She fought the urge to comply with his demand.
“If you do not open your eyes this minute, I swear I will pull you right out of that bed, lass.”
Lord, help her, but a shiver of excitement raced clear through to her toes. Powerless to stop herself, she opened her eyes. He stood over her, a deep scowl ensconced upon his face. What reason did he have to be cross with her? After all it was he who had miss treated her, not the other way around. “What are you doing in my room?”
“I know all about your scheme.”
She sat up, anger heating her blood. “What I choose to do is none of your business. You have no right to trifle in my affairs. Get out of my room.”
“I will go, but you had better get dressed and make your appearance downstairs. You have five minutes to show yourself before I come back to retrieve you.” He turned and stomped out of her room; the door slammed behind him, its sound reverberating through her.
What in Heaven’s name would she do now? She did not even know for sure what he alluded to knowing. It must be her plans to wed, but how could he have discovered them? She pushed the blankets down and started to get up before her mind changed, and she lay back down. He would not dare come back. She grabbed the blanket and pulled it back over herself. He could not know anything. Suspect, perhaps, but he had no evidence. He just wanted to trick her into admitting her plans. She would not play his game.
Her hands shook as she turned onto her left side and tucked the blanket under her cheek. What if he did know? Had he told Lord Roseington of her intentions at tonight’s ball? Her life would be in shambles. All of her planning would have been for naught. As it stood, she had little idea how she would ensnare Lord Roseington, or any English lord for that matter. She would not worry over it now. Drawing in a deep breath, she snuggled back against her mattress.
The only thing she knew for certain was that she would not get out of the bed and go downstairs. She would not give His Grace the pleasure of bossing her around, nor would she tell him her plan. It did not concern him. She was going back to sleep, and he could rot for all she cared. Reaching out to the bedside table, she retrieved the novel resting there and placed it next to her on the bed. If he dared to return, she would have a surprise for him.
Just as the fringes of sleep tickled her, the door swung open. Grabbing the novel, she flung it with all her might in the duke’s direction. “I told you to stay out!”
He sidestepped the attack, continuing to head straight toward her. “And I told you to show yourself downstairs.” He reached for the lantern, and in a moment’s time, it illuminated the room casting shadows on the walls. “Get out of that bed and put on your wrapper.”
“I will do no such thing. If you do not leave this instant, I am going to scream.” She clutched the blanket to her chest.
“You can scream all you want, lass. I am not leaving. Get out of that bed, or I am getting in.” His lips curved into a devilish grin.
He ran from her every time they touched. There was no way he would get in her bed. “I am done entertaining you. Get in or get out.” She enunciated the words with added force as she pulled back the blanket in a false invitation.
He advanced. “As you wish, my dear Amelia.”
Oh Lord!He crossed what remained of the chamber and climbed into the bed. Lying on his side, he propped himself up on one elbow. His muscles clearly visible through his thin white shirt begged her to touch them. She bit her lower lip as she felt a blush engulf her cheeks. Why did she blush so easily around him? The now-familiar throbbing at the apex of her thighs took hold, and she admitted to herself that Richard was most welcome in her bed.
“My eyes are up here.”
His voice sounded different, deeper, gravelly. Her body pulsated at the unexpected sound. A shiver of delight over took her as she directed her gaze up to meet his, admiring every muscled inch of him along the way. When at last their gazes locked, she offered a grin. “I know perfectly well where your eyes are.”
His gaze softened as he reached out to her, pulling her into his embrace. Amelia angled her head in preparation for his kiss as she wrapped her arms around his waist. Their lips connected with fervor and passion, as if neither of them could get enough, each starved for the other.
Her hand slid down his chest toward his navel. His muscles tensed below her touch, and his breathing deepened as she brazenly continued lower. Richard broke away from her lips and began trailing kisses across her cheek, then down her neck. Warm sensations tickled her skin with his touch.
A murmur escaped his lips as her hand rubbed over his engorged shaft. Amelia curled her fingers around its contour. Wickedness took hold, all things proper fleeing her mind. “I want you.” Her words were soft and pleading. She did not even quite know what she wanted, but she knew he did. He must know how to satisfy her body’s needs. After all, it was he who created them.
He pushed her away and jumped from the bed. “You have no idea what you ask for.” He turned his back to her and ran a hand through his disheveled onyx locks.
“I know I want you to finish what you started when you climbed into my bed.” The husky sound of her voice surprised her. She sat up, allowing the blanket to drape around her waist. “Look at me, Richard.”
He stopped at her door, but did not turn around to face her. “Lord Roseington announced his engagement tonight.”
Ice formed in her veins. She leaped from the bed with fisted hands. “You are lying. Get out of my room this instant,” she screamed. “Stay away from me and mind your own affairs.”
“You are my affair, lass, and you will explain,” he yelled as he turned to face her.
“Get out, get out. I will not tell you anything, so just get out!” She reached for the vase near her bed. With all of her fury she flung it at the wall.
He walked out of her room, slamming the door in his wake.
* * * *
Richard paced the length of the balcony, his head pounding. The woman had bewitched him. There could be no other explanation for his behavior. When he entered Amelia’s chamber he wanted to throttle her. Yet, when she challenged him, he forgot his purpose entirely. Her touch muddled his mind. The urge to hold her, touch her, went against all reason. Why was he so powerless to resist?
