A Duke By Any Other Name

Chapter Four

S ebastian’s heart quickened as he spread the blanket across the grass, carefully arranging the tarts and wine he had discreetly acquired from the kitchen. The glen, bathed in moonlight, was a sanctuary of stillness, broken only by the soft rustle of leaves and the murmuring brook. His gaze drifted to the glen’s entrance, anticipation coursing through him as he awaited the woman who had captured his heart.

And then she appeared—Juliana, her smile radiant and her eyes alight with unguarded joy. The moonlight caught her auburn hair, casting it in a burnished glow. Sebastian’s breath hitched, his pulse quickening at the sight of her. Compelled by an ache he could no longer suppress, he strode toward her, gathering her into his arms. Their lips met in a kiss steeped in longing and devotion, a silent vow etched beneath the canopy of stars.

Juliana melted into his embrace, her heart soaring at the intensity of their connection. When their lips parted, Sebastian took her hand, entwining their fingers as he led her to the blanket beneath the ancient oak. The sprawling branches seemed to shelter them, creating a haven far removed from the world.

With a roguish smile, Sebastian uncorked the wine, pouring it into two glasses. He handed one to Juliana, their fingers brushing in a fleeting caress that sent sparks along his skin.

“To stolen moments.” He raised his glass, his gaze holding hers.

“To the thrill of the forbidden,” she replied, her emerald eyes glinting with mischief, “and the joy of defying constraints.”

Their glasses clinked, the soft chime echoing in the glen as they sipped the wine. They conversed easily, their laughter mingling with the rustling leaves above.

“Do you remember the day we encountered one another in the village and earned a scolding from the vicar?” Juliana asked with a hint of amusement in her voice. “I was ten, if memory serves.”

Sebastian chuckled, the memory vivid in his mind. “How could I forget? In my haste, I nearly knocked you off your feet and sent your bonnet flying.”

Juliana grinned, her eyes sparkling with mirth. “And in my indignation, I kicked mud at you, tarnishing your fine boots.”

“We exchanged such scathing words,” Sebastian mused, shaking his head. “All because we were taught to view each other as adversaries.”

“How misguided we were.” Juliana sighed softly, her fingers grazing his before settling atop his hand. “To think we allowed their prejudices to cloud our own judgment.”

Sebastian’s thumb traced gentle circles on the back of her palm, his touch tender. “But we have found our way to each other now. That is all that matters.”

She leaned into him, her head resting against his shoulder as they gazed out at the moonlit glen.

Sebastian marveled at the twists of fate that had brought them together. What had once been a bitter rivalry had transformed into an unshakable bond. In Juliana, he had found not just a lover but a partner, a soulmate who understood him as no one else ever had.

His gaze drifted to her lips, and he smiled softly. “I must confess, even as a boy, I felt inexplicably drawn to you,” he murmured, his threaded with intimacy. “Like a star to the heavens, though I was too young to understand it.”

Juliana’s eyes widened, a delicate blush coloring her cheeks. “Truly? I had no idea. Though,” she added with a thoughtful pause, “perhaps I felt it too—a spark I mistook for hatred.”

Sebastian chuckled. “How misguided we were.”

Juliana’s fingers intertwined with his, their hands fitting together perfectly. “It was that very spark that brought us here.”

“Destiny.” His eyes searched hers.

“You are my destiny,” she declared.

Sebastian leaned closer, his breath brushing her ear. “I cannot imagine my life without you, Juliana. You consume my thoughts, my heart, my very soul.”

Her breath hitched, her emerald eyes darkening with desire. “And you consume mine, Sebastian. You are my every waking thought, my most cherished dream.”

His hand cupped her cheek, his thumb grazing her lips in a tender caress. “My darling Juliana. I yearn to make you mine in every way.”

“You already have,” she whispered. “My heart and soul belong to you.”

Sebastian’s lips claimed hers, the kiss deepening as their passion flared, a fire kindled against the cool night air. His hands roamed the curves of her back, drawing her closer until no space remained between them. Juliana arched into his touch, her hands exploring the warmth of his skin beneath his shirt.

As their clothing fell away, Sebastian’s lips blazed a trail down her neck, his breath hot against her flushed skin. She gasped as his mouth teased the sensitive peak of her breast, her fingers tangling in his hair as he worshipped her body. His touch was both gentle and demanding, stoking the flames of their shared desire.

As his touch trailed lower, lingering against her stomach before exploring further to dip between her thighs, Juliana’s breath hitched, a soft gasp escaping her lips. His fingers moved with exquisite precision, sending waves of pleasure coursing through her. Whispering words of love, Sebastian brought her to the peak of pleasure, his devotion evident in every touch.

“I love you,” he cried, his voice raw with emotion. “You are my heart, my everything.”

With a final, skillful caress, he sent her tumbling into bliss, her body shuddering as she clung to him. He held her close, peppering her face with soft kisses as she descended from the heights of her pleasure.

As they lay entwined beneath the stars, their hearts beat in perfect unison. Sebastian knew that he’d found his forever in Juliana.

When Juliana snuggled closer, a shiver raising goosebumps across her flesh, Sebastian reluctantly helped her to her feet. He gazed at her, his heart aching at the thought of leaving. “My love,” he groaned, his voice thick with emotion, “we must go, though every fiber of my being longs to stay.”

Juliana’s eyes shimmered with love as she cupped his cheek. “We will find a way, Sebastian. No matter what they do, we will be together.”

Sebastian pressed a lingering kiss to her lips. “I will move heaven and earth to make you my wife, Juliana. I swear it.”

He helped her to her feet, his hands lingering on her waist as they stood face to face. Their impending separation pained him, yet a flicker of hope refused to be extinguished. Sebastian drew her close once more, his lips finding hers in a kiss that held both passion and promise.

“Until we meet again, my love,” he murmured, his voice a caress in the night. “Keep me in your heart, as I shall keep you in mine.”

“Always,” Juliana assured him.