean hips. He was a magnificently made man and she was irked that she responded physically to him.
When Pierce came to a halt in front of a door Hope almost ran into the back of him, so distracted she was by watching his imposing figure move with a sense of grace and power.
“Here you are, my room is two doors down if you need anything.”
“I’m sure anything I may need can be provided by one of the servants.”
He leaned close and growled, “There are things that I, as your fiancé, can only provide. Surely you wouldn’t go to one of the servants for this.” His voice trailed off as his large hands flanked the sides of her face pulling her to him and placing his lips on top of hers. He briefly had the thought that he had promised himself not to be the one to initiate their next kiss before the feel of her cool lips on his distracted him from further thinking, compelled only to react. He was momentarily shocked that she didn’t pull back and slap him but after only a few seconds she began responding to his ardent desire.
Hope’s lips went from chilled to deliciously warm as Pierce’s lips moved expertly over her own and when he dropped his hands from her face to pull her into his hard body she shivered, but not from the cold gown that was clinging to her body. She instinctively reached her arms up and wrapped them around his neck, entwining her hands in the thick hair at the base of his neck. Pierce’s arms circled her waist, pulli
ng her with him as he turned and leaned his back against the door to her room, enjoying the soft press of her much smaller body against his.
She surprised him by pulling back and pressing scorching kisses along his jaw before saying in a low gravelly voice, “You’re right, I don’t suppose I’ll be going to a servant for this.”
Pierce groaned and in a husky voice replied, “You better not. I’ll always be more than happy to accommodate your need.”
“I’m sure you will.” Hope didn’t know what had gotten into her and why she was complying with the duke’s demands, all she knew was that the yearning in her own body compelled her on. She returned her mouth to his and tried to sate her appetite for him with another series of fervent kisses but when she pulled back she realized her appetite for him had barely been whetted. She leaned her head on his chest as she had fantasized about earlier and reached up to run her fingers softly over the smattering of dark hair on his chest.
“I don’t know what you’re doing to me, Pierce.”
He placed a large hand over her hand that was trailing circles on his chest, “It’s called passion, minx.”
She pulled back to look into his face, “Is that what this is between us?”
“Of course, and we should consider ourselves lucky that if nothing else at least our marriage will be a passionate one.”
“Is that all we can expect of this union?” Her warm amber eyes were searching his face for any sign of something more but all she saw was lust.
“Quite possibly, and we’d both be fools to expect otherwise.” His earlier warmth was replaced by a cool aloofness that bothered Hope as she watched and felt him withdraw both physically and emotionally from her.
Straightening his shoulders he said, “Now hurry along and change, dinner will be served soon.” Hope watched as he turned on his heel and strode into his own room, shutting the door firmly behind him.
Chapter 14
By the time Hope had peeled the sopping dress off of her frame, Esther was pouring steaming buckets of water into the copper tub sitting in front of the fireplace. Hope looked longingly at the bath, grateful for the first time since this charade had started that she was the one that would soon be enjoying the relaxing warmth of the water instead of the one pouring the buckets.
She quickly got into the tub, letting the warmth of the water distract her from Pierce and the unsettling feelings he roused in her. She felt foolish for giving into the passion that he sparked within her, knowing he gloated in the fact that she went weak under his expert caresses, as she was sure many women had done before her. She laid her head back against the edge of the tub and closed her eyes, resolving within herself to stop falling into the alluring trap of passion that the duke presented.
Hope hadn’t realized how exhausted she had become, it was all she could do to pull herself from the tub and allow Esther to help her dry off and comb her thick waves until they were nearly dry before the fire. By the time Esther was done, Hope could barely muster enough energy to even think about getting dressed and the thought of spending the evening with Pierce and Caroline drained the last of her reserves. Instead she made her way to her bed and curled up under the thick bed coverings, notifying Esther to inform the duke that she wouldn’t be dining with him tonight before falling into a dreamless sleep.
The next thing she remembered was being awoken from her deep slumber by an incessant knocking at her door. She scurried out of bed, throwing a Chinese silk wrapper around her body before rushing to see who was at her door. She was surprised to see Pierce standing there looking casual in his tan breeches, white linen shirt and riding boots.
Pierce drank in the sight of Noelle, all warm and cozy looking from sleep. “Good morning Noelle, I was worried when you didn’t come down for dinner last night that you had either taken ill or were purposely avoiding me. It appears you are well so I must conclude that it was the latter.”
“Must everything always be about you? I was simply too exhausted after such a tiring day that I retired early.” She explained, pulling her wrapper more securely around her body trying not to let her surprise that it was now morning show. She couldn’t believe she had slept so long.
Pierce laughed, “Someday you’ll admit that you want me as much as…”
Hope cut him off, “As what? As much as you want me? Well then your grace, someday is in fact today because I will indeed admit that I want you as much as you want me which is not saying much, we’ve already established that. Now if you don’t mind, I’d like some privacy to get ready for the day.”
