The Duke's Temptation (5 page)

And it was more than simply a desire to change Gabe’s perception of her. She had something to prove to herself. After she’d become orphaned, people had begun to treat her like glass, afraid she would break with any hardship. Even Marcus tried to protect her from every possible heartache. It was time to show everyone, even herself, she was far from delicate.

She gave her room a final once-over, as new resolve flowed through her. Ready to take control of her life, she would find the same happiness her parents had shared. If she’d learned anything from their deaths, it was how incredibly fragile life was.

With renewed purpose, she turned to exit the room just as Marcus appeared in the entrance.

Lines of worry were imprinted on his face. “Are you sure about this, Lizzy?”

At his concern, insecurity fought with her determination.

“If you have any doubts, say the word,” he added. “We will find a different solution.”

It would be so easy to cave and let Marcus take control. To back out before it all became too much. Instead she filled her lungs with a deep breath and summoned the strength to take control and thus prove herself capable. “I’ll be fine.” She smiled. “If I run into troubles, Aunt Millie will come to my aid. We both know beneath her ladylike exterior she is a force to be reckoned with.”

Marcus’s smile eased his severe appearance. “I can recall quite easily what a force she can be. Growing up, she never failed to take it upon herself to impose some well-needed discipline on me.”

Laughter joined her words. “And, as I recall, you earned every lesson you received.”

“And you are still the same scamp that managed to avoid punishment.” Brotherly affection reflected from green eyes that matched her own. “I came to inform you Aunt Millie sent a message that she will escort you to Gabe’s with her carriage.” Seriousness washed away his joy. “Lizzy, I know things weren’t easy for you after Mother and Father died and I know I was a poor substitute.”

Elizabeth opened her mouth to deny Marcus’s claim but he cut her off with a wave of his hand. “I love you and I only want what is best for you. That being said, if this is what you desire, I will support you, even if I don’t feel it is entirely appropriate.”

Tears filled her eyes and thickened her words. “I love you, too. Thank you, not merely for this but for everything. You might not have been Mother and Father but you were the next best thing and more than I could have ever asked for.”

Anxious to ensure Marcus knew how indebted she was for all he had done, she reached for him and hugged him. Only a second passed before his arms came around her and offered a tight squeeze. After he released her, she stepped back and found his eyes shining with tears of their own.

Marcus cleared his throat and gave a short gesture to her luggage. “Are you done here?”

She nodded.

“Then, let us retire to the drawing room and await Aunt Millie.”

Chapter 5

It had taken deep contemplation, but in the end, Gabe chose to be in attendance when Elizabeth arrived with her aunt. It was either that or run around London scrutinizing everyone as a possible blackmailer. Besides, avoiding her would be pointless with her living under his roof. It would appear suspicious if he suddenly took up residence at one of his clubs.

More to the point, he was a grown man. A man fully capable of controlling his wayward desire for a young chit. Anyway, she was an innocent. His preferences resided with a woman who knew how to offer a man complete pleasure. Which reminded him, it was beyond time to find a replacement for his former mistress.

Since parting company with his last paramour, not by her choice, he had been reviewing the latest widows and unhappily married ladies of the
ton
for possible candidates. Even with such prime options, there were none who stirred his passions like one pesky, innocent minx. The very minx who would be sleeping in a bed, in his home, just down the hall from him.

Even locked away in the recesses of his study, he could easily summon visions of her reclined within the softness of an overstuffed counterpane, a delicate silk nightgown draped over her virginal but womanly body, accentuating all her curves, her honey hair wildly strewn across the pillows. Emerald eyes, burning with the heat of her desire, beckoning him to her side.

A sharp knock on the study door ripped him from his erotic thoughts. “What is it?” Unfulfilled desire lowered his voice to a rough growl.

The solid door slightly muffled Wilkes’s voice. “Lady Millicent and Lady Elizabeth have arrived, Your Grace.”

The bulge in his breeches prevented him from rising to greet them properly. “Please escort the ladies to the drawing room and I’ll be with them shortly.”

Through the door, he heard Wilkes’s retreating steps on the wood floors.
Bloody hell.
The woman had been in his home for only minutes and his body was already overridden with yearning. He needed to see to that mistress—and soon.

When Elizabeth entered the drawing room, she was pleasantly surprised by its simple elegance. Unsure what she’d expected, it surely wasn’t this. Aware the Duchess rarely, if ever, resided with Gabe, she’d anticipated the room to carry a heavy masculine presence. Quite the opposite, for the room was light and airy, decorated in deep creams and light hues of gold.

Wilkes’s voice resonated through the space. “The footmen are seeing to your luggage. Shall I send in tea while you await His Grace?”

Always the consummate hostess, Aunt Millie arranged herself neatly on the sofa. “Please do.”

