The Duke's Love

by Stephanie Maddux

  “I overheard he is going to the theater tonight, should I tell her?” Gregory asked, as he decided his next move.

  “No. I would let her be surprised. Ana needs to face the past,” she said.

  “Are you coming tonight?” He always invited her to their outings, but she would probably die of boredom if she went along.

  “Are you hoping to find someone suitable for your quest?” She smiled knowingly.

  “Finding a wife is troublesome business, one would think it would be easy,” he stated.

  “It would be easy if you weren’t so picky. You know the ton would love to see you and Ana marry,” she said.

  Gregory looked at Eliza. Obviously, she did not know the full extent of Ana and his relationship and history. He was lucky Ana was even his friend. Now, she was like a sister to him. He loved her like a sister, which was a shame when he once thought about marrying her. Eliza, on the other hand, would make him a good wife, but she was not looking for a husband, so she was off his list of candidates. Looking at her staring down onto the board, he would give all his money to know what was going through her mind after her last statement.

  Not that he had a problem with finding women. The women he associated with were just not what he wanted in a wife. “Checkmate!” Eliza said with triumph. Gregory looked down at the game board. Of course, she had won.

  “I need to get ready, dear,” he sighed. Gregory wished Eliza would accompany him to at least some of his social engagements.

  “Have lots of fun,” she said cheekily.

  "By the way, just so you know, I want someone more like you for a wife." He found his words rewarding as she sat there speechless. “What are your plans for the evening?” He stared down at her, changing the subject.

  “My parents want me to go to a small dinner party tonight,” she said in a disgusted voice, ignoring his comment. Gregory chuckled at her expression. He really needed to find someone like her.

  “I’d better be going as well,” she said, as she stood and smoothed out her skirts, avoiding his face.

  “Don’t get into too much trouble, darling.” She looked up and glared at him as he walked out of her front door and into the waiting carriage. Thinking of the night ahead, he had a feeling the night might be a long one. He did not want to feel guilty for not telling Ana who would most likely interrupt their evening. Perhaps, omitting the information would be better. At least, he could act surprised if she raised a ruckus, but he would still feel guilty. Either way, he would lose. No, he would not tell her.

  Ana had always loved the theater. It was her one of favorite forms of entertainment. Ana and Gregory arrived with their chaperone a few minutes early. They sat in his luxurious box overlooking the entire stage. It was an excellent spot and she was having a good time with Gregory. He was the only man that she would call a good friend and she trusted him without reserve. Witty, charming, and extremely handsome, he was also a Viscount and an heir to an Earldom. To the ladies in society, he was considered quite a catch. Nevertheless, he was not for her.

  He was looking for a wife, and he wanted her help in finding a suitable woman that would fulfill his requirements and she was more than happy to oblige him. She was tired of seeing him with a different woman on his arm every time she saw him at a public function when he was not attending with her.

  It was the least she could do for him after he had stood by her decision to leave Jake. He was her rock when she needed him. Between him and her best friend Eliza, she had gotten over her parent’s death and the broken relationship easier. Generally, Gregory escorted her to the theater. Of course, the ton kept their eyes on them wondering if a match would be made between the two. Ana did nothing to correct the misconception. It afforded her a little freedom from ardent suitors. She figured Gregory liked the respite from the women throwing themselves at him as well, at least that is what he said, but she thought otherwise, since women still threw themselves at him constantly.

  "Are you enjoying yourself dear?" Gregory politely asked. They had been seated and now they were waiting for the play to begin. They had come to see a romance and it was a little overcrowded, as this play was most popular around town.

  "Yes, I love coming here. Are you enjoying the evening?" She asked a little distracted, as she was looking for people she knew.

  "Yes, I am admiring all the beautiful women," he said with a teasing grin.

  "Well, good luck at finding someone better than me," Ana said. They continued their banter until the first act of the play started.