Turning back to her room, Hope let the door shut on its own but before it could fully close, Pierce put one brown hand out and caught it. Much to Hope’s horror, he followed her into the privacy of her bedchamber. Turning on him wildly she exclaimed, “What are you doing? This is highly improper and I demand you leave at once!”
“It’s my house and I’ll do as I wish. Now calm yourself before your screeching alerts the entire household. I came to inform you that I will be touring part of the estate today and was wondering if you’d like to come along. I’ve asked cook to prepare a picnic for us.”
“Oh…that would be nice,” she stammered, caught off guard by his suggestion.
Seeing the relief on her face, Pierce couldn’t help but taunt her, “You didn’t think I had come here solely to ravish you, did you?”
The blush that crept up her neck and scattered across her high cheekbones gave her away though her words said otherwise, “Nonsense, now kindly leave so I can ready myself. I’ll be down shortly.”
Hope waited a couple of minutes after Pierce had left before calling for Esther, careful to make sure he wouldn’t return and burst into her room once more. Esther helped her change into one of Noelle’s dark blue riding habits before braiding her hair back and out of her face. When she reached the bottom of the stairs, Pierce was waiting for her. He reached for her hand, placing it in the crook of his elbow before guiding her out towards the stables.
The day was young but the sun was already making its appearance in the sky, promising to be a nice, warm day. They strode in silence to the stables, both lost in their own thoughts. When a kind looking grey was offered to Hope she reached up and stroked the horse’s nose. Pierce came up behind her, placing both hands on her waist and gently lifted her into the sidesaddle. Hope marveled at the ease with which he hoisted her onto the horse then watched as he effortlessly saddled his own black stallion that looked as imposing as its master.
Hope purposely trailed a few paces behind Pierce, hoping he wouldn’t notice her slight awkwardness in the saddle, for riding was not something she had gained much experience in during her role as a lady’s maid. They passed many grey stone cottages that were placed sporadically through the countryside before Pierce pulled his reigns back, stopping Tristan and waiting for Hope to catch up.
When she pulled her own horse up next to his he turned to her, “I spent many hours as a boy riding over every square inch of this estate. I know it like I know the back of my own hand but I never get sick of it.” Hope looked out at the miles of farmland being prepared for planting and harvesting and could understand why. “Whenever I feel weighed down by responsibilities I go for a long ride and remind myself why it is I do what I do.”
Hope looked at him skeptically, “Oh? This reminds you of why you gamble, drink and womanize? I admit it is inspiring but I had no idea its beauty could provoke such rakish ways.”
Pierce glowered at her, “Your impossibly low opinion of me is flattering. Tell me, is it based solely off of rumor or is that what you’ve deducted for yourself in the short time we’ve been personally acquainted?”
“Your behavior has left some things to be desired that’s for sure,” she answered honestly but was surprised when a look of pain momentarily flashed in his eyes. In lieu of a response, Pierce kicked Tristan in the flanks and resumed galloping.
Hope tried to ignore the impression that she may have misjudged him unfairly, instead she tr
ied to focus on her surroundings as she followed closely behind. Hope watched Pierce’s broad shoulders in front of her, sensing the tension in the set of his back. She felt slightly guilty for being so hard on him and vowed to spend the rest of the day not being so defensive. The fresh air felt rejuvenating and she wanted to enjoy the day without anymore fighting or awkwardness between them so she vowed to hold her tongue and try to be pleasant. She could only hope that he’d try to do the same.
Pierce’s thoughts were in a jumble. It bothered him that his own fiancée had such a low opinion of him. He wasn’t foolish enough to expect to fall in love with the girl but he had at least hoped that they could become friends of a sort but that was proving to be difficult.
When they pulled to a halt in front of a cluster of small cottages, Pierce was once more by her side helping her down from her horse. “These here are some of my tenants,” he motioned towards the various people out working in the nearby fields, “and I thought since we are here I might introduce you to a few of them. I reckon they’ll be fairly happy and surprised that I have finally decided to take a wife.”
Looking up Hope saw a middle aged man brushing his hands on his trousers as he walked towards them. His thick hair was like straw, poking out in all directions completely unruly, but his blue eyes were kind and the smile he bestowed on her warmed her heart. He bowed before them before standing and saying, “Your grace, to what do we owe this honor?”
“Good day Derry, we were just out riding and enjoying this fine day,” then turning to Hope, “I’d like to introduce you to my fiancée, Derry this is Lady Noelle, Lady Noelle, this is Derry Fitzpatrick.”
Derry stuck out his hand, looking sheepish at the dirt that clung to his skin, “Congratulations milady and your grace, though I must apologize for my soiled hands.”
Deceiving the Duke of Kerrington (Ladies of Deception) Page 10
