Once Upon a Duke

by Sandra Masters

  Geoffrey released her. “Let us get back to your studio. If you have salve, I will apply it for you. Let me help you, my dear one. Perhaps the warmth of a fire will comfort you?”

  She nodded, and he picked up his boots and stockings and donned them. “If you cannot walk, I can carry you,” he said.

  “No, I am used to the path,” she whispered.

  He took the lantern and they walked in silence, hand in hand.

  In the doorway, Emma waited. Surprised to see Geoffrey, she stepped back to allow them to enter.

  “Good evening,” he whispered. “I found your mistress shivering in the lake. Do you have a fire lit upstairs?”

  “Yes, your Grace.” She followed them up the staircase.

  “Would you fetch a thick blanket?” He glanced around the room. “Forgive my state of undress. I gave your mistress my shirt.”

  The maid handed him an extra blanket. He helped tuck it about Serena and led her to the lounge. Geoffrey knelt, held her feet, rubbed them warm and tucked them under the wool. “Emma, your lady and I have much to speak about. You may depart without a worry. I won’t harm her in any way.”

  The maid looked to her mistress. Serena nodded.

  Emma curtsied. “Ring the bell in the morning, and I will prepare breakfast for you both. Fresh eggs, a rasher of bacon, baked bread, coffee and cream, too. I’ll plead innocence if someone comes looking.” She smiled and closed the door as she left.

  A crocheted afghan on the settee caught his eye. He threw it over his shoulders, and sat next to Serena. He pulled her to him. “Place your head on my chest. I will always keep you safe and warm, sweeting.”

  Chapter Eleven

  Gone were the mixed emotions that assailed Geoffrey. He was consumed by his need to be close to Serena, to protect and worship her. Never could he understand what she had endured. Yet she remained a strong and loving woman. Others would have turned bitter, or succumbed to insanity.

  He enjoyed having her head rest beneath his chin. He caressed her cheek and smoothed her hair. He had never felt such tenderness for anyone.

  She takes my breath away and my heart races. Can it be love?

  Not sure how much time passed, he asked, “Are you comfortable yet? Shall I move us closer to the fire?”

  “You are all I need.”

  Her words embraced and warmed his soul.

  “Where is the salve? I will minister to you.” In truth, he didn’t want her to move from his arms. The visions he craved became a reality, but were interrupted by the horror of the scars she bore.

  “The ointment is in the drawer nearest you in a small jar.”

  Geoffrey took out the pot and had opened it when he spied the brandy decanter atop the table. “Before I start, would you care for a glass? It will keep the chill from returning.”

  Serena nodded. “If you join me.”

  Lord Geoffrey bestirred himself, poured a generous portion and handed it to her, then poured his own. He drank a gulp from his glass, then took the blankets and cast them on the floor in front of the fireplace. After placing another log on the flames, he went to her.

  “Serena, come lay by the fire.” He led her to the pallet then removed her makeshift clothing. He gazed upon her. “You are so beautiful, my exotic love. He stood before her with pure intent—not of seduction, but to succor. The depth of his emotion amazed him.

  Serena lowered herself to the blanket and lay on her stomach.

  “Oh, how God tests me,” he muttered. Or was it Satan who tempted?

  In the firelight, he saw better the braided row of scars. He dipped his fingers into the salve and moved his hands in gentle circles. “Is this how it is done? While I have experience in a lot of things, this is new to me. I am about to straddle you, it will be easier to apply the ointment. I promise to behave as a gentleman.” He smiled. This would be the first time he would not take advantage of a lady beneath him in such a provocative, needy manner.

  “I never knew a man’s touch could be so soft and kind.” Her head rested on her hands while he ministered to her needs.

  He heard her soft sounds. “If you become chilled, tell me and I will cover you.”

  Her body relaxed under his skilled hands. He worked from the top of her shoulders to her waist. The sight of her beautiful rounded buttocks brought shock waves. The brute had beaten her there also. How could a man treat a woman with such cruelty? Geoffrey imagined how she suffered the sting of each lash against her soft skin. Judging from the size of the welts, the beast must have used his razor strap. Did she cry? Or perhaps if stoic, it encouraged her husband to beat her into submission.