  When the first act of the play concluded, Ana went down to the lobby for something to drink. She was parched. Instead of watching the scenes unfold on stage, they had been sitting there choosing all the available females for Gregory to approach, and Ana was certain they had found some. During the break, Gregory went off to get introductions, while they waited for the second act of the play to start.

  Ana thought Eliza would have been a great candidate for Gregory‘s wife, but she kept her opinions to herself. It would be better to let them figure it out for themselves, and she had faith in the two of them. Anyway, she had her own problems to worry about, and those began when she allowed the Duke of Ashbury into her life. After quenching her thirst, she returned to her seat and waited for Gregory to sit back down beside her.

  During the second act of the play, Ana was distracted when she spied the Duke and Miss Fairchild entering his private box. It would have been difficult not to notice, since his box had remained empty during the last two years. Her heart fluttered, and she felt nausea coming over her. Sarah of all people! She could not believe he would have approached her out of all the women in the city for the season. After all, they were enemies, all being Jake’s fault. Jake had reassured Ana when they had met that Sarah was no one to him and naively she had believed him. However, Sarah had told Ana a marriage contract was in the works when Ana had stepped into her picture perfect life.

  She kept stealing glances at the pair. If she were honest with herself, she would admit she was jealous. In fact, she was wildly jealous. Ana watched as Jake whispered in Sarah’s ear and her face broke out with laughter. It hurt and she realized she could no longer sit there and watch the man she still loved courting another women. At one time, that was them. No, she must not think like that. Suddenly, Ana decided she would leave before the play ended, so no one would notice her departure.

  “I would like to go home, Gregory," Ana whispered to him.

  “You are running away, my dear," he softly answered back. She was motionless as his meaning kicked in. He knew! He knew why she wanted to leave. Did that make her a coward?

  “I don't care. I cannot sit here and watch them sitting directly across from us. You can stay and I will have your driver see me home," she heard Gregory give a heavy sigh.

  “No, I will escort you home," he said.

  “I need time to myself, so please stay, and enjoy the rest of the play," she pleaded. He agreed to her request.

  She knew Gregory had no reservations about letting her borrow his carriage. He agreed to have his driver escort her and her chaperone home. He would see her later, he promised with a peck on the cheek. Ana left the box and made her way through the hall to get to the carriage waiting out front. Luckily, the hall was empty, so she was spared from talking to anyone.

  “Ana, love, where are you going?” It was his voice; a voice she missed dearly. She turned to face him, but she ran into a solid wall of his chest instead. Jake was an inch away from her face. How did he sneak up on her like that? She glanced around and wondered where her chaperone was. Jake’s hands shot out to steady her and he wrapped his long fingers around her waist. She gripped his arms and balanced herself to keep from falling, looking into his clouded eyes, and confused by what she saw.

  “Where are you running off to?” Jake leaned down, whispering in her ear.

  "It is none of your concern," she stammered out.

  He positioned them to where she was between him and the wall. He
put his hands out to the sides of her face and placed them on the wall behind her, encasing her in his arms. For the life of her, she could not think of anywhere she would rather be.

  “Why aren’t you with Miss Fairchild? She will be wondering where you went,” she said a little breathlessly, trying unsuccessfully to duck under his arms to freedom.

  “She and her mother went to visit some friends, and I was left alone. Are you jealous of Miss Fairchild? I don’t see why, you threw me over, princess,” Jake said in a low voice.

  “Jake, it wasn’t like that. I loved you! You must have known that. If you would just give me a chance, I will try to explain,” Ana said, desperate to get her feelings out before it was too late.

  “I’m sorry, Ana. I don’t want your explanations, and besides, I wouldn’t believe them,” Jake drove his mouth down on top of hers. She stood there trying to make out what had just happened, but could not think clearly. She tried to push him away, but his body gently pushed into hers and his hands teased over her face, as he forced his way past her lips. Ana did not fight it anymore. She came alive under his mouth. It had been too long! His tongue was mingling with hers, making demands, and seeking a winner. Ana crushed her body into Jake’s, no longer trying to get away, but instead, trying to get as close to him as possible. Their bodies were pressed up against the wall. She clung to his evening jacket as tightly as she could and basked in this carnal delight.

