A Ladys Pleasure (8 page)

Her lady’s maid, Ellen, entered with a cup of cocoa and a note, which she handed to her mistress. As Ellen busied herself straightening the room, Lily opened the note. After reading it, she gave a pleased smile.

“Ellen? Please lay out the riding habit again. I will be going out again this morning with His Grace.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

* * * *

The next several days followed a similar pattern. She and Richard rode every morning. She’d come to treasure that time because it was during their rides that she felt like she was really coming to know the man rather than the passionate lover or the honorable duke. They explored the estate and one another, finding many areas of common interests and beliefs, and even enjoying those areas of difference. Both had wicked senses of humor, and they both felt close to the land, preferring the outdoors to sitting around and wasting time on frivolous indoor activities. The duke, she learned, had a hands-on approach to managing his estates. He told her that, though it hadn’t always been the case, these days he much preferred the time he spent in the country to the endless rounds of balls and card parties to be found in the capital. He did spend plenty of time in London during the season and periodically throughout the year because he took his seat in the House of Lords very seriously.

Lily had never been to London, and she enjoyed his stories of the antics members of the
ton
got up to. Some of the things he told her she accused him of making up just to make her laugh, but he kept assuring her that he didn’t need to make up stories. The members of the
ton
could always be counted on to do something shocking or ridiculous without any need for embellishment on his part. She also teased him about his reputation as a rake, which he didn’t bother to deny, though he assured her that it was impossibly exaggerated. She told him she doubted it.

They also spent some time socializing with Stephen and Caroline’s other guests, joining in the afternoon teas and evening card games. She ignored the speculative glances from both the men and women as they noted the marked attention that Richard paid to her. She and the duke were very careful to give the gossips nothing upon which to remark unfavorably.

And every night they spent wrapped in one another’s arms. Richard patiently introduced her to things she’d never before imagined, and she blossomed under his tutelage. He was a creative and generous lover, pushing her to try new experiences and praising her lavishly for her passionate responses. She explored his body and came to know it nearly as well as she knew her own.

The last day of the house party found her unaccountably depressed. She had known the end of the week would signify the end of their affair, so she wasn’t sure why she was so miserable at the idea of leaving Richard. Yet she was. On their morning ride she was unable to conceal her melancholy from the duke.

“Is something bothering you this morning, Lily?”

She tried to shrug off her preoccupation. “No. Of course not, Richard.”

“Not sorry to see the week come to an end?”

She glanced over, surprised by his comment. “What do you mean?”

He met her gaze candidly. “I’m going to miss you, Lily, and the time we’ve spent together. I was hoping you felt the same.”

Refusing to prevaricate in the face of his honesty, she answered, “I do. I must confess, I hate for our time together to end. Is that too shameful of me?” She saw a smile light up his features at her answer

“It doesn’t have to end, you know, Lily.”

She raised a brow. “Oh, have you plans for coming and spending time in Melksham soon, then?”

He laughed softly. “No, but I was hoping you might be persuaded to come to London.”

“London?” she echoed, as if she’d never heard of the place.

“Yes, my little country mouse. London. You know…big city, lots of people, center of government. Perhaps you’ve heard of it?”

“Why ever would I go to London?”

“Well, it’s still the season, you know. There will be lots of people there. Stephen and Caroline are planning to go up next week. I’m sure she told me that she’s asked you to join them.”

That was true. Caroline always invited Lily to visit her in London, but she’d always refused. It had never held any particular attraction for her…until now.

“I…I don’t know what to say. This is rather unexpected. My plans…”

“Can easily be altered.”

“But I have no clothes suitable…”

“I know this may come as a surprise, but there are dressmakers and shops in London.

Some of them quite good, I believe.” He moved his horse close enough so that he could clasp her hand in his. “Please come, sweetheart. It will be so boring without you.” He gave her hand a squeeze. “I find I have not had my fill of you yet, Lily. I need more time.”

