Chapter 2

CHAPTER TWO

Caroline blinked open her eyes, attempting to discern where she was and what had happened.

"You're all right," a deep baritone rumbled close to her ear.

She jolted up, or she tried, at the sound. A large hand spread out over her stomach, holding her down.

That's when she realized her backside was cradled in a man's thighs, a well-muscled arm under her back. She gasped in a breath, attempting to sit up again and then promptly found her chest crushed to his.

"It's too soon. Don't move yet."

"Where am I?"

"A sitting room in Baroness Upton's home."

Baroness Upton… The details of her evening came back. The party, the baroness, the duke, and finally the duke's question about her virginity.

She stared up at him, a shiver of fear moving through her. "Please."

His gaze narrowed and darkened. "I do love that word on your lips."

Raw desire pulsed through her as she swallowed down a lump, trying to keep her wits. "You can't tell anyone," she whispered, her wits now completely scattered.

"So you were a virgin."

Had there been a doubt? Gads, she was terrible at this. "I mean…"

"Tell me. No. Never mind… let me guess. The Earl of Green was significantly older than you and even though he got himself a new young, beautiful bride, he still couldn't get the gun to fire."

"Gun to fire?"

"He couldn't put his seed in you."

Oh. That. It was all true. Of course, there was far more to the story and none of it was pretty. But this was hardly the time to share or the person with whom to share it.

"And you wish to protect his memory?"

She didn't give a fig about his memory. "Of course."

But his eyes narrowed. "Do you live off your dowry or inheritance?"

She pushed away then, forcing distance between them. "Your Grace."

"Luke. I think you should call me by my given name."

She tried to climb off his lap, but her skirts tangled in his legs and as she attempted to move, she seemed to only twist the two of them tighter together.

Once again, he tightened his arms about her. But this time he stood. The fabric loosened and untangled from her legs. She expected him to set her on the floor, but he remained standing with her cradled in his arms. "Put me down, Luke."

"I don't think so, Caroline."

"Drat," she muttered. "Why not?"

"Which do you live off?"

She let out a sigh. She should have stuck with her first plan and just married a simple man. She'd have explained away her virginity somehow. "Both."

"And if society knew you'd never consummated, you'd be in danger of losing the money he left you."

She couldn't bring herself to confirm his words, but they were all true. "We had a tryst. Doesn't that require discretion on both our parts?"

"I keep your secrets, you keep mine?"

"That's right."

"But what secrets of mine do you know other than that I had a little tête-à-tête with a widow? Which is perfectly accepted."

"Well…" She looked away then. "I know that you belong to a secret club that?—"

His arms turned to granite around her. "Not another word."

She stilled in his arms, meeting his hard gaze. "Will you be destitute if the world finds out?"

"No."

She frowned at him, irritation making her limp limbs stiffen. "I will be if my secret is shared, and yet here you are asking me question after question."

He winced, seeming to understand her point. "True."

"So let's agree that we will both use discretion." Was she actually winning this conversation against this man?

"Fine."

"And go our separate ways?—"

"No."

She deflated as she glanced at him again, his gaze full of flint and granite. "Why not?"

"I already told you. I'd like for our acquaintance to continue."

And that was the thing about choosing powerful dukes for lovers. They were not accustomed to taking no for an answer. "Please try and understand."

"You could ask me, with your pretty pleases, for a great deal more than just understanding."

Her mouth opened and closed as her womanhood gave a decided throb of longing. Apparently, her body had not gotten the message that this was far too much man. She didn't regret their tryst, but she was not ready, nor did she ever think she would be, for a relationship with a powerful dominant lord like this. "Tempting, but I must decline."

"Why?"

She shook her head. "I don't have affairs."

"Why not?"

He still stood by the fire, holding her in his arms, which did little to help her fortitude in this conversation. "My marriage wasn't happy," she started.

"All the more reason to use me for your pleasure."

"Use you?" The ache grew deeper, spread…

"You don't want idle conversation or walks in the park? Fine with me. But that doesn't mean we couldn't see each other," he dipped close to her ear, "gain some satisfaction from our friendship."

Her heart sped faster, her blood roaring in her ears. His offer was tempting. Too tempting. "Luke," she whispered back. "I don't think it's a good idea."

"What events are you attending this weekend?"

"None." She'd practically been forced by her housekeeper to come here.

"Why not?"

"For the same reason I don't have affairs. I'm not that interesting."

Her looked down at her, his dark eyes glittering. "I think you're very interesting."

The man was as plain spoken as they came, so why did his simple words melt her insides like pudