Once Upon a Duke's Dream

by Ellie St. Clair

  Isabella stood gaping, and she noticed the hallway had filled with their houseguests. Whatever they had thought before, they all certainly knew now .

  * * *

  I sabella sat quietly in her bedchamber, waiting patiently for the Duke to return one more. The Foreign Office had taken Gerard away and she had carefully retrieved the letters and handed them over to Bradley, who had placed them in a small box. One of the riders was now on his way to London with the letters in his possession, as well as another rider alongside him for protection. The Duke and the Foreign Office were taking no chances !

  Some of the men from the Foreign Office remained. Isabella had disbanded the house party with the smallest amount of scandal that she could, thanking each of the guests for coming and declaring that a family matter caused her to discontinue the festivities .

  Of course, they had all been eager for more details, but Isabella had been firm. Only Olivia knew the full story, and before she left with her parents she had given Isabella’s arm a squeeze, as she told her to stay strong and send for her if any help was needed. Isabella nodded, grateful for her and the fact that, in the end, Olivia had proven more than trustworthy .

  Now, Isabella sat alone in the silence of the house, unsure of what to think .

  Reflecting on all that had happened, Isabella swung her foot idly as she sat by the fireplace and looked into the flames. Life was going to be very different now, but just how different remained to be seen .

  Life without Bradley, or life with him .

  When he had announced her as his fiancée in front of Gerard, she had felt her heart blossom with happiness, thrilled at the thought of being with him for the rest of her life. But then again, he had not actually proposed to her, and she was worried that he had only said such a thing in front of Gerard to prove that she was under his protection .

  Did he actually want to wed her? Their relationship was not one of long acquaintance, but they had gone through so much together in that short time that she felt as though she knew him very well indeed. He was kind and considerate, thoughtful and witty, and, while he had not always told her the whole truth about his plans and intentions, she knew he had never hidden those things from her in order to deceive her. He had proven his strength of character over and over again, and now Isabella could not think of being without him .

  To go back to a life alone seemed empty and dreary, her heart growing sick at the thought. Yes, she would have the freedom she had longed for, but it would not be a happy life if Bradley were not a part of it. Finding the box no longer had the same sense of urgency, for, even though she wanted to find her family heirloom, Isabella knew that she did not need to find it in order to live contentedly. If her experience with Gerard had taught her anything, it was that a great deal of wealth was not necessary for a happy life. But did Bradley truly want her, or now that this was all over would he return home, back to his previous life, finding himself a beautiful, titled duchess among the many women who vied for his affections? She just couldn’t be sure .

  20

  “A h, my dear Isabella.”

  The door to her bedchamber opened and the Duke stepped inside, his face wreathed in smiles. She rose at once, a look of trepidation on her face, but he caught her hands, looking down at her with tenderness .

  “Is it all over?” she asked, her heart fluttering in her chest at the look in his eyes .

  “Yes, it is,” he replied, softly, brushing one finger down her cheek. “The remainder of the house guests have left, though I am sorry to say that I will not be able to prevent their gossiping tongues from setting London ablaze with all that has happened here .”

  “That is just what I expected,” Isabella replied, her skin burning from where he had touched her. “And certainly not your fault. I cannot thank you enough for all you have done .”

  He smiled, although his eyes held concern. "Are you sure you are all right, Isabella? I know you disliked him, but he was your stepbrother after all ."

  Appreciating his concern, Isabella smiled up at him. "Truthfully, I am quite well. Yes, he was my stepbrother but it is not as though he was my own flesh and blood. He is a traitor to the Crown and a murderer, and I am glad to be rid of that connection ."

  She did not want to ask what would happen to Gerard, knowing quite well what the punishment was for treason. "I am just sorry that he killed your friend, Bradley." Swaying slightly, she caught his arm for support, suddenly thinking of what Gerard had tried to do to the Duke. The horse ride and the brandy could easily have brought about his death. She was just glad that he had his wits about him and had not drunk the poisoned brandy .

  "Then, if you are quite well, I think we should talk about the future," he said, quietly, putting his arms to her waist to steady her. "I know that I referred to you as my betrothed in front of your stepbrother, and I will be honest – that felt quite right." He looked down at her, his face serious, and Isabella felt her heart lift, but didn’t want to allow her hope to rise. "It feels as though you should be with me, Isabella, that we should share our lives together. I feel as though we are already bonded with a tie that cannot be broken ."

  Isabella let out a long breath, her stomach swirling with varying emotions. “Are you sure that is what you truly want? I don’t want you to feel obligated. So much has happened that I am now wrapped up in disrepute of the present as well as the past. I am a scandalized viscount’s daughter and a traitor’s stepsister. I know you have your choice of women, Bradley, and I —”

  He stopped her flow of words with a searing kiss .

  “I want no other, Isabella. Only you. I don’t care about what your father did, or what your stepbrother did. You had nothing to do with any of that, and all I care is that you will be by my side. What matters is whether you want me as well .”

  “I feel the same, Bradley,” she said with tears in her eyes .

