Her Beastly Duke (Damsel in Distress #5)

Chapter 9

CHAPTER 9

J ulius watched Briar disappear from the drawing room, willing her to return. The room seemed colder without her presence. The warmth not only evaporated from the enclosure, but it also left his body. He shivered as he picked up his unfinished wine and sat on the sofa. Bloody hell ! He fought the urge, although he so badly wanted to kiss her; it was like an ache in his gut. Never before had he wanted to lick and nibble at anyone's lips as much as he wanted hers. He was consumed with thoughts of touching her, yet afraid she would find it abhorrent. She had not. Instead, need flashed in the depths of her eyes even though she did not know what she wanted. Such unspoiled innocence. Temptation flared, and Julius imagined that when she touched his cheek, it set other things in motion.

He closed his eyes and imagined her caressing him all over. The vision was enough to cause his cock to twitch when he tasted her lush lips. How creamy and white would her skin be under her dress? He wanted to … he must stop. He shot up from his seat and paced the length of the room, suddenly restless.

Briar was not a worldly woman. She was nothing like the ladies he met at the French court, and it would be unconscionable for him to treat her that way. There would be no frolicking in the bedchamber or the back staircase for Briar. She would not be familiar with the muffled groans and grunts leaking through the walls. Julius recalled the days of perfume and heated skin, seduction and fulfillment. The look of innocence meant Briar had not had more than a stolen kiss. A surprisingly lush mouth, which assuredly had not been kissed enough. She most certainly had not had a lover. She was a virgin. He was sure of it. While she stepped back from his touch, she should have run and kept her feelings in proper order. She should have escaped him.

He sighed heavily and poured himself another drink. He must remain pragmatic to ensure they both got what they wanted from the arrangement. She had stormed into his life and was still here long after she should have disappeared, long after she saw his ill-favored face. Although Briar and Duncan had been foolish, he did not want to be the one to orchestrate her family’s downfall. He could have handed her over to the law; instead, he seized the opportunity that presented itself. She practically fell into his lap, so he kept her. He much preferred her company.

She stirred something inside him and made him think of what he was missing from his life. A part of him was afraid that he could not have what he truly desired. A few weeks ago, he would not have thought about it, but now it seemed like a possibility. Who knew he would focus on the opportunities rather than the obstacles?

Julius took a sip of wine, sat in an armchair, and stared into the fireplace. Now that he had hope, he would stop hiding away. Perhaps there would be a lady or two who would be willing to look at him the way Briar did. She did not care a damn about his scar, so much so that she even made him forget about it for a few hours. So, yes, he wanted a lady with her compassion, beauty, and wit. There was a woman out there for him. He just needed to find her. A reentry into society would provide him with the option of finding a suitable match. All the titillating gossip about how he became scarred should have died down, superseded by more sensational gossip.

Since he found Briar so alluring, mayhap … No. He only had to think about the circumstances of how they met to know. She would not do. The lady he chose connections and reputation must be suitable for his duchess, and sadly, Briar’s were not. She did not have the high standing and impeccable pedigree of the previous duchesses, and the situation her father left her in was absolutely appalling. It was evident how truly desperate they had become.

He must put his feelings toward her aside. He felt a deep ache in his chest just thinking about it. With a groan, Julius took another swig from his glass. He stood up and began pacing again. She had just arrived at Berkley Estate, but he already wanted to exorcise her from his memory. Her interesting face and dimpled smile were features he had always found irresistible. She was taking up much of his consideration. As much as he tried to push it away, he was drawn to the way that she made him feel. He had stepped into another world, and he liked it.

Raking his fingers through his hair, Julius left the drawing room and climbed the stairs to his chambers. He stripped from his clothes and lowered himself on the cool sheets, determined to dismiss Miss Walcot from his awareness. With that, he closed his eyes and slept, a smile on his face.

Julius awoke the following morning thinking of Briar. By God . Would he ever be able to get her out of his head? The last thing before he slept last night and as soon as he opened his eyes. He regretted not kissing her last night. It was one of the hardest things he had ever done when her hot, needy eyes had lingered on him. Without uttering a word, she was asking him to. It had taken a great deal of self-restraint not to call her back when she walked away. Thoughts of quietly going to her room after everyone had retired to give her what she wanted were swiftly dismissed. Instead, he awoke with an aching need; somehow, it was more intense than the night before.

Julius placed a pillow over his head and sighed heavily. He finally got up from bed, dressed, had breakfast and went to the library. He had left instructions that Briar should amuse herself until it was time for him to join her for the game. He sat at his desk and reached for the tenant contracts that were waiting to be reviewed. He applied himself to the task, but an hour later, he found himself staring at the first contract he selected from the pile. He read it several times, but if he had been called upon to explain the terms, he could not.

