Chapter 1

CHAPTER ONE

Six weeks later…

Caroline had slept late. Again.

What was wrong with her? She always rose like clockwork and went out for an early morning walk before the rest of London was even stirring.

She swiped a hand across her head and rose from the bed, a bout of dizziness making her sway on her feet.

She must be getting ill. There was no other explanation.

Crossing the room, she pulled the bell cord, summoning her morning tea.

Then she slid back into the bed, her head sinking onto the pillow.

When would she have contracted this illness? Other than Chloe's wedding a month ago, she'd hardly left the house.

Something about her interlude with Strongborn had made her feel raw, exposed. She'd never been the most social person, but lately…

She'd always chosen her balls and parties carefully, she often found them dull, preferring a quiet walk to a crowded ballroom. But to not attend anything in over a month was unheard of, even for her.

A maid entered with a steeping teapot and a few biscuits, the only breakfast she seemed able to eat for the last week.

With a shudder, she waved to the woman to pour the tea, gratefully taking the cup and bringing the steaming liquid to her lips.

Behind the maid, her housekeeper entered. "Good morning, my lady."

"Good morning, Mrs. Banks."

"I wanted to deliver your letters myself." The housekeeper handed her a large stack of folded sheets emblazoned with wax seals.

Caroline grimaced. Had she been neglecting her correspondence? "Thank you."

"Baroness Upton has not only issued you an invitation, she has sent no less than three follow-up notes."

Caroline's brow furrowed. She hardly knew the woman. And it's not as though Caroline's company was highly sought after. Despite being a countess, she wasn't known for her shining personality that might make her in demand socially.

"I'll write to her to say that I can't attend." She waved her hand toward her small secretary that sat in the corner. "Just place the stack under the roll top."

The housekeeper cleared her throat, which had the maid bobbing a curtsy and scurrying from the room.

Caroline tried not to sigh. She truly liked Mrs. Banks, despite having inherited the housekeeper from her late husband, but she knew what was coming. Advice.

In the early days of her marriage, Mrs. Banks had been a wonderful support. But Caroline no longer needed support. Still… she was too polite to say so now. "What is it, Mrs. Banks?"

"It might be good for you to go," the other woman gently answered. "You've been in this house for weeks, not even walking. I don't know what happened, but whatever it is, you should get out a bit, try to move on."

What had happened was a large and amazingly sexy man had made love to her like she'd never expected in her whole life, and now everything else just seemed… boring.

Coupled with this physical malaise… "Fine. I'll go. When is it?" She already knew her housekeeper had checked the correspondence. Mrs. Banks was never underhanded, her intentions were always pure, but she was the model of efficiency, and she sometimes overstepped.

"Tonight."

"Tonight?" she cried. "Oh, but, I'm not feeling well."

Mrs. Banks reached out a hand feeling her head. "You're fine. No cough, no fever. You just need a change of scenery. I've seen it happen before."

She felt like she was twelve once again with her mother standing over her and not the mistress of the house. "Mrs. Banks, I appreciate your concern but?—"

"Please, my lady," Mrs. Banks softened her voice. "The entire staff is worried."

She let out a long sigh. Perhaps Mrs. Banks was right, a change of scenery would do her good.

But eight hours later when she stood outside the door of the baroness's stately townhouse, she was certain she'd made a mistake. Already exhausted, she lifted her skirts to make her way up the granite stairs.

The door swung open as the butler greeted her, ushering her from the entry, up the grand staircase and into the library where several guests were already assembled.

But not too many. Caroline breathed a sigh of relief that only about a dozen or so well-dressed lords and ladies were in attendance. That was until her gaze swept to the far left of the room.

Standing alone, leaning against the mantel, was the Duke of Strongborn.

Her heart nearly stopped in her chest as she realized the real reason she'd hardly left the house. She'd been dreading this moment.

The moment where she met the man who had carnal knowledge of her, and she'd have to nod and smile as though they barely knew each other at all. Which in some respects was absolutely true.

But she didn't have a moment to dwell as her hostess approached. "Countess Green, I'm so glad you could come."

Caroline gave the pretty blonde a thin smile as she tried to fortify herself for the evening. "Thank you for having me."

She felt Strongborn's gaze, and she did her best not to shrink into herself. She smiled wider, her cheeks aching at the effort.

"You must tell us, how do the Duke and Duchess of Helmsworth fair?"

Chloe's letters were among the few Caroline had opened. "I'm happy to report very well. They're missing being here for the season…" A complete lie. "But they are enjoying their time together immensely."

The baroness leaned closer. "Oh, does that mean there will be a little duke coming soon?"

A shiver Caroline couldn't explain stole down her spine.

"Countess Green," a rich, deep rumble washed over her from her left. "How wonderful to see you again."

Caroline swallowed down a lump. Did she dare tell the duke she wasn't pleased to see him at all? He was meant to be a distant memory, not a flesh-and-blood reminder of how wanton she'd been and how much, in her heart of hearts, she'd like to do it again.

But she gave her head a small shake. She'd not succumb to these feelings no matter how much she wished. Strongborn was fine for a short tryst, but he was not the man for her…

* * *

Luke looked down at the lovely woman currently blushing the prettiest shade of pink and rumbled with satisfaction.

