Page 50 of In Service to the Duke

Every night, I’ve entered her room and watched her sleep, scented her luscious body, but refused to go any further. She’s a madness which claws at my brain, rendering me unable to think. All I wanted to do was scoop her into my arms and defile her, tying her to me for all eternity.

If I had managed to sneak her away, I would never have given her back. I know this. Once chained to my bed, she’d have no choice but to marry me. But then, that’s not how I want our union to start. I want her to want this. Damn it, I want her to crave me as much as I crave her. Why is she being so difficult?

Couldn’t she just pretend to want me? Shouldn’t my money be enough of a draw to make her at least put on a show for me? Hell, you would think the prestige of being a duchess would at least have enticed her.

I’m so used to women wishing to trap me that her actions make no logical sense. Here I am, offering up what every omega dreams about, and she shoves it away as if it’s a paltry offering. I would give her the world if she would just say yes.

But no.

Her words continue to pound into my brain. ‘I cannot marry you.’ She damn well could. She’s just refusing to. It’s the why I don’t understand. I can’t fathom anyone saying no to me, most of all her.

Tugging on the reins, I pull Hunter to the side, keeping her safe. The fury I feel at her rejection isn’t the only emotion roiling through me right now. Terror for her well-being and jealousy war within me, blurring my vision until I can no longer see her clearly.

What the devil was she doing out in the woods all alone? Dismounting, I stride over to her, tugging Hunter behind me. The snort of annoyance he gives me is nothing compared to the irritation slithering up my spine.

Before she can concoct some story, I look her up and down. She’s disheveled, but not nearly enough if she was rolling about with some other male. Bits of leaves and grass stick out of her hair, however, giving me pause. Leaning in, I smell her, my gut clenching as I seek out the scent of another man.

There’s nothing there. The only thing I can pick up is her addicting scent and the natural smells of the woods. Relief skitters over my body, allowing me to breathe for a moment. But each inhale is laced with Miss Gillet. Has she always smelled this delectable?

No doubt it’s the time and distance apart which makes me want to devour her. It simply makes sense. Clearing my throat, I step back, needing some space between us. I cannot think when she smells that good and looks up at me with such innocence. Somehow, the pull is even stronger than usual, even more than when I looked in on her at night.

“When you were not present at breakfast, my sisters were worried.”

I purposefully leave off the part where I was worried too. It would serve neither of us any good to rehash things. However, at my words, her face seems to fall. Or am I just imagining it?

“Forgive me, Your Grace. I got turned around, is all. I’m still not familiar with your property.”

Again, that frisson of anger threatens to cause me to lash out. “If you are unfamiliar, then why go walking about to begin with? You could have been injured, and no one would have been the wiser. What were you thinking?”

If only she were mine. I would drag her down to my dungeon and lay into her with one of my crops, teaching her to never scare me like that again. But she isn’t mine. Shaking my head, I turn, unable to look at her any longer.

“What I was thinking was getting some fresh air that’s not tainted with the scent of your ire,” she cries out.

When I whirl back around, she holds her hands in front of her lips, as if trying to hold back the words which already spilled forth. Again, I stalk forward, my cock pulsing as she scurries back like the cornered prey she is.

“I don’t give a damn if my scent fills your very bedchamber. This is my estate. My scent will be here. You, however, do not have to be.”

The moment the words leave my lips, I regret it. This isn’t the way any of this is supposed to go. Unfortunately, when I’m around her, all rational thought leaves.

Sighing, I lift my hands in an attempt to soothe her. “Forgive me, I-”

“You’ve said quite enough,” she murmurs back, her tone quiet yet even. “If you want me gone, I shall pack my things.”

“No. If anyone is to leave, it will be me. My sisters need you more than me, and so I will depart until such time as they are ready for their coming out.”

Miss Gillet puts her hand over her heart, blinking fast as if to keep tears at bay. Could it be that she really does care? I can’t allow myself to think of that. I cannot allow myself to come under her spell again.

“Please, Your Grace. As you’ve said. This is your house. I’m merely a stranger in it. Allow me time to say my goodbyes and pack.”

As she turns to walk off, I grab her wrist. I told myself I wouldn’t touch her, but I can’t help it. I need to feel her skin brush against mine. It’s as necessary as the air I breathe.

“Please, Miss Gillet. I spoke in anger. The girls flourish under your tutelage. Please stay with us. I’ll simply take a short hunting trip to clear my mind. No need for you to go away.”

A light blush creeps up her cheeks, and my damned cock twitches at the sight. “You flatter me, Your Grace. The girls do well because they already have such a strong foundation. I’m merely polishing the few rough spots I see.”

“With Margaret,” I tease in desperation, needing to see at least one smile lift her pretty little lips. “It’s more than a few. I swear the whole sister needs to be tossed out and started over with.”

Finally, the governess laughs, a soft, soothing sound which calms my nerves. As much as her presence here vexes me, I’d rather deal with her intrusion than to not have her at all. Besides, how can I whittle her down if she’s gone?