Upon Wilkes’s exit, Elizabeth leisurely roamed the room, feeling a need to familiarize herself with her surroundings.

“Do you know what you are about, child?”

After their easy exchange in the carriage, she was taken aback by Aunt Millie’s sudden question. Elizabeth turned to face her. “What do you mean?”

“Don’t be coy with me, dear. I’ve known you since you were in long clothes. You’ve been in love with that boy for years.”

She felt her cheeks flush hotly, unwilling to question the identity of
that boy
. From the time he was young, Aunt Millie had held a special affection for Gabe. Not even his rakish demeanor could make her believe he was anything but the innocent boy who played at Foxmoore years ago.

Elizabeth opened her mouth to refute the claim, only to be interrupted by her aunt. “Don’t even think of bamming me. I can tell when you are lying. I’ve seen how you look at him. I may be a spinster but I know an inkling of passion when I see it.”

Before she could find her voice through equal levels of embarrassment and astonishment, they were interrupted by the delivery of the tea. The young maid quietly placed the tray, filled with elegant Worchester china and biscuits, on the table before Aunt Millie and silently left the room. Elizabeth looked from the refreshments to find her aunt steadily watching her.

The silence of the room still carried the weight of Aunt Millie’s unanswered question. Ignoring it, Elizabeth seated herself in the gold and bronze striped chair opposite. “Would you like me to pour?”

Her aunt chuckled softly. “I may be getting old, but I’m not senile enough to forget a question I asked but moments ago.”

Against such steady determination, Elizabeth lowered her head and tried to settle her fluttering nerves. “Oh, Aunt Millie, I’m not sure anymore. All I know is I want to be near him. To help him.”

Offering comfort, the same as she had when Elizabeth was a child, Aunt Millie reached over the silver tea set and gently squeezed Elizabeth’s hand. “That is all I needed to hear.”

Elizabeth studied her aunt as she started to pour, giving no hint Elizabeth had just admitted to loving her brother’s best friend—a notorious rake.

Absorbed with the tea ritual, she hadn’t noticed Gabe enter the drawing room. “Lady Millicent, Elizabeth, welcome to my home. I’m deeply sorry I was unable to greet you when you’d first arrived.”

A charming smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes graced his handsome face as he crossed the room and bowed over Aunt Millie’s hand. “Lady Millicent, I’m in your debt for agreeing to act as chaperone.”

Elizabeth studied every line and curve of his strong features but she couldn’t find a trace of Gabe’s earlier hostility. He was either resigned to her offer of help, or it was all an act for Aunt Millie’s benefit.

Her aunt waved off Gabe’s easy charm. “Enough of that, boy. I’m too old to be charmed by your sweet words.”

Gabe emitted a deep laugh, easily lowering himself into the empty chair beside Elizabeth. At his nearness, she breathed in his scent, purely masculine and earthy. Her toes curled at the sensations it caused.

“Lady Millicent, with a beauty as graceful as yours, you’ll never be old.”

Contrary to her earlier words, Aunt Millie’s face shone with a youthful glow. “I’ve told you before. Call me Millie. After all the time you’ve spent at Foxmoore, you are practically family.”

From the corner of her eye, Elizabeth noted how Gabe’s smile finally reached his eyes, warming them to chocolate. “It would be my pleasure, Millie.”

He turned his attention to Elizabeth and she thought her insides might be reduced to gooey mush.

“You’re unusually quiet, Minx. Regretting your offer to assist?”

His continuing doubt caused her to scowl, erasing any fondness. “I’m doing nothing of the sort. I’m merely wondering if Phoebe will be joining us.”

A hint of a smile curved her lips when all traces of humor left Gabe at the mention of his daughter. Seeing something ruffle the feathers of the Duke of Wesbrook reminded her of the Gabe of old, and it only made his discomfort more enjoyable.

“Yes, Gabe, where is this daughter of yours?” Aunt Millie asked. “You caused quite a stir around town when she appeared.”

The forgotten tea cooled as a short silence filled the room. Finally, Gabe lightly cleared his throat. “Umm, well . . . actually, I’m not sure where she is at the moment.”

“You mean you’ve lost the gel? Already?”

Amazed at the flush of embarrassment coloring Gabe’s face, Elizabeth fought to control her rising amusement. Often with an air of arrogance, Gabe always appeared in control. Even with all the scrapes he and Marcus had found themselves in, he’d never shown any discomfort.

Almost as if he suddenly recalled his station in life, Gabe cleared his throat. “No, I didn’t lose her. I merely meant I’m not currently aware of her agenda. She is in the care of the housekeeper.”

“I do believe this is going to be entertaining. I’m glad my schedule allowed for me to chaperone so I could witness it firsthand.” Her aunt stood. Gabe quickly rose. “After so much excitement, I think I’ll rest before dinner.”

