Page 41 of Denying the Duke (Lords and Ladies in Love 3)

Her breathing increased and she licked her plump lips. He fumbled with the blasted knot, when all he wanted to do was spread her wide and thrust into her. Taking a deep breath, he patiently untied the knot and slid the stocking off her leg.

Without saying anything, he moved his hand to the other ribbon and untied it, easing that stocking down her smooth skin. The sound of their panting seemed to echo off the trees. He reached for her shoulders and pulled her toward him. She closed her eyes and gave a slight moan as his lips covered hers.

His large hand cupped her face as he began a gentle kiss, then when she slumped toward him, he tilted her head to go deeper and ravished her mouth. He leaned back onto the grass, pulling her with him until she rested on top of his body. Enjoying the feel of the soft grass and rough ground on his back, with her soft womanly curves on top of his chest, his hand moved up the back of her leg, gathering her gown as it slipped upward.

Her skin was smooth, warm—and thank God—she wore no drawers. He reached her plump bottom and massaged.

A mistake.

He immediately felt the change in her. She stiffened, then released his lips and pulled back, wrenching herself from his arms. “No. Not yet.” With both hands on either side of his head she pushed off him, tumbling to the ground next to him.

Patience closed her eyes and fisted her hands at her side. He watched her, still befuddled on how they’d gotten so far, and then—nothing.

“I thought we were going into the pond.” She glanced at him sideways.

“Yes.” A on

e word answer was all he could do at this point. He stood and brushed his clothing then reached for her. “I could use some cooling off.”

Hand in hand they walked into the chilly water. Patience bunched her gown in her hands and shivered. Cold? Maybe. However, no water would be cold enough to chill the lust raging through him.

Chapter Thirteen

Later that afternoon, they packed the picnic things back into the carriage and headed to the Abbey. Patience felt relaxed and happy for the first time in months. Well, in years.

Truth be known, she had come very close to allowing Alex to consummate their marriage right there in the open air with the birds and the animals looking on. Thankfully, once his hand had touched her intimately, she’d regained her senses. Even if she wanted to allow Alex to continue, the thought of someone coming by had put a damper on whatever passion she’d felt.

She remembered similar feelings in various parts of her body when she and Alex had been younger, but the sensations hadn’t been so strong, or given her a sense of desperately needing something only he could give her.

As the gig moved over the grass, with the sun at their backs and their bodies swaying with the motion, Alex reached over and took her hand in his. He stroked the inside of her wrist with his thumb, causing a flush to rise from her middle to her face. It seemed to be his favorite pastime. She squirmed, then glanced at him to see if he was trying to muddle her brain again. He stared straight ahead as if nothing was amiss. She really should drag her hand away from him, but it felt so good.

By the time they reached the front door of the Abbey, Patience was hot, fidgety, and only too glad to end the ride. Alex dropped her hand to leave the gig, and she immediately felt the loss. He reached up and lowered her to the ground, her body sliding against his. The feel of her hardened nipples against his chest made her want to rub them back and forth.

Alex stared down at her, making her forget how closely they stood together, and that once more they were outdoors where anyone from the stables or the house could see them. He placed his knuckle under her chin and slowly lowered his head to kiss her. Her heart pounded and her knees grew weak. As his lips meet hers, she clung to his arms, afraid she would slither to the ground.

“Well, isn’t this cozy? Didn’t you two have enough of each other last night?” Lord Hawkins stood not more than ten feet from them, his hands on his hips and a huge grin on his face.

Patience was mortified. Why did they always end up with an audience when he kissed her? Perhaps if they didn’t do this sort of thing outside it wouldn’t happen. Grateful they hadn’t been caught at the picnic, with her skirts practically tossed over her head, she pulled away from Alex and picked up the basket for lack of something better to do. She scurried away and passed Lord Hawkins, giving him a quick curtsy.

She smiled at Coombs as he opened the door for her.

“Patience, there you are, dear.” The dowager duchess stepped off the bottom step of the wide staircase and floated toward her.

Patience envied how the dowager could move so easily without seeming to take a step.

“Yes, Your Grace. May I help you with something?”

“I wanted to tell you that once we return to London, please leave your afternoons free, if possible. As the new Duchess of Bedford, you must be introduced to all the right people, the ones you need to know. We will be making afternoon calls several days a week.”

Patience swallowed the alarming feeling in her stomach. Of course, as the new duchess, there would be a significant role for her to play in the ton. She should be grateful that her mother-in-law was willing to help her along. The offer to introduce her had never come while Cyrus was alive. But then, they’d never made it as far as the altar.

Thank God.

It was too bad Alex and his mother could not enjoy an amicable relationship. She knew his parents had strongly objected to him purchasing his colors when he had left home, and he had not kept in contact with his family while he served in the military. It appeared both Alex and her mother-in-law were both on the stubborn side.

“Yes, I will be grateful for you to introduce me. I’m afraid I am feeling a bit nervous about assuming my new role in Society.”

The dowager nodded. “That is good. If you are a bit nervous, then you will watch your step. Although, with your rank there wouldn’t be anyone who would dare to snub you, but it will go much smoother if you have all the right people in line.”