Chapter 7
Cora followed behind Jeremy as they searched for a wrapped gift hidden somewhere on the Stanton Estate grounds. It was one of four such packages the staff had placed outside. Today, they were hosting a scavenger hunt. Cora was tired.
Last night, she dreamed of Damion. They’d been wanton thoughts that still left her disconcerted. Her cheeks heated, remembering in her sleep she’d sat on his lap, rocking against him. Cora woke up with her body throbbing for him. Shaking her head, she mumbled, “It is only because of the kiss.”
“What did you say?” Jeremy asked.
“Why are you walking with me? Aren’t you supposed to be wooing a lady?”
He sighed. “I need to find the right one first.”
They stopped along a tree line behind the gardens. “What are you looking for?”
“Love.”
Cora frowned at him. “You are usually so practical. I’m surprised.”
He leaned against a tree. “I have so many memories of Mother and Father sneaking kisses or laughing together. Call me mad, but I want that. You should too.”
“I do.”
Her brother studied her. “And you have that with Bellamy?”
“Of course,” she said, exasperation hanging on her words.
Everyone seemed to be puzzled by her feelings for Christoper. She didn’t understand it. Loud giggling jerked her attention back toward the gardens. Damion stood with Lady Clark. He grinned at her. “Be nice, Meredith.”
Something twisted in Cora’s chest at how at ease they were with each other. She suspected they were or had been lovers at some point. Lady Bennett appeared from behind a hedge. “I found one!”
Damion applauded loudly, and the widow bowed. Cora and Jeremy wandered in their direction along with other guests. Her brother said, “Bravo. Everyone, keep searching. Three more presents are hidden on the grounds.”
As quickly as the crowd gathered, it dispersed. Lady Bennett hadn’t even unwrapped the present. She removed the paper, and those remaining clapped again. It was a beautiful crystal jewelry box. Cora’s mother selected each gift herself.
Damion leaned in and whispered something to Lady Bennett. She beamed at him. Cora needed to find Christopher. She spun around and charged back into the gardens. She wasn’t angry that Damion was being his usual rogue self. No, it didn’t matter to her in the least.
Well, except his lessons hadn’t improved her skills yet. Peevishly, Cora wondered if he didn’t want to meet last night because he was conducting an interlude with Lady Clark or Lady Bennett. She scowled and headed down another pathway bordered by tall hedges.
She didn’t make it far before Damion called out, “Cora.”
Startled, Cora stumbled. Had he followed her? She turned to him and said, “Yes, Your Grace.”
He lifted a brow at her formality, and she bristled. “Do you need something?”
Damion clenched his jaw. “What is wrong? I don’t like games.”
“Neither do I.”
He stepped closer to her. A hum of excitement filled Cora. She didn’t understand why she felt it with this man. Was it because he was a rake? What else could it be?
Concern appeared on his face. Softly, he said, “You seem bothered.”
She. Was. Not. Cora shook her head. “Not at all. Though I do hope you are planning to teach me more tonight. I find your lessons lacking.”
Damion took another step toward her. They were mere inches away from each other.
Even though Cora was taller than most, she still had to look up at him.
She tilted her head back. Absurdly and completely not important to their conversation, she wondered if he truly would never marry.
It would be such a shame if he never found real love after the ordeal with his wife.
He grasped her chin. “What lesson have I failed to teach you?”
Cora was momentarily speechless. What did she want him to show her? “I want you to instruct me on how to kiss better. I’m confident before the party is over Bellamy will pull me aside.”
He stepped back, releasing his hold on her. A scowl marred his chiseled face. Cora smirked, enjoying aggravating him.
“I’m not sure your brother would approve.”
“Still, I need to know. I don’t want to be a wet fish.”
He snorted. “I’ve kissed you. You don’t need any training. You—”
“Don’t tell me to be myself. I need to know more. There is a spark that ignites before an actual kiss. I felt it with you. I’m requesting you teach me how to create that spark.”
“I’m not sure that can be taught,” he stated.
Cora scrunched up her nose. “Of course it can. I mean you must feel it with everyone. I assume you’ve kissed Lady Clark and Lady Bennett.”
He rolled his eyes. “I have not kissed Lady Bennett.”
