Evading the Duke

by Jane Charles

  Sam paced the library, a glass of rum in his hand, warring with his emotions and thoughts of Lady Jillian.

  What was it about her that inspired desire and quite possibly love? The familiarity with her appearance had been with him for four years, and had inspired lust, but there were many women in his life who had done the same.

  The haunted look in her eyes had drawn him to the portrait. Now he knew why her eyes conveyed so many emotions, and that was even before she’d been told to land Felding and then Hopkins.

  Jillian had only been a girl, not even out of the schoolroom, when she’d been painted, but she carried the maturity of someone much older. Most sixteen-year-old girls were immature, and the one emotion not portrayed in her blue eyes was silliness. Had she ever even been allowed to be a child?

  His heart may be engaged along with desire, yet Sam intended to proceed with caution. He’d be a fool to leap after everything Jillian had told him. Was this just a rebellion against His Grace, a temporary situation in which she was using him but would marry the highest title in the end? That was where his concern lay.

  Last night he’d been invited to Roxburg’s home, along with Lord and Lady Felding. The four of them wished to warn him about Jillian. While she’d not betrayed the Valentine’s secret, they told him what she’d threatened – to tell society that they weren’t the orphaned children of missionaries but that half of them were bastard children. The news was rather shocking, but Samuel understood why his friends still married their wives. When you find the one you are to love, circumstances of birth or titles matter little.

  They, in turn, had been surprised to learn that Jillian had already told him everything, except the Valentine family secrets, which lessened some of the tensions that had filled the air when he first arrived. Once they were aware there were no secrets between them, they relaxed but still warned him away from Jillian because she was cold, indifferent, and held herself superior to everyone. They couldn’t believe there was any warmth or kindness to her, except Roxburg, who had glimpsed a different side of Jillian.

  At first Samuel had been angry, as if they were not giving her a chance, but if he had heard the same about a lady one of his friends was pursuing, he might take them aside as well and warn them before it was too late. He also realized, they didn’t know her at all--only what Jillian presented to the world.

  Jillian had told him many things that he should have found disturbing, and if he were thinking with his head instead of other parts of his anatomy, perhaps he would have put distance between them. But, her heart wasn’t black as his friends may believe. It was simply hidden out of self-preservation. One thing was certain, he needed to see her again and as soon as possible. Despite his concerns, he still wanted her.

  “It’s been a bloody week!” Samuel complained as he paced while Nate and Benjamin watched on in humor.

  “I don’t know why you’re even bothering with Lady Jillian. There are better-suited ladies,” Danby barked.

  Samuel turned to find his great-uncle in the doorway. “Who I pursue is none of your concern.” Why the hell hadn’t his great-uncle been announced?

  “I forbid you to have anything further to do with Lady Jillian.”

  Sam gapped at his great-uncle. “You have no control over who I pursue or even marry.”

  “I’m saving you time and heartache,” Danby announced.

  “I’m not one of your grandchildren to be ordered about,” Sam reminded him. “If you wish to play matchmaker, pick on another great-niece or nephew. Not me.”

  “Heed my words, young man, or you will be very sorry.” Then he turned on Nate, thrusting his cane in his direction. “You will cease visiting Kirkland House. You’ve served King and Country and there’s no reason to continue lowering yourself by associating with anyone connected with the soldier’s home.”

  Danby glared at Ben. “It’s bad enough that Stalter is sniffing around Hannah’s skirts, and I can assure you, nothing will come of that particular relationship either.” He lifted his cane. “Nobody in my family will ever be attached to the spawn of the late Marquess of Wingate, which includes, Lord Stalter.” He pointed to Benjamin. As the eldest, Ben was the one who decided who his younger sisters married. Then Danby pointed to Nate. “Isabella Valentine.” Then thrust that blasted cane at Sam. “Lady Jillian.” Danby straightened. “Nobody in that family is worthy of a Whitton.” With that he turned on his heel and marched out of the room.

