Twice the Temptation

by Beverley Kendall

  Lucas remained silent and widened his stance.

  Confronted with his cool mien, his mother tested his resolve by announcing, “I am to marry, and Lucas summoned me to give me a most generous wedding gift. On my way over, I bumped into Miss Glenross at the milliner’s shop on Bond Street. Truly such a small world. When she asked after you, I told her you’d be delighted to see her. It has been such a long time, isn’t that right? Six years if my memory serves me correctly.”

  Lucas regarded his brother. Did Patrick actually believe her? It was hard to tell for his brother had donned his poker face.

  When he spoke, Patrick’s voice was deadly quiet as his gaze darted between the two women. “So your presence here has nothing to do with attempting to blackmail Lucas over the money he gave Susanna to leave?”

  Three pair of eyes widened at that. Lucas was flummoxed.

  Shaking his head in mock reproach, Patrick laughed darkly. “I may have been young and hopelessly infatuated, but I was never that naïve. I knew exactly the type of woman you were and fool that I was, I wanted you despite that. I knew you had no interest in tying yourself down to a penniless man, but I couldn’t believe you could be bought off so easily. Whatever the amount my brother gave wouldn’t have been enough if you cared for me at all.”

  Unable to countenance being revealed in an unfavorable light by the man who once worshipped her, Miss Glenross was indignant in the besmirching of her character. “That’s fine for you to say. You’ve not been ’ungry in all your life. You’ve never wondered where yer next meal was coming from or if it would come at all. I took what yer brother gave me because that was guaranteed, something I could ’old in my ’ands. What did you have to offer me back then? You ’ad no money of yer own. I didna want a life with your brother,” she threw Lucas a hateful glare, “doling out the money where, when and ’ow he saw fit.”

  “No, you’d rather he give it to you in one big lump sum to spend as you saw fit,” Patrick shot back coldly.

  A glance at his mother’s face revealed she wasn’t simply annoyed, she looked fit to be tied.

  Lucas was still trying to digest the fact that his brother had known the entire time.

  “I did what I thought was best for us both. You were so young. But I soon came to regret ma decision,” she said softly, her head demurely downcast as she peered up at him from beneath lash-veiled eyes.

  Lucas rolled his.

  Patrick snorted. “So regretful that you are trying your hand at it once more? Please save yourself the effort. It’s not going to work this time.” He then addressed their mother. “Mother, I’d like to say I’m surprised by your conduct but that would be a lie.”

  Mrs. Fairchild’s mouth thinned and sparks of hot anger flashed in her blue eyes. Had his brother gone on a lengthy tirade, it could not have been more cutting than that remark. But for all her airs and haughtiness, did she storm out of the room, head held high? No, she turned to Lucas and said, “I should like to continue to receive my monthly allowance.”

  Lucas could only shake his head and laugh softly under his breath. The woman was beyond hope.

  “I shall have the funds transferred to your account.”

  She gave an almost imperceptible nod and smoothed her skirt. “I must be off,” she announced to no one in particular. When Miss Glenross sent her a look of astonishment, she said, “Come, let us go, my dear. No use trying to get blood from a stone. It’s obvious my son is long over his infatuation and I see no hope of you rekindling it. I’ll have my driver take you to wherever you need to go.”

  “You’re lucky Luke has the money and controls the purse strings because had it been me, you wouldn’t have received another dollar,” his brother stated coldly.

  Mrs. Fairchild’s gaze flickered from Patrick and then over to him. “You are undoubtedly right about that.” She didn’t say another word—not a thank you or a by your leave—before she left with Miss Glenross close on her heels.

  After they’d left the study, Patrick pushed the door shut and then turned to regard Lucas silently.

  “When did you know?” Lucas asked, feeling the sudden urge to clear his throat. A renewed sense of guilt had taken over his voice box.

  “Know. I didn’t know for certain until today. Suspected? I suspected weeks after she left. As I said, I knew she would not have abandoned her post and disappeared for any other reason than money. And the culprit could only be you. Not only had you not made your disapproval of our relationship a secret, you were the only one who had the money to pay her off.”

