Chapter Twenty-Two
Sir Colt Lawrence
“You wish to do what?” I paced the thick carpet of my office, my hand moving to the back of my neck.
“Lillian wishes to elope to Gretna Green.” Lord Kendrick leaned his hip against the wooden desk and watched me with amused eyes. I didn’t find the suggestion of eloping the slightest bit humorous.
“Your mother is organizing an enormous affair, and the countess is beside herself with making plans for such an elaborate wedding. You mean to throw out all of their hard work to elope?” I expected this from Lord Kendrick but not from Lady Lillian.
He took pride in bucking propriety, and it shamed me to admit that I was envious of that trait in him.
“It is creating a strain on both Lady Tapper and my mother; even more reason to wed over the anvil.” Lord Kendrick crossed his arms, the material of his shirt pulling at his wide shoulders.
He was dressed in his customary shirtsleeves and work trousers and looked more like a pauper than a duke.
However, there was no mistaking the regal air in his chiseled profile or hardened body.
“People will speculate you ran away because Lady Lillian is increasing.” I had to curb his impulses, but from the way he lifted a belligerent chin, I failed. I settled my hands on my hips and exhaled through clenched teeth. Being upset wasn’t wise. It was their choice.
“They can speculate all they wish. It has been decided. Lillian and I are eloping.”
I averted my gaze, unable to look at him without lust lifting its sinful head. The strain of desiring him was almost unbearable. At least he had Lady Lillian to fall back on. I had no one. “Your proposition will take time and preparation to arrange.”
“I have a trip planned to Scotland next week. Lillian will go with us.” The duke tilted his head, curiosity brightening his eyes. He read me well, and it rankled. He need simply look at me, and I capitulated.
“About that. I have some news.” It pained me to say the words, but I had to tell him. I had been putting off the inevitable, and I could no longer delude myself. “I met with my cousin’s solicitor. In addition to the title, I inherited a shipping company.”
The words hung between us. His smile faltered.
“A very profitable shipping company located in Liverpool.”
Stunned eyes held mine as he sauntered over to where I stood before the fireplace. I held his direct gaze as he processed my statement. A lump in my throat, I waited for him to come to the logical conclusion.
“Why didn’t you ever tell me?” he asked.
His inquiry was very broad, but I knew what he was referring to.
It was difficult to explain. If anyone would understand, he would.
“It was very apparent in boarding school that I was more interested in my fellow students than the ladies at the finishing school. I had come face to face with my own preferences after working for you. I had an affair with a man I met at the Apollo Coffeehouse, but it was short-lived.” Because he wasn’t you.
He traced a finger along my cheek, compassionate eyes full of understanding.
I stood still as he ran his hand over my jaw, his thumb finding my bottom lip.
Sympathy lay in his regard, along with deep affection.
I wished it was love, but I wasn’t that na?ve.
“All these years, I thought I was putting you through hell with my male lovers.”
“You were putting me through hell. I saw what could be, but I never acted on it for obvious reasons.” Mainly I was in love with him. Shameful but true. It had torn me up inside. Yet I dared not risk the repercussions of admitting to a desire that might not be returned.
“Hence why you were so very adept the other night.” Lord Kendrick cocked one strong brow and pulled me into his chest. Although we were of a similar height, he’d a much broader frame. Gentle hands held me in a warm embrace. He was confident in his passions. I wish I could emulate him.
Every night I dreamed of the opportunity to seduce him. Lady Lillian had given me that chance. “Yes, although I daresay I am not as skilled as you.”
“Lillian said you were a writer. Yet another secret you were keeping from me. Why didn’t you tell me about your inheritance?
You are a rich man.” His cheek came to rest against mine.
Melancholy underlined his words, along with acceptance.
He was slow to judge others and quick to lend a helping hand.
It made it all the harder to disappoint him with my news.
He pulled back until our lips were a mere breath apart. My heart raced in anticipation of his kiss. It wasn’t wise to allow this to continue, but I stood rooted in my spot.
“It is too new to brag about,” I said with an embarrassed laugh.
