Chapter 25
Chapter Twenty-Five
E loise ensconced herself in the library, not wanting to see anyone. She thought she’d escape into a novel; it was an easy way to keep reality at bay.
Just as she’d curled her legs beneath her and opened the book, she heard the butler’s heavy footsteps on the wooden floor. With a low sigh, she kept her focus on the words, hoping he would walk past without disrupting her.
She had no such luck.
“Your Grace, I am dreadfully sorry to bother you, but there’s a visitor for His Grace.”
Eloise looked up at him and blinked. Surely he could see that her husband was not with her.
Perhaps he is out drinking with Percy again.
“I see,” she replied simply.
She pressed her lips together, hoping he would go away. She only wanted a little peace, a place where she could escape her confused thoughts for an hour or so.
The butler cleared his throat. “Yes, one Viscount Kaylocke by all accounts.”
“The name does not ring a bell.” She frowned, her hand hovering over her book. “Is my husband unavailable?”
“I am afraid he has gone out for the afternoon, Your Grace. Viscount Kaylocke has, however, requested an audience. Shall I ask him to return at a more convenient time?”
Eloise sighed and closed her book. “No, it is all right. As the Duchess of Kingswell, I am certain His Grace would want me to entertain his guests in his absence.”
It still felt strange calling herself duchess, but it also made her smile. She knew that, as a duchess, she had certain duties to uphold. That included entertaining the rare guest when one arrived.
“Very well. I will show him to the drawing room.”
“Thank you, Beaumont.”
The butler nodded and took his leave, allowing Eloise a moment to gather herself. She stood up, took a deep breath, smoothed out her skirts, and prepared herself to do her duty.
Moments later, Eloise entered the drawing room, curious to find out who their guest was.
She discovered a tall, well-dressed man admiring one of the paintings on the wall. He turned at the sound of her footsteps, offering her a warm, appreciative smile.
Eloise instantly liked him. He had charm and sophistication and the warmest smile she had ever seen. She wondered idly how he knew Felix, and she decided in that moment that she would make more of an effort with his friends.
“Ah, the Duchess of Kingswell,” he said, bowing slightly. “I had heard you were beautiful, and I must say the rumors were quite accurate. I do hope I am not disturbing you too much?”
“Not at all, Lord Kaylocke,” she replied, returning his polite smile. “Indeed, it is delightful to have visitors.”
“Please,” he said with a shrug. “Call me Stephen. It was always my father’s title, and I am still not used to it.”
Eloise smiled along with his chuckle. “I must admit I am also getting used to being called duchess,” she said in a conspiratorial whisper. “I am afraid to inform you that the Duke is away at the moment, but I am more than happy to keep you company until he returns, should that please you.”
“That is more than agreeable, Your Grace.”
“Please,” Eloise said with a smile, indicating to the cushioned sofa. “Take a seat.”
She sat opposite him in one of the leather armchairs, her hands folded neatly in her lap.
“Thank you. And before I forget, I must offer my congratulations. It is my understanding that you have only very recently married.”
Eloise’s smile faltered the tiniest bit, curious about this man. The well wishes were normal enough, but something felt off about the way this man approached it.
She smiled politely. “Thank you. That is most kind. Do you live in the area?”
Stephen leaned forward, resting his elbow on the arm of the sofa. “Actually, yes, we are practically neighbors now,” he said with a smile. “Or as close to neighbors as one can be when the estates are almost an hour away from each other. I recently purchased the estate bordering Kingswell, you see, so neighbors we are, but still a good ride apart.”
Eloise chuckled softly. “That is true. It is no small feat to traverse Kingswell.”
She studied him curiously. She thought again about his name: Stephen Birks, the Viscount of Kaylocke. Felix didn’t often speak of his associates, but she believed she would have remembered that name if he had mentioned it.
“I am surprised that I have not heard of you before now. Pray tell me how you know my husband. He has so many friends that it is easy to become confused. Did you say you were business associates?”
