Page 6 of Abducting his Duchess

His speech is without flourish, delivered as dryly as the cook reading off her list of needed ingredients. Still though, the sisters buy into the act as tears stream down their cheeks. Next to them, the governess simply watches on, her brows furrowing as she watches Blackport twitch in a far more dramatic flair than his words.

William storms over, sending his mother into a flurry of false hysterics. She rocks back and forth, clutching at her fichu as she mumbles a prayer to the heavens. Unable to contain myself, I throw my body over hers and look up at my husband.

“Oh please, Sir. Spare us. You may have whatever you like. Just spare us.”

He pokes his head into the landau and looks at each of us before spearing me with a heated glance. “I am after only the finest of treasure. What baubles do you carry?”

“Sir, we are without decoration, as you can plainly see. Just some women heading off to the country to take in the good air.”

I look over at the sisters who still sob and quake. Can they not smell their brother? Are they so far gone they can’t even recognize his voice? I would laugh, but it would ruin the scene he set up.

“If you have nothing for me, then I shall have to take one of you instead. What about that younger one? She seems strong enough to cook and clean for me.”

At the very mention of doing chores, Lady Elizabeth howls a heart-rending cry to the heavens. This has certainly gone on long enough.

“Pray, good sir. Take me in her stead. I will work hard for you. If, indeed, hard work is what you require.”

“I’m sure I can find other ways to make you useful. Come. I shall look at you in the light of the golden sun, unmarred by the trappings of this landau.”

His mother reaches out for me, her fingers digging into my arm. “Do not sacrifice yourself. What about William? Whatever will he do without you?”

“Oh, I think he can manage. I’ve spent far too many days in his presence and long for a change of scenery.”

“Clearly, Madam,” he growls out. “You do not know a good thing when you have it.”

“In truth, my good sir, he was beginning to bore me. I’d much rather give up my life in sacrifice than live cloistered away.” Looking over at Lady Elizabeth, I gather her hand in mine. “I do this for you. Do not let my sacrifice be in vain.”

Stepping over the dowager duchess, I give her a conspiratorial wink and open the door. Before I can step out, William’s warm hands wrap around my waist, dragging me against the hard planes of his body.

“Please,” I cry out as he carries me away. “Do not forget me. Allow my memory to stay poignant on your lips.”

CHAPTER 4

WILLIAM

“Allow my memory to stay poignant on your lips?” I laugh, swatting her arse as I carry her to my stallion. “Who knew this lass I found would be such a poet and so very accommodating?”

She beats at my shoulders, her blows light and playful. “Please, you fiend, be gentle with me. I am a married woman and not accustomed to such rough treatment.”

Pausing, I throw my head back and laugh, the dark chuckle reverberating through the trees. My little wife has such a penchant for the theatre. “I shall do as I like. You gave yourself to me, remember? And if that means ruining you for your husband, then so be it.”

Her scent of arousal drifts about my head, making my vision swim. All I want to do is bury my cock inside her, to knot her as I slam her wrists down into the dirt. It’s agony playing this farce, but it’s a game we will both enjoy if I can only muster the patience to see it through.

“Please, my husband is but a humble man. One with very little to his name. I am his prized jewel. If I were to be returned tarnished…Well, I’m afraid he’ll have nothing to live for. I would so hate for him to sully the floor with his untimely demise.”

“You went a bit dark with that one, my love,” I chuckle, running my fingers up the back of her thighs. “Fictional or not, I do not wish for you to picture your husband as deceased.”

Her soft laugh caresses my skin just like a cool breeze in the hot desert. It runs across me like phantom fingers, touching, teasing. “I do apologize. I guess I was caught up in the moment. Shall I make amends?”

I lower her to the ground next to Storm, pressing her back up against the solid wall of horseflesh. “Do you think you can?”

Her lashes flutter as she glances down at my erection straining against my buckskin breeches. “My husband has kept me in the dark about how a woman can please her man, but if you promise to teach me your dark secrets, I’ll strive to be the perfect pupil.”

Damnation. Though I’ve fucked her in nearly every way imaginable, she still manages to wear her innocence like a cloak. It’s tantalizing, tempting, and far too difficult to resist. When she runs her fingers up my shaft, her eyes wide with feigned innocence, I’m nearly done for.

“Please, good sir. Teach me. I so long to learn what it's like to shatter under a man’s touch.”

“And your husband?” My voice is gruff, hoarse with need.