The Accidental Duke (The Mad Matchmaking Men of Waterloo Book 1) by Devlin, Barbara (love letters to the dead .TXT) 📕

Tension invested the study, and the silence only worsened her agitation, because he struggled with painful memories. Remembering the counsel detailed in Dr. Larrey’s book, she steeled her nerves.

“It is all right, my lord.” Arabella slid from the chair and knelt before him. “I’m here, and you are safe. I will never let anyone or anything hurt you.”

Framing his face, she paused when he flinched. Embarking on her own campaign, of a sort, she revisited precious recollections of their evening at Vauxhall. Daring to venture beyond the guidance Larrey prescribed, she inclined her head and pressed her lips to Anthony’s.

At first, he simply sat there, and she reconsidered her tack. But slowly, interminably slowly, he responded. Firm but gentle, he claimed her mouth, teasing her with flicks of his tongue, and she accepted his invitation to explore. Emboldened by a rush of power given his reaction, she gripped the hair at the nape of his neck and deepened the exchange, as a flurry of sensations, none of which she could master, traipsed her flesh. Just when she found her pace, to her disappointment, he broke the kiss. Her dismay was brief, given he wrapped his arm about her waist and lifted her into his lap.

“My lord, this is not proper behavior, for a lady.” Even as she called for restraint, she embraced her man. Then again, she started them down the alluring path. “Is it wrong that I want to kiss you?”

“No. Rather, I think, for us, it is a very good thing, and I believe you know I cannot resist you, even though you distract me from my purpose. I can share the rest of my story with you, later.” The strain in his expression eased, and he settled his palm to the curve of her hip, in a scandalous display of affection. “But I would know what ability you possess to calm me, when I am in the throes of hell on earth, because you, alone, influence me thus.”

“If my mother could see me, she would be furious.” Arabella rested her forehead to his and wondered if she should share the source of her altogether unique skill. “But I cannot bear your anguish, and I would comfort you, however I can, with any means at my disposal.”

“Careful, dearest Arabella, because I might be tempted to take you up on your offer, and I would preserve your bride’s prize, until we have taken the vows.” At his pronouncement, she gulped, until again he brushed his lips to hers. “Even then, I would protect you, because I am damaged, and I would not harm you, for anything in the world. Would that I could spare you this union, because you deserve so much more, but I am powerless to stop what our parents have put in motion. And, heaven help me, I want you.”

“Well, I will have no less than the very best of men, and that is you, my lord. So, I remain true to my principles.” Caressing his cheek, she instigated the next kiss, and he nibbled the corner of her mouth, which sent delicious shivers spiraling through her. “Indeed, I will have no other.”

“But you had no wish to take a husband.” As he reclined in the high back chair, he studied her with unveiled interest. “In that respect, you were very clear when we met at your home, so I would settle our arrangement, once and for all. Are you positive you wish to marry me?”

“My lord, the new perspective is mine to own, because I admit I felt otherwise.” In an attempt to amuse him, she cast the lethal pout her father could never resist, and Anthony rewarded her with a charming blush. She would store that information for future use, when dealing with her soon-to-be-husband. “However, it is a woman’s prerogative to change her mind, is it not?”

“It is, indeed.” Ah, now he favored her with a boyish grin. “But I would know why you wish to wed me. Indeed, I would know everything about you, just as I would have you know me, for good or ill, including the details of my war experience. In the end, if you have any reservations, I would know them.”

“My lord, it is simple, really. And you must know I am in complete accordance with your position.” She shrugged and tried but failed to ignore how he trailed his hand to her waist and higher, just shy of her bosom. “My standards remain the same. I am a woman of strong opinions, which I yield to no man. Yet, I am defined by a society that views me as less than a man, so I must marry. Why would it surprise you that I contemplated my choices and selected you, when we are well suited, and I consider myself your equal? I would be your partner, in every way, Lord Rockingham, if you will have me.”

“Are you proposing to me, Lady Arabella?” When he poked her in the ribs, she yelped, and he arched a brow, as if to challenge her. “While I may not know much about marriage, and no woman has ever asked me to marry her, that sounded like a proposal.”

“What if it is, my lord?” Indeed, she honored her beliefs and stood for her man. Not for an instant would she relent. “If I am so inclined, what say you?”

“All right.” He nodded once. “I accept.”

Chapter Seven

Life seemed so much simpler, once Anthony consented to marry Arabella. After much consideration in the quiet hours, he resolved to embrace the fate his father planned, but Anthony would wed on his terms, which he intended to discuss with his bride-to-be that night.

No longer obsessed with clandestine dealings and escape, he skipped up the entrance stairs to his fiancée’s home, for the heretofore agreed upon dinner. He made a quick check of his appearance and knocked on the door. Nervous, he rubbed his palm down a leg of