“Oh! I beg your pardon, Julius.” Briar’s voice intruded on his dilemma. He was so distracted that he did not hear the door open.

She brought sunshine. “Good morning, Briar. I hope you rested well.”

“Good morning. I did not know anyone was here.”

Briar was dressed in a simple blue day dress that molded itself to her breast, and they looked lovely. He had to rip his gaze away from her chest.

“That is perfectly fine. What is it that you are after?”

“Something to read, a novel perhaps.”

Julius waved his hand toward the amply stocked bookshelves. “Please, help yourself whenever you need.”

“Thank you,” Briar said, although she moved toward him rather than the bookshelves. “What are you doing?”

Julius did not mind that she was disturbing him. He could not concentrate anyway. “I am reviewing tenant contracts. It is not one of my favorite tasks. It is rather boring and thankless.”

“I do not envy you spending so much time on something you would prefer not to do.”

Briar had no idea how her words resonated. He would much rather be spending his time with her … in bed. With that, Briar started wandering around the room, perusing the shelves. She cocked her head to the side as she read the spine of a few volumes. His throat constricted with how unbelievably attractive he found that. He quickly looked down at the contract to hide this effect but barely saw the words. Julius took a deep breath and willed himself to concentrate. Finally, he completed reviewing the contract and put it aside before snatching another.

As much as he wanted to, he could not pretend she was not there. She was there, hovering in his periphery, elegant and graceful. Her hair was pulled back in a simple chignon, leaving the graceful arch of her neck exposed. He wanted to get up from his chair, walk over and place soft kisses there … from behind. He would loosen the pins on the chignon and watch it fall away as he ran his hands through her hair. His fingers would stroke her tresses and bury themselves in the shiny mass. He would kiss her neck and shoulder while he cupped her full … He was quite relieved when she chose a volume, and the door closed behind her with a soft snick.

Briar’s heart was racing when she left the library. It was past six this morning when she awakened, having spent a wretched night tossing and turning before giving up completely. She decided to continue reading while she lay in bed waiting for sunlight to peek through her window, but she had read most of the novel she brought from home. She needed to go to the library to fetch something interesting that would make her forget about last night. Mama wanted her to snag the duke, but this was not what Mama had in mind!

Briar had gotten up from her bed and dressed. She supposed her restlessness was due to the combination of sleeping in a strange bed and her nervous thoughts about what transpired with the duke … Julius. She was, of course, grateful to Julius because the opportunity to assist him shielded her from some of the harsher realities of life. She was certain she was not suited for a life of poverty, and Mama would never recover from it.

Briar returned to her bedchamber and sat in the armchair by the window, the novel firmly clutched in her hand. She made no effort to turn the page as she recalled standing ever so close to Julius in the drawing room last night. He was handsome despite the scar although he did not believe so. Some would argue the scar gave him a sinister look, particularly when he quirked his lips in a smile, but there was nothing malevolent about him. He was a gentle soul. Julius had dressed impeccably for dinner and he was affable right up until the point when he lay his hand on her. The fleeting touch that barely grazed her skin had stirred something deep inside her. She could not have imagined how his touch would make her ache for more. She was stunned by the feelings he evoked. Would she never stop thinking about this man?

She had seen the way he just looked at her in the library. How could a fleeting, sensual touch bring this shattering sense of awareness whenever she was in his presence? She had to turn her head away from him while reviewing the books so she could hide the rising red flush creeping up her cheeks. She was hot under his scrutiny. How could lovers possibly mingle in a ballroom while they hid their illicit affair? She dismissed the errant thought of lovers.

Briar went downstairs for breakfast. Apparently, Julius had already broken his fast, so she ate alone. She was amused by how much Otis and the footmen fussed over her, perhaps only too pleased to have someone else to serve. There was bacon, eggs, kippers and braised kidneys. Briar was ravenous and ensured she complimented the loaves, cake, and marmalade. Otis was tasked with relaying her compliments to the kitchen staff.

She felt an intense spark, an electric attraction whenever she was around him, and she could not pretend it was not there. The flush, butterflies in her stomach, and the feeling that her knees would buckle at the sound of his voice. Somewhere deep down, she wanted to know if he felt it, too. Was it as intense as to make him forget about all else or constantly think about the next time he would see her again? Did he feel like he could not focus on matters at hand? Did he have a deep ache in his chest?

She had best try to mask her feelings because his feelings may not be the same. Yet, they had such smooth conversations, and he was interested in getting to know her. Now that she had experienced it, she must forget his undeniable touch and his attentiveness. Perhaps she had been going about this all wrong. Instead of wondering what he felt for her, she should find out.