Stephen shrugged, offering an easy grin that put her mind to rest once more. “To be honest, I only arrived in London recently and thought it might be worthwhile to introduce myself to the Duke. We have had some small dealings together, but we are nothing quite as adventurous as business associates . I did venture to the club in London in the hopes of finding him, but it appears I missed the news of his wedding altogether. Hence my arrival here.”
Eloise laughed, charmed by his candor. “Well, it seems you have made quite the entrance. I am sure His Grace will be glad to have you as a neighbor.”
“Funny thing about owning an estate,” Stephen continued, “I thought I would be lord of the manor, but it seems I am more a glorified gardener. I am beginning to think the hedges have more say in things than I do.”
Eloise’s laughter chimed through the room. “Goodness, you are quite right,” she agreed. “Estate life is certainly more difficult than many people believe. I am certain the Duke will be able to recommend some trustworthy staff.”
“That would be very gracious indeed, and certainly very appreciated. I never considered myself to be particularly green-fingered, and yet here I am with acres of greenery to deal with.”
Eloise laughed again, pleased she had agreed to see their visitor. His agreeable company was as much of an escape as reading would have been, and she found herself pleasantly distracted from her thoughts. She even fancied herself a real duchess, one with a real marriage, not in name only.
“You have quite the wit, Stephen. I am sure you are a delight at social occasions.”
“I try my best, Your Grace.”
Eloise was about to speak again when she heard the slow, deliberate footsteps of her husband just outside the door.
She stiffened and turned to look.
Felix entered the room with aplomb as he always did, his frame intimidating to those who did not know him. His presence filled the room, altering the atmosphere with his dark expression.
His eyes were fixed on Stephen. Eloise watched him closely, curious about their relationship.
“I see we have a guest,” Felix replied.
Eloise could hear the rigidity in his voice.
He moved to stand next to Eloise and placed a hand on her shoulder, a nod to the fact that she belonged to him. Despite the tension in the room, she enjoyed the warmth of his hand on her body.
Stephen stood up, a wide smile on his face, and held his hand out to Felix. “Your Grace. A pleasure to meet you at long last. I was just introducing myself to your lovely wife while I waited. I understand how busy you must be.”
“Indeed,” Felix replied in a clipped tone. “Perhaps you would care to introduce yourself to me as well.”
Stephen laughed good naturedly. “Goodness, of course. Where are my manners?” He held his hand out again. “Stephen Birks, Viscount Kaylocke.”
Felix looked him over and then glanced at Eloise. Something flashed in his eyes. Was it jealousy? Surely not. But his jaw had tightened, and Eloise began to wonder if it was.
“Viscount,” Felix replied without a smile, “while I appreciate your patience in waiting, I must admit that I rarely, if ever, entertain unscheduled visits.”
Eloise’s brows furrowed at his tone. She had always known Felix to be strong and forceful, but she had never heard him speak so rudely and certainly not to a perfectly nice gentleman like the Viscount.
But if Stephen noticed, he did not show it. He remained polite and lowered his ignored hand. “Of course, Your Grace. I should have sent word beforehand. I was just so eager to meet my new neighbor.”
“Neighbor?” Felix raised an eyebrow.
“Yes,” Eloise said in a tone that she hoped would brighten the mood. “Stephen has taken the?—”
“Stephen?” He turned to her, eyebrows still raised, his voice an octave higher in disbelief. “Have we already forgone formalities?”
Stephen cleared his throat. “Well, it was lovely to meet you both. I will take my leave and return at a more convenient time.”
Felix’s gaze returned to him, steely and determined. “That would be advisable.”
“Yes, of course. Your Graces,” Stephen said with a bow and walked out of the room.
Eloise watched him leave, aghast at Felix’s behavior. She turned to him as soon as the door closed.
“Was that necessary?”
Felix sat down in Stephen’s place and frowned at her. “Necessary? You tell me.”
