What Desire Demands, My Duke: A Steamy Historical Regency Romance Novel

by Olivia T. Bennet

  Elated beyond words, Elizabeth could only grin herself. The physician arrived at that moment and everyone grew serious again as he began to take a look at Elizabeth’s injury. All except her. She continued to grin, not taking her eyes off William as the physician fussed over her wounds, telling her that the bruises would heal within weeks but her broken leg would leave her bedridden for months to come. Nothing could wipe the happy smile off her face.

  Despite all that had happened, it was truly the best day of her life. Elizabeth couldn’t wait for another, more beautiful day, to take its place.

  Epilogue

  Six Months Later

  Her wedding gown was beautiful. Elizabeth’s heart expanded at the sight of it, the wind blowing in through the windows in her bedchamber rustling her nightgown around her legs. Before her stood both Patience and Minnie, holding up either side of the magnificent wedding gown that Elizabeth was slated to wear.

  Standing by the door were two other maids of Gillet House, waiting for their time to assist. Elizabeth’s eyes darted to all of them, filled with excitement.

  “I can hardly believe it,” she breathed, reaching for the wispy fabric that fluttered airily under that same wind flowing from the windows. “Will I truly be married in such a wonderful gown?”

  To the left of the wedding gown, Patience grinned from ear to ear. “No other gown would suit you than this, My Lady,” she said. “I believe it will truly be the wedding of the Season.”

  “I agree, My Lady,” Minnie murmured, a gentle smile fluttering across her face. Her eyes sparkled with the same excitement lighting Patience’s entire features. “You truly deserve no less.”

  “Oh, you two are far too kind,” Elizabeth murmured with a wave of her hand, still drinking in her gown.

  At first glance, it was easy to see that it descended in multiple layers. At the very top, flowing from the bottom of the bodice was blue gossamer silk that captured every light that shone upon it. Underneath it, a firmer material of decorated muslin, sapphire blue, outlined the shape of the skirt, with lace trimmings along its hem. The same intricate design of the lace wrapped around the bodice and extended into the puffy sleeves that would cap at the top of her upper arm.

  Laid out on her vanity table were all the pieces of jewelry Elizabeth would also wear today, among them a lovely opal tiara her mother had worn for her own wedding. Elizabeth had held on to it for this very reason and now that it was here, she could hardly believe how perfectly it would match her gown.

  The day was truly here. After months of waiting, the Season drawing to an end while she was unable to leave her home, Elizabeth could only think about the day she would finally be married. Soon after that night, she’d learned of Lord Horenwall’s charges for attempted murder, brought on by Elizabeth’s statement. As luck would have it, William also escaped charges due to self-defense but had to spend many days proving that to a judge. On those days, Elizabeth had prayed for all to end well and when she’d learned that he would come out unscathed, she thanked God for His mercy.

  “Come now, My Lady,” Patience said, cutting into Elizabeth’s quiet awe. “If you stand around staring at the gown instead of wearing it then you will miss your own wedding.”

  Minnie looked surprised at Patience’s words. She’d only met Patience early during the preparation for the wedding. Elizabeth had asked William to send Minnie to the House, wanting to have the timid maid by her side during this wonderful time. At first, Elizabeth had been a little nervous about the two maids meeting each other, considering their very different personalities, but Patience had taken Minnie under her wing with ease. Clearly, Minnie wasn’t used to Patience’s penchant for saying whatever was on the tip of her tongue.

  “You’re right,” Elizabeth giggled. Ever since she’d woken this morning, she’d been grinning from ear to ear. “We should hurry. I do not want to be late.”

  Less than an hour after beginning, Elizabeth was ready for the wedding, her tiara placed perfectly on her head.

  Her gown’s train, though not very long, was long enough to require the maids to carry it in her wake as Elizabeth made her way to the foyer. There, she spotted her father waiting for her, looking quite dashing in his dark waistcoat and trousers with a stark white shirt and cravat. He was talking to the butler when she appeared at the top of the staircase. He trailed off when he saw her.

  “Elizabeth!” he gasped, his jaw falling. “You look…”

  Elizabeth grinned, sliding her gloved hand into his. “Beautiful? Lovely? Bewitching?”

  “You look exactly like your mother,” he breathed.

  Elizabeth’s smile widened, even though her heart twisted a little. It would have been lovely if her mother were here to see her, but the pride and love in her father’s eyes was enough for them both.

  “I didn’t think this day would come,” he went on, running his awed gaze down the length of her as he rested a hand on Elizabeth’s cheek.

  Elizabeth laughed in surprise. “You did not think I would ever be married, Father? Did you have so little faith in me all along?”

  “Of course not, of course not,” Lord Gillet said with a shake of his head. When he caught her smile, his eyes gleamed with humor. “But surely, you can understand my past concern?”

  “I do, Father.” Her heart warming, Elizabeth placed a gentle kiss on her father’s cheek. “Thank you for being so patient with me. Now, you can rest easy.”

  “Yes, you were the one holding me back all this time.”

