The Duke's Dilemma

by Rachel McNeely

  He lay back beside her. His hand trailed along her hairline and moved to her lips, touching them gently. She opened her mouth and ran her tongue over his finger, tasting the salty flavor of his skin.

  She watched his eyes darken and his nostrils flare. His mouth came down hungrily onto hers, nipping at her lips playfully, while his hand caressed her breast and moved further to the juncture between her legs.

  A jolt of excitement ran up her body. She pressed herself closer against him. His body covered hers. Reaching between them her fingers wrapped around him. He was hard and soft at the same time. She blushed at her boldness and started to move her hand away.

  "No, don't.” He placed her hand back on him and moved her hand, showing her how to give him pleasure. She watched the tightening of his mouth and heard him moan. Something released inside her and she moved more freely against him.

  He pushed her legs apart and placed himself against her. “Ah, love, I must have you."

  He surged forward and she felt herself stretching to accommodate him. He began with slow movements, becoming quicker. She felt something building up in her. She rose up against him, moving harder and harder to reach...

  * * * *

  He held her tight as their breathing slowed. His eyes met hers, he scattered soft kisses over her face before he moved to lie beside her.

  She felt his withdrawal as he turned from her. Her face flushed. She had behaved as a wanton woman. Of course, she'd embarrassed him with her forward behavior. The wonderful feelings dissipated and she waited to hear what he would say. He got up and put on a black robe.

  "I'm going into the adjoining sitting room. I have something I need to do. Go ahead and sleep.” The proper duke was back, all evidence gone of the dangerous lover she confronted in his study.

  He went into the next room and closed the door. Was that it? Did he desire only her body?

  She wasn't finished yet. Picking up her thin white lace chemise, she pulled it over her head. Then knocked and entered his private domain.

  He was adding wood to a fire in the fireplace. The cold room made her shiver. He straightened and turned when she shut the door.

  * * * *

  Even in the poor light, he saw her pale skin underneath the flimsy bit of lace she had pulled over her. Golden waves of hair fell around her body to her waist, a fairy princess, standing still and regal in his room. He groaned, as doubts tried to linger in his mind. But when he looked in her eyes and saw her lips curve into a smile that warmed his whole body, he knew she was truly his

  Quick steps brought him to her. “What's the matter? I don't want to see you unhappy."

  "What will it take for you to believe I love you?"

  Relief flooded his being. “A few more encounters, like we had, might do it,” he whispered.

  "It will be difficult,” she teased, “but, let me see if I can succeed with practice."

  Nicholas threw off his robe, pulled her chemise over her head, and carried her to the bed in the other room. Leaning over her, he whispered, “Practice, my dear."

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  Epilogue

  All the neighbors agreed it was the finest wedding ever in their village. Friends, family, and villagers laughed and yelled happy wishes to the couple as they left the church after the ceremony.

  "I am so happy, Your Grace.” Helena said, watching the expression on his face.

  "You will not call me Your Grace ever again, unless absolutely necessary, at a very proper social affair,” Nicholas threatened.

  "But I love to see the expression on your face, Nicholas, and I do love the way you show your displeasure afterwards."

  "You mean like this,” he asked and kissed her, as their coach took them to the Steeples estate for the wedding lunch.

  "Yes, exactly like that. Now we have to be pleasant and proper,” Helena said, sitting straight when the house came into view. “I can hardly wait for later today, when we are finally alone."

  Nicholas took her small hand in his and kissed each finger. “Nor I, my love."

  They wandered through the rooms greeting the guests and accepting congratulations. His mother beamed at them. “I knew you would make a lovely couple. I'm so glad everything has worked out for you both.” She kissed Helena on both cheeks. “Please let me know if I can be of help."

  "I'm sure I will be calling on you.” She smiled at her new mother-in-law.

  "Nicholas.” His sister, Prudence and her husband followed closely behind the dowager duchess. “I hope you will be happy and,” she glanced over at Helena, “will not find you have made a mistake."

  Nicholas started to reply, but Helena tightened her hand on his arm and he moved his attention to her. “It is not necessary to defend me, my love. Prudence and all your family will forgive my previous behavior when I have convinced them I will be a good wife to you. Thank you for coming today, Prudence.” Helena smiled and nudged her new husband forward.

  "Handled well, my love. I believe you are already getting the hang of this duchess thing,” he teased.

  Helena saw Mary Ann wave. “I think that is my signal to go upstairs and change. Soon we can leave."

  "Good. Hurry."

  Helena felt his warm regard on her as she and Mary Ann climbed the stairs to her old room.

  "I'm so happy for you, Helena.” Mary Ann hugged her sister. “Who would have thought a few months ago I would be seeing you married before me? So much has happened."

  "It has. I hope you will be doing the same yourself soon."

  Mary Ann shook her head. “I love Franklin. I don't know how he feels about me and he won't let me get close enough to know him better. It all seems hopeless."

  "Nonsense. You taught me to reach out and grab for what I wanted. Follow your own advice."

  "Come on.” Mary Ann finished fastening Helena's dress. “Don't be worrying about me. You have an anxious groom waiting downstairs."

  * * * *

  Nicholas, Franklin, and Lord Steeples slipped away from the crowd and went into the library to have a congratulatory drink.

  Lord Steeples made the toast. “Glad to have you in the family, Your Grace."

  "Call me Nicholas, please. Your Grace is much too formal for us."

  "Thank you.” Helena's father smiled. “Oh dear, here comes my wife. I will leave you two to finish your drink.” He stepped out and closed the door.

