The Duke's Dilemma Page 16
"And Lawson accepts what you told him?"
A slight frown crossed Helena's face. “I hope so. He's changed. I see brief glimpses of a darker side of him. Jealousy, anger, and a determination to have what he wants whether it is right or not. And I think Lawson feels I'm obligated to our previous agreement."
"I don't think you have any responsibility to him. Do you care for him at all?"
"Only as a friend,” Helena admitted.
"As for the difference you see in him, he's a grown man, Helena. Being a second son it's not unusual for him to want to make his mark on the world and fight harder for it."
"Perhaps, I don't know.” Helena moved around the room, picking up a porcelain figurine of a small girl.
"What about you, Mary Ann?” she asked, as she sat the porcelain figure back on the table. She turned to sit in the chair beside it.
"No news. I saw Lord Gates briefly at one party, but most of the time he has been out of town. I'm not even sure he will be here this week-end."
"I'm sorry it has not developed as you hoped."
"I have not given up. The man fascinates me more then anyone I've ever met and,” Mary Ann smiled impishly, “he has met his match if he thinks he can continue to ignore me."
"There isn't much you can do if he isn't around."
"Helena, have you ever seen me not get what I want?"
"I'm going to change. We will be expected to join the other guests,” Helena said and watched Mary Ann go toward the adjoining door. “And one more thing.” Mary Ann stopped glancing back at her. “Franklin Gates will not be like your usual conquest to be won with smiles and teasing, Mary Ann. If you think this might be the man you will love, you'd best find a different approach."
* * * *
Nicholas waited in the library for Franklin. Franklin had arrived dirty and disheveled and had gone upstairs to change. Hopefully, he would return soon. Anxious to join the others and see Helena again, Nicholas paced the floor.
She'd seemed pleased to see him. Was she still unsure of what she wanted?
He refused to think she might decide to cancel their contract. Not only did he not want Lawson to have her for personal reasons, but also he didn't like the man and would not trust him to care for her. He was determined to do all he could to keep her at his side.
"Cousin, may I join you?” Harry asked and came in before he received an answer. “People are looking for you in the drawing room. I believe even your lovely betrothed has been searching the room for you... or someone."
"What do you want, Harry?"
"Nothing, only to greet you and thank you for your invitation. I'm aware Ashton Court is your favorite residence and you seldom invite others to join you here."
Nicholas smiled cynically. “There must be more you wish to say or ask."
"Well, I do have one other tiny bit of information. It is rather delicate and I'm not sure how to tell you. I would never want to have something I said bring you pain, cousin."
"For gods sake man, out with it! You don't care a fig about me or my feelings."
"Tut, tut, never did I see such a temper in you before. Well, the gossip is that your darling Lady Helena was seen in the company of one Lord Falscroft. Once in the compromising position of being alone with him. If you wish proof, so you may cancel the marriage contract, I can secure it for you."
"Get out of this room and stay out of my sight. Your meddlesome ways are becoming tiresome. In fact, it might be best if you returned to London. Today.” Nicholas moved closer to his cousin and glared at him.
"I knew I should not try to help you. As usual, you are unappreciative. So be it.” He straightened his cravat. “I will leave, but mark my word you will rue the day you marry that little tramp."
He never saw the fist coming. Happy to put his boxing skills to practice, Nicholas hit Harry squarely in the face.
"Good job, I've wanted to flatten his face many times. I'm sorry you didn't wait and let me hit him.” Franklin came into the room and shut the door behind him. “Won't do for your guests to see the host punching out his cousin."
"Take this pile of trash, dump him on a horse and see he heads to London.” Leaning down he grabbed Harry's collar. “If you ever say another derogatory word about my future wife, I'll leave you to Franklin.” He straightened. “He's not a fair fighter and has no conscience in a clinch."
Franklin hauled Harry to his feet. “Thanks for the compliment. Come on, you worthless example of a man."
Nicholas watched Franklin half carry his cousin out the back way toward the stables. He rubbed his knuckles. They were sore and red, but it felt good. How many times had he held himself back from punching Harry? It definitely felt good.
* * * *
Harry set out toward the road to London. As soon as he knew Franklin couldn't see him anymore, he circled back for his planned meeting.
"Lawson?” Harry spotted the man standing under a canopy of trees.
"That's me. You must be Harry. Odell gave me a good description. How are we going to work together this week-end?"
"I've been thrown off the property, so I'm headed for town. The plan has been set in motion and the men paid."
"Good. I'll be available if they have any questions or problems. You told them how to reach me?"
"Of course.” Harry pulled on his reins and headed back toward the road.
Lawson watched him go out of sight. Odell was holding his past over his head, but once he finished this job, he'd sail away from Odell and everyone else. He had enough money to just disappear.
* * * *
Two rooms opened to form one large drawing room and people strolled around greeting each other. Some guests spilled out onto the wide terrace to enjoy the sunny afternoon. Helena and Mary Ann hesitated in the doorway, before moving inside and joining their brother and Sophia.
"Not that I want to speak with Sophia, but I do want to greet James,” Mary Ann commented.