  “If you like my touch, you may wish to hire me,” Geoffrey teased to put them both at ease as he chuckled to harness the powerful desire that waved over him.

  She sighed in soft sounds.

  “The deed is done. Where can I find a cloth to cover you and absorb the balm?” He fetched a linen from the shelf she’d indicated. “How old are these scars?”

  “A little less than a year,” Serena whispered.

  “I am finished, my lady. I want you to know when I see your scars, I am enraged that you were forced to endure such brutality, but never would I be repulsed to gaze at you.”

  She turned over to face him. Her hair fanned on the blanket reviving his dreams. God, there was nothing as sweet as the scent of a naked Serena beckoning him with her trust.

  He tensed. “No, do not do this. I am not made of cast iron.” He rested on his haunches at her side. “I promised you I would behave.” Geoffrey didn’t want to take advantage. Her motive might be gratitude for his kindness rather than true desire.

  She placed her hands around his neck and brought him down to her, kissed him with open lips, and he was lost in the moment. His mouth covered hers hungrily, and the gentle kiss demanded more.

  Geoffrey swam in the new sensation akin to a lullaby not sung, or a symphony not finished, or a thousand legends never told. The heat of her skin against his was exquisite torture.

  Every sensation was new and unimagined. When he pulled his lips from hers, her eyes glowed. The exploration of her hands excited him. The room swirled dream-like and he felt awkward, as if it was his first time with a woman.

  He struggled to focus his mind. He must remember, cardinal rule number one—rakes never fall in love. The blood raced through his veins. His tongue laved at the soft cleft in her throat.

  “Oh, my Duke. Oh.”

  His lips teased a nipple until it became taut. He moved to the other breast and awakened it. She writhed, clutching at him. Desire burned like lightning bolts wherever she touched him.

  He had kindled a flame into a bonfire. Her hands caressed the nape of his neck, and he melted against her. He placed slow teasing kisses in a path to her navel, brushed his mouth against the apex of her sex, and proceeded slowly, afraid to frighten her.

  Geoffrey kissed the inside of her thighs and he ran his lips the length of her long legs. His knees spread her wide and his mouth found her dark, glistening curls. He entered her with his tongue, and followed with a finger.

  “Oh, Geoffrey, what are you doing to me? I never…I…Oh.” Her head whipped back and forth as she clutched at the pillow and then at him.

  Geoffrey probed further, holding back his need with difficulty. This was more than coupling with her. He wanted her to experience genuine lovemaking. Her soft sighs pleased him. He eased his finger into her wet and slick sheath then removed it as he hovered above her. “I meant my word that I will not harm you. I will stop if you ask. However, if you do not still your hands, it will be beyond my control. I am not a saint.”

  Her stroking fingers quieted. She was going to reject him yet again. Damnation.

  He moved to take his release, but her hand firmly on his shoulder halted him. “Take your breeches off, Geoffrey. I have no fear, and will not regret anything you and I do this night. I think I might die if you were to stop.” She pulled him down until his bare chest pressed against her brea
sts.

  Geoffrey reached his hand between them, released the buttons of his fall and whipped the pants off his legs. His engorged member sprang free. He nudged her legs apart once more and centered his shaft at her secret place. His member was molten, ready to enter, ready to be hidden in her warmth, ready to lift them from this world to the stars and beyond. He penetrated and withdrew in slow steady thrusts until he was wet with her essence, their bodies hot with the fire they created between them. Excruciating need threatened to overtake him.

  When Serena wrapped her legs around him, she pleaded for release. Her facial expressions changed, and ecstasy, so apparent, rained over her.

  Go slow. Be patient. Let her ride a bit longer. “Open your eyes, Serena. Enjoy me as I pleasure you.”

  “Geoffrey? I am on fire. I cannot bear it. Please…oh, what shall I do?”

  The bastard. Her husband had never taken the time to allow her to peak. She’d never known an orgasm!