  His eyes lit up with delight, his hands tightening around her waist. "Then, would you do me the honor of becoming my wife, Isabella? I will give you all the freedom you wish and swear that I shall never, ever, dictate your life for you. Our lives shall be a joining, a partnership, twined together with love and affection." His voice grew a little hoarse as he rested his forehead against hers, his breath whispering across her cheek. "I do believe I am in love with you, Isabella. So, tell me … what say you ?"

  Isabella closed her eyes, wanting to savor every moment. Her arms wrapped around his neck, her heart filling with love for him. "Nothing would make me happier," she breathed, overcome with all she felt. "I love you with my whole heart, Bradley. I cannot imagine being without you ."

  He kissed her almost as soon as she finished speaking, her words caught by his lips. He was hungry for her. She could feel it in the urgency of his kiss, in the fire that scorched through her. Isabella framed his face with her hands and kissed him back, pressing the length of her body against his. Breaking the kiss for a moment, she heard him let out a small groan, before he caught her around the waist and lifted her to her tiptoes .

  When he finally released her, she stumbled back a little, only for him to reach out for her again. Her shoulder glanced off the mantlepiece as he caught her, but in her happiness, she didn’t even feel it .

  “Wait!”

  Bradley set her down slowly, looking at something on the ground .

  “What?” she asked, turning around to see – and there, on the floor, lay a small brown book with a diamond in the center. Her heart slammed into her chest, her breath catching as, with trembling fingers, she bent to pick it up .

  “Is that …?”

  She nodded, tracing one finger down the small book. “Yes, this is what I have been searching for.” She looked up at him, bewildered. “Where did it come from ?”

  The Duke frowned and moved towards the mantlepiece. “I believe it came from the mantlepiece somewhere. You knocked against it and the next thing I saw,
it was on the floor .”

  Isabella could hardly believe what she was holding, as memories of her grandmother came flooding her. Together, they looked at the mantlepiece, unable to see where the book had come from – until Bradley spotted something .

  “Look, here,” he exclaimed, crouching onto his knees and pointing to a long, thin recess cut into the left side of the mantlepiece. “It must have been in here .”

  Staring at it, Isabella could not help but laugh, shaking her head to herself. "How like my grandmother! She put it somewhere my father wouldn’t find it, knowing that he would never think to look somewhere like this in here." Looking around her room, her expression softened. "This has always been my room. My grandmother must have had this placed in here somehow, knowing that I would not rest until I found the box. I searched this room multiple times, but had never thought to look here .”

  The Duke rose and smiled at her, his expression soft. “I am very glad for you, my dear. The family heirlooms deserve to be treasured, kept safe with you instead of buried in the earth .”

  Isabella smiled back at him. “Yes, I believe they do. This diary will tell me all that I need to know .”

  “Just so long as you are not planning to escape to the Americas once you find it,” he replied, with a twinkle of laughter in his eye. “I am quite determined to keep you here, Isabella .”

  Laughing, she shook her head. “No, I confess that the Americas do not hold the same enticement they once did.” Her gaze grew a little coy as he drew near her once more, holding her close. “Although, if I did, would you come after me ?”

  “Without a moment’s hesitation,” he replied, his voice low and filled with warmth. “I would chase you around the world, if I had to, Isabella. My love for you will not let me be without you .”

  Her heart burst with happiness over his sentiments. “I could not be without you either, Bradley. I seem to have found the diary at the perfect time .”

  He caught her against him once more, the diary falling to the floor. His mouth was fire itself, burning her to the very core. Isabella gave herself up to him at once, suddenly desperate for her fiancé to satisfy the longing that only he had sparked. She hesitatingly whispered as such to him .

  “Are you quite sure?” he asked quietly against her mouth, as her fingers found his waistcoat and began to unbutton it. “We can be married in no time at all and then enter our marriage bed .”

  She swallowed but nodded. “I am sure, and I do not want to wait any longer. Whatever this entails, I want to share it with you, now, on this day of new beginnings. Show me your love Bradley, please ?”

  Bradley did not wait, catching her around the waist and lifting her up bodily, before depositing her on the bed. His eyes flickered over her before he began to slowly and methodically undress before her. Isabella watched him hungrily, unsure what exactly it was she was eager for. His bare skin was all she could look at, her tongue tracing her dry lips. The pace of her heart picked up with each item of clothing discarded, and she gasped in surprise as he revealed himself to her in his entirety .

  “Don’t be afraid,” he murmured, drawing closer to her and beginning to pluck the pins from her hair, until it fell from its binds and flowed in glossy black waves around her shoulders. “We are to be man and wife and will often be as naked as the day we were born .”

  “Often?” Isabella breathed, finding it difficult just to draw breath .

  He chuckled. “Yes, very often, if I have my way.” He leaned over and kissed her slowly, until she was lying flat on the bed, his body over hers .

  “And if I don’t want to sometimes?” she asked, although if this was any indication of what was in store, she couldn’t see herself ever resisting .

  “Than you don’t,” he responded .

  “You will not … go to another? I know men are wont to do so .”

  “Never,” he said with vehemence. “You are the only one for me now .”

