Taming A Duke's Reckless Heart: Victorian Historical Romance

by Tammy Andresen

  “Oh, Barrett,” she moaned out as her body writhed underneath his touch. Piper’s body was tightening and pulsing, and without realizing it, her head moved back and forth.

  He moved away rising up on his knees. Piper grabbed for him. She didn’t want him to stop. He grinned at her. “I won’t leave you unsatisfied.” He stopped talking, his eyes raking up and down her body.

  His hand reached out and gently trailed the length of her torso. “I meant what I said, you are the most beautiful woman I have ever…” he paused as his hand skidded down her arm.

  She smiled at him. “I’m cold. Come warm me up.” She reached her arms up to him and he grinned again, stripping down his pants.

  Piper gasped at the sight of him. Her arms dropped. He only chuckled, “You trust me love?”

  Piper took a steadying breath. She reached her arms back up to him and arched her body towards his. “Yes, I trust you. You would never hurt me.”

  His eyes sparkled as they looked down at her. Then he leaned down and kissed her again. His arms wrapped around her, holding her tightly to him. “I don’t know what I did to earn your trust but I am humbled by it.”

  She wound her fingers through his hair as he slid his lips to her ear. “You’ve kept me safe, taken care of me. I don’t understand why anyone is afraid of you.” She gasped as he nipped her ear.

  “They sense I am a man who would do whatever I had to do to protect the ones I love.” His lips kissed a trail down her neck as his tip gently parted her folds.

  “And to the ones you love? Would you hurt them?” Her body tensed slightly and his hand reached down between their bodies, stroking her. She quickly forgot her fear and writhed underneath him. It felt so amazing. He pushed in a little further as he continued to touch her.

  “I would never hurt you. I am so very sorry, love, but this will sting for a moment.” She felt him grimace against her neck.

  “Do it. I want to be yours.” He groaned then his lips claimed hers, as he thrust inside her.

  Piper felt the pain but somehow she also felt more connected to Barrett than she ever had to anyone in her life.

  “Are you all right?” He was still inside her.

  “I’m wonderful.” Her lips sought his. “Are you?”

  “Only you would ask that, Piper. That is why I love you.” He moved inside her and she gasped. He stilled.

  “Don’t stop.” She wrapped her arms around him. “You love me?”

  He slid out of her and then back in, they both groaned. “Sweetheart, I am practically turning myself inside out to marry you. How could I not love you?”

  He started moving more rhythmically and Piper couldn’t think to answer. Her body was meeting his as passion built inside of her.

  She held on tighter trying to hold him even closer as her breaths came in short gasping moans. Never, in her wildest dreams, had she imagined it would be like this.

  When she thought she couldn’t take another second, her body shattered into a thousand beautiful pieces. At the same moment, a groan ripped from Barrett’s throat.

  Piper released a long breath. Their eyes met. “I love you, too.”

  He stroked her hair back from her face, still inside her. “We have another problem.”

  “What?” She held her breath, afraid of what he might say.

  “We have to find a way to get married soon. I don’t want to be in bed without you.” He kissed her but she gave him a playful swat.

  “You had me worried.” She kissed him back.

  “We will marry here just before we leave for England. When we get there, we will announce our marriage. Then when we get back here, we will announce it again. That is the benefit of living in two countries. No one will know the difference.”

  “Your mother will,” she sighed in frustration.

  “Let me worry about her.” Barrett slid to the side and pulled the fur up around them. While the days were warm, the nights were still cool. He tucked her next to him and Piper snuggled in. She was warm and cozy despite lying on the ground.

  “She will never like me.” Piper closed her eyes. She took a deep breath. Contentment washed over her as she lay against him. Like being at home. She hadn’t felt this safe or secure in a long time.

  “She barely likes me; I wouldn’t worry about it too much.” He kissed her softly. “Either way, I don’t want to talk about it now. I want to talk about us.”

  “Fair enough.” She laid her head back down and closed her eyes again, snuggling close to him. “How long do you think we can meet in the garden before someone notices?”

  “Not very long.” He kissed the top of her head. Even her toes felt relaxed.

  “My aunt will not be happy either,” her last few words slurred.

  “Get some sleep. I will wake you in a little bit to return to your bed.” She nodded once and shifted a bit closer to him. She could sleep forever like this, she thought as she drifted off.

  ***

  Piper woke late the next morning. She smiled to herself and as she stretched in bed. Last night had been everything she dreamed it would be.

  She called for a bath then dismissed her maid and soaked in the water. It helped the aching between her thighs.

  After she had dressed, she headed for her mother’s room. Her mother was making a wonderful recovery but she realized she would not be well enough to make the journey to England. Piper’s stomach filled with butterflies at the thought of travelling with Barrett’s mother to England without her own mother to help her through.

  The door was already cracked open and Piper stopped at the sound of a familiar female voice. It took Piper a few seconds to place it but then she realized it was Barrett’s mother. Fear trickled down her back and she shivered despite the warmth.

  “I know you understand this. Barrett is a duke. It just wouldn’t do. But I do understand your predicament. You have a lovely daughter. She is so very gracious. You want her taken care of.”

