Daring Deeds 0f A Forbidden Duchess (Steamy Historical Regency Romance)

by Violet Hamers

  Finally, the Duke sighed and he sat. Isabel gingerly sat next to him, still frowning, ensuring there was space between them. “I nearly forgot how close we had grown, Miss Isabel,” he said. “For you to notice right away that something was wrong with me.”

  “Are you admitting that you are upset, then?”

  “Not admitting,” he said with a shake of his head. “Now that I’ve seen you, whatever ailed me before no longer does.”

  He kept his eyes forward when he said that and Isabel was grateful for it. He didn’t see the exact moment those words hit home and her heart began to thud in her chest. She looked down at her lap, willing the blush away.

  There was no one else around. She had told Elisa that she wished to be alone for a while, out of the hope that she would sort through her confusing thoughts. With the Duke spending all his time in his study, she didn’t think she would ever come across him here.

  But why does it feel like he came looking for me?

  “Do you wish to tell me what is on your mind, Your Grace?” she asked after a short moment.

  “I don’t want to bother you.”

  “Except you sought me out,” she pushed on, meeting his eyes when he looked at her in surprise. “Unless you truly were going on a casual stroll before you happened upon me, you were seeking out my company. There is something that is bothering you, Your Grace, and you want to tell me about it, do you not?”

  He only stared. The intensity was gone, but whatever it was that replaced it made her thudding heart beat even harder. “Another thing I nearly forgot,” he murmured. “How well you can read me now.”

  “I can’t read you, Your Grace. You are the most enigmatic gentleman I’ve ever met.”

  “Am I now?”

  “Yes,” she said with a determined nod. In the back of her head, she couldn’t help making note of the fact that they hadn’t had a normal conversation like this in a while, even though she was constantly being burdened by the fact that he was so close to her. “You hide your emotions well, though I know you feel them just as much as any other person. It’s why I have to ask you, because by just watching you, I will never know.”

  “Hm, I’ve never been told that before.”

  “Well, now you know. Now, will you tell me what bothers you so?”

  “I’ve only been thinking about the future, Miss Isabel,” he said, solemnly. “Last night’s ball went very well. I don’t need Lady Pemperton to tell me that, I could see myself. At this rate, you will truly be married.”

  “Is that what you want, Your Grace?” she whispered softly. She took care to look at him when she asked the question and she tried her best not to look away when he met her eyes.

  “Is it not what we both want?” he whispered back.

  They stared at each for a short while. Isabel couldn’t believe the words. There was something about the way he said it that made her know he didn’t quite believe it, that he was hoping for things to be different. For once, she could see beneath the mask.

  Or perhaps it was his eyes that told her everything that she needed to know. They were shining with the same emotions she wished she could see, the ones that had filled them that night in the drawing room before they’d kissed. She held her breath, unable to look away, wanting to draw closer to him.

  His breathing seemed to grow ragged and when his eyes fell to her lips, Isabel knew what was coming. She gripped her gown, anticipating it with every fiber of her being. She counted the seconds until the moment he finally leaned closer and pressed his lips against hers.

  It was as explosive as it had been the last time they had kissed. Only this time, they were in broad daylight, where any servant could turn the corner and see them. Despite that, he pressed closer to her body, wrapping a hand around her neck, pulling her into him.

  Isabel’s mind was empty. She felt hot with passion, all her senses screaming with happiness at his lips on hers. Without thinking, she ran her fingers around his neck, gripping the hairs at the nape.

  His lips broke free from hers and descended onto her throat. He had one hand on her neck, his thumb tilting her head backwards as his lips nibbled on her flesh. Isabel gasped at the sensation of his little bites, gripping his arm to keep from writhing in ecstasy.

  It feels so good!

  The Duke’s lips felt glorious against hers. The sensations that were coursing through her body was more than she’d ever thought possible, more than what she’d felt the last time they’d kissed.

  While one hand remained firmly on her neck, the next was moving up her side. Isabel felt it and she nearly panted in anticipation, knowing where his hand was headed. When he began fondling her breast, she gasped. But he didn’t stop. His tongue and teeth worked against her skin, going around, up to her ear and back down.

  Suddenly, something snapped nearby. They pulled away from each other so swiftly that Isabel was confused for a moment. She blinked a few times, clearing her blurred vision. She could hardly believe what had just happened.

  “Miss Isabel…” The Duke was on the other side of the bench now and he wasn’t looking at her. He was combing through his disheveled hair.

  Did I do that?

  She tried to bring her breathing under control. She smoothed down her own hair, willing the happy smile away. Though they had heard a sound, there was no one around. It was a good thing, however. Who knew what might have happened if they hadn’t been interrupted like that?

  She blushed at the thought. “Yes, Your Grace…”

  “I’m terribly sorry.” Isabel’s heart dropped.