  “Bloody bastard,” Nate mumbled quietly.

  Sam focused on his twin. “Isabella Valentine?” Was he aware of their family secrets, and was it his place to warn his brother?

  “You concern yourself with Lady Jillian, and I’ll concern myself with Isabella.” He glanced back to the entry where their great-uncle had exited. “And Danby can concern himself with others.”

  Her ankle was fine and without the least bit of tenderness, yet her father had not allowed her to leave the house. The injury was a week ago, and she was fully capable of going to entertainments. Further, she needed to attend functions. How else was she to see Samuel again?

  With each day that passed, Jillian became more anxious. Samuel had admitted to caring for her, but was he still of the same mind and heart? He’d had a week to think about everything she’d said. What if he realized how horrible she truly was and didn’t wish to see her again?

  That was her biggest fear, and with each day that passed, Jillian became more convinced that the next time she saw Samuel Storm he would cut her direct.

  “I believe you could use a drive in the park,” Henry said as he came into the sitting room.

  “Please.” Jillian stood. “Just let me get my hat.”

  Henry nodded.

  As soon as she reached the upper level, Jillian did not go straight to her room, but searched for Agnes, who was nowhere to be found. Blast. She needed to tell her where she was going. If Samuel didn’t show, then she’d know he had a change of heart.

  Her maid was dusting her chamber when she entered. “I need to speak with Agnes. Where might she be?”

  The maid bit her upper lip and lowered her eyes. “I believe her sister came to call again, which she has done daily. They are in the kitchens.”

  Hope surged in Jillian’s heart. Samuel still wanted to know where she’d be.

  “Oh, I see.” Then she turned toward the armoire. “My brother has come by to take me for a drive in the park.”

  “Do you need my assistance, Lady Jillian?”

  She shook her head wondering how she could get a message to Agnes.

  “Then I believe I will go to the kitchens for a spot of tea, if you don’t mind.” Her cheeks pinkened, and there was a small smile on her lips. “I’ll be sure to let Agnes know you were looking for her but that you’ve gone to the park.”

  “Thank you.” How many of the servants knew she was meeting Mr. Storm in secret?

  She was almost afraid to find out because the more who knew, the easier it would be for her father to find out.

  “You haven’t left the house since the picnic,” Henry said as he pulled his phaeton into traffic. “Is that Father’s dictate or your decision?”

  “Father’s,” Jillian sighed. “At first it was my ankle, then he decided I did not yet need to return to Society.”

  “If he wants you to marry, shouldn’t he allow you out of the house?”

  Jillian shrugged. “I’ll be attending the Lo Sbaglio Fortunato on Saturday, but he’s mentioned no other entertainments.

  “He’s also informed me I’d be attending the opera,” Henry complained. “I hate operas.”

  “It’s better than sitting at home, reading or stitching. It’s not like I receive visitors.”

  “I didn’t realize it was so bad.” Henry turned the phaeton into Hyde Park. “Would it help if I took you driving each day until Father finally allows you to go somewhere else?”

  Excitement bubbled in her chest. “Would you?”

  He smiled down. “Of course. How el
se is Storm going to court you if you never leave the townhouse? I’m very much aware of his interest in you and fully support his courtship.”

  “To what purpose?” she asked as dejection settled inside her once again. “Father would never allow it.”

  “Any gentleman who would risk the wrath of Father deserves a chance at making you happy.” He grasped her hand. “You do deserve to be happy, Jillian.”

  She wasn’t certain she agreed with him, but she had to try.

  As they drove further into the park, Jillian looked for Samuel, and her heart sank.

  He wasn’t there.

  She tried to tell herself that Samuel hadn’t received the message, but was afraid that he had and decided not to join her. Maybe Agnes’ sister had been visiting so Samuel would know what places to avoid instead of wanting to find her.

  “Perhaps we should just return home,” she finally said

  “We just arrived.”

  Jillian glanced down. “I’d hoped to see Mr. Storm, but I should have known better.” Jillian worried her hands together. “I told him.”