  This was something she had missed. They were always passionate together, but this surpassed all her memories. She felt Jake’s hands as they roamed her body. He lifted his face a fraction from hers, and she thought she heard him mutter a string of curses, before kissing her again. She could not get enough of him. Her hands gripped his back, his shoulders, his head, anywhere she could reach. She wanted him. She had never stopped wanting him.

  “Jake…” she whispered when she got the chance. Jake became still and he put his hands back on the wall behind her. She dropped her own hands in sudden embarrassment of the impropriety of what they were doing in a very public place. Both of them were laboring for breath. Oh my god, she could have been ruined!

  “I’m sorry, that should not have happened,” Jake said slowly.

  Ana could feel her cheeks blazing a crimson red. When she looked around the vast hall, she was relieved to find it still empty. She had no idea how long they have been in the hall, but she could hear the sounds signaling the end of the third act. She was at a loss of words at what had just happened. Anyone could have seen them and in that instant, her life would have been in ruins.

  “Stay away from me, Ana. I can’t control myself around you, and I will not have you ruining my chances at a happy marriage,” he growled out, shoving himself away from the wall. He ran his hands through his hair, thoroughly frustrated with the situation he had just caused.

  “You think you will be happy with Sarah and yet you came to me, so don’t take out your frustration on me,” Ana choked out in anger. Jake looked at Ana in obvious pain. He stared at her in silence. How dare he act as if this were her fault after what had just happened. Ana shoved him away and stalked down the hall.

  “Stay away from me, your Grace. I was happy without you in London. I do not want it to change. I have hopes of a happy marriage as well,” she turned and said. Thank goodness, no one had been there to witness them, she thought, as she continued walking out to the carriage. She was embarrassed and angry with him, and with herself, for letting him get to her. She willed herself not to cry. Instead, she laughed when she thought of the foolishness thinking she could avoid him if he were ever to return. Now, she knew she had been deluding herself. Once she was safely ensconced in the carriage, she allowed her tears to fall freely down her cheeks, knowing she had not seen the last of the blasted man.

  Jake went back to his box and found everyone waiting for him. He realized the third act of the play was almost over. How long had he been gone? He couldn’t believe what he had just allowed to happen. He had vowed to stay away from her, but he had not been able to get her out of his mind, since the previous night in the carriage. He had noticed her with a man he hadn‘t met, but knew he was Viscount Langley. The box she was in was directly across from his, so it would have been hard to miss her. He watched her throughout the first half of the play and when she left, he went after her with no regard to Sarah, her mother, or his manners.

  Good god, he was a cad. He must have been staring down and frowning, because Sarah stood up and faced him with a polite smile in place.

  “Your Grace, you seem angered. Have we done anything to upset you? You were gone for so long, I was afraid that you had forgotten about us,” Sarah said coolly.

  “I ran into an old friend out in the hall and we chatted for a bit, nothing to concern yourself with, my dear. I am being a poor host, am I not?” Jake smiled for her benefit, and then he felt rather than saw his brother’s bemusement.

  “Not at all, I was just worried you were losing interest already,” Sarah seemed to purr her last comment. He was sure she meant it as coyness, but he felt annoyed and irritated with her. Ungraciously, he sat down and suffered her attentions until the play finished.

  “Thank you for the lovely evening, your Grace, we would love to repeat the experience,” Lady Felicia said. He knew she had hoped to garner another invitation from him, but he was not ready to do that just yet.

  “Yes, it was lovely, perhaps again, sometime. I’ll send you word when I will be available.” Jake was more than ready to go. He knew he was being rude, but he turned without a word and waited until the play ended before leaving his box. Jake was anxious to leave and gather his thoughts. He left, leaving Jordan to escort the women out to their carriage.