  Why is he apologizing again?

  “I shouldn’t have taken advantage of you in such a manner,” he went on. He looked at her now, the apology clear in his eyes. Isabel felt her excitement wane bit by bit. “No matter what had upset me, I should have dealt with it on my own instead of disgracing you like this.”

  “Disgracing me?” Isabel squeaked. She was surprised she even had the strength to talk. The last time he had done something like this, she had been unable to think of a proper thing to say.

  But the last time, she had been utterly mortified. Now, she was simply angry.

  The Duke nodded, and she watched as his mask fell back into place right before her eyes. That angered her even further. “I hope you can forgive my misstep.”

  “Misstep?” Isabel tried not to hiss. “Your Grace, you surely know how to misread a lady, don’t you?”

  “Miss Isabel?”

  She shot to her feet. “If you only touch me and kiss me like that because you are so burdened by whatever else is going on in your life, then I hope that you will learn to stay away from me from now on.”

  * * *

  David watched her walk away. Every step she took felt as if she was walking on his heart and he knew he could do nothing about it. It was his fault, after all.

  She didn’t look back. Her stride was angry and it wasn’t until that moment David realized he’d never seen her so upset before. Miss Isabel was such a kind and gentle lady that the very idea of her being angry at someone didn’t make much sense to him. Not until now.

  I should have known that wasn’t a good thing to say.

  But what other choice did he have? He had been so enamored by the scent of her that he had gone crazy for a moment. He had lost all his senses when he realized just how close she was, when he noticed her soft flesh was so within reach, and that her lips were basically begging to be kissed. He hadn’t stopped to think then, and he hadn’t when he began to apologize.

  Is there a way I can fix this, or should I allow it?

  Miss Isabel being so angry with him was bound to be a good thing in the end, even though it pained him to see it. Surely it would be easier for him to stay away from her now, wouldn’t it? He wasn’t so sure anymore. He didn’t think he’d ever be able to stay away from her no matter how much he tried.

  Slowly, he rose and began to make his way back into the manor. Hopefully she was long gone, so he wouldn’t have to be faced wi
th the consequences of his words any longer, though he knew that later at dinner he would have no choice. He pushed all thoughts of her to the back of his mind as he went back to his study.

  He would work. That was the only thing he could do right now, the only thing he should be doing. Working and keeping his mind off her.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  The next day, Isabel felt much calmer. She had spent nearly all night thinking about what happened in the gardens, her anger transforming into humiliation, sadness, and then back into rage. When she sat down to eat with the Duke, she said absolutely nothing to him, though she caught him watching her a few times.

  Even if she wasn’t angry with him, she didn’t know what she could possibly say. The kiss in the gardens had opened up a few realizations to her. He didn’t truly want her. Not the way she hoped he did. If he did, he wouldn’t be allowing all this to happen—the balls, the visits from the Count, nothing. He would have her for himself, forgetting whatever duty he was bogged down by.

  And the mere fact that he keeps apologizing is a clear indication of that. He only wishes to toy with my heart.

  Isabel knew it wasn’t on purpose. Perhaps the Duke was being burdened by his own feelings, not knowing exactly what he should do. She couldn’t tell. But from now on, she would stop thinking on it. Whatever it was that spurred the Duke on to make his decisions had nothing to do with her anymore.

  She was sitting by the window in the drawing room when she saw a lavish carriage pull up. Her heart didn’t skip a beat at the sight, even though she knew exactly who it was before he even stepped out. And as usual, the Count looked quite handsome, but the sight of him did nothing to her.

  She even sighed as she saw him approach the door. In a few moments, his presence would be announced and she would have to entertain him. Though she had been happy to accept his offer to visit her when they were at the ball, now she simply wasn’t in the mood for it.

  But soon enough, the Count came into the drawing room. Isabel forced a smile onto her face when he came toward her, grinning himself.

  “Lovely, lovely, Miss Isabel, how are you?” he greeted.

  Isabel cocked her head to the side. “You seem to be in a very chipper mood.”

  “Why wouldn’t I be when I’m here to see you?” he asked. “I’ve been wanting to see you since the last ball, actually.”

  “That’s very sweet, My Lord.” She rose. Now that she was talking to him, she wasn’t so bothered by his arrival any longer. His comfortable presence put her at ease. “It’s a good thing that you’re here. I was growing a little bored.”

  “You’re going to be even happier to hear what I have in mind for us today, then. Do you fancy a going for a horse ride?”

  “Oh, I haven’t been in such a long time,” Isabel exclaimed. “I would love to.”

  As if feeding off her sudden exuberance, the Count grinned from ear to ear. “Lovely! Well, let’s go then.”

