Before she could take a step, Lewis grasped her elbow and pulled her into his room, the door clicking shut in her wake. Her pulse sped—not in fear, but in pure excitement. It had been a lifetime since she’d last been alone with him.
He held her tight, her back pressed against his muscular body as he whispered in her ear, “I didn’t think you would come.”
The whisper of his breath on her skin sent a shiver of pleasure through her. She longed to turn in his arms. To find his lips with hers and forget everything that had come between them. But that wasn’t why she’d come to him. Grace stepped out of his embrace and turned to face him. “I owe you answers.”
Lewis sat in a chair near the window, his gaze on her as she moved to take the chair opposite his. “You owe me nothing. All the same, I am curious.”
Grace arranged her wrapper, draping it over her legs to cover her nightshift. Lewis had taken her by surprise when he’d asked earlier, making it hard for her to find her words. Now that she’d had hours to reflect on the past and her behaviors, she was more than ready to discuss things from the past. In fact, she had a question of her own. But that could wait.
She met his curious green stare and gave a small grin. “By the time Amelia was born, our past had been forgotten by most and wasn’t discussed by anyone who remembered it. You were in America and I was soundly wed. There was no reason to tell Amelia anything about me and you.”
Lewis gave a nod of understanding, but Grace recognized hurt in the depth of his eyes.
Grace flinched. “I figured you would say something if you wished for her to know. When you didn’t make our acquaintance known, I assumed it was what you wanted and played along.”
“I have never been embarrassed about you, Grace,” Lewis said, her name sliding off his tongue like warm honey.
“Nor have I been over you.” Grace leaned forward, hoping to emphasize what she had to say next. “Though, I have been over the way we ended.”
Lewis reached for her hand, clasping it in his and leaned closer. “You did what you felt you had to do.” His gaze searched hers. “I may not have agreed, and certainly never understood, but I do know that you never intended to hurt anyone.”
“Least of all you,” Grace said, her mind going back to that night in the garden and his pained expression as she’d broken their courtship.
“Tell me. Did you love him?”
“I loved you.” Grace pulled her hand free and stood. She paced to the far corner, before glancing back. “I never would have married him if not for my parents' insistence that it was the only way to save the family from ruin.”
Lewis made his way to her and placed his hands on her shoulders. He stared at her with an intensity that threatened to melt her. “I would have saved you.”
“You didn’t have the means to.” Grace shuddered, fighting the urge to sink against him.
He winced at her words, his hold on her tightening. “I would have found a way.”
“Perhaps you would have.” She sighed. “Maybe I should have trusted you. Believed enough in us to fight for our love.”
Lewis released her, this arms dropping to his sides. “Everything would have been so different.”
Grace had lived a thousand fantasies of what life could have been. She’d always longed for Lewis and mourned what could have been. Still, she’d had a good life. One that she would mourn as deeply as the loss of Lewis if it were suddenly taken from her. She nodded. “Yes, so very different.”
Guilt crashed into her as she stared into Lewis’s eyes. It seemed as though she were dishonoring her past and the life she’d been given by her husband. Like she was besmirching his good name. Stomping on all the joy and love they had come to share. She didn’t wish to cause further hurt, but Lewis had to know the whole truth.
“I am lucky, for I have loved and been loved by two men.” She drew in a deep breath as Lewis’s stare intensified. “I did not tell you a falsehood. At the time of my marriage, my heart belonged only to you. However, over time, I came to love the duke and he cherished me. We had two daughters together, and more happy moments then I can recall. For that, I will always feel blessed.”
Lewis closed his eyes, bringing his hand up to massage the back of his neck.
She watched him, her heart in her throat as she waited for him to say something—anything—but he remained as he was. Unable to stand the silence, Grace placed her hand on his chest, and said, “Lewis.”
Several more heartbeats ticked by before he slowly opened his eyes.
Grace cupped his face in her hands and stared deep into his gaze hoping to convey all she felt. “I always loved you, but I loved him too. How could I not after all we’d shared?”
“Those experiences should have belonged to us.” Lewis turned, causing her hands to leave his face, then strolled over to the window. With his back to her, he said, “You can see yourself out.”
She took a step toward him, desperate to make him understand, then pivoted and made haste for the door. Now wasn’t the time to force herself on him. He needed time and space just as she had. She’d grant him both.
At least for tonight.
CHAPTER 4
LEWIS'D HAD a devil of a time sleeping last night after Grace left his room. Her words kept repeating in his mind as he'd tossed and turned. The few times he managed to drift off, he dreamed of her and soon reawakened. At first light he went to the public room for breakfast and unashamedly had a splash of strong spirits added to his tea.
Grace and Miss Eliza entered the public room as he was finishing his meal. They joined Lewis for their own repast, and once the women had finished eating, they all departed for Scotland. He’d hoped the liquor would help him to sleep as they travelled, but was beginning to accept that it wasn’t going to be the case. He cracked his eyes open enough to spy Grace sitting across from him.
Other than the rhythmic stroking of her pet, Grace hadn’t moved in the hours since they left the inn. Miss Eliza had been rather quiet and still as well. Other than some occasional inconsequential chatter, Jasmine’s purring had been the only real noise within the carriage. Even now the tiger laid with its head flopped onto Grace’s blue skirts, a loud purr radiating from deep within the cat.