  “Told him what?”

  “Everything. About Felding, but leaving out the blackmail. About Hopkins and why there were portraits.”

  Henry sobered and nodded. “What did he say?”

  She blinked away tears of disappointment. “That he cared for me.”

  “And you no longer believe him?”

  “I think he’s had time to reconsider what kind of person I am and decided he no longer wishes to associate with me.”

  “Then why did he just drive into the park with his sisters?”

  Jillian glanced, afraid her brother was mistaken. But Samuel was there, with his three younger sisters. “He came,” she whispered.

  Chapter 17

  The moment Samuel spotted her, his pulse increased. As soon as Meg burst into the library to tell him that Lady Jillian was going to the park with her brother, he quickly gathered his sisters to accompany him. He couldn’t very well ride through the park on his own. Well, that wasn’t exactly true. He could, but he’d be subjected to matchmaking mothers or be stuck talking to those he didn’t wish to talk to.

  Broadridge pulled his phaeton out of traffic, then assisted Jillian to the ground. Samuel instructed the driver to pull the open landau out of traffic, then assisted his sisters to the walk. As causal as possible, he strolled toward Broadridge and Jillian, trying not to appear rushed. The last thing he needed was someone reporting back to her father or his great-uncle that the two of them were meeting.

  “Lady Jillian, you’ve recovered from your injured ankle?”

  Her smile was brilliant. “Yes. Thank you for asking.”

  They simply stood staring at each other, there was so much he wished to say, but he couldn’t exactly say anything in front of her brother or his sisters.

  “Would you care to walk with me, Lady Jillian?”

  “I’d find it delightful. Thank you.”

  She tucked her hand into the crook of his arm and together they strolled onto the green grass, away from the walking traffic, putting distance between them and everyone else in the park.

  “I’ve missed you,” Sam confessed.

  Jillian said nothing but her cheeks blossomed with a rosy glow.

  “I’ve been thinking of ways to see you, so that your father doesn’t learn.”

  She blinked up at him.

  “Too many people see us in the park and could report back.” He also didn’t want Danby to find out. Sam wasn’t sure what His Grace could do to him, but he wasn’t willing to find out.

  “We can’t talk at an entertainment or Father will learn.”

  He stopped and looked down at her. “What of the lending library or the museum? I have yet to see Elgin’s marbles.”

  “I’ll be attending the Lo Sbaglio Fortunato on Saturday at King’s Theatre.”

  Samuel took her hands in his. “I shall be there as well.” It hadn’t been his intention to attend the opera, but if it was a chance see Jillian again, he’d attend.

  They stood staring at each other, and it took everything inside him to keep from pulling Jillian into his arms and kissing her.

  “What time tomorrow?” she finally asked.

  “Meet me at two at the lending library on Beak Street.”

  She nodded, then slipped her hand back into the crook of his arm as Samuel returned Jillian to her brother.

  “Where are you going?” Eldridge barked at Jillian as he came down the corridor.

  Jillian held up the three books. “The lending library.”

  He narrowed his eyes. “Who is going with you?”

  “Becky.” Her maid stood silently in the shadows. “If you needed the carriage, we can walk. It isn’t so far.”

  “Take the blasted carriage but don’t be gone long.”

  Inwardly, she blew out a sigh of relief. “I won’t,” she promised and exited the townhouse, her nerves on edge. What if he had someone follow her? What if one of the servants told him what she was about? Of course, none of them knew. Not even her maid, though Becky might become suspicious if she saw Samuel.

  Oh, this was such a risk, but Jillian had to take the risk. All she thought about was Samuel and when she’d see him again. She’d never felt this way about anyone. It scared her. There was safety in being matched with a title and doing your duty to family. Pursuing someone of your heart was an entirely different matter, and she prayed that when all was done, she wasn’t completely destroyed in the aftermath.

  A footman assisted her from the carriage and then Becky. “You may stay here,” she told her maid. “I shan’t be long.”