  Elizabeth laughed again, slapping him lightly on the arm. She took the arm he offered to her and let him lead her out of the House. Footmen stood by to help her into the carriage that would take her to the church, Patience entering behind her with the bouquet Elizabeth would carry down the aisle.

  The trip did not take very long. When she arrived, the entrance was devoid of guests and she was certain they were all already buzzing with excitement inside the church. Elizabeth accepted her father’s help as she got out of the carriage and smiled when Patience handed her the bouquet of bluebells.

  “Are you nervous?” her father asked as he offered his arm again.

  Elizabeth shook her head. She’d been waiting for this moment for years. What little anxiousness she’d felt beforehand dissipated in light of what was ahead of her, what was on the other side of the door. Today would mark the true beginning of a lifetime together.

  “Well, then,” Lord Gillet said with a grin. “Shall we begin?”

  At those words, the men standing by the door pulled it open, revealing the long aisle before her. The gentle tunes of a pianoforte began to filter out the open doors as Lord Gillet led Elizabeth up the steps and through the entrance. At either side of aisle, the pews were filled with eager guests, hushed tones mingling with the music wafting overhead. Elizabeth didn’t see any of them. She only had eyes for William.

  He stood next to the vicar, his gloved hands clasped before him. His jaw was hard, his eyes leveled, but the way he watched her as she drew nearer had her core tensing with heat. He looked dashing, broad shoulders filling a dark waistcoat and white shirt, his cravat tied perfectly at his neck. Skin-tight breeches clung to his legs paired with black boots. Her heart trembled at the sight of him, making her forget where she was for a moment. They were the only two people on Earth for those seconds, lost in each other’s eyes as she came to stand next to him.

  Then, the vicar spoke, cutting into her daze.

  “Dear beloved,” he began, his voice booming through the long hall, “we come in the presence of God to witness the blessed joining of this man and this woman in holy matrimony.”

  Elizabeth didn’t hear anything else. She smiled up at William, every bit of her love shining through her eyes. He met her loving gaze with equal force, smoldering with an intensity that made her heart pound.

  I love you, he mouthed to her as the priest continued on.

  Elizabeth flushed. Others were watching, she knew, but she didn’t hesitate to mouth back, I lov
e you too.

  Unspoken words drifted between them, a promise for what would happen once this wedding was over. Elizabeth could hardly wait. Her toes curled with anticipation, eager for his hands touching her heated skin once more. As lovely as this gown was, Elizabeth couldn’t wait for moment he would strip it from her body.

  Soon enough, the priest’s words began to draw to an end.

  “Do you, Elizabeth, take William, to be your husband in the covenant of marriage? To love, comfort, honor, and keep him in sickness and in health, forsaking all others for as long as you may live?”

  “I do,” Elizabeth breathed without hesitation.

  “And do you, William, take Elizabeth to be your wife in the covenant of marriage? To love, comfort, honor, and keep him in sickness and in health, forsaking all others for as long as you may live?”

  “I do,” William said with ease, a slow grin already spreading across his face. Elizabeth’s heart fluttered in anticipation of what was going to happen next.

  When the priest indicated that they may kiss, William didn’t hesitate. He wrapped his arm around the curve of her back, pulling her into his chest as his lips descended onto hers. Once again, the world disappeared around them and Elizabeth knew nothing but the feel of his arms, the taste of his lips, the musky scent. When he pulled away, she was breathless, even though they had far more intense kisses before.

  “You’re truly mine now,” he murmured to her, even as applause echoed around them.

  “I was always yours,” she whispered back, a smile touching her lips.

  The signing of the marriage documents and the ensuing wedding breakfast passed in a blur. The breakfast was held at Gillet House where Lord Gillet took the helm in engaging with as many guests as he could, drunk off his gaiety. Elizabeth enjoyed seeing her father in such good spirits, and was happy to experience the loving camaraderie that came from two homes being brought together in marriage. But nothing would compare to the sight of William before her now.

  They’d left the wedding breakfast earlier than they should have, under some explanation William had given them, which Elizabeth hadn’t cared to find out. She had already made her way to the waiting carriage by then and before long, they were at Brandon Manor. For the entire carriage ride Elizabeth had tried her best to keep her hands to herself, to keep from giving in to the smoldering air charging between them but now, behind closed doors, she didn’t care to.

  Her lovely wedding gown dragged along the floor as she moved away from the door. William had come a stop in the center of the room but when she moved, so did he. They met with two steps, her arms instantly sliding around his waist as he reached a hand up to caress her cheek.

  They didn’t have to say anything to each other. Throughout the entire breakfast, she’d known what he wanted, just as much as she’d known her own desires. Now, she could feel it mounting in her and if she didn’t feel his lips against her soon, Elizabeth thought she might combust.

  As if he read her mind, William dipped his head and captured her lips with perfect fervency. He slid a hand around to cup her backside, drawing her so close to him that she could feel him against her thigh. The touch sparked lascivious thoughts, had her brimming with desperate need that Elizabeth threaded her fingers through his hair, needing to deepen the kiss.