  “At the time, I thought you were too young. If you truly loved one another, I didn’t see what the harm in waiting two years would have made. But you were determined to marry her…” Lucas dropped his hands to his side and shrugged. “I half hoped she would throw the offer back in my face.”

  “Yes, but she didn’t.”

  Lucas nodded. “I apologize. That was very high-handed of me.”

  “Yes it was,” Patrick agreed with grave severity but his compressed lips said he was trying to hold back a smile. “I told Miss Rutherford you were a tyrant.”

  Lucas’s heart leapt at the sound of her name. “When did you see Catherine?” Was there a breathless quality to his voice?

  “Miss Rutherford came to see me yesterday to apologize about what happened with Miss Shipley. I told her an apology wasn’t necessary but she insisted on taking the entire blame upon herself.” He leaned back against the chair behind him. “I don’t understand why you’re upset with her, why you won’t respond to her messages. Were her actions that much different than yours?”

  Lucas ran a weary hand over his face. Why was everything with Catherine so…not easy?

  “I’ll grant you both your methods may be considered morally questionable, but your motives were well meaning.”

  “She helped ruin whatever future you would have had with Miss Shipley,” Lucas protested weakly. And despite everything she’d done, he loved her. Would probably love her to his dying day. He’d spent the last several days in misery coming to terms with the knowledge that she would always have a hold over him.

  Patrick’s gaze hardened. “She did no such thing. As fate would have it, Miss Shipley and I are exactly where we should be, apart from each other. A marriage between us would not have worked. I see that clearly now.”

  “I thought you said you loved her.”

  His brother let out a huff. “I gave up too easy for it to have been love. But I think the reason you want to hold her responsible for what happened is because my marriage to Miss Shipley would have made up for what happened with Miss Glenross. Marrying Miss Shipley would have eased your guilt.”

  Lucas opened his mouth to protest but closed it without saying a word. His brother was right. Not only had Miss Shipley possessed the right qualities of a wife befitting his brother but she had been Patrick’s true love, not Miss Glenross. Which made what Lucas had done feel not as underhanded or manipulative. Miss Shipley had indeed eased his guilty conscience.

  “Do you love her?” Patrick asked quietly.

  “More than I can say,” Lucas replied, his voice full of conviction and heartfelt emotion.

  His brother gestured to the door. “Then what the hell are you still doing here?”

  Lucas left his residence that evening confident in the knowledge that nothing would come between them this time. Catherine would finally be his and it would be for the rest of their lives.

  Three days had gone by since Catherine’s visit to Lucas’s residence and she had yet to receive a reply for any of her messages. She had been patient and optimism and hope had been her steady companions. But by mid-morning her patience had worn thin, and optimism and hope had lost their shine, and desperation and despair were ready to thrust them aside.

  James was in Parliament, and Missy and Jillian were taking the children to the museum today. Olivia and Meghan were set to call within the next two hours.

  Catherine had promised herself that if she didn’t
hear from Lucas by that morning, she would call on him again.

  At twelve-thirty she presented herself at his doorstep only to be told that Mr. Templeton was out and Mr. Beaumont was out of town and wouldn’t be returning until the following day. Catherine returned home shoulder-deep in misery and heartache that felt like quicksand, to find Olivia and Meghan standing in the entrance hall with her sister-in-law.

  “Lovely, you have come just in time,” Meghan announced when they turned and spotted her.

  “You are taking a ride with us to the country,” Olivia said as they flanked her sides.

  Catherine hadn’t felt less like going for a ride in her life. She wanted Lucas so badly it had become a physical pain.

  “You won’t find me good company today,” she said, shaking her head in refusal.

  “My darling, it would be a sin for you to while away in this house on such a beautiful day, is that not right, Lady Windmere?” Olivia said, glancing over at Missy.