  “Please don’t stop,” Serena begged.

  “I could not, even if I wanted to.” He kissed her lips into silence. In that intimate moment, his heart was hers for the asking. Serena was the essence of all he wanted, not because of the moment, not just for tomorrow, and the next day. Perhaps forever.

  He thrust into her again, this time hard and fast. He would take her to the brink and hear her call his name, watch her shatter.

  When her release came, she screamed, “Oh, sweet, wonderful Geoffrey.”

  His climax followed like the roar of a wolf howling in the night.

  They lay together, catching their breath. Within minutes, he grew hard again and she welcomed him, tightening around his shaft. Too quickly, they reached the heavens and climaxed again—this time together.

  On the brink of insanity and laboring to breathe, he rolled to lie beside her and pulled her into his arms. He rained soft kisses upon her face.

  The room fell silent until he asked, “Did I hurt you with my zealousness?”

  “No, Geoffrey. I didn’t feel pain at all. Never have I been pleasured in this way, but I dreamed it might be like this with you.” She turned to him. Her finger touched his face. “We both have scars. Yours, however, make you more attractive.”

  “My lovely Serena, there is no scar that can diminish your beauty in my eyes.”

  The fire burned low and the room started to chill. He stood and pulled her to him. “Let us get in bed. I do not want you to catch an ague.”

  Hand in hand, they walked to the large four-poster bed. Emma had prepared the covers for slumber. He ensconced her in the bed, covered her body, and walked back into the studio stark naked. He glanced over his shoulder and raised his eyebrows. “You can admire my backside.”

  “And a fine one it is,” came her laughing reply.

  He wanted her to be comfortable with nudity between them. She was his. No poaching allowed, fierce in this regard.

  Serena snuggled under the coverlet, a blanket of serenity waved over her. Geoffrey returned with two glasses of brandy. He fluffed the pillows so they could sit yet he made sure the blanket covered her body to her shoulders.

  “My lord Duke, I have to extend my arm if you expect me to hold the glass.”

  “Apologies, my lady.” He pulled the cover away from her right arm. “I have this insatiable need to protect you. You have bewitched me.” He handed her the drink. “Tell me, why are we always drawn to the things we cannot have?”

  “You can have me, Geoffrey, if you choose. I fear it is I who would be lacking.” Her forehead creased when she asked, “You once said everything has a price. What is yours?”

  “I have no answer for you, Serena.”

  Geoffrey slid beneath the cover, careful to keep to his side of the bed. “Do you know how many times I have dreamed of you, your hair splayed on the pillow next to mine? This vision shall haunt me when I depart.”

  Her eyes glazed, with sadness, he suspected, and she turned her back to him.

  There were no small memories with Serena—only grand ones.

  “Come with me to India or Italy. I will show you the wonders of the world.”

  “As your mistress? How have I offended that you would make such a scandalous proposal? And how long would it last? Until you tired of me and found excitement with another woman? No, your kind of life would not suit me.”

  “Serena…” Geoffrey could not be silent. “The proposal wasn’t meant to cause umbrage. True, I live for the moment, but so far, Serena, the moments are endless because you are with me.”

  Serena turned to face him. Tears brimmed, but she refused to allow them to fall. “These are not the words I desire to hear.” Her fingers feathered his lips and lingered. “You are hesitant to speak them and I will settle for nothing less, so we are at an impasse.”

  She sat and leaned against the headboard. “Tell me how you got your scar.” Serena scooted closer. Geoffrey accepted the deliberate change of subject, but he’d appease her.

  “I had a best friend whom I trusted and one night I returned home unexpectedly and found he and my fiancée flagrante delicto. I challenged him to a duel with rapiers. He wounded me here, and my blade went straight through his heart. The loss of his life and friendship caused me great sorrow.”

  “What about her—your fiancée?”

  They faced each other, both sitting up, their pillows joined together as lovers do.

  “I threw her out after I tore the diamond engagement ring from her hand and had my footman escort her to a relative’s home. I heard a few days later she boarded a ship to Belgium and have not given her a second thought, until you asked.” His hand entwined a wayward curl that fell against Serena’s cheek. He tucked it behind her ear then turned to blow out the candle. “Or we can go to France,” he whispered.

