Page 20 of A Tale of Two Dukes

Still refusing to speak, Birchleigh cups water in his hands and runs it down my back before taking a cake of soap and cleaning me. The act is so intimate, so endearing. It causes my heart to break even further.

We sit there in the silence for what feels like an eternity. Neither of us says a word as he continues to cleanse away the actions of tonight. Even connected, he still seeks out every spot he can.

Soon, his fingers drift back down between my thighs, but instead of pleasuring me, he keeps his touch distant, clinical almost. That is until he runs his finger through the curls at my entrance. When he grazes that spot between my thighs that makes me moan and clench, it brings a soft smile to his lips

But he doesn’t stay there long. It’s just enough to reignite the need inside me before he dances away. His touch changes, switching up until he’s rubbing me, kneading my sore muscles.

Until this moment, I had no idea how much tension I was holding. But it melts at his insistence. Soon, I’m a languid puddle floating in the water, only connected to him by the knot which locks us together.

“I want you as my mistress.”

“What?” I say in unison as another voice chimes in with me.

CHAPTER 9

William

Madame Douler’s voice rings out with an uncharacteristic tinge, drowning out Kitty’s softer tone. As if on instinct, the omega huddles in on herself and sinks further into the water, hiding our nakedness. It’s that small action that reminds me of her innocence, sending a shaft of guilt through my heart.

The self-recrimination doesn’t last long, however. As the madame slides further into the room, it shifts to irritation. She should have tried harder to illuminate me as to the nature of this girl. Had I known her virtue was still intact, I wouldn’t have taken her in such a brutish manner.

Bollocks. Who am I kidding? With the strength of my ardor, I’m not sure I would have taken her in a gentle manner—virgin or not. Either way, emotions surge through me, seeking a target.

Right now, the woman causing my omega distress seems just as fine a bullseye as any. Through slitted lids, I watch as she steps fully into the room, pausing at the edge of the tub. Though I want to lash out at her, to demand recompense, if I’m being honest, the person I’m really mad at is myself.

I should have paid more attention. I should have listened to the voice inside demanding I listen to the hesitancy of her body. Deep down, I knew. I just didn’t want to believe it.

Forcing myself to drape my arms over the copper rim of the tub instead of holding Kitty to me, I look Madame Douler up and down. It still irritates me that I allowed her to sneak up on us like this. Normally, part of me would still be alert, looking for anything that might threaten harm.

As a duke, those threats are more likely now than ever. It’s not as if I was born into this role. No, I garnered my title from the fall of another. And seeing this devilish twin here tonight only highlights that I have potential enemies everywhere.

I’m not stupid. Assassination plans don’t usually just involve one person. And with any reigning monarch, there’s bound to be those that oppose their rule. The fact that I ‘earned’ my title on the death of another of the Ton could easily spell out enemies I never had before.

Fucking Hugh. If only I had known of this twin and forced him off of our shores. Then again, just because one brother was bad doesn’t mean the other is. Besides, if he was cast off as he claims, he probably holds no love for either his family or ancestral seat.

Still though, he’s a complication I never expected to have. I shouldn’t have been so caught up in this delightful piece of flesh that I forgot who I was or how I came to be. Closing my eyes, I let my consciousness drift about, taking in all the noises from the club.

Though this room is off to the side, secluded in some ways, this is still a public venue. There’s no way I can fully let my guard down until Kitty is tucked away in my secondary residence. There, I can indulge without fear of a knife plunging into my back. Or worse, someone harming Kitty while she’s underneath me.

“Madame,” I growl out, feigning a nonchalance I don’t feel. “I am taking Kitty as my mistress. Once she and I are done with this room, I will see to the details. In the meantime, you will find my manservant and send him on to my house. He will need to alert the others to air out Loxsbury. It must be prepared for its newest mistress.”

Madame Douler gives a small curtsy with only the slightest hint of aggravation stiffening her spine. From the other side of the tub, Kitty watches the interaction, her eyes wide. Seeing her uncertainty only makes me want to take her again.

I won’t, however. Not until she’s tucked away at my other home. Reaching over, I scrape my nail against the swell of her breast, easing off a piece of wax. We both watch as it floats on the water, a smatter of white against the dark umber of the tub.

Oh, but the sweet, innocent little thing has no idea what’s in store for her at this new residence. Far too long has my dungeon gone untouched. Once she’s ensconced in my pleasure house, I will take her in every room, christening them with her intoxicating scent.

Eventually, my knot softens, allowing me to detach from her addicting body. Again, her gaze drifts down, watching in fascination as I pull out. Poor thing. I wish I could say I was softer and thus not as threatening, but it seems that being around her will ensure that never happens.

Even after I extricate myself, she continues to look down, her brows furrowing. “Yes?”

Blinking up at me, she sucks her bottom lip into her mouth. “I- uh- well… Where did it go?”

This time, it’s my turn to be confused. “Where did what go?”

Her face turns an adorable shade of red as she turns to look away. “When you… released… I felt a sudden warmth down there and… well…”

Tipping my head back, a loud bark of laughter erupts from my lips. Poor, innocent little thing. All her question does is endear me to her even more. I’m smitten, besotted, and desperate to take her again.