  Her previous sadness was gone in a moment. Now, she only felt excitement to go riding with the Count. As soon as she had changed into her riding habit, they made their way to the stables, Elisa following behind. She made sure to tell herself once more than she shouldn’t think about the Duke. With the Count here with her, it would only be rude not to focus all her attention on him.

  Once they were all saddled, including Elisa, they set off to Hyde Park. The Count still wore a slight smile on his face as they rode.

  “I have to admit something to you, Miss Isabel,” the Count said.

  “Oh no,” Isabel responded in a joking manner. “This sounds serious. And here I was thinking you thought of going riding to enjoy the lovely weather. You were truly planning to say something outrageous to me instead, weren’t you?”

  “Outrageous?” The Count’s eyes twinkled with humor. “Out of curiosity, what sort of outrageous thing would I say right now?”

  “I’m not sure, My Lord. Now, I’m too tense with apprehension to even think straight.”

  The Count laughed loudly, urging a giggle out of Isabel. He shook his head. “You needn’t worry, Miss Isabel. I didn’t plan on saying anything terrible. Unless you think that I was so jealous at the last ball is something outrageous.”

  Isabel’s heart skipped a beat, but only out of surprise. She tried not to twist the reins in her hands, not sure if the horse beneath her was as jittery as she was. “Jealous?”

  “I had hoped to monopolize all your time but I knew I couldn’t possibly do that. Yet seeing you dance with other gentlemen made me realize something.”

  “And what is that, My Lord?”

  “I don’t ever want to see you dance with another gentleman again.”

  Isabel gasped in surprise, laughing because she didn’t know what else she could do. “Pardon me?”

  He chuckled himself, which made her relax just a little bit. “It sounds odd, doesn’t it? I probably shouldn’t be saying such things to you, but I don’t think I can help myself any longer. It is quite clear that I’m interested in you but now, I think I should take it a step further. Tell me, Miss Isabel, would you prefer it grand, or small and intimate?”

  “What do you mean, My Lord?”

  “Our wedding, of course,” he said with such an infectious grin that she couldn’t help but smile back, even as the weight of his words descended on her.

  “My Lord, I—”

  “Oh, dear,” he went on. “I didn’t think this through. I thought that being bold would help give me the courage to ask for your hand in marriage but now I’m so nervous that I’m tempted to just race this horse away so I don’t have to hear you reject me.”

  Isabel looked straight ahead. She was hardly aware of the landscape, her mind focusing solely on the things the gentleman riding next to her was saying. A soft wind rustled her hair as she thought of the best thing to say. “What makes you think I will do that, My Lord?” she asked after a short while.

  “Perhaps your silence is one indication,” he said and Isabel wondered if his chipper tone was simply to mask his nervousness. It nearly made her smile. “I wish to ask your guardian for your hand in marriage, Miss Isabel, but I thought I should let you know that I have grown to care deeply for you. And I do hope that you have no issue with me asking.”

  She had to think about it. She hesitated and she knew he caught it. As fond as she was of Lord d’Ylles, and as much as she knew that he was courting her in the hopes of heading toward marriage, she never gave it much thought. It was because, as hopeless as it felt, she still harbored hope that the Duke would reveal his feelings for her.

  How nice it would have been if the Duke were the one saying such things. But he isn’t and it doesn’t look like he ever plans on doing it. I should move on.

  She took a deep breath, knowing what her next words would do. “I accept your proposal, My Lord. And I’m sure the Duke will, too.”

  The Count’s happiness was palpable, though he managed it well. His grin went from ear to ear as he said, “You might have just made me the happiest gentleman in London, Miss Isabel.”

  “I’m glad to hear it, My Lord.”

  She was surprised to find how long the smile lasted on her face when she had just given herself to a man she didn’t love. She might be fond of the Count, but her heart didn’t belong to him. It belonged to someone who didn’t want to claim her.

  “Paul,” he said.

  “Pardon me?” Isabel said, looking back at him.

  “You may call me Paul. Actually, when it is just us, I would much prefer that.”

  Her smile felt falser this time around. “Then, please, Paul, call me Isabel.”

  Paul’s joy continued throughout the rest of the ride. They raced around a few times, trying to see who was the better rider. With the proposal behind them, they let go of the formalities and enjoyed the ride the way she would with a dear friend.

  A friend. If the Duke truly gives his blessings, will I ever see him as anything more than that?

  And more than that, Isa
bel hoped that if he did reject the offer, it would mean he was finally beginning to accept his own feelings for her.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  David saw them coming. The butler had informed him of the Count’s arrival, and the fact that they had gone riding, and he had dutifully stayed in his study. He knew exactly what seeing her with Lord d’Ylles would do to him. He’d been torturing himself with the mere thought for so long that now that it was happening, he didn’t think he’d be able to witness it himself.