She glowered at him. “But you have kissed Lady Clark and there was a spark beforehand?”
“Something similar.”
Why did disappointment flare in her at his agreement? “Show me how to be enticing, Damion.”
He sighed. “Place your hand on my chest and lean in slightly.”
She did as he said and felt the hammering of his heart through his shirt. Gruffly, he said, “Now, ask me to kiss you.”
“Your Grace—”
“No, use my given name. You aren’t asking for a proper kiss. Your touch and closeness indicate you want something far more intimate. Stare up at me as if I’m some type of treat—not something you taste all the time but something you yearn to have one more nibble of.”
Their eyes connected. Her fingers dug into his shirt. Breathlessly, she said, “Damion, will you kiss me?”
He swallowed hard and cupped her chin. “Now part your lips slightly.”
His free arm looped around her waist. "Move slightly closer. Not all the way, but enough that it makes me want to dip my head down further.”
She did as he instructed. Their lips were only a breath apart. Cora should end this but didn’t. No, she wanted Damion to kiss her. She would never admit that aloud, but it was the truth. Still, who wouldn’t enjoy a kiss from a skilled gentleman?
The sound of someone approaching reached them, and Damion quickly released her.
They both stepped back. Lady Clark and Lady Bennett appeared on the pathway, giggling.
Lady Clark spotted them first, and she tilted her head, studying their interaction.
Eventually, she asked, “Did either of you find a gift down here?”
The question snapped Cora out of the haze of desire swirling around her and Damion. She forced herself to smile. “Not so far, but I believe Blythe is going to continue the search. I must return to the house.”
Cora needed some air or space away from Damion. Suddenly, being near him seemed like all too much. She glanced at him, and his eyes darkened with something needy.
“Excuse me,” she said and walked to the terrace.
Once she made it inside the empty drawing room, she stopped and leaned against the door. Cora needed to relax. It was simply a lesson. She was affected by it because it was a good one. Yes, Damion finally provided her with some guidance she could use. That was all it was.
***
Damion stood in the library, wondering if Cora would show. They’d avoided each other for most of the day. He’d desperately wanted to kiss her in the garden today. Hell, he still wanted to. Yet, it confirmed something for him.
Desire was something that could be felt with anyone, but he suspected she didn’t feel it at all for Bellamy. While it may grow over time, he believed it was unwise for her to assume it would automatically. He needed to explain that to her.
He didn’t want Cora to make the same mistake he made when he was young, assuming attraction and desire would eventually show up. Damion had spent countless days wondering why Lily stiffened at his touch, only to find out too late she was in love with another.
He took a sip of the brandy while he allowed himself to embrace the pain that always came when he thought of his marriage.
Damion needed to make Cora understand that similarities or proximity weren’t the ultimate qualities when choosing a spouse.
She should want someone who enjoyed her hobbies, knew her dreams, and craved her as much as she craved him.
Tonight, he would make her understand. The click of the door opening made him turn.
She entered, dressed only in her nightgown and wrap.
Her hair was tied up in a messy bun. He swallowed as his gaze roamed hungrily over her.
Trepidation filled him that what he felt for Lady Cora Stanton might be more than attraction. No, it wasn’t.
She smiled at him. “I was afraid you wouldn’t show.”
He walked to the table and poured her a glass of wine. Once complete, Damion handed it to her and guided her to the sofa. Her brows drew together in confusion. “The lesson tonight is the art of conversation.”
“Oh, I thought we would focus more on kissing. I think I can become adept at that.”
Damion took another sip of his drink. The lady was already good. Still, he didn’t say that. No, what he wanted Cora to understand was that she should want someone who was interested in her—who intentionally chose to focus on her. She deserved that.
She took a sip of her wine and ran her hands over the front of her wrap. “Shall I ask you about your hobbies?”
He shook his head. “No, I want you to tell me about yours.”
“I’m not sure it will be of interest.”
“Let me decide that,” Damion insisted.
She nodded. “We’ve talked about this before. I enjoy maps, both old and new, but I suppose I fell in love with them because I love studying people. The fall and rise of different civilizations fascinate me.”
Her face glowed with excitement, and Damion found himself leaning forward as she spoke.
