Page 63 of Last Night with the Duke
MISSMAMIEFORTESCUE’SDO’SANDDON’TSFORCHAPERONES, GOVERNESSES, TUTORS,ANDNURSES
When we get home.
Esmeralda could no longer count the times that Griffin had strung together words that touched her deeply and renewed her spirit.You’re the one I want. I will come to you. When we get home. You are a part of my household. And all the other innocent words spoken by him, and sounding so incredibly heartwarming to her.
But alas, this night, Esmeralda had a feeling that she might have done what Josephine’s and Napoleon’s antics hadn’t been able to do—given the duke a reason to dismiss her from his household.
A heavy downpour rushed the four of them into the house from the carriage. Esmeralda and Griffin remained quiet. The sisters didn’t seem to notice. While Lady Sara and Lady Vera took off their gloves and wraps, they kept the conversation going with talks of all the gentlemen they’d met and danced with, the young ladies they’d enjoyed and the ones they hadn’t, as well as an annoying amount of oohs and ahhs over the jewelry, headpiece, and gown of each female in attendance.
Esmeralda was happy their first ball had been a rousing success with not a hint of mischief in the air. But her glee for them was tempered. The duke now knew her secret.
Ever since Esmeralda had walked away from Lady Norwood at the ball, she’d been tamping down the unwelcome feeling of trepidation that kept wanting to rise inside her. If she let it, she knew it would defeat and devour her. That couldn’t happen. There was no reason for the feelings of apprehension simmering inside her. She’d done nothing wrong. Yes, she’d withheld information that the duke would have probably wanted to know, but she hadn’t deceived him. She hadn’t been under any obligation to tell him about her mother’s past as it had no bearing on her ability to do what was expected of her.
It had been easy to avoid his penetrating gaze in the dark carriage, but now, while she was busy removing her outer clothing, she couldn’t stop glancing at him. He was looking at her too. That the duke was also shedding his damp cloak dashed her faint hope that he might leave without questioning her.
She wondered what was going through his mind as he peeled his gloves from his hands. Did he know she was troubled? Was he unsure about what to say or do? Would he think she was tainted by her mother’s refusal to obey her brother? And what would he think of Josephine once he knew who her father was?
No!Esmeralda silently reprimanded herself once again. She would not allow thoughts of despair to weigh her down.
“Are you going to sit with us for a while before you go, Griffin?” Lady Sara asked.
“Yes, do,” Lady Vera added, taking hold of his hand. “It would be lovely to continue our discussion about the evening with you.”
Pensive, he said, “Not tonight.”
“Then why have you taken off your cloak?” Lady Sara asked with an amused smile. “Was it just so you could put it on again, or are you getting forgetful in your old age?”
“Neither is the case, so stop being impish.” He patted her cheek affectionately. “You two go on up. I have a few things to discuss with Miss Swift and then I’ll be on my way.”
“I’m not sleepy and don’t want to go to bed. Perhaps we can join your discussions.”
Griffin pulled his hand out of his sister’s grasp. “You can’t join me, but I see no reason why you and Sara can’t talk in one of your rooms for the rest of the night if you want to.”
Lady Vera reached up and kissed his cheek. “Thank you, dear brother. That’s exactly what I wanted to hear you say anyway.”
Lady Sara bussed his other cheek. “Let’s go to your room, Vera, since it’s the farthest from Aunt Evelyn’s. That way we won’t wake her with our laughter.”
Lifting their skirts, the twins headed up the stairs.
The time had come. No more delays were afforded her. She had to face Griffin. Inhaling a deep breath, she met his steady blue gaze. There was no anger or disappointment in his expression. He didn’t even look perplexed. He looked determined.
Very determined.
Quietly, almost softly, he said, “Would you join me in the book room, Esmeralda?”
Staring up into his gorgeous blue eyes, Esmeralda felt an unwavering strength come over her and settle in her bones. She was going to be all right. No matter how he chose to deal with this information, he would not cower her.
“Very well,” she said as she heard the door to Lady Vera’s room close.
Depending on her inner strength, she walked past him and headed down the corridor. If the duke decided to turn her off, she would manage. She had always managed.
There was no lamp burning, no fire on the grate when she walked into the chilled room. The only light was a faint yellow glow that spilled down from the vestibule, brightening only a few feet into the room. Welcoming the darkness, Esmeralda went farther into the shadows near the window before turning around.
Griffin stood in the doorway. Their gazes met across the room. In that instant she almost wilted. Backlit by the lamplight cast down the corridor he looked magnificent, powerful, and commanding. All those things and so much more. This unattainable man had captured her heart, and she had no idea how she was going to free it. There was no will inside her to do so.
Without a word said and with long, purposeful strides, Griffin strode over to her and in a single fluid motion slid his arms around her waist, caught her up in his arms, and quickly claimed her lips for his own. His startling and unexpected actions took her breath away, frightening and thrilling her all at the same time. His lips were warm, smooth, and moist, moving slowly, surely, deftly over hers. A pleasure she’d never known spiraled through her body, like fireworks shooting into the sky, and she surrendered into the bounty of his embrace.
The kiss was no brief, light brushing of his lips against hers, as she’d imagined many times in her dreams. It was seeking, demanding, and savoring, continuing second after glorious second, making sure she knew he wanted to kiss her as much as she’d wanted him to.