  "I hope, no, I know you will be happy, Nicholas. I'm glad for you.” Franklin raised his glass to his friend.

  "What will you do now, Franklin? Do you still want to go back into the spy business? I can send you back, but I prefer not too. You need a rest."

  "You've told me that so many times, you've convinced me. I'm going back long enough to train my replacement. Afterwards, I'm going home."

  "To your estate?"

  "Yes, I'll check on everything and if all is well I'll be knocking on your door a few months later to go back overseas. However, you were right. There are some ghosts I have to bury first."

  "Starting with your step-mother, I hope,” Nicholas said.

  "Step-mother, what a ridiculous name for that woman. Yes, the changes will need to start with her."

  "And you are not going to pursue Lady Mary Ann?"

  Franklin stared at his friend. Nicholas noted the anguish and sadness reflected in Franklin's eyes.

  "I am not the man for her."

  Before Nicholas could reply, Franklin put out his hand. “Goodbye. I'll be in touch."

  Nicholas watched Franklin leave. He worried about his friend. Taking a swallow of whiskey, he sat the glass down. His bride should be down soon and tonight they would be together. His face curved into a grin. He couldn't deny it. He was happy.

  * * * *

  Mary Ann spotted him from the upstairs window, as they started downstairs. “Go on without me, Helena. I have something I have to do."

  Picking up her skirts, Mary Ann ran toward the back stairs and out the side door of the house. Franklin had sta
rted to ride away.

  "Franklin,” she called out, almost breathless from her run.

  He looked back and hesitated. At first she thought he would ride on.

  She ran up to the horse. “You were leaving without saying goodbye?” Her eyes took in his hard lean body, so handsome today in black pants and coat and silver vest.

  "I thought it was best."

  "Best for whom?” she asked.

  He flung his leg over and slid down the horse, standing almost against her. “Best for you, Mary Ann."

  She touched his cheek and saw the flicker of his muscle.

  "I don't want you to leave. Couldn't you stay a while longer? The bride and groom are still here."

  "I told Nicholas goodbye. He'll tell your sister."

  "So there is nothing else here to keep you?"

  He looked over her head at the house.

  "Nothing,” he said.

  "Liar."

  He wrapped his arms around her and his mouth swooped down, taking hers in a hard demanding kiss.

  "This is exactly what I wanted to avoid,” he said, seeing her tears. “I'm not the man for you. You know nothing about me and if you did,” he took a breath, “you would walk away."

  He threw himself up on his horse and without looking back galloped off.

  She yelled at him, although she doubted he heard her. “I don't believe you and I won't give up."

  * * * *

  Later that night, snuggled in each other's arms, Helena kissed her husband lightly on the lips. “I have two surprises for you.” She climbed out of bed, opened her armoire, and then pulled out a painting. Turning, she held it in front of her. His expression was all the reward she needed for her work.

  "I'm speechless.” He came to her and took the picture closer to the candlelight.

  "I wanted to surprise you. I'm pleased with the results myself."

  "We'll hang it in the main hall. There is not another artist that could do a better painting of me.” He kissed her lightly on the lips and set the painting to the side. “You've made me quite happy and now I'm very anxious to find out what your other surprise is."

  "It is more a secret that I've waited to tell you. Remember the first time we made love?"

  "You think I would forget such a thing?” His hand wandered over her to cup her soft warm breast.

  "Well, I'm almost certain that as a result, we are going to have a baby."

  Nicholas stared at his new wife. “You did not marry me only because you're pregnant?” He felt a sickening in his stomach.

  "Nicholas, what must I do to convince you of my love? I thought you'd be happy about the baby."

  "I am more than happy,” he said smiling broadly, “but I also need to be assured you love me."

  "Well,” she pulled his head down and traced her tongue over his lips, “I will try one more time to earn your trust."

  He smiled, picked her up and carried her to bed. “It may take many times to convince me, my dear."

  "Then I shall keep trying."

  He smothered her giggle with his kiss.

  THE END

  www.rachelmcneely.com

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  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  For as long as I can remember I wanted to write and have, a book of mine published. Sometimes life gets in the way, or we let it.

  I grew up in the south and lived with an aunt and uncle from the time I was ten until I graduated from high school. Both my aunt and uncle worked long hours, giving me a lot of time alone. With my love of reading and an active imagination, I was never bored.

  I wrote my first story at eleven or twelve years old and read it to my neighborhood friends. They, of course, thought it was wonderful. My story did not have a happy ending. My heroine died a tragic death. I was in my melodramatic phase.

  My first published work was a mother's day poem. The local newspaper had a contest between the high schools. I won. The prize was ten dollars and having my poem printed in the Sunday paper on Mother's Day. I won't say what year.

  My aunt was a very practical woman and had worked all her life. You did not write for a career, you studied and got a sensible job that kept a roof over your head and food in your stomach.

  My first career was nursing. During my mid life crisis, I went back to school and earned my master's degree in social work. These were good choices, but in the back of my mind, those characters kept knocking on the door and reminding me of my dream job, writing.

  I did write during those years, everything from poems, short stories, and longer love stories. They filled my desk drawers and the bottom of my closet.

  With three grown children, three grandchildren, a very supportive husband and many friends encouragement I finally got serious. I decided in 2004 that it was time to commit to my dream, make some goals and start my new career. They do say the third times the charm.

  My first goals: Join a writer's group and a critique group, attend a writer's conference, and oh yes, write a book.

  My first big shock: Not everyone thought I was a great writer. Like any other career you had to study, read, take classes, and write, write, write. Who would know following your passion could be so much work? But also so much fun.

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