Page 45 of Denying the Duke (Lords and Ladies in Love 3)

“I will leave you to get back to work, then.” She rose and shook out her skirts.

“Wait.” He stood and walked around his desk. “How about a ‘good morning, Your Grace,’ kiss?”

Her eyebrows rose and she gave him a slight smile. “Certainly.” He rested his hip against the desk and pulled her between his spread legs. She stood on her toes and raised her face to him. He was having none of that. Her idea of a kiss and his idea were very different. He reached around her waist and tugged her to him. With his other hand, he cupped her face and his lips descended on hers.

All the agony and desire of the night before flooded him as her body curved into his, and the scent of lavender and mint wafted over him. She pulled back, her hands on his upper arms, and studied him with curiosity. Reclaiming her lips, he crushed her to him.

His hand moved up to caress her breast, his thumb flicking over the nipple. Her eager response had him considering locking the study door, but he knew once he tried to do that she would most likely scoot around him and leave.

Instead, he nudged her mouth open so he could taste her. Sweet morning tea and Patience. All the flavors he loved. He pressed his growing manhood against her belly and then pulled away. “You do know you’re killing me, don’t you, sweetheart?” He brushed back a curl from her face and tucked it behind her ear.

She gazed at him, her mouth slightly open, then seemed to come back to herself. She pulled away and patted her topknot. “I will see you later, Your Grace.” She turned and almost walked into the wall next to the open door.

Despite his physical agony, he grinned at the state in which he’d apparently left her.

He returned to his work, shifting in his chair, still uncomfortable from his raging erection. He had barely calmed down when another knock produced his mother. “Good morning, Your Grace.”

He sighed, closed his eyes, and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Mother, you spent my entire life calling me Alexander.”

She waved him off, his words not worthy of consideration.

“I will be returning to London shortly after you leave. I have informed Her Grace that I wish for her to keep her afternoons open to receive and make calls to all the right people. I also would like you to suggest she see my modiste when we return so she can be properly attired for her new role.”

“Her name is Patience and whatever you think, Mother. I leave all of that to you.”

“As you wish.” As fast as that, she stood and crossed the room.

“Mother?”

She turned, her hand on the latch. “Yes?”

He waited a moment, then shook his head. “Nothing. Have a good day.”

…

Patience tried, unsuccessfully, to stifle a yawn as she waited in the carriage for Alex to join her. The sun hadn’t even made its appearance, and her stomach grumbled, protesting her lack of breakfast, even though Cook had packed plenty of food for their trip. Once Alex gave the word for the driver to leave, she would break into the basket and then take a nap.

The carriage shifted as Alex entered. The cool April morning air arrived with him, and she shivered.

“There are several woolen blankets under the seat,” Alex said, as he settled into his seat across from her.

“Thank you. I believe I will make use of one.”

He reached down and pulled out a red plaid blanket and shook it out, then tucked it around her. “Something smells good. What did Cook pack?”

The carriage started forward, jerking as the horses fell into rhythm, then turned into a smooth pace. “There are sausages, cheese, rolls, and apple tarts.” Patience pulled the cloth aside and reached in, taking out a small basket of rolls, a block of cheese, and sausages wrapped in cloth.

“A feast.” Alex grinned.

They shared the offerings, and then, feeling quite satiated, Patience returned the leavings to the basket and yawned once again. “Oh, I am so sorry, I’m afraid I didn’t get much sleep last night. Polly and I were up late sorting through clothes and packing.”

“Curl up on the seat and take a nap.”

She nodded and stretched out, pulling the blanket over her shoulders. She had barely nodded off when the carriage hit a bump in the road and she fell to the floor. “Ouch.”

Alex leaned down and pulled her up. “You will be much safer, and have a much more pleasant nap, if you lean against me.”

They arranged themselves so Alex leaned his back against the side of the carriage and held her in his arms between his legs. She used his chest as her pillow and tucked the blanket around them. The familiar bergamot scent, along with the warmth from his body, lulled her to sleep almost as soon as she settled in.