  “It goes beyond that, Francie. They have a connection. They are in love. That is what I want for my daughter,” her mother’s voice trembled slightly and Piper closed her eyes. Her mother didn’t have the strength to square off with the Duchess. She needed Barrett here.

  “Posh. You married for love. Look at you now. Don’t think ill of me, Carolynn, but love is a temporary feeling that gets in the way of sound decisions.”

  Her mother’s voice was barely a whisper, “It is difficult to argue.”

  “I am not without a heart. Thomas could wed her. He is only a lord and then Piper would be taken care of. It is the perfect solution to all of our problems,” Her Grace’s voice rang with confidence.

  “I do see your point. You really think that is best?” Piper stomped her slippered foot on the thick carpet. Her mother was too weak to resist Her Grace knew it. Piper bit her lip. Did she march in there and set that woman straight?

  If the Duchess was able to convince her mother, could she and Barrett fight both of their parents? Her Grace had found the one weak link in the chain. Barrett’s face rose in her mind. After what they had done, she couldn’t imagine being married to anyone else. But to be married to his brother? To see Barrett and not be with him. That was unimaginable.

  She paused on the threshold. This was to be her mother-in-law. She had best notify Barrett and allow him to take care of it.

  She hurried down the steps and crossed the foyer into the office. She pulled out a piece of parchment. She would write to Barrett to come immediately and explain everything herself. He would know how best to handle this. She sat down and wrote the first few words when the butler entered the room.

  “A letter for you.” He handed her an envelope.

  Piper looked at it, cocking her head to one side. It looked like Barrett’s handwriting but it was shakier. The letters were rougher.

  She ripped open the envelope and found a brief note.

  Piper,

  Come quickly to the docks. Meet me at The Destiny.

  Barrett
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  She stared at the letters for a few minutes. Barrett was usually gruff but this was ridiculously short. He didn’t say anything about the night they shared, nor did he express any feeling for her. Something must be wrong. Was he having second thoughts? Did he know what his mother was up to?

  Piper didn’t give it another thought. She wanted to talk to him in person. She would meet him and find out what was happening.

  She grabbed her hat and gloves and called for a carriage to be brought around front. She took a deep breath. Hopefully everything was all right.

  ***

  Barrett sat at his desk, attempting to balance some ledgers. He was trying to figure out how much liquid cash he and Ethan had. He was hoping to give his brother a large enough sum that it would appease the Earl and Tom could marry Penelope.

  He was having trouble concentrating today. Scenes from the night before kept playing over in his mind. Even he hadn’t imagined how lovely Piper was or how perfect lovemaking would be. He should be sorry they didn’t wait but he wasn’t. A stolen night in the garden had been utterly perfect.

  But he had to make this marriage happen quickly. He sighed as he realized he had lost his place again. He was about to start over when a knock sounded at the door.

  “Come in,” he called.

  Tom poked his head through the door. “Have you got a minute?”

  “Of course.”

  “I want to talk to you about my future.” Tom sat in the seat across from his brother. “Is Ethan moving to England?”

  Barrett’s eyebrows raised up. “I thought we were talking about your future. And yes, part of the year, Ethan will live in England.”

  Tom took a deep breath. “I appreciate you offering to buy out the Earl but if I am going to be a worthy husband, I need to have a place in the world. I want to help you with your business. I don’t want to just take money.”

  Barrett assessed his brother. Tom was far more grown than he had been a few years ago. “What did you have in mind?”

  “Start me at the bottom. I am willing to learn and I am willing to work.”

  “Very well, you can start with these ledgers. I need them balanced. I will check them tonight.” Barrett wasn’t about to put his brother on the ships. His mother would never forgive him. But they could use someone to do the administrative work while he and Ethan managed the business.

  “You should check on Piper while I am working. Mother went to visit them this morning.” Tom came around the desk to sit in front of the books.

  “What?” Barrett’s voice growled out.

  Tom gave his brother a sideways glance. “Just go.”

  Without another word, Barrett headed for the door.

  TAMING A DUKE’S RECKLESS HEART

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  Saddling his horse, he rode to Piper’s rather than taking a carriage. It was faster and he needed to be doing something as he grew more restless with each passing minute. His mother was meddling, that much he knew for certain. And while he didn’t know how bad it would be, he sensed something was wrong.

  He didn’t even bother to tether his horse when he made it up the drive. He simply vaulted off the beast and dashed up the stairs. He didn’t bother to knock. He launched himself into the house.

  The butler came rushing out but stopped short at the sight of Barrett. “What are you doing here?”

  Barrett’s eyes narrowed. The butler didn’t like him because he came and went as he pleased but the question was beyond rude. He sensed surprise rather than annoyance in the man’s voice. Something was wrong.

  “Where is Piper?” His mother came down the stairs. Barrett didn’t even look at her. The Butler opened his mouth then closed it again. Then, without a word, he walked into the study.

  Barrett was about to lose control when the man returned with a piece of paper in hand.

  Barrett quickly scanned the words, a knot forming in his chest. His mother called to him. “I need to speak with you.”

  He ignored her and turned to the butler instead. “I didn’t send this. How long ago did she leave?”