His generous mouth touched mine and skipped across my lips before he spoke in a husky rasp. “Yet you took Lillian into your confidence.”
The subtle chastisement sent a rush of shame into my cheeks.
“Lady Lillian is very persuasive.” The earthy scent of clay would forever be imprinted in my memory.
I lowered my lashes, eagerness heightening my senses.
My head screamed to back away from the danger he presented.
“Hence why she has convinced you to elope to Gretna Green.”
“Please don’t change the subject. If it wasn’t for Lillian, I would be ignorant of who you were in here.” He flattened his hand on my chest, long fingers splayed. The hurt I was putting him through was more evident in his downcast mouth.
“You needn’t hide from me anymore,” he said.
“I know.” I looped my arm around him, sweeping my lips across his full ones. Speaking might reveal more than I bargained for. I was cautious by nature, and I couldn’t change overnight.
My lips danced across his, and I moaned at the sultry sweep of his tongue. I gripped his neck and slipped my forearm around his broad shoulders. With a low growl, he ground his hips against mine, his semi-aroused state tempting me.
Our one night in the library had been an awakening. We were alone, and I could express my desire for him. It was one benefit of his unusual household.
Lord Kendrick pushed his hand down my belly and palmed my cock through the fabric of my trousers. I arched into him, heat ricocheting throughout my groin. He’d a way of breaching my defenses. Today, I would gladly surrender.
A sharp rap at the door tore us apart. He hopped back; his face flushed. I cursed the interruption and tried to catch my breath. The kiss was explosive. I bit back the need to yell at the intruder to go away.
“Perhaps it is Lady Lillian?” I said with a hopeful smile.
If it was, we could have a repeat of our last endeavor.
She’d been eager to participate and even hinted several times she would welcome another encounter.
I had been jealous of his past lovers, but Lillian was different.
She’d been the catalyst to bring me out of my shell and into Lord Kendrick’s embrace.
He ran a shaky hand through his hair and exhaled. “She is at her brother’s house.”
“I see.” Bloody hell! My cock was throbbing with need, and I cursed the intruder with every step I took. It wouldn’t do to be seen in such an aroused state. I moved behind my desk and sat down.
“Come in.” Lord Kendrick turned his back to the door. He strode to the fireplace and angled his hips to hide his tented trousers.
“Kendrick, I wasn’t expecting to see you,” Lady Helen said, holding a pair of pale blue kid gloves. The color matched her fashionable ensemble.
“Nor I, you.” By the grimness around his jaw, he was furious with his mother. He’d made a bid for freedom, and she refused to honor it. I would have left the room if my body was in a more forgiving state.
“Next time, I would appreciate it if you sent a note around. Colt and I are discussing some important business,” he said, clearly cross.
She placed a hand on her chest, the light in her eyes dimming. I was torn between being the peacekeeper and maintaining my neutrality. It was a constant battle between mother and son.
“I have an appointment with Colt to discuss the guest list,” Lady Helen said, lifting her chin. She stared down her regal nose at Lord Kendrick.
My stomach dropped, and I rubbed my hand against my forehead. Lord Kendrick’s kiss had wiped every other thought from my mind. My one consolation was that she’d knocked. I bit back a bark of hysterical laughter and cleared my throat. “I’m sorry, Lady Helen, I completely forgot.”
The harshness in Lord Kendrick’s stare dissipated, and he hissed out a sigh. “My apologies, Mother, and thank you for following my wishes.”
“Again, it was my fault,” I said, pleased my voice was calm. Inside, I was falling deeper in love with him.
Her smile brightened, and the tension left her slender frame. “If you and Kendrick need to finish your discussion, I’ll wait in the library.”
“No, I would like you to stay. I have something to tell you, which I’m sure will not thrill you to hear,” Lord Kendrick said.
His back still to his mother, he moved to the window, drawing back the drapes.
Either he did so because, like me, he was still aroused, or he couldn’t bring himself to look his mother in the eye.
I had a shrinking feeling I knew what he was about to disclose. Trouble was brewing. I gripped the arms of my chair and waited for the inevitable clash.