  Jake almost made an escape out of the theater. Several men from Parliament stopped to make themselves known to the powerful Duke. He did keep up with politics in his absence and he was well aware of the problems these men were talking about. The problem was that he was just not listening. Politely Jake let the men prattle on about some charity event. Viscount Langley came around the corner and the sight he saw made Jake stand straighter. The man was handsome enough and he seemed very interested in the woman he had at his side.

  "Who is the chit with the Viscount?" He asked the men surrounding him, after he watched the woman grab the Viscount’s arm, pressing herself on the man.

  "Not anyone who should be in public, she is his mistress," Lord Stanton chuckled, clearly amused, whereas he was not.

  The Viscount himself seemed enchanted by the girl. Jake was growing more outraged by the minute. Ana deserved someone who would love and cherish her, and this was not the man. His first thought was to wring the man’s neck, but then he thought better of it. The problem was not his to deal with. Ana would get what she deserved after all. With that thought in his mind, he said his goodbyes and joined his brother in the carriage.

  Jordan was silent and preoccupied when Jake entered the carriage. He had changed his mind about going home because it was early, so he told the driver to take them to his club.

  “Lovely story you told Miss Fairchild. I’ll say you were talking to a friend, more like ravishing her against a wall from where I was standing, but that was my observation. What do you think? Am I accurate?” Jordan taunted him after a few minutes of silence. Jake stilled and saw his brother was vastly amused about his situation.

  “Did anyone else see us?” He asked quietly, not wanting to know the answer.

  Jordan stayed silent for a moment too long. “Yes. Miss Fairchild had gone to check where you went, I followed her, and we both saw,” he said.

  Jake rubbed his eyes, trying to ease the headache that was threatening to start.

  "Damn, I’m an idiot,” Jake swore at himself.

  “I agree, but Miss Fairchild seemed to take it fairly well I’d say,” Jordan said quietly, although Jake knew Jordan must have been lying about how Sarah took it.

  “Do you still love her then, Jake?” Jordan continued to ask. There was no ne
ed for him to say to whom he was speaking.

  “I don’t know what I feel for her anymore. We had our chance, but I can’t help but think I am missing something important, or else she would have been married by now,” he said. It disgusted him just thinking about how much Sarah must have seen. Sarah was an innocent and he was sure she got quite the show. The things she saw probably would have her scared of what might happen on the wedding night. She would probably go home screaming to her father, and then he could be expecting pistols at dawn.

  “You need to make up your mind. You messed things up with Miss Fairchild years ago, and you are not making a very good impression on her this time around either. Not that I care about the chit’s feelings,” Jordan stated.

  “I know. I just saw Ana with the Viscount and I was livid. Who does she think she is? Does she think she can just go from me to him and expect that I will be okay with it?” Jake muttered.

  "It's been two years. It was obvious she was not pining for you. Lady Ana would be foolish not to accept the Viscount if he ever gets around to proposing to her," Jordan said.

  The carriage came to a stop outside the club. They made their way inside. Jake knew the majority of the men here.

  “Well, look is who back in London. I thought they were lying to me about it,” someone called out. Several men came up and shook his hand. They made their way through the club, sat down, and began to play cards.

  “Heard you're looking for a wife to warm your bed?” Lord Matthews said crudely.

  “Not warm my bed, just need an heir, just once or twice will do. I don’t need to like the chit,” Jake stated rather coldly. He was in no mood to converse with the same men who had also gone after his woman when he was out of the picture. His woman? Ana was not his anymore, and he was tearing himself up inside trying to figure everything out. He thought he was over her. Apparently not.

  “He is in a foul mood, because he ran into his ex-fiancée tonight, and he didn’t like seeing another man pawing all over her. He just doesn’t want to own up to it,” Jordan spoke up, trying to break the sudden silence.