  “Not ten minutes ago.” The butler had gone pale.

  “Barrett,” his mother’s voice was more insistent.

  “Explain to my mother what has happened.” He addressed the butler. He had given the poor man a terrible job but there was nothing to be done for it now. He couldn’t waste precious time. “We’ll talk later, Mother.” He walked out the door. He would deal with her, and whatever she was scheming, after. Right now, Piper was in trouble.

  He climbed back on his horse and kicked the beast into motion. At least he knew where to go. And he would travel much faster by horse than she would in the carriage. It was so like Piper to think he was in trouble and go rushing head long into a situation without thinking it through. If he caught her in time, he would ring her neck after he was done kissing her silly.

  He weaved around carriages and people through lower Manhattan, heading for the docks. Twice he thought he saw her carriage but it turned out to be the wrong one.

  He picked up speed trying not to think about what could be happening to Piper. Who was luring her to the docks? Why were they doing it? Asher and the man with the scar came to mind. Ethan had asked around about him and found out his name was Ian Durby. He was a criminal for hire but he had a bad reputation with women.

  Barrett had planned to track him down and make sure he paid for his role in Piper’s first abduction, but he hadn’t had the chance. His family, his fiancée, and his business had kept him occupied. With Asher, he would take different tactics. He would squeeze that man out of New York. If either was involved today, they would pay dearly.

  He frowned as he urged the horse faster. He should have taken care of that man sooner. The docks loomed in front of him and he took a sharp right to where The Destiny was docked. It was nearly noon and the wharf thrummed with activity. Sailors walked about and carriages full of goods blocked the streets. Barrett tried to move faster. Suddenly a woman’s scream rent the air. Barrett kicked the horse and nearly ran a man over as pushed towards the sound of the scream.

  ***

  Piper sat in the carriage twisting her hands together. She was nearly at the ship. She didn’t know what to think. It was out of character for Barrett to call her to the docks. Normally he would storm into her house scowling.

  Even his note was strange. He had sent her more than one and they had never been so short or so shaky.

  Something must be really wrong.

  She thought back to the first night she met him. Four men hadn’t scared him in the least. He had yelled at her for being on the docks alone. That was another odd thing, would he actually call for her to come to the docks by herself?

  Like a flash of lightening, Piper suddenly realized she shouldn’t be here. Something was wrong but not with Barrett. Barrett would never have called her here. If she hadn’t been so distraught about his mother and her mother conspiring, she would have seen it sooner.

  She grabbed an umbrella and banged on the front of the carriage. “Turn around! Go back!”

  The carriage stopped. It started than stopped again. Piper felt a knot of fear twisting in her stomach. She peeked out the window. The wharf was very busy and the driver was trying to get the carriage turned around.

  Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Asher Grey and the scar-faced man approaching the carriage. She snapped the shade closed and banged on the carriage again. “Go now! Hurry!”

  The carriage leapt forward and began rolling but stopped a third time. Piper gripped the umbrella tighter as the door snapped open and Asher Grey stepped inside.

  She didn’t stop to find out his intentions. She let out a piercing scream on the busy wharf. Surely someone would come to her aid.

  She heard a male cry and then the sound of something heavy dropping to the ground. She had a split second to register it was the driver before Asher closed the door and waved a knife in her face. “We’re not messing around this time. You be q
uiet and do as you’re told.”

  She nodded once, her eyes wide with fear. The carriage began rolling again, but she had no way to know where they were going. To abduct her in such a busy place was brazen indeed. Surely Barrett would find out and come for her. But Asher looked dangerous today and she didn’t say any of it out loud.

  “That damned Duke won’t save you today. Gave me a nasty bump on the head.” He waved the knife again.

  Piper gulped. “But Mr. Grey, His Grace didn’t knock you out. The man with the scar—“ She stopped because he was leaning his face very close to hers, and he pushed the tip of the knife into her skin just below her jaw.

  Piper trembled with fear. He pushed the knife a little further. Her skin burned. “Careful what you say now, girl. I want a beautiful wife but I want an obedient one too.”

  “Mr. Grey, p-p-please. I am telling you the truth. He knocked you out. We both fell then he threw me in the carriage. He called me a tasty treat and then he ripped my dress. Only then did His Grace come and knock him out. I’ve no reason to lie.”

  Asher’s mouth drew into a thin line. “You could be pitting us against each other. Playing me for a fool.”

  Piper’s lips parted to speak but she didn’t know what to say. She closed them again and a tear slipped down her cheek.

  She was frightened this time. The noise outside the carriage had quieted and Piper shook harder. He pulled the knife away from her throat. Piper could see her blood on the tip and she raised her hand to cover the wound. Another tear slipped down her cheek.

  Asher handed her a handkerchief and she accepted it, pressing it against the wound. “Is what you are telling me the truth?”

  “Yes,” she whispered meeting his eyes. She tried to take a deep breath to steady her nerves.

  “Come sit on this seat. No shenanigans this time or there will be hell to pay.” She did as she was told and he sat her between him and the door.

  He was using her as a human shield. This was the man who wanted her as a wife? She would never marry a man like him. Her future husband would protect her.