“He was a perfectly delightful man who?—”
“Whom my wife was entertaining in our home? Yes, I believe it was necessary.”
Eloise stood up and began pacing the room, twisting her fingers together in frustration. “I was being polite, Felix, carrying out my duty as the duchess and lady of this house. There is no need to be rude to our guests.”
“Rude?” He let out a bark of laughter and stood up, approaching her. “You were laughing with him, Eloise. Laughing! As if that was even slightly appropriate. I will not tolerate such behavior from my wife, and certainly not in my own drawing room.”
“Your wife in name only, remember,” she shot back, glaring at him.
Felix growled. “You know what I mean, Eloise. Do not play dumb.”
“I see. So now I am to avoid laughing as well because it might encourage some poor man?” she retorted, her voice rising. “That is absurd, Felix, and you know it. I did not want to keep the man company, I was happy in the library, but the man he came to visit was out drinking. What was I supposed to do?”
Before she could take another breath, he moved in, closing the space between them with rapid footsteps.
He backed her against the wall, pinning her there, and her thoughts flashed back to how she had felt the last time he had done so. His eyes burned with frustration but also with desire and something much darker.
“You cannot speak to me that way, Eloise,” he said, his voice low and dangerous, his hands braced against the wall on either side of her.
Their sudden proximity made her heart pound; she even welcomed the smell of brandy on his breath.
She lifted her chin defiantly, daring him to push her further. “Or what, Your Grace? What will you do?”
He glared at her, jaw clenched, and they stared into one another’s eyes for what felt like a century.
Eloise encouraged him and pleaded with him in her mind. She squirmed her body, hoping he would feel her brush up against him and be unable to resist.
His gaze flickered down to her lips, and in one swift, impulsive motion, he captured her mouth with his own. The kiss was fiercely demanding, and Eloise yielded, her fingers curling into the lapels of his jacket as he pressed her into the wall.
One of his hands slipped around her waist, pulling her body flush against his. The fire between them ignited, and Felix responded with a hungry groan that left her breathless.
She pushed her hips out, driving herself into him. She could feel his excitement through the thin fabric of her gown. His other hand reached up and seized her breast, squeezing it so tightly that she let out a gasp. His firm grasp sent waves of passion through her, and she knew she could no longer ignore her desire.
She ran her hands along his sides, feeling first his waist and then his hips. Boldly, she moved her hand between his legs and cupped him. He moaned in her mouth, biting down on her bottom lip. Hearing his reaction, she pressed against him harder, moving in a rhythmic motion.
Felix knocked her hand away and drove her once more into the wall.
“You are mine ,” he growled low into her ear. “And as such, you will wait until you are invited to touch me.”
“Yes, Your Grace,” she breathed, the use of his title sending shivers of excitement through her.
“Good.”
He yanked up the skirt of her gown, making her yelp in surprise. The cool air hit her bare flesh, and she shuddered. He ran his hand over her hips and buttocks, but when he moved around to face her, he nudged her thighs until she spread her legs apart.
He stared into her eyes as he brushed his fingers over her most sensitive parts. She opened her mouth, her breath escaping her. She did not think she could bear it if he stopped. Her eyes silently urged him to continue.
He parted her slowly, his fingers gently stroking her moist pearl as he gauged her reaction. She mewled for him then gasped as he pushed his fingers inside her.
Her body knew how to respond, acting as if on its accord. Her hips moved in time with his fingers, driving the pleasure through her as her stomach clenched with lust. She closed her eyes and rested the back of her head against the wall as he leaned in and kissed her neck.
“Oh, Felix,” she cried.
But then, as quickly as it had started, it stopped. Felix stepped away from her, and her skirts tumbled to the floor, leaving Eloise with an unsatisfied throbbing in her groin.
A smirk played on his lips as he watched her, his breath ragged. His thumb grazed her cheek as he looked down at her, his gaze dark and possessive.
“The next time you provoke me like this,” he murmured, his voice a rough whisper, “I will not be able to hold back.”