Did Grace find some comfort in the animal's attentions? Lewis glanced between her and the animal. When his gaze landed on Jasmine, her eyes seemed to spark with interest. Lewis could not say what possessed him to do such a thing, but at that moment he scratched his nails across his trousers, making an enticing noise for the cat.
Jasmine’s ears perked up and twitched for a moment before the beast of a cub stood. In an instant she was leaping from the seat she’d shared with Grace to the one he sat on.
“Jasmine, no,” Grace called, reaching for her pet.
Lewis reached out a hand and began scratching behind Jasmine’s ear. “She’s perfectly fine with me.” The cat settled on his lap with a crushing weight, its loud purr filling the carriage once more.
Grace settled back against the seat, her lips pressed in a tight line.
Lewis fought the grin pulling at his lips. Good, let her stew for a while. The two of them were acting like petulant children, but at the moment he couldn’t help himself. He took his attention from Grace and placed it firmly on Jasmine. The cat's fur massaged his hand as he stroked its back and head. There was an odd comfort in the weight of the animal bearing down on his thighs and the rhythmic humming of its pleasure. Before long his eyes grew heavy, his mind relaxed, and he drifted off into a peaceful slumber.
Lewis could not say how long he’d slept, but when he woke he felt rested. He searched for the animal, patting the seat beside him before opening his eyes. Grace and Miss Eliza were eating bread and jam, a wicker basket between them, and Jasmine had abandoned him at some point to return her mistress's side.
“I trust you rested well, Mr. Duffield?” Miss Eliza asked.
Lewis ignored the urge to reach for the basket as his stomach rumbled. “Indeed I did.
How long was I asleep?”
“Hours.” Grace popped a bite of something into Jasmine’s salvaging mouth.
Lewis glanced out the carriage window, noting the sagging sun. “Shall we stop for dinner?”
Grace plucked an apple from the basket. “The three of us are content to wait until we stop for the night.”
“As you wish.” Lewis nodded, wanting to pilfer through their basket but unwilling to give Grace the satisfaction. He crossed his legs at the ankles and reclined back against the seat, his gaze trained on the ladies.
Miss Eliza stared at Grace for a long moment then shifted her gaze to the basket and back. When Grace did naught, Miss Eliza turned to him. “Mr. Duffield, may I prepare some toast and jam for you? Or perhaps a chicken sandwich?”
“A sandwich would be appreciated. So long as Her Grace doesn’t object.”
“Of course I don’t,” Grace said, her words clipped, then she turned her attention back to feeding Jasmine.
Miss Eliza assembled the sandwich without paying anymore mind to Grace. Surely the woman had noticed a change in the way her mistress and he were behaving. Lewis could not help but wonder at what was running through Miss Eliza’s mind. Had Grace told her companion about their past? Did the woman know that they’d been together last night?
Perhaps this had all gone too far. He turned his gaze upon Grace, hoping to catch her attention. She must have felt his stare because, after a few moments, she met his gaze and frowned. Before he could attempt to convey anything, she once again returned her attention to Jasmine.
“Mr. Duffield.” Miss Eliza held a plate out to him with a sandwich and some fruit on it.
He smiled. “Thank you for your kindness.”
Lewis turned his attention to the food, eating his fill before handing the dish back to Miss Eliza. Afterwards, he did his best to remain quiet and ignore Grace. When they eventually stopped for the night, he booked two rooms and escaped into the solitude of his.
Lewis swirled the whiskey in his tumbler as he sat near the window staring out into the black night. He wished he could go to Grace—longed to talk to her and apologize for his behavior today. He’d allowed his wounded pride and past hurts to cloud his judgment.
In retrospect, he should have been pleased that he’d gotten answers from her. For years he’d tormented himself wondering at the past, and now, despite the pain her words had caused, he understood why she’d done as she had.
He tipped the tumbler against his lips, taking a deep swallow of the whiskey. If only he could drink enough to wash her from his soul. With a sigh, he reached for the decanter and was about to refill his glass when a rapping sounded at the door.
Perhaps Grace had come to him. His pulse sped at the thought as he made his way across the room, then flung the door open. A short-lived euphoria, for it was not Grace but an inn worker.
“Good evening, sir.” The lad bowed.
Lewis did his best to appear pleasant as he met the lad's gaze. “What has brought you to my room?”
“Mistress sent me to see if you require a fire for the evening?”
The temperature had cooled considerably since nightfall, but Lewis didn’t find it cool enough to warrant a fire. “That won’t be necessary. Thank you.”
“Good night, sir.” The lad gave another bow then turned to continue down the hall.
Lewis glanced in the opposite direction to where Grace’s door stood. Had she requested a fire? An image of her seated before the hearth, firelight reflecting off her long silken hair and creamy skin came to mind and his groin tightened.
Before he could do anything so foolish as knocking on her door, he retreated back into his room and the comfort of strong drink. But before he could retrieve his tumbler, another round of knocking sounded at his door.
