Courteously Seduced By An Enigmatic Duke (Steamy Historical Regency Romance)

by Scarlett Osborne

  Rowland’s gaze landed on her instantly and darkened. She smiled at him, an innocent one that she hoped would stir the lust filling those beautiful brown eyes. His steps slowed as they approached each other.

  “Lady Hannah,” he greeted.

  “Good morning, Mr. Albertson,” she said to him. “Good morning, Father.”

  “Hannah,” the Duke said. “You look absolutely beautiful today. Does she not, Mr. Albertson?”

  “Yes, Your Grace.” Rowland didn’t take his eyes off her. His stare was so intense that Hannah’s cheeks flushed, her stomach tensing with need.

  He dares to stare at me like that in front of my father? Oh my.

  “Did you two go hunting?” Hannah asked conversationally. She wasn’t so brave as Rowland to hold his gaze and so she looked at her father for the response.

  “That we did, My Dear,” the Duke said. Hannah couldn’t understand him. Either he was unaware of what was happening between them right now or he was aware and simply ignoring it. She couldn’t imagine either one was correct. “Unfortunately, we didn’t get anything.”

  “Ah, well, better luck next time, I suppose.”

  “Indeed. Well, I’m going to freshen up for breakfast. Mr. Albertson?” The Duke left them there. Hannah was tempted to stare after him but the moment he was out of view, her mind could only focus on Rowland.

  “You do look lovely, Hannah,” he said, stepping closer to her.

  Hannah held her breath even as she smiled. “I was hoping you would think so, Rowland.”

  Finally, he smiled. The intense passion smoldering in his eyes faded only slightly and the charged air dissipated. “Any longer in your presence and I fear I may never leave to prepare for breakfast.”

  “Then, allow me to take my leave first. I will see you in the dining room?”

  “Of course, My Lady.”

  Hannah smiled warmly and stepped away from him, heading to the dining room. It was difficult not to look back at him, to hold her head straight and allow him to do the looking.

  “He keeps staring, M’Lady,” Lily whispered to her as they left.

  “Good,” Hannah said. “That’s exactly what I wanted.”

  * * *

  Hannah was happy to see the true Rowland come out during meals when he really participated during the conversations. And she was even happier to see everyone laughing whenever he said something funny. The Prince, however, seemed to be in a foul mood and said little throughout breakfast, though several attempts were made to include him.

  The Duke and Duchess were also well entertained by the morning’s meal and when they were parting ways, still had smiles on their faces.

  Hannah’s smile, however, only broadened when Rowland asked her to go for a walk through the gardens.

  “Do you not have to be with my Father today?” she asked him as soon as they made it outside.

  He shook his head. His dark brown hair seemed to glow lighter in the morning sun and she admired it silently. “He is busy with other things, such as Prince Viktor, and so I’m taking this time for myself.”

  “Ah, and you’ve decided to involve me in the time you want to take for yourself?”

  “What better way to pass the time but with a beautiful and interesting lady?”

  Hannah’s eyes grew round as her cheeks grew warm. They were merely walking side by side, not even touching each other and it bothered her endlessly, even though Lily followed behind as chaperone. If she couldn’t have him the way she really wanted to, she wanted to at least hold his hand.

  “Oh my, Rowland, you are bold today.”

  “I’ve learned from the best.”

  “I’m not nearly as forward as you are being right now,” she argued lightly.

  “On the contrary, you are bold and I am simply being charming.”

  She chuckled. “Well, I suppose charming is one way to put it.”

  Rowland laughed. She liked him like this, with all his walls down and his smile constant. To think it only took one risky night in the middle of the woods for him to finally be his true self around her.

  “There is something I would like to say to you, Hannah,” he said. “And I’m contemplating the best way to say it.”

  “I think the best way to say it is plain and true. Honest, with all your heart.”

  “My heart wants different things right now.”

  Hannah’s chest caved in at his words. She tried not to show it on the outside, tried her best to keep her sudden fear to herself. But she couldn’t help the ricochet of negative thoughts that bombarded her.

  What does he mean by that? Is he still in love with Miss Flynn despite all the things he said?

  Hannah couldn’t stop the gloomy predictions of what he would say next.

  “Come,” he said, completely unaware of what was running through her mind. He brushed her elbow with his hand and despite everything she was thinking, the spark of lust that was never too far away in his presence lit within her and she leaned closer to his touch, eager for more.

  He led her over to a gazebo at the farthest end of the gardens. Hannah’s thoughts grew even more anxious. Did he do this so as to save her the humiliation of being rejected before the servants?

  “Are you all right, Hannah?” he asked her with a frown.

  Hannah nodded quickly and plastered a fake smile on her face, hoping it was believable. He seemed to take her at her word because he sat next to her, laced his fingers and sighed.