  She was on fire at once, every part of her slowly building to a burn. Bradley broke the kiss and brushed her hair from her face, a small smile on his lips .

  “You are beautiful, Isabella, both inside and out. I love you with every part of me and will show you just how much .”

  She could not speak, her breath coming out in a ragged gasp as he suddenly tugged the shoulders of her dress down, revealing her nakedness to him. To her surprise, she had no urge to cover up, wanting to be as uncovered as he .

  “We shall have to undress you, my love,” he whispered, suddenly pulling back and grasping her hands. Isabella rose on unsteady legs and, within minutes, everything was discarded on the floor. Her blood thickened as he laid her back down, her body beginning to cry out for his touch once more .

  Isabella closed her eyes as he kissed her slowly, taking his time with her and letting her become used to his caresses. His hands moved to her breasts, his fingers gently running over them – and Isabella almost came off the bed with his touch .

  “This is only the beginning, Isabella,” he murmured, evidently delighted at her response to him. His head lowered to where his hands had been, his mouth dragging over her breasts, as he tenderly loved each of them, one after the other. She raised her head from the pillow as his hands moved lower, and she was suddenly all too aware of the pooling heat in her core .

  “Trust me, Isabella,” he breathed, his fingers brushing against her center. Isabella was astonished at the moan that escaped from her lips, her eyes closing again of their own accord. The pleasurable ache between her legs grew with intensity, making her shudder .

  Bradley kissed her neck once more, as his fingers roved her thighs near the place where pressure was building. Isabella felt entirely exposed to him, open completely, but reveled in the sensation. Managing to open her eyes, she saw him gaze up at her with adoration, the heat of his own passion evident in the icy blue depths of his eyes .

  “You must not be afraid to let go,” he said, making her frown in confusion. “And there will be some pain, but only for a moment .”

  “I trust you, Bradley,” she managed to whisper, her eyes closing again as he began to kiss a trail down towards her breasts once more .

  Breathing hard, Isabella arched against Bradley as his mouth caught her nipple, his fingers rubbing gently at her core. She was growing closer to something, something that she was afraid would shatter her completely as she scrabbled at his shoulders, her fingers digging into his skin .

  Something rushed down upon her, causing her entire body to tense before she began to twist beneath him, unable to breathe, unable to think. Her body pulsed of its own accord, shattering her completely. And there, through it all, was Bradley whispering her name, giving her words of love, telling her to trust him .

  When the sensation passed, Isabella felt something press against her, and she opened her eyes to see Bradley atop her, his blue eyes crystal and filled with heat. He looked as though he was holding himself back from something, something that took a great deal of strength .

  “Remember,” he grunted, his mouth inches from hers. “Pain for a moment, but soon, pleasure. Last chance — are you sure, darling ?”

  She did not know what to think, but nodded, giving him her trust. When he slowly filled her with his hard length, she felt a tear deep within her, making her cry out. He stilled at once, his eyes looking at her with concern, as he waited for her throbbing ache to pass .

  Eventually it did so, and with it came a myriad of sensations. Isabella realized that she was, now, truly joined to this man and, as he began to move within her again, found that the pain was slowly being replaced with pleasure .

  His steady driving thrusts, gentle at first, but slowly increasing in momentum, had her gasping for breath, her body beginning to spike with pleasure once more. His mouth found hers, and his tongue moved in time with the rest of his body. When he moved faster, she had no choice but to arch her back, cries issuing from her throat as her body tensed once again. It was as though she were carried on
the crest of a wave, just waiting to crash .

  As his body went taut, her core filled with a sudden, unexpected warmth. His mouth tore at hers, and Isabella crashed again, stars sparkling in her vision. Their kiss broke, both of them taking in ragged breaths as he touched his forehead to hers .

  “So,” he whispered, a laughing smile on his face. “What say you, my dear Isabella? Once we are wed, shall you be in my bed very often do you think ?”

  Isabella smiled, her mind and heart filled only with her duke. “Yes, I think so. Very often, indeed .”

  He chuckled. “I am glad to hear it. My dear Isabella, do not ever forget just how much I love you. Your kindness, your intelligence, your patience and your strength. I am a lucky man to belong to you. I can’t imagine a life without you and I will show you how much I love you with every passing day .”

  Reaching up, she caressed his silky locks, overcome with all that had occurred and where she currently found herself. “There will never be another in my heart,” she promised. “I love you, Bradley, more than I can ever say .”

  Epilogue

  “A h, so it falls to me to do the digging !”

  Isabella laughed and leaned forward to kiss him on the cheek. “If you do this for me, then I promise you that I will find some way to reward you.” Her cheeks burned at the suggestive words, smiling when he grinned at her, his eyes turning the icy blue as they always did when he especially desired her .

  They had married by special license soon after the house party. While they made their home at Bradley’s estate and London manor, of course, they kept Isabella’s home as well. She reflected on all that had happened, how her future had changed so drastically in such a short time .

  “I have always said that you are too tempting for words, Isabella!” His mouth landed on hers, his strong hand pulling her to him but Isabella pushed away, laughing .