She hesitated only a moment before caving in, unable to combat his urging coupled with her own desires. Why not continue seeing Richard a bit longer? What harm could it do, after all? “All right. I believe I shall.” Immediately the melancholy which had hung over her dissipated. She had made the right decision. Going to London and continuing their affair was a risk, however. She must be sure not to make the mistake of falling for him. That way would be sure disaster.

He grinned down at her and dropped a quick kiss on her mouth. “Excellent, my lady.

Most excellent.”

Chapter Five

The Duke of Carlisle stood propped against the wall in the elegant ballroom, watching as yet another dashing gentleman led Lily onto the dance floor. The past few weeks had been a combination of gratification and frustration. Having Lily with him in London had been everything he had hoped it would be. Caroline had rushed her to the dressmaker’s as soon as they’d reached London, and in no time at all, she’d been all set to enter society as the stylish widow of Edgar Laughton, Lord Morley. She’d been eagerly welcomed by the young matrons and respectable widows, thanks to her good friend Lady Brentwood.

He’d enjoyed introducing her to the pleasures of town life, seeing everything anew through her fascinated and spellbound eyes. They’d gone to the opera, visited Astley’s Royal Amphitheater, and even gone to see a balloon ascension. He’d waltzed with her in elegant ballrooms, enjoying the feel of her in his arms as they’d circled among the elite of society. Walks in Hyde Park and rides down Rotten Row, they’d done it all. The one thing he hadn’t succeeded in doing, at least not often enough for his satisfaction, was finding time to spend alone with the lady.

So, what he had originally thought of as an incredibly clever plan had turned into something of an exquisite torture. The few trysts he’d managed with Lily had been rushed and unsatisfying. He needed more time with her in private, more time to explore her and what they could have together. He didn’t want her to forget the amazing intimacy, the earth-shattering passion they found together. If he was going to persuade her to be his wife, he wanted her to remember all that they could have. Their physical connection was one of his greatest persuasive tools in his quest to win the lady.

And he realized more and more how desperate he was to win her. His emotions were tied to her in a way he had not expected. And the sight of the men who had been dancing attendance upon her every time she appeared engendered feelings he’d never experienced before. It had taken him some time to realize that what he was experiencing was jealousy.

Pure unrestrained jealousy. It was all he could do not to yank her out of the arms of her dance partners and rush her to some private room where he could prove to her that she belonged to him.

There was not much he could do about it, however. They’d already been the center of some comment. The duke was not often seen dancing attendance upon ladies as he’d been doing with Lily. He was aware that the
ton
was split as to his intentions toward the attractive widow. Some were sure he was paying court to her. Before he’d left for the house party, he had not tried to disguise the fact that he was looking for a wife, and so it was thought that perhaps he had settled on the interesting Lady Morley. Most, however, believed that he was pursuing Lily for other…more…scandalous reasons. He had heard the gossip. Whether he had succeeded or not, they weren’t certain, but they had no doubt that he eventually would have the lady in his bed. He hated that Lily had become the focus of gossip amongst the biddies of the
ton
, and he vowed that when she was his duchess no one would ever again dare speak a word against her. He only hoped that she herself was unaware of the talk that was going round. The last thing he wanted was for her to be hurt from her association with him.

As Lily was led from the floor and immediately claimed by another handsome rogue, he turned away with an expression of disgust, only to be brought up short by the sight of his Aunt Matilda heading his way. He groaned to himself. The nosy, interfering busybody was sure to have something to say about his current situation. Though he wished that he could make a quick exit, the truth was he loved the old woman dearly and knew she had nothing but his best interests at heart. Even though she drove him crazy with her machinations, he knew he’d have to grit his teeth and stand his ground. So with a smile he took her hand and bent over it when she reached him.

“There you are, Carlisle. Been hoping to have a word with you tonight. Walk with me, my boy.” The autocratic order was her idea of a pleasant greeting, he supposed.

“Aunt Matilda, you are in quite good looks tonight.”

“Ha! No need for empty flattery with me, my boy. I’m too old to appreciate your smooth talk and too honest to know it for the rubbish that it is. This gown makes me look like an overstuffed piglet and the turban was more than a mistake. Last time I listen to Eloise Chernowith. Never did know the first thing about fashion, even when she was a young thing. Now walk.”