  “Or we can go to sleep, my lord Duke.” Serena snuggled down into the comforter.

  “Of course, for a few minutes.”

  Soon her deep breathing assured him she slept. He didn’t think sleep would grace him this night. She wanted a commitment he could not give. Her price was more than he was willing to pay.

  Liar.

  Not true.

  Willingness played no part, he simply chose not to. And it gave him no satisfaction.

  Chapter Twelve

  Geoffrey awoke at the crack of dawn and performed his ablutions, dressed and returned to Serena’s side. He nudged her. “Wake up, sleepyhead. I have to return to the manor house before your brother gets suspicious. I wish to protect your reputation.”

  His smile felt wicked as sin.

  “I have rung for Emma to bring breakfast. You may wish to dress appropriately.”

  He walked to the armoire to fetch her morning peignoir and handed it to her. She slipped out of bed and put the garment on, cinching the belt tightly. Geoffrey loved to stare at her and thought her delectable enough to eat. Her legs and thighs presented quite a sight to him.

  “Just the thought of you arouses me, Serena. He removed himself from her bedroom. “I will give you the privacy you need for your ablutions, and see how Emma is faring with breakfast.”

  She set herself to her morning ritual and was soon dressed.

  Minutes later, Geoffrey’s footsteps warned of his presence. “Serena, are you decent? I have Adonis with me to greet you a good morning.”

  “I’ll be out momentarily.” Serena opened the door and brought the pup to her face. He gave her a generous lick then squirmed to get down.

  “Just like a man, give a kiss, get a kiss. Then run away.” She laughed, but surmised Geoffrey understood her message. “Do you still not want to see the rendering of your portrait?”

  “I looked at it this morning. You have captured me in more ways than I imagined. I have given serious thought to commissioning you to paint me nude. It is quite the artistic fashion in Italy and France.”

  “Stop, Geoffrey. I could never do that, unless, of course, you were my husband.”

  “Husband, hmm. Such a dangerous utterance.” His f
acial expression was unreadable.

  “So it would seem.” Serena let the subject drop.

  Emma knocked on the door.

  “Enter,” the Duke said.

  The maid rolled the large food cart toward the small table in the sitting room. She gathered the cutlery and plates for them, along with hot tea and cocoa. The warm cinnamon buns were a special treat. The buttery smells filled the room and offered a temptation to the senses. The hungry couple ate in compatible silence.

  Geoffrey looked at his watch and gulped down his cocoa. He bent, and kissed away a dab of preserves from Serena’s lips. Her eyes sparkled with invitation. “Yes, I would like to,” as if he could read her mind, “but you will have to wait until tonight. I do not want to tarnish your reputation.”

  “Is the reputation less tarnished if no one finds out? I do not believe so.” Her words were soft but like an arrow to his heart.

  He could not answer. Geoffrey untied the ribbon from her hair and kissed it. “This will reside alongside the first one I commandeered.”

  Geoffrey took a last sip of cocoa. “I will have just enough time to get to my room and change into my riding ensemble before the entire house awakens. If I encounter anyone, I will say I went for a quick swim in the lake.”

  He was followed by the pup who struggled with every step. Geoffrey stopped and addressed the critter, gave him a quick back scratch. “Adonis, you will grow fast and soon you will outpace me.”

  He grinned at the frisky pet, handed him to Emma when she opened the door for him.

  “Thank you, Emma. I enjoyed your superb breakfast.” He could get used to this. Damn.

  Lord Geoffrey walked to the manor stables to check on Solomon.

  The groom addressed him. “Your Grace, Sir Henry inquired about you. He took note that Solomon still occupied his stall.”

  Geoffrey looked around and saw an awl and pitcher. He walked to it, poured water out and dunked his head so his hair soaked. He combed it back with his fingers and let the water drop over his shirt.

  The groom smiled when Geoffrey handed him a coin. “This is for your trouble and use of your water.”