Lewis sighed. Perhaps the lad had returned. He opened the door and found Grace standing there. It was almost as if he’d conjured her. She stared at him, her long hair loose, trailing over her shoulders and down her back just as he’d imagined.
“Are you planning to leave me out here all night?” she asked, a playful grin tugging at her lush lips.
Recovering his senses, he stepped aside. “Come in.”
She breezed past him, her wrapper fluttering out around her legs to reveal her sheer nightdress. “I had to see you.”
He closed the door behind her, his blood roaring in his ears as he turned to her.
“You see, I have a question as well.”
He quirked one eyebrow. “Do go on.”
Her spine stiffened as she studied him. “Why didn’t you come for me?”
What the devil was she talking about? He stepped closer to her. “When?”
“After my husband passed away. Once my mourning period was done? I waited for you, expected you, but you never came.”
The words knocked the air from his lungs. He stared at her for a long moment before he found his voice. “How was I supposed to know you wanted me to?”
She brushed off his question and continued. “Then at Amelia’s. I thought you would reclaim me, but you didn’t.”
“You acted as if we were strangers, and now you tell me that you’d wanted me to claim you. Have you any idea how ridiculous that sounds?” He turned away to face the window. “All of my life, I’ve dreamed of you.”
“I’m right here.” Her delicate hands came down on his shoulders as she stepped around him. “Lewis, I never stopped loving you.”
He brought his lips to hers in a punishing kiss. His mind swirling with lust and anger, but also with love and joy as he plundered her sweet mouth. Grace moaned, a sweet throaty sound, as he trailed kisses down her neck.
“I want you, Lewis,” she said with a sigh.
All thought fled his mind as his last thread of self-control snapped. He scooped Grace into his arms and carried her to the bed.
She tugged at his shirt as he removed her wrapper, dropping kisses on every inch of her bared skin as he did so. In short order, all of their clothing lay strewn about the floor. Lewis kissed the inside of her thighs, over her belly and up to her breasts before pulling back to gaze at her.
She stared back at him, her eyes filled with passion. “Take me.”
Her husky words shot straight through him and without hesitation he did as she’d asked, plunging into her warmth. She met him thrust for thrust, moaning beneath him as she took all he had. When her inner walls begin contracting, he covered her mouth with his, drowning out her passionate cries as he found his own release.
Heaven. She was pure heaven.
CHAPTER 5
GRACE SLOWLY AWOKE, a contented smile brightening her face as she ran her hand over Lewis’s warm chest. Their lovemaking had been everything she’d always imagined it would be. When they’d finished, she’d curled against him, completely sated, and drifted off to sleep.
She glanced toward the window. Moonlight poured through the slit in the drapes. It would be best for her to return to her room before daybreak. Reluctantly, Grace pulled her hand from Lewis’s chest and scooted off of the bed. After slipping back into her clothing, she turned to gaze at him for a moment longer.
What she would give to remain here. To spend every night in his arms. The temptation was so great that she nearly climbed back into the bed. Pushing back her desire, she dropped a light kiss on his forehead then left the room.
Her mind swam with questions and fantasies as she made her way back to her own room. They hadn’t had a chance to talk about what they’d done or where they would go from here. Did Lewis want a future with her? Could they make a romantic relationship between them work this time around? Her stomach fluttered at the thought.
Perhaps she should have woken him so that they could have spoken, but he looked so comfortable and peaceful. Tomorrow, or rather later today, they would arrive at Amelia and Richard’s. They would still have opportunities for clandestine meetings—not that she cared to keep anything hidden now.
Grace stepped into her room and close
d the door behind her.
“Your Grace. I woke to find you gone and was about to go seek help in finding you. I’m glad you returned.” Eliza approached her, curiosity lighting her gaze. “Where were you?”
Grace relaxed into a chair. “Do sit and I will tell you everything.”
Jasmine nudged Grace’s leg with her head and Grace scooped the cat up, settling it in her lap as she grinned at Eliza. Once Eliza was settled, Grace told her everything—all except the most intimate of details.
Eliza brushed a stray curl from her cheek. “I had no idea that the two of you had a past.”
“Not many people do.” Grace smiled. “But I have a feeling that is about to change.”
Eliza beamed back at her. “I couldn’t be more pleased for you, Your Grace.”
“Thank you, Eliza.” Grace smoothed her hand down Jasmine’s back. “Let us keep this between us for now,” Grace added.
Eliza nodded. “Of course.”
Grace checked the clock and was surprised to find that it was only two in the morning. She’d thought it would be later than that. A yawn raked her body as she turned back to Eliza. “We should return to bed.”
“Indeed.” Eliza stood, then went to the bed and pulled back the covers. “Do you require anything before you turn in?”
“No, but I should like for you to style my hair in the morning.”
Eliza smiled. “It will be my honor.”
Though Eliza served as Grace’s companion, the woman also doubled as a ladies maid from time to time. Grace did not like traveling with more people than necessary, and often left her normal ladies maid behind as a result. She climbed into the bed and glanced at Eliza. “Thank you.”
Once Eliza had extinguished the light, it did not take long for Grace to slip into a deep slumber. The night's activities had left her exhausted in the best way.
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