“For instance, the Roman Empire was once considered the most amazing civilization in the world and the beginning of so many advances, yet it collapsed. I think I’ve visited all the exhibits available in London about it.”
“You should travel. Your hobbies are perfect for it,” Damion suggested.
She frowned. “Maybe. I’m not sure Christopher is so enamored with the idea of another trip.”
“He doesn’t have to be, but he needs to be enamored with you.”
Damion stopped himself from declaring Bellamy was all wrong for her, but barely. Cora needed to realize it herself and then find someone more suitable.
“What are your interests, besides ladies?” she asked.
He smirked at her. “You really have a bad view of me.”
Cora shook her head. “You are a rake, but so are many others. I imagine being a duke makes ladies want you more, and then there is the gossip about you.”
He cringed, and she bit her lip. “Sorry.”
“It’s fine. I’m the one that revealed the truth of my marriage to you. Regarding my interests, I enjoy traveling and investing in new ventures. My portfolio includes funding businesses in England and abroad,” he explained.
Truthfully, he’d discovered his love of investing while traveling. Damion was the primary importer of several overseas goods that were now popular in London.
“My brother enjoys investing as well. He is very fascinated with anything steam-related.”
Damion chuckled. “Me too.”
She smiled at him. The room fell silent, and she appeared to be thinking about something intensely. Eventually, she said, “I think you should try to find love, especially since you never experienced it.”
Damion took a sip of his brandy. “My old heart is too jaded.”
Cora snorted. “You aren’t that old.”
“Thirty-two.”
She shrugged. “Think on it.”
He chuckled. “Now you are the one giving me advice.”
Cora grinned, and Damion smiled back at her. He enjoyed spending time with her. “What are some of your favorite foods?”
A huff escaped her. “Why all these questions about me?”
“Just answer.”
“I like meat pies, roast mutton, and apple tarts,” she provided begrudgingly.
Cora frowned, likely wondering what he was up to. Damion was trying to prove a point. Maybe now was the time to explain it. “You should want someone who cares about your interests even if they aren’t their own.”
She flushed. “Christopher does.”
Damion snorted. “The man is enthralled with his own actions, and it may be because he is young. Still, why settle for that?”
Cora stood up, angry. “I’m not settling, and I don’t need a lecture from a man who refuses to love.”
Her point was accurate. Damion rose. “What of desire? When I kissed you, it was clear you’d never experienced attraction so intensely.”
Cora’s eyes sparked with anger. “Are you saying that there is something between you and me?”
He shook his head. “I’m saying that if you can feel such emotions with me—a man you don’t hold in high regard- why do you not feel more or the same for Bellamy?”
She thumped him on the chest. “I don’t feel anything for you. I’m using you to make sure when I kiss Christopher, it is good. Everyone knows rakes can make anyone desire them.”
“My point is some type of desire should already exist. You should want Bellamy more than me, or just as much.”
Tilting her head back, she jutted out her chin. “Maybe I’m good at making you think I desire you.”
He scoffed. “Your moans were proof enough.”
“Well, I guess I’m a wonderful student because it was just for show. “
Damion stepped closer to her, invading her space.
She refused to move back. Damion wanted to kiss her.
No, he wanted to thread his hands through her hair and be lost in her body.
The desire damn near consumed him. His mouth brushed against her cheek.
“Cora, you are trembling for me to touch you right now. Why lie?”
She gasped but said nothing. He needed to make his point. “Bellamy will never make you feel this way. Another man will, but not him. I’ve seen the two of you together. I’m trying to teach you a lesson, so you understand what you are giving up by being with him.”
His words seemed to snap her out of the hazy desire swirling around them. She stepped back. “I think we are done with the lessons.”
Damion frowned at the hurt and confusion on her face. “Cora, I want the best for you.”
She scoffed. “How do you know what that is? You locked your heart away long ago. You are no expert on love. You are a coward.”
He couldn’t say anything else because she rushed from the room.
Damion stayed in the library, glowering into the fire.
Still, he assured himself he’d done the right thing.
Cora deserved to be with a man who worshipped her, and that wasn’t Bellamy.
His mouth twisted into a grimace, hating the thought of any man but him touching Cora.
What did that mean? He wouldn’t dwell on it. Cora was right about one thing—he had locked his heart away long ago, permanently.