  She glanced up to see that Lily had stopped a short distance away. Lily was frowning herself, noting Hannah’s anxiety, which seemed to set off anxiety within herself. Lily bit her lip and Hannah shook her head, in an attempt to tell her that she was fine.

  She was fine. If he rejected her, it would sting, it would hurt, but she would be fine in the end. She tried to remember that.

  “The time spent with you, Hannah, has been filled with emotions,” he began. He took her hands, to Hannah’s surprise, gazing into her eyes. “I’ve grown more and more comfortable with you as time went by, even though I haven’t been very companionable myself. And I grew to see that you are not only beautiful, but you are fascinating to be around, humorous in your own way, and have the ability to make anyone fall for you.”

  She held her breath, not at all sure where he was going with this anymore.

  He squeezed her hands. “Though I was here in body and mind, my heart and spirit were elsewhere. In truth, I had hoped to go back to my home as quickly as I possibly could. But now, I’m beginning to think of this place as my home, as everyone here as my family, and you as…”

  “As what?”

  “As my only reason for being here. Somehow, fate decided to bring us together and I couldn’t be happier. Now that I’ve grown to care for you, Hannah, I don’t want to leave here. I don’t want to leave you. So…would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

  Hannah only stared at him.

  Did I hear wrong?

  He squeezed her hand a little more, this time out of nervousness. When another second went by without a response, he scratched the back of his head. “Should I take that as a rejection to my proposal?” he asked.

  His tone when he asked the question also rendered her speechless. His disappointment, though he was trying his best to mask it, was potent to her ears. It filled her with warmth, with excitement, with every bit of love she had for this gentleman.

  “Please, Hannah, say something. It’s cruel to leave me in such suspense.”

  Hannah blinked. “I…I don’t know what to say. For once, I’m speechless.”

  His hands fell. “A yay or a nay would suffice here,” he said slowly.

  But Hannah didn’t think a yay would truly express how elated she was. So she did the next best thing, damning the consequences.

  She leaned in, slowly wrapped her arms around his neck, enveloping him into a hug. His surprise encircled her but she didn’t move away. Instead, she just held him, pouring every bit of her love into that brief conta
ct.

  Rowland’s hands lingered on her waist. She pulled away, smiling from ear to ear, but he wasn’t. In his eyes, she could see the stormy passion that made her toes curl, so she didn’t move when she saw him lean in, resting his lips on hers. It was brief and simple, nothing like what they’d done before, but it had the same raging effect.

  When Rowland drew back, Hannah didn’t have to look to know that the servants had seen them. Lily’s gasp had been as plain. By the end of the day, this simple piece of gossip would have been spread throughout the manor, but Hannah didn’t care. She was only kissing the man she would soon be married to.

  “Does that answer your question, Rowland?” she whispered. She had not pulled away completely and neither had he. It wasn’t love shining in his eyes, but passion. Without an unwitting audience, she was sure he would have kissed her again, to go further than they ever went.

  Hannah watched as he visibly collected himself with a smile. He mimicked her smile. “And you say I’m the bold one, Hannah?”

  Chapter 26

  The moment Hannah was free, her first thought was to run to the Duchess. It was difficult to find her and for a moment, she feared her mother might have been forced to entertain the Prince while Rowland and her father went into town.

  But then, after a few minutes of searching, a servant told her that the Duchess was in the library. Hannah made her way there as quickly she could, unable to contain her excitement.

  I’m engaged. I’m betrothed to the man I love. I’m going to be married to him!

  Even as she repeated the words over in her head, she could hardly believe it. She hurried down the hallways, eager to relay the news. Lily was right on her heels, as excited as she was, feeding off Hannah’s happy energy.

  “Mother?” Hannah called before she entered the library. She found her mother standing at the other end of the room, in the exact spot she and Rowland had been in when he had nearly kissed her a second time. Only, the Duchess wasn’t alone. The Duke stood next to her and they pulled apart the moment Hannah walked in, though they still held hands.

  Hannah cocked her head to the side. “Father, aren’t you supposed to be heading into town with Mr. Albertson?”

  The Duke didn’t look embarrassed at nearly being caught by his own daughter. Hannah couldn’t count how many times she had walked in on her parents in an intimate embrace and now she was very much used to it. The Duchess smiled but it was the Duke who spoke next.

  “You always know a little too much, My Dear,” he said, his voice laced with mirth. “Yes, I was just about to meet him.”

  “Just about, you say.” Hannah gave her mother a knowing look and the Duchess blushed.

  “You should get going now, Dear,” said the Duchess to the Duke.

  The Duke looked at her warmly and nodded. They didn’t look like they wanted to release their hands. Hannah watched, through different eyes, as the Duke left her mother’s side and walked through the door.

  She’d always admired her parent’s love. After everything they had been through, they came out happy and together in the end. But Hannah hadn’t realized how much she had taken it for granted until then. Now, she could only wish that after many years passed, she and Rowland would be as much in love with each other as they were now.