“Of course, I’ll have Wilkes escort you to your room,” Gabe said as he guided Aunt Millie to the door.

About to follow, Elizabeth stopped short when Gabe abruptly faced her. “If you don’t mind, Minx, I’d like a word with you.” She raised a brow at his request. “Regarding Phoebe, naturally.”

Still suspicious, Elizabeth felt the need to decline when her aunt interceded. “I’m certain you have much to discuss regarding the child. Do not be troubled about me, Gabe, I’ll locate Wilkes. I’ll see you both at dinner.”

Elizabeth wasn’t sure, but there appeared to be a glint of mischief in her aunt’s eyes as she exited the room.

Gabe swung back into the room only to find Elizabeth within arms’ reach. He took in the sight of her. The blue of her day dress transformed her emerald eyes to a deep jade. Eyes he could lose himself in. The unsated need that remained suppressed from his earlier preoccupation with her lithe body roared back to life.

His desires beckoned him to reach out and pull her supple curves into the hard planes of his body. Fill his hands with the velvetiness of her creamy skin. Press his mouth over her delicate lips and lose himself in her.

Submerged in a haze of craving, he was unaware he’d started to reach for her until her uneven voice broke through. “You wanted to discuss Phoebe?”

Bloody hell.
He clenched his hand into a fist and dropped it to his side. Needing some space, he strode across the carpeted floor, directly to the cart carrying only the finest—and some quite illegal—liquor available.

With his back to her, he filled a snifter with a healthy dose of brandy. Instead of taking a drink, he studied the golden liquid. What the hell had come over him? Never before had he allowed lust to dictate his actions. He could only hope she hadn’t noticed his lapse in judgment.

Undeniably, on more than one occasion, lust had compelled him, but he’d never lost his control. What was it about her that overrode his better senses? Whatever the reason, he must find a way to resist.

Sounding quite annoyed, Elizabeth spoke. “If you’d rather drink than discuss Phoebe, I’ll retire to my chambers.”

He looked up, relieved to find her safely across the room. His body wasn’t yet prepared for her nearness. “Just need a little indulgence.” He raised his glass to her. “Would you care for one? I believe the tea has grown cold by now.”

“No, thank you. I don’t partake in strong spirits.”

Having no aversion to strong spirits himself, he took a drink. And regardless of what she claimed, he was skeptical the very girl who, while growing up, had a tendency to spend more time playing with the boys than with dolls, didn’t indulge in something stronger than wine with her meal.

Sarcasm dripped from his words. “Sure you don’t, Minx.”

He took tiny pleasure in witnessing Elizabeth visually tense, her dainty hands curved into tight balls. Would she use those undersized fists on him if he stood closer? Apparently, the young lady he’d secretly watched gracing the glittering ballrooms of the
ton
still possessed the wild spirit of the child he once knew.

Would she let the same spirit loose in his bedroom?

His body began to stir at the idea of Elizabeth visiting his chamber. Gabe downed the remainder of his drink, anxious to finish discussing Phoebe so he could find an outlet for his mounting need before he accosted Elizabeth on the floor of his study.

Clearing his throat, he disposed of his glass. “What are your plans with Phoebe? Do you require any assistance?”

“I’m not sure yet. I will need to discuss things with your housekeeper and determine what is needed.” As she continued, he could see her gain confidence. “Also, if you have no objection, I could take over the search for a governess.”

If it meant he wouldn’t have to bore himself with potential applicants, he would declare her Queen of England.

A more self-assured version of the little minx he’d watched grow up seemed to unfurl before him. “If you think you can manage it, I’ll hand over any documents I have.” The corner of his mouth curved. He liked this side of her. “Is there anything else?”

“I’d like to meet her.”

His slight smile died. It was a simple request—and something completely reasonable—but he wasn’t ready for her to meet his daughter. He didn’t want to see the misguided respect Elizabeth held for him disappear. And disappear it would. Meeting Phoebe, spending time with her, would lead to more questions. Questions that would eventually center on Phoebe’s mother; who she was, and what she’d been to him. And those answers would hint at other details of his life. Details he’d give anything to keep Elizabeth from being privy to.

He forced his trepidation aside, knowing the situation was inevitable. “I’ll consult with Mrs. Pearce and have it arranged for tomorrow. Use the remainder of the day to get settled.”

Seeming to take his words as dismissal, Elizabeth bobbed her head faintly and turned to leave the room.

“Minx.” She stopped. He murmured, “It might not seem like it, but I appreciate your help.” As she swung around to face him, he added, “Thank you.”

The radiance that beamed from her full smile hit him directly in the gut. “You’re welcome.” Her smile reformed into a smirk. “
Your
Grace
.”