James smiled and stepped forward, greeting each sister with a hug. “You both look well.” He studied Helena. “I hope we will be hearing good news soon of your impending marriage."
"She will tell you of an impending marriage in good time, James,” Sophia's icy voice broke into the conversation. “Whether it will be to the duke is the big question."
James frowned at his wife. “She is speaking in jest. We all know your plans are still to marry the duke, aren't they?"
"Could we speak of something besides my marriage? There must be more interesting topics of conversation,” Helena insisted.
"See I told you as soon as I saw Lawson Falscroft arrive with his mother, I knew.” Sophia smiled a tight triumphant smile at her husband.
Helena turned her back on her meddling sister-in-law. Nicholas had invited Lawson as she suspected he would. This was certain to make the week-end party more stressful. Surveying each group of people, she tried to spot Nicholas. She noted Lady Falscroft sat beside another older woman and they were busy talking and watching the crowd.
The duchess with her dog, Pebbles, moved regally from group to group, stopping to greet each guest. It was strange Nicholas did not attend her.
Conversation slowed and stopped. Nicholas entered the room. Smiling he nodded at various guests as he made his way toward Helena. The sound of voices speaking softly followed in his wake.
"Your Grace.” Helena curtsied.
"I am anxious to hear you finally call me Nicholas. Your Grace is beginning to grate on my nerves.” His eyes teased her.
Turning his attention to the others in her group, he spoke with James and acknowledged Sophia. Helena observed the effort he made to make her family feel welcome.
His arm brushed hers when he had reached out to shake James hand. A shock ran across her skin.
"Mary Ann, you're unusually quiet. I hope you are not ill?"
"You are being impertinent, Your Grace. You know I am fine.” Mary Ann smiled at him, and then added, “Will your friend, Lord Gates, be coming to the party?"
Nicholas appeared deep in thought while the others waited for his answer.
"Yes, I believe my mother did send him an invitation. Gates is rather a law unto himself though. I never know if he will show up or not. Do I detect an interest in my friend?"
Helena noted Mary Ann blush, then frown suspiciously at the slight smile on Nicholas’ face. A sudden silence around them made Helena look to the door.
Lawson had entered, dressed impeccably in blue trousers and matching coat with a silver vest. His gold hair tousled and his blue eyes sparkled with laughter.
Please don't Lawson, her thoughts screamed out to him. He continued straight as an arrow in her direction.
"Your Grace.” Lawson nodded to the duke. “How lovely you look, Helena. I always did like to see you in blue. All those years away I remembered you in the blue dress you wore to the last dance we attended, before I left."
Everyone knew of his recent rescue and Helena heard the people closest to her whispering after overhearing the conversation. Soon the words flew over the room like ripples on a lake.
Frowning at Lawson, she snatched her hand back when he tried to continue to hold it. “Behave,” she whispered to him.
Ignoring her, he turned to the duke. “Thank you for inviting my mother and me, Your Grace. I wouldn't be so fair and gracious to an opponent."
"I don't believe we're in a contest for anything, Lord Falscroft. Whatever can you mean?"
Both men silently challenged the other. Blue eyes stared into green. The stillness of their bodies and the stance of their posture held the breathless attention of the inquisitive members of the Ton.
The duke lips curved slowly in a smile, but Helena saw it never reached the steely hardness of his eyes. “You and your mother are very welcome. I hope you will enjoy your visit."
He turned to Helena and placed her hand on his arm. “Come, my dear, I've been looking forward to showing you the beauty of the grounds outside my home."
She felt the movement of hard muscle under her hand and saw the look of possessiveness on Nicholas’ face. He led her out the French windows and onto the terrace. They heard the rush of conversation behind them.
Helena hadn't missed the flash of hostility Lawson directed at Nicholas when they walked by him. She was relieved to be outside away from his animosity.
Realizing she'd been holding her breath during most of the conversation between the two men, she took a deep breath of fresh air. She was also unaware of tightening her hand on Nicholas’ arm, until his other hand reached over and covered hers.
"Are you all right, Lady Helena?"
"Yes.” She refused to meet his eyes and continued to study the various plants and flowers as they strolled along the walkway.
"I have a particular place I'd like to show you. Do you mind taking a little walk off the regular path?"
Curious she looked up.
"That's better, my dear. You're not to blame for other people's bad manners."
She noticed him glance at her soft shoes. “I will replace those lovely shoes if you ruin them on the walk."
"Nonsense, you have my curiosity aroused."
Tugging at her hand, he stepped off the path and they walked into a group of trees. The musty smell of dampness from the rain last night rose from the leaves disturbed by their steps. In the distance, a trio of peacocks screeched.
"I've always thought they make the most ungodly noise. Why my mother ever wanted them is beyond me,” Nicholas said.
"They're lovely to look at, but I agree they make an awful racket.” He took her hand and guided her across a clearing and over a bridge spanning the lake. Two regal white swans floated by on the still water.
"Wherever are you taking me?"
"We're almost there. Be patient.” His face reflected a bit of mischief.