  “You look like you have something you’d like to say, Hannah,” her Mother said as she claimed a seat. “Come, and tell me.”

  Hannah sat near her mother. She didn’t quite know how to word it in her excitement. “Mr. Albertson and I are to be wed.”

  “Oh, truly? That is wonderful news, my dear.”

  Hannah narrowed her eyes at her mother, realization dawning on her. “You already knew, didn’t you?”

  Mischief shone in the Duchess’ eyes. “Your father already told me of Mr. Albertson’s intentions to ask for your hand.”

  “Father knows?” Hannah gasped.

  “Yes, when they went hunting this morning, Mr. Albertson asked the Duke for his blessings. And, of course he said yes.”

  “So he had it all planned out, did he?” Pleasure warmed her chest.

  “My husband tells me that Mr. Albertson didn’t look prepared for it himself. At first, he simply asked for permission to court you. Then, when your father said yes, he decided to take it a step further.”

  “Oh, Mother, I’m so happy!” Hannah allowed herself to relax, to gush as much as she wanted to. “I can hardly believe this is happening!”

  “Neither can I, Hannah,” the Duchess said with a wide, happy grin. “To think that after failing to secure a husband during the Season, you would have one come to you in the end.”

  “Mother, none of those gentlemen in London can compare to Mr. Albertson. None of them are half as handsome and kind as he is.”

  “I’ll take your word for it,” the Duchess chuckled. “It’s decided then. We’ll have a ball in honor of your betrothal.”

  “Truly, Mother? That would be lovely.”

  The Duchess nodded. “As soon as we can. It would be nice to have some festivities around here and after the Prince leaves tomorrow, we will be free to do as we wish.”

  Hannah frowned. She’d nearly forgotten about the terrible Prince in all her excitement. “Where is the Prince now? I thought he might have been with you?”

  “After breakfast, he claimed he was feeling unwell and retired to his bedchamber. Thank heavens.”

  “Mother!” Hannah shot a fearful glance at the door.

  “Oh, it’s all right, Hannah,” said the Duchess, waving a dismissive hand. “You needn’t worry about the Prince anymore. Soon, he’ll be out of our home and out of our lives and you can focus on your new life with Mr. Albertson.”

  That she could. Rowland’s last words before they parted ways not too long ago whispered across her mind. He told her that he would be heading to the woods tonight as well. An invitation, though he didn’t frame it as one.

  Hannah’s intimate spot tingled at the thought and she tried not to squirm. Images were already popping up in her mind, things she wanted to do to him tonight, with him, and she tried not to sigh in longing.

  * * *

  Another set of rumors blazed throughout the manor like wildfire. By the end of the day, not only did everyone know that Hannah had kissed the Duke’s guest in broad daylight, but they now knew that they were to be married. Whispers of an upcoming ball in honor of Hannah’s and Rowland’s pending nuptials trembled through the halls as well.

  None of the servants dared to approach Rowland with the news, though he was well aware that they knew. But, throughout the day, whenever he had the chance to see Hannah, he would catch a glimpse of a servant congratulating her. She always welcomed them with a wide and inviting smile, which inspired more of them to approach her. The sight, for some reason, warmed him.

  But there was another breed of warmth melting his self-control. They were never truly around each other again after their time in the gardens. Only a few glimpses here and there as he went about his business and she went about hers. But every time Rowland caught sight of her lovely dark hair, or her laughing green and gold eyes, his groin tightened with need. He longed to be able to pull her into him and kiss her senseless and he couldn’t wait for the day they were both able to do so without repercussions.

  He had to rein in his desire for her as best as he could, but he found it incredible difficult when they were sitting next to each other during dinner. As it had been for the last few days, Hannah was sandwiched between Rowland and the Prince, who suddenly seemed to be in better spirits.

  The Prince talked non-stop throughout dinner, as if making up for his silence during breakfast. Usually, Rowland would have been annoyed by it, as he was annoyed by anything the Prince said or did, but he was in too good a mood to care. He only focused on Hannah, trying not to look at her too often and failing.

  As if the Duke and Duchess were aware of the fact that Hannah and Rowland were in their own little bubble, they engaged the Prince in discussions. Lady Ro
samund and Lady Violet were silent, attempting to keep up with the conversation but obviously failing to understand—or to care about it—very much.

  Hannah glanced at him again, when she thought no one was paying any mind, and when she saw that he was already looking at her, she smiled. It continued like that for the rest of dinner, both of them wanting to do more, to say more, but knowing that it would be terribly inappropriate. So he bided his time the way he knew she was biding hers.

  Dinner took much too long to be over and there was still some time before he could truly meet with her the way he wanted to. Rowland declined to go drinking with the Prince and instead, claimed he was tired and went straight to his bedchamber. He didn’t do much to pass the time but think about Hannah, who was no doubt waiting in her bedchamber as well.