He suppressed a smile and offered her his arm. They strolled for several minutes exchanging a few simple pleasantries, but he knew that she was just warming him up before diving in for the kill. They reached an empty corner of the ballroom and turned to watch the dancers. “So, I hear you’ve been sniffing after the heels of Lady Morley, Carlisle.”

“As always, Aunt, you never fail to amaze me with your ability to get right to the heart of the matter.”

“Humph! All your other relatives, including your mother I must say, are too polite to tell you the truth to your face. But I warrant they have plenty to say behind your back.”

“I’m pleased to know that you don’t let such a thing as politeness get in your way.”

“Very funny, my boy. I believe in plain speaking. Always have. Saves time. Tell me, what are your intentions in that direction? That is what I’d like to know. You’re not getting any younger you know.”

“I am aware of my responsibilities to my title, my lady.”

“That’s good to hear. It’s past time you settled down and started filling up your nursery. If you’ve settled on Lady Morley, I have no complaint. She’s well-bred and from a good family. Seems quite intelligent besides. Wouldn’t bore you, once the passion dies down, I dare say.”

“Indeed.”

“Also quite interesting looks. Not in the normal way of things, but quite attractive.

Wouldn’t do for you to select someone ill-favored for the next Duchess of Carlisle.”

“Quite.”

“Should breed some handsome children between the pair of you, should you be leaning in that direction.”

Richard coughed in an attempt to cover up a bark of laughter that threatened to overtake him. Plain speaking, indeed. “I should hope so.”

“So? Is the lady the one? Or are you simply…entertaining yourself with her? If that is the case, then I have a few young ladies to whom I would like to introduce you.”

He sighed. “If they’re the usual crop of young debutantes, my lady, I’m afraid I’ll have to pass.”

“Yes. I figured you wouldn’t have much patience for the simpering young misses straight out of the school room. Though there are a few older girls that aren’t quite as bad. Not many, though. Not many at all. Not like in my day when a woman had something to say for herself. Bunch of bleating sheep, that’s what they’re producing these days. No, you’d probably send them packing before the first week was out. If you didn’t strangle them first.”

“You’re correct in that, Aunt. And in fact, you were right when you supposed that I’d fixed my attentions on Lady Morley.”

“Excellent, my boy. I’m quite pleased that you have finally decided to settle down and do you duty. Quite relieves my mind. Does your mother know?”

“I think that might be a bit premature yet, Aunt. I have yet to ask the lady for her hand. You know how Mother is. She’d have the announcement in the paper and the wedding reception planned before I’d even gotten an acceptance.”

“Well, what are you waiting for? No need for all this whiffling about and game playing. Get in there and speak your piece.”

“I have a slight problem. The lady has sworn off marriage.”

His aunt’s eyebrows drew down in thought. “Not surprising, I guess, considering that buffoon of a husband she was married to. If anyone could turn a woman against the idea of matrimony, it would have been Edgar Laughton. Never could stand the man. Felt very sorry for both of his previous wives.”

“You’re correct. Also, she has enjoyed the last two years of freedom. As a fairly well-to-do widow, she has complete control of her money and her time. I’ve been attempting to…er…demonstrate to her that marriage to me has…much to offer that remaining single does not, but I have not yet quite brought the lady up to scratch.”

His aunt looked at him, a knowing glint in her eyes. “I’m sure you’re being quite…persuasive.”

He laughed. “I’m doing my best.”

“Well, you need to hurry it up, boy. The way all those others are flittering around her like a bunch of ninnyhammers, if you don’t watch out, someone will steal her out from under your nose. Then you’ll be stuck with one of the whey-faced debs.”

He grimaced. “The thought has occurred to me. Believe me, I’m doing everything in my power. I have a plan.”

“A plan, eh. Well, I hope it’s a good one. Now, take me back over to sit with Lady Rigby and Countess Turlow. I’m too old for all this gadding about.”