  “Katie my dear, I urge you to go. The children and I will be on our way shortly and I simply refuse to leave you in this house all by yourself. Or perhaps I should cancel the visit to the museum,” Missy said innocently. She may as well have said she would send the children to bed without supper such was the effectiveness of her emotional blackmail.

  “Come, the carriage is waiting,” Olivia said, hooking her arm through hers. Defeated, Catherine mumbled goodbye to Missy and permitted her friends to bustle her out of the house and into the carriage.

  Once they were all seated, Catherine heard someone shout, “Drive on,” and then the carriage was in motion.

  “Where is Mrs. Griffin or Miss Thomas?” Catherine asked immediately noting the absence of their chaperones.

  “Rhys agreed that our footman would be sufficient for this trip. Papa is actually thinking of purchasing an estate outside of Reading. I would like to get both your opinions on it,” Olivia said, smiling.

  Catherine wondered what there was to smile about. Did they not see how miserable she was? And she had no desire to visit property. “I would imagine Winsgate is more than sufficient. Why would he consider purchasing another house so close?”

  “I guess close is a relative term,” Olivia said with a shrug.

  “Have you word from Lucas, my dear?” Meghan asked, her expression sympathetic.

  A stab a pain pierced her heart. Catherine shook her head, unable to speak.

  “Well I’m sure you shall hear from him soon,” Olivia said. She had been making that same assurance the past three days. Indeed, her friends had clung to her like a burr on a saddle since Meghan had apologized to Patrick. They’d been calling on her daily, encouraging her, attempting to keep her spirits up. They would not let her lose hope. They claimed that she and Lucas were meant to be. Catherine had no idea why they were so confident he would forgive her. Their faith in him was puzzling.

  For the rest of the journey Lucas was not mentioned. Her friends instead spoke about all the plans they’d made for the season; which dinner parties, musicales and balls they would be attending. Catherine added little to the conversation. Her heart wasn’t in it. And when they unpacked a picnic basket of food the duke’s cook had packed for them, she was only able to get down half an apple, forgoing the ham sandwiches, cheese, and lemonade.

  When they arrived at the house—grand estate—at close to half past two in the afternoon, Catherine noticed there was already a carriage parked in the drive.

  “Someone is already here,” she commented.

  “Must be the land agent,” Olivia replied. “He was to meet me here to give me the grand tour.”

  Catherine nodded as they all peered at the beautiful red-bricked exterior.

  “It is quite large,” Meghan murmured.

  Olivia nodded. “Yes, there are four wings, a courtyard, and a fully stocked pond. I believe Papa said a house of this magnitude would employ one hundred and fifty servants.”

  “Well what do you think of it, Katie?” Olivia asked.

  “It is beautiful,” Catherine replied. Certainly the exterior was impressive with the arched window above the towering front entrance and the perfectly manicured lawns.

  When the footman opened the door seconds later, Catherine alighted the carriage. She fixed the silk shawl properly about her shoulders and paused, waiting for her friends to join her. It wasn’t until she heard the carriage door click closed that she turned around and saw the footman take his place beside the driver. She stared at Meghan and Olivia inside. They kissed their gloved hands and waved. Seconds later, the carriage was in motion.

  Driving away from her.

  Just then, the front door to the mansion opened. She blinked rapidly, afraid her eyes were playing tricks on her. Framed in the doorway stood the most beautiful sight she had ever seen.

  Lucas.

  When she looked deep into his eyes, he looked…hungry.

  Her skin felt singed by his stare.

  “Lucas.”

  The next thing she knew, her feet grew wings, and she was being engulfed in his embrace. Her hands circled his neck as she rose up on her toes.

  “God how I’ve missed you,” Lucas said hoarsely before he crushed her mouth under his.

  Never was a kiss so intoxicating, an embrace so right, a body so perfectly fitted for hers. She opened her mouth for the invasion but was just as much the invader as he. Her tongue tangled with his, unable or unwilling to let him lead—she didn’t know which.