Another new side to this man, there seemed to be layers and layers to him. Very interesting, not at all the staid, boring man Mary Ann described that day at their home.
Reaching the far end of the lake, backed up into the surrounding trees, she saw their destination.
"It's lovely.” A small Grecian style building of white stone, with purple chrysanthemums planted around the front, sat edged against the forest behind it. White pillars stood at the entrance.
"Would you like to see the inside?"
"Very much. I've seen several of these types of buildings on other estates, but none so lovely."
"My father gave it to my mother as her present on their tenth wedding anniversary. It's been the family joke. No one could imagine my stern father having such a folly built."
"Did she like it?” Helena had difficulty imagining his mother enjoying such a gift.
"I believe she did. They often disappeared for hours on end. We suspected where they were, but none of us were brave enough to check. My father did have a powerful temper."
"I would have liked to have met him. Perhaps I did when I was younger, but if so I don't remember."
"Come.” He led her up the steps and inside the one room building.
A small window at the back let in lilac light through the colored panes. Curved seats ran along the sides covered in soft pillows. A table sat in the middle. Today a white cloth covered it and fruit, pieces of cheese, and bread along with two glasses, and a bottle of wine covered its surface.
"You planned this?"
"I hoped to bring you here. Lawson gave me the opportunity.” A devious smile crossed his face. “Won't you join me in some refreshments before we have to return to our guests?"
"They will miss us and be wondering. It is not at all the proper thing to be gone too long."
"It doesn't matter. We will be married soon,” he added. “The people who love to gossip will turn to another topic. The Ton is always looking for fresh news. Please give me this private time."
Pleasure moved through her. “All right.” She went to the table and took a piece of apple and cheese to taste.
Nicholas poured two glasses of wine and held one out to her. His gaze never left her face as she took her first swallows.
They sipped wine and the air sparkled with tension as their eyes met. Helena's heart raced. Having realized how much she did want to marry him filled her with quiet joy.
Finally, he sat their glasses on the table, brushed his lips over her fingers, and then pulled her against his body. “I have dreamed of having you here. The softness of the light only enhances the silken beauty of your skin.” His lips moved feather light across her face and she closed her eyes.
Strong arms held her tight. “I want you.” Her eyes flew open. “I want to touch and taste every spot on your body.” His husky voice sent shivers across her jangled nerves.
Hard lips met hers. She opened her mouth welcoming the caress of his tongue and mouth molding to hers. A hand moved along her throat and across her shoulder, then closed over her breast. His lips followed the trail of his hand, leaving a path of fire. His finger flicked across her hardened nipple.
When her knees weakened, he swept her into his arms and sat on the cushioned seat. He pushed aside the light muslin material at her neckline, moving his lips across the top of her breast. Heat and need rushed further down her body. Her hands moved around his neck, pulling him even closer.
They both heard the sound and froze.
Her senses returned and she hurriedly straightened her clothes. He motioned her to silence.
"All clear.” a familiar voice came outside the closed door.
"Lord Gates?” she asked accusingly.
Nicholas sat her to his side and stood. He moved to the opposite side of the small room. “Someone must have been snooping around or he would never have disturbed us."
"He knew we were here? Did you plan to compromise me?"
"You were not objecting.” He ran his hand through his hair disturbing the usual neatness of it. “But no, I only wanted
some time alone with you. Should I apologize that I was overwhelmed by my desire?"
Angry both at him and her self, Helena stalked to the door. “I can find my own way back, thank you. It would be best if we not arrive together after so long a time."
He didn't comment as she went out the door. She sensed he watched as she sped back through the trees. She only slowed when she reached the walkway. Smoothing her hair, she strolled along the walk and around past the terrace toward the door. She'd go upstairs and decide on her gown for this evening. She wanted time alone. Some of the guests still wandered around outside, while others must have gone to their rooms.
Nodding and smiling at people she passed, she finally reached the house and closed the side door behind her. She managed to get to her room without meeting anyone else.
Her mirror reflected a flushed face and rosy lips which looked thoroughly kissed. She hoped no one saw the guilt on her face in passing. Her gown did not look too rumpled. She never expected the strong overwhelming feelings that his touch had brought forth.
The experience with Lawson had been embarrassing and hurt. One of the reasons she hadn't wanted to ever consider marriage. But her body reacted very differently to Nicholas right from the first. A flame of heat went through her at the thought and her breasts tightened at the memory of his warm mouth and fingers touching her.
She lay across her bed and gazed out the window as fluffy clouds floated by and visions of Nicholas filled her mind. They'd plan their wedding and everything would be fine, except she remembered Franklin calling out to them and a cold chill swept over her
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Chapter 20
Nicholas took his time straightening his clothes and hair. His uneven breathing slowed. A knock brought his attention to the half open door. He wished Helena had returned to talk out their misunderstanding, but he knew that wasn't going to happen.
"Nicholas?"
"Come in, Franklin."
"Sorry about earlier."
"Your timing is always impeccable, my friend."
Franklin's gaze went to the window, anywhere, but at the man in front of him.