Page 46 of Disciplined by the Duke
“How do you fare?” He examined her from head to toe, as though he could see through her clothes to the faint bruises below. “Have you recovered from your scare yesterday?”
“As I said, I was uninjured.”
He tapped his fingers against his thigh. “If you need more time off—”
“No, I’m perfectly capable of resuming my duties.” Capable, but not eager. Not until she’d found the release she sought. Then she’d return to cleaning. And spying. “We aren’t out here to discuss yesterday’s accident.”
He lifted one golden eyebrow. “And why am I here, Miss Smith? What was it you wanted?”
Liz narrowed her eyes. He wasn’t going to make this easy for her. But that shouldn’t surprise her. He wasn’t an easy man.
“Why do you think I wanted anything?” Stepping away, she turned and meandered farther into the glen. “Your Grace is kind enough to allow his servants small breaks. I wanted to take a walk for mine.”
His shoulder brushing hers, he said, “I hope you don’t try to convince yourself of that nonsense. Lying to others may be immoral, but lying to oneself is unforgivable.”
She walked on, silent. The man didn’t appreciate coyness; that was apparent. Which suited her, since she had neither the skill nor inclination to act the coquette. But she also didn’t know how to ask for what she wanted.
She clenched her fist. She didn’t know quite what she wanted. In his study, he had been two men. One hard, demanding. He’d taken control, taken her in hand, and her bottom tingled as she thought about that man. The other had been just as demanding. Demanding her pleasure, her release, but he’d been gentle, considerate.
Well, at least as gentle as Montague was capable of being. Both the firm hand and the sweet caresses had delivered pleasure. One had sent her spiraling down, deep into herself, to a place that had been almost frightening in its intensity. The other had raised her up, made her so light her body could almost float away. That had been the safer pleasure. The safer man. That was what she should ask for.
She bit the inside of her cheek. He wouldn’t respect indecision. Lifting her chin, she forced her voice steady. She couldn’t control the heat across her cheeks, however. “I wish for a repetition, a partial repetition, of what we did in your study. As I believe I already mentioned, it was very pleasant and I’d like more.”
His eyes glittered, but he didn’t answer.
“I also know that while you gave me pleasure, you were left unsatisfied. I was hoping . . .”
Even her nerve shriveled under the force of his one raised eyebrow.
“To return the favor?” The amusement in his voice was clear.
He was laughing at her. Her heart twisted painfully, and she turned to make her escape. She didn’t make it far.
Grabbing her elbow, he spun her around until she was pressed tight against him. “Don’t start something you don’t intend to finish.”
“My intent was clear.” She wanted to yank from his grasp, let him know the extent of her anger. She wanted to wrap her arms around his neck and rub against him like a wanton. She remained still. “It’s you who are hard to read. Does my proposition interest you, or will you laugh and send me on my way?”
He skimmed his hand from her elbow up her arm and neck, cupping the back of her head with gentle fingers. “I will never laugh at you, Miss Smith. Know that.”
Liz relaxed marginally. “But?”
“But you are my maid. I am your employer. What happened was a mistake.”
“Perhaps.” Because he was there, because she couldn’t help herself, she ran her hand under his cravat, across the hard planes of his chest, rested it over his beating heart. “I’ve made many and will likely make many more. But it is not one that I regret. We may have crossed one of society’s lines, but we didn’t cross one of mine.”
He smiled at that, and Liz’s breath clogged in her throat. The edges of his eyes crinkled, and for a moment the duke looked unburdened. Carefree.
Happy.
“I’m also not a stickler for society’s rules.” Bringing the blossom up to her face, he stroked it down her nose, across her chin. “But I live by my own set of rules. And those include not abusing my authority with those under it. A man in my position should not dally with his maid. You are not in a position to refuse me.”
“You give me too little credit.” Taking the flower from his hand, she rubbed the velvety petals between her fingers before tossing it away. “You have made it clear I will not lose my position regardless. And besides, we are only speaking of touches. Not . . .”
“Fucking? You think so long as I don’t tup the maid my behavior is proper?”
He meant to shock her with his language. Intended for her to turn tail and run. And she should. She knew she should. With all the other games she was playing, this one seemed the most dangerous. And the most delicious.
She stepped into him, her skirts brushing the tops of his boots. Slowly, giving him time to stop her if he wanted, she placed her hands on his chest. It rippled beneath her palms.
