Page 17 of Discovering the Duke

William stroked her only a time or two more before sliding his hand free and releasing her skirts.

She blinked up at him.

“That should have been our wedding night,” he said with regret. “I was too afraid of hurting you.”

“None of that hurt.” She closed her eyes and gave a lazy, languid smile. “I want to do that again.”

He wouldn’t survive a second time. Even now, his cock ached with indignation. “Oh, we will. Many times.”

She chuckled, the sound low and sensual, and he knew well that the decision to give her pleasure had been a good one. His plan was working.

Chapter 7

Dinner was a far less extravagant affair than the previous days but was by no means without elegance or proper decorum. After all, one did not generally anticipate several extra days in a house party due to a blizzard striking in March.

In truth, Julia could have been served mealworms and probably would not have noticed. Not when her body was still soaring from all those lovely sensations William had wrought upon her simply with the movement of his hand. And now he sat at her side, handsome and charming, engaging in polite conversation as though none of it had happened.

But it had. Oh, it definitely had. The occasional side glance he slid her way told her he was anticipating the next time as much as she was.

But that was not the only thing she continued to remember. Hodges’s words prodded at her as well. The reason William was so perfect. He’d had spent the better part of his life making himself immaculate, so he could stay in a home where he was inevitably sent away from regardless. And now, he was once more trying to be perfect to keep her.

The very idea tugged at the inside of her chest.

Her mind twisted, wrestling between the real William she was beginning to discover, and the fear she harbored that he might someday break her heart. What she did know was that the simple act of leaving him, even to use the necessary, made her ache to be with him once more.

That was not a good sign, was it?

After reaching the retiring room and convincing a very naughty Bruiser to wait patiently outside, Julia entered to find Lady Jane dabbing her eyes.

Her bright gaze found Julia’s. “Do you think he likes me? Lord Hesterton, I mean.”

Julia suppressed a cringe at the question. It was obvious the man was trying to be rid of the failed match attempt. “Why do you ask?”

“The topic of marriage came up at dinner. First Lord Mortry declared he would never trust his heart to a woman. With his terrible past, it’s so easy to see why, the poor dear. And then Noah proclaimed he had no wish to marry a pretty young thing who is merely out to get his title and wealth.”

“That is why you believe he doesn’t like you?” Julia asked.

Lady Jane nodded miserably.

“What do you like about him?” Julia asked.

Lady Jane blinked. “He’s a marquis.”

“And what else?” Julia prodded. “His pleasant demeanor? His willingness to try new things?” She barely managed not to laugh.

“What did you like about the duke?” Lady Jane asked.

Well, now, that was a good question, wasn’t it? Julia had been glad for the opportunity to escape her home. But it had been more than that.

“He was kind.” Julia smiled softly at the memories of when they were courting. “He’s such a large man, and yet his touch was always gentle, his words always soft spoken and considerate.”

Lady Jane furrowed her brow. “I don’t think anything about Lord Hesterton is soft…”

“Do you like that?” Julia asked.

The younger woman shook her head.

Lady Doursly shoved into the room, followed by the little white dog that immediately attached himself to Julia’s side.