  Their tongues tangled, their bodies fused together despite the layers that laid between them. She was desperate to get out of her gown now, desperate to leave it lying on the floor as they moved to the bed. Elizabeth wondered if she might have said her thoughts aloud without realizing, because only a second later, she felt William’s probing fingers searching for her strings to loosen it.

  “I’ve been waiting for this all day,” he murmured against her flushed skin, leveling his lips against the side of her neck. Elizabeth hugged her head to him, a gasp on her lips.

  “Only all day?” she teased, an intoxicated grin stretching across her lips.

  She felt him smile as well. “Not all day,” he corrected. “Ever since your father gave us his blessings, this was all I could think about.”

  “And here I thought you wanted me for my heart.”

  At long last, the gown grew loose and tumbled down around her ankles, leaving her in nothing but her chemise. William drew back, drinking in the curves of her body under the fabric. When he caught sight of her pert nipples, his eyes grew dark. “For now, your body is all I need,” he murmured, his voice thick.

  Elizabeth grinned. Giddy almost, she pulled him back to her lips, kissing him eagerly. Their lips molded together with burning passion as William picked her off the floor. Elizabeth’s heart leaped, but she didn’t let go of him. Instead, she wrapped her arms around his neck, clinging to him until he rested her down on the bed.

  The second time they broke the kiss, Elizabeth was left panting. She watched, yearning coursing through her body as he stepped back and began to unbutton his waistcoat. Each deft move of his fingers left her breathless, her eyes following his every move. But the moment he lowered his breeches, letting his manhood spring free, Elizabeth’s legs buckled together as that intimate spot between her thighs began to throb, begging to be touched.

  Slowly, William crawled onto the bed, hovering over. Elizabeth swallowed in anticipation, every inch of her body tensed and longing. She saw when his hand moved, felt the bed shift slightly underneath her, but she didn’t look away from his dark, smoldering eyes.

  Not until she felt a finger slide against her thickness.

  Elizabeth gasped, her eyes fluttering closed. He continued his slow, tortuous movement, round and round as if his only aim was to drive her crazy. Elizabeth clasped her hands around the back of his neck, trying not to dig her nails into his skin as pleasure rushed through her in dizzying waves. His name rushed to tip of her tongue, but she couldn’t bring herself to speak, not finding the strength.

  Then, he slid one finger inside. Elizabeth’s eyes flew open this time, shock and bliss mingling at the invasive finger. He was smiling above her, clearly enjoying her reaction. Elizabeth couldn’t find the strength to smile back. Moans filtered past her lips with each gentle curl of that finger—slowly at first, before he began to speed up.

  William shifted again, but Elizabeth had already closed her eyes once more, letting the sensations wash over her. She could feel her climax coming, could feel the tension within her body building for a release. The moment William placed another finger on the sensitive nubbin between her legs, she knew she wouldn’t be able to hold back any longer. The combined motions had her arching off the bed, the tension rising until it shattered.

  Elizabeth let out a shuddering moan as it ripped through her body. She gripped the sheets, needing something to keep her grounded to where she was even though it felt as if she’d ascended to heaven. William’s gentle kisses along her stomach, going up to her bosom, was what brought her back to reality.

  He had no intentions to stop, it seemed, and Elizabeth didn’t want him to. He palmed one breast, his lips curling over the nipple of another and began to suck. Elizabeth cradled his head against her chest, letting this muted pleasure take the place of the chaotic sensation that had seized her. But she knew that was not where it would end. She could still feel him, his size resting against her thigh as if waiting for her to come back to herself.

  Grazing his teeth against her nipple and making her gasp in bliss, William lifted his head and captured her lips again. But she still felt him against her opening, felt him sliding in with tenderness.

  “More,” she murmured against his lips. “Please, more.”

  William smiled again. Faster this time, he slid in and Elizabeth gasped, eyes flying unseeingly to the ceiling.

  Slowly, William thrust in and out, peppering kisses around her mouth and down her neck while he did. But as he began to speed up, Elizabeth could only focus on matching him, on the way he fit so perfectly within her that it was as if their souls had fused. She lost all her sane thoughts, lost her ability to say anything but his name as
he drove her to ecstasy. His hand caught her by her side, their fingers lacing together, and together, they rushed into a euphoric release.

  I love you. I love you so much.

  The words whispered through Elizabeth’s mind as her body slowly settled. The tension fled from William’s arms and he reached down, kissed her gently on the lips, before he pulled out and laid by her side. Gathering her into his arms, he said, “I love you, too.”

  “Did I say that out loud?” she asked, a little surprise. Both their hearts were racing madly, the covers tangled beneath them.

  “No, but I had a feeling that was what you were thinking,” he murmured on a breathless chuckle. “You are quite easy to read.”

  “For one, I don’t mind that,” she murmured back. Peace settled over her and she let her eyes drift closed. She could easily fall asleep in his arms, even though it was still morning. “What do we do now?”