Page 38 of Denying the Duke (Lords and Ladies in Love 3)

Alex rose and walked over to her. Placing his hands on her shoulders, he leaned down to speak softly in her ear. She studied him through the mirror. “I am so sorry I was unable to pay you court during the last few weeks. I had several obligations.” He ran his palms up and down and felt her lean back into him. “Why don’t I help you out of this gown and we can get into bed and talk about it?”

“No.”

Not one to give up so easily, he brushed her hair aside to rest over her shoulder, covering her breasts, and kissed the soft skin on her neck. The tiny spot not covered by the hideous gown. She gave a soft moan and her body softened. Encouraged, he unfastened the top two buttons on the back of her gown and continued moving his lips down as he uncovered her silky skin. “You are so beautiful, Patience. You have no idea how much I want you.”

Two more buttons.

He turned her in the chair and slid the gown from her shoulders. She didn’t fight him, so he grasped her shoulders and pulled her up. He cupped her face and bent his head to kiss her plump lips. She tasted like champagne and something only Patience. The memories came flooding back of when they still had hopes of their future together. Except the future was now, and he wanted her even more than he had then.

The gown dropped to the floor, leaving her in petticoats and corset. Alex shoved his fingers into her silky locks, plundering her mouth. His hand moved down to cup her full breast, but Patience stiffened and pulled back. “No.”

He lessened his hold on her and she stepped back, covering her chest with her hands. “We will not be doing this.”

Alex moaned and held his hands out. “Patience, it is our wedding night. Do you have any idea how much I have looked forward to this?”

Patience bent to pick up her gray gown and held it against her body. “I would like to retire now. I am quite fatigued from the day.”

Alex couldn’t believe it. She was serious. She had no intention of allowing him into her bed.

My wife.

When faced with a formidable enemy, and seriously outflanked, sometimes retreat was the best maneuver. He executed a formal bow. “As you wish, Your Grace. I will see you in the morning.” With as much dignity as he could muster, he turned on his heel and left the room, wishing his

erection into perdition, but having no success.

The uneaten dinner, a bottle of champagne, and an empty bed greeted him. What the devil was he to do with the rest of his night? He could join his friends, who he was sure were in the billiard room, making free with his French brandy, but he was not in the mood to face their questions and raised eyebrows.

With a sigh, he poured a glass of brandy and settled at his desk with a piece of vellum and pen. Tomorrow he would visit the War Department and report what he had seen earlier. It had been Loverly hurrying away from the church, but by the time he and the others had gone in search of him, he was gone.

Alex made some notes and then settled back in the chair. Why had Loverly been at his wedding? If the man had intended to speak with him, he wouldn’t be foolish enough to pick such an occasion to do so. And what did he want with him, anyway? The War Department had notified everyone in the field of his escape. It seemed to him the man should be hiding at the London docks to stow away on one of the ships.

Trying to figure out what the traitor was doing, and why he was near the Abbey, kept him busy not thinking about Patience. The warm, soft woman he’d made his wife today, who by rights should be underneath him right now. Naked and wanting as he thrust into her moistness.

Instead he was spending his wedding night trying to figure out the twisted mind of a traitor.

…

Patience awoke to the sounds of Polly moving around the bedroom. She lay there a minute, thinking about the night before. That Alex had respected her decision to not consummate the marriage until he courted her said a lot about his character. Not that she was surprised, of course. He’d always been honorable. Which was probably why he’d walked away from her when his father had announced the betrothal to his brother.

It had not been easy pushing him away last night, but it was important for her to set some rules. She did, indeed, want to be courted. Didn’t every young woman? Walks in the moonlight, stolen kisses in darkened corners, flowers, dances? She’d had none of that since she had been betrothed so young, and to a man who had eschewed anything romantic. While girls her age had been giggling with gentlemen, making eyes over fans, and dropping handkerchiefs, she had stood by, watching and knowing she would never have love, or even affection in her marriage. In fact, based on what she knew about Cyrus, she wasn’t even sure she would have received respect.

With a sigh, she threw off the covers and allowed Polly to help her wash and dress for the day. Not one to rise late, except when she’d been attending an event the night before, Patience found her way to the breakfast room.

“Where are Lords Campbell and Hawkins, and Mr. Templeton?” She had expected to see them at breakfast.

Alex stood and pulled a chair out for her. “Since they are not here, I am assuming they did quite a bit of celebrating last night.”

Patience blushed at his words. Was that his reminder that they had done no celebrating? She quickly dismissed the idea that she should apologize. She’d done nothing wrong.

Oh no?

She tamped down her annoying conscience.

“I assume my parents and my cousin have departed for London?”

“Yes. I saw them off earlier. Miss Blake indicated she would reside with your parents for a short time until her cousin and her husband, Lord and Lady Montfort, arrive in London. I believe she intends to live with them for the Season. She left her regards and looks forward to seeing you when we return.”

It embarrassed her that the information had to come from her husband. With all the excitement and worry surrounding her wedding, she’d not had a chance to have a proper conversation with Suzanna. She must make time to call on her after they arrived in London.