  They kissed long and deep, his hands exploring her back, her waist, her sides, her breasts. Catherine could barely stand it. Her center throbbed in too-long-denied satisfaction. She wanted out of her clothes. She wanted to be naked with him on top of her, below her, in her.

  Lips, teeth, and tongue loved and battled in a war where neither party could lose. It was a good five minutes before Lucas broke the kiss and rested his forehead against hers. They stood like that, in front of the entrance, their breathing erratic and hearts pounding.

  “Come,” he said once he’d managed to get his breathing under control. “I shall give you the tour of the house.”

  Taking her gloved hand in his, he led her into the grand entrance hall. Catherine looked around, captivated and confused. The place was sparsely furnished but the bones of the house were breathtaking. Beneath her feet were glossy marble floors as far as the eye could see. The silk-papered walls were of a green and gold motif. The ceiling was expansive and elaborately corniced. Everything was lovely.

  “But the duke—”

  Lucas bent his head and kissed her softly on the mouth. “It took me three days to find it, but this is the house I would like to make a home with you, if you agree,” he whispered.

  Catherine’s eyes filled with tears and her heart swelled to double its normal size. “Truly?” she cried, her voice choked. “You don’t hate me for what I did?”

  Lucas closed his eyes at the pain of her words. “I could never hate you, Catherine. I love you more than life itself. I was wrong to blame you for what happened with my brother and Miss Shipley and you deserve a medal in helping to prevent my sister from marrying Billings.”

  Tears spilled down her cheeks and as quickly as he gently thumbed them away, they were replaced by more and more. “God, Cat, don’t cry. You are breaking my heart,” he groaned, pulling her into his arms and inhaling the scent of her.

  Sobs racked her form and he continued to hold her until they finally subsided minutes later.

  “I do not want to lose you again. I could not stand it,” she hiccupped, sniffing back tears as she peered up at him with tear-filled eyes.

  “I promise, you will never lose me. I am yours and you are mine.” He kissed her slow and deep until she was panting and his cock was hard and aching.

  He took her to the principal living area, which was empty save a large Oriental rug and a plush amber sofa. He sat her down and took his place beside her and cuddled her in his arms. He then told her about what he had done in the affair between his brother
and Miss Susanna Glenross.

  “As my brother stated, while our motives were well meaning, our methods were high-handed. So I don’t blame you for any of it,” he assured her.

  She angled her head and looked up at him. “And your sister? Did you tell her that you knew what she’d done?”

  Lucas smiled humorlessly. “Caroline informed me that she only permitted Billings to court her to please me. I honestly had no idea she felt that way. It was only after I discovered he was still in love with you that she gave any hint of her true feelings. But looking back I can see that, in trying to protect my siblings, I have been too controlling.”

  To a large extent, he hadn’t permitted them to make their own choices and live with whatever consequences there were. Had Caroline and Patrick done as he wanted, it would have no doubt resulted in them being unhappily married at some point.

  “Your brother is right, you are a tyrant,” Catherine stated. Then she giggled and pressed her face into the curve of his neck. Her moist breath against his skin had him hard within seconds.

  Unfortunately, he could not satisfy his desire for her now. He had something else to do.

  Setting her away from him, he reached into his inner jacket pocket, pulled out a velvet box and flipped open the lid with his thumb. Nestled inside was an emerald ring encircled by smaller diamonds. He dropped to his knee as he locked eyes with hers.

  “Catherine Anne Rutherford, you are the only woman I love and have ever loved. I beg you to please marry me and put me out of my misery.”

  Catherine’s eyes rounded, her lips parted and tears commenced falling again.

  Lucas gazed into her beautiful eyes.

  She gulped and nodded furiously as if she feared he’d change his mind. “Yes. Yes. Yesyesyesyes!” she cried.

  Lucas gently took her hand, which was trembling violently, and slipped the ring on her third finger.

  The fit was perfect. Charlotte had made sure of that.

  Catherine held out her hand and admired the ring on her finger. The smile she bestowed on him made him feel vulnerable and strong at the same time.