  “Very good, Lady Jillian.”

  On second thought, she may be longer than usual. “Why don’t you take a cup of tea or get an ice.” Jillian pressed coins into Becky’s hand.

  “Oh, I couldn’t.”

  “Yes, you will.”

  Becky frowned and then looked up, her eyes widening. “Of course. Thank you. I’ll take my time, Lady Jillian.” Becky wasn’t looking at Jillian but into the lending library.

  “No, Becky. Thank you.” With that, she turned and entered the lending library but didn’t see Samuel as she expected. After placing the books on the desk, she wandered the aisles pretending to glance at other tomes. As she walked further and further back, Jillian began to wonder if he was even there at all.

  When she reached the furthest of the stacks, those containing boring treatises, she was about to return to the front when an arm snaked around her waist and pulled her between two tall bookshelves.

  Jillian nearly gave a yelp, but a hand had covered her mouth. She knew instantly it was Samuel and slowly turned in his arms. He said nothing, but lowered his mouth to hers. Jillian nearly melted into a puddle as his mouth molded against hers and he deepened the kiss. Of their own volition, her arms wound around his neck and her fingers threaded through his dark, thick hair as her body heated.

  His hands caressed her back and down to her hips as he pulled Jillian tight against his body. Heat pooled in the most private areas of her person while her breasts swelled, almost painfully against her tight bodice. Sam’s lips left her and trailed along her cheek and then neck, and it was all she could do not to moan. Jillian bit her lip to keep quiet as the most delicious sensations rioted through her body.

  After a moment Samuel pulled back and stared down at her, his eyes as dark as a forest and his breathing labored. “Perhaps it isn’t wise that we meet in private.”

  “Perhaps.” Jillian couldn’t hold back her smile. She’d never experienced the sensations pulsing through her body.

  He cleared his throat and drew further back and offered his arm. “What books are you wishing to find today, Lady Jillian?”

  She tucked her hand into the crook of his elbow and allowed Samuel to lead her through the stacks. How was he so calm? It was all she could do to put one foot in front of the other.

  “I’m not certain. Do you have a recommendation?”<
br />
  He pulled a book from a shelf. “Fanny Hill is not something you should take home.”

  Jillian frowned. “What is it about?”

  Samuel leaned in, “Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure.”

  Her face heated. “Mr. Storm,” she chastised.

  He chuckled. “I should apologize, but when I’m with you, all I can think about is pleasuring.”

  Goodness! She didn’t know what to say. Yes, his kisses and caresses were quite delightful, unlike anything she’d experienced, but she also wasn’t so naïve that she didn’t know much more took place between a man and a woman than what she’d just experienced with Samuel.

  “I’ll direct you to more appropriate reading, or your father will never let you return.”

  Chapter 18

  Why the blazes had he suggested Fanny Hill? Jillian might have posed for paintings that could be described as erotic, but she was still very innocent. Her responses to his kisses were hesitant, as if she wasn’t sure how to proceed, and she was tentative when he deepened the kiss before mating her tongue with his.

  Since meeting Jillian in person, Sam’s fantasies about her would put Fanny Hill to shame, which was why he was glad they were to meet at the museum today. There would be no chance that the two of them could sneak off and be alone, Samuel wasn’t sure he had the strength not to seduce her further.

  All thoughts of seduction disappeared when he turned to find Jillian entering the museum on the arm of her brother. Broadridge would watch them like a hawk, as he should. Sam would do the same if any gentleman wished to court one of his sisters. Though, he’d hoped Stalter would have called on Hannah by now, but he’d only danced with her at a few balls. What the blazes was wrong with him?

  If Samuel wasn’t so focused on Jillian, he’d track down Stalter to determine exactly what the earl’s intentions were.

  “Storm,” Broadridge greeted.

  “Broadridge,” Sam returned, and then turned to Jillian. “It’s a pleasure to see you, Lady Jillian.”

  “Likewise.” She smiled at him.