He'd been trying to track her down for over a month.

Caroline Green, a widowed countess, was perfectly suited for his purposes.

Lovely with dark hair and porcelain skin, she appeared almost doll like with her tiny nose, pink lips, and large eyes.

Except no doll he'd ever seen had breasts like hers. Despite her obviously slender figure, they were large and full and an absolute delight as they filled a man's hand.

He'd been on a mission that first evening. The club of which he was the leader was a group of powerful men who used the privacy of the group to behave in less than honorable ways.

He'd bedded Caroline—and he was using the term "bed" very loosely since there had been no bed at all—on a wager. But the experience had been… unique.

First, in that she'd been shy, and a bit insecure, and yet… ridiculously sensual.

How many times, over the last six weeks, had he replayed the way she'd said please in his thoughts? It never failed to make him rock hard.

She'd been so hot, wet, and tight, even when he'd attempted to push her out of his thoughts, he'd found himself dreaming about her. The way she moved, the way she felt...

Which was why, after a few weeks, he'd determined that he simply needed to bed her again. This time, he'd like to use a real bed.

And he was definitely stripping her naked.

But there were other oddities about Caroline.

She hadn't attempted to gain a second meeting from him. In fact, she'd disappeared from society all together.

He'd tried to come across her at Whites or at another ball. Not only did she never attend the places he did, but he spoke with everyone he knew and no one had seen her anywhere.

Finally, he'd called at her home, leaving his card. Twice.

The housekeeper had informed him that her mistress had been unwell and hadn't been receiving callers.

Concerned, he'd finally convinced Patricia, Baroness Upton, to invite Caroline here. It hadn't taken much.

The woman made no secret that she'd like a night with him. He'd been careful to promise her nothing while convincing her to aid him.

Because the next oddity was this. Since Caroline, he'd lacked interest in other women. An event that had never happened in his entire adult life.

Which meant there was only one thing to do: fuck her out of his system.

He changed his mind, he didn't need the bed. Any surface would do.

Caroline turned toward him, the color draining from her face. "Your Grace. W-what a surprise."

"I for one, am thrilled," he gave her smile he was certain appeared wolfish; he felt predatorial. This woman had had him on the hunt. "It's been too long."

"Has it?" Caroline looked over at their hostess, Lady Upton, who was now visibly frowning.

"You look cold," he murmured. "Come warm yourself by the fire." And then he took her hand, tugging her along before she had the opportunity to answer.

"Your Grace," she attempted to discreetly pull her hand from his, but he was having none of it. He gripped her fingers more firmly in his. "I'm not certain?—"

"You are a difficult lady to find," he rumbled back, smiling at Lord Riswald, who gave him a questioning glance in return as they passed. Was he acting oddly? He likely was. "And I am not a man who is used to working so hard to gain a woman's attention."

"I have given you a great deal of attention, Your Grace," she answered back, her voice taking on a breathy quality that made him rumble in satisfaction.

"That is true, but greedy man that I am, I'd like more."

He felt her shiver. "From me?"

"From you."

"Oh but…" She tugged a little harder. "You can't really mean it. I'm not, that is to say, you could have any woman you wished. Surely…"

There was that insecurity again. Why did it tug at his chest? "Rest assured, sweetheart, that I know my own mind and if I say I want you, I mean it."

She gave a delicate little clearing of her throat. "That's very kind… or… er… comforting. But I am rarely anyone's first choice. I'm…" They reached the fire and he let her hand go, stepping a polite distance away while still being close enough to stop her if she tried to flee. It had taken a fair bit of work to get her here and he'd not lose her again tonight. They had several delicate matters to discuss.

"You are quite lovely," he said, meaning the words. He didn't add, and an amazing lover , though he wanted to. He shifted closer, having a difficult time maintaining his distance.

She blushed then. "Thank you."

Damn, but she looked even prettier with her cheeks flushed in pink.

He'd been forgoing a great deal of other responsibilities in his hunt for this woman. He was supposed to be tracking down a villain so that he might retire from his club and begin his search for a proper bride. Some sweetly arrayed debutante who'd likely bore him to tears. But he was approaching forty and it was past time to make an heir.

The entire idea filled him with dread. Always had…

Had he been using Caroline to delay the inevitable? Probably. But what fun it had been.

"I'd like to get know you better."

She shook her head. "Oh no. I don't think so."

"Why not?" His spine stiffened as he stared down at her. He was not a man who accepted the word no.

She winced, taking a half step back. "Try to understand. You were a single indulgence that I wished to experience just once."

That made sense. She'd made love like she might never again. But that led to his next question. The final oddity he'd discovered.

"A single indulgence you never plan to experience again?"

She turned her face toward the fire, looking almost pained. "That's right."

"And one you'd never had before?"

She turned back to him all the color draining from her face. "Your Grace?"

He moved right next to her, knowing that he was bound to draw attention, but she'd gone worrisomely pale. "Can you tell me, Lady Green, how a widow was still a virgin?" His words were whispered but he might have yelled them, for the way she cringed, her eyes wide with fear.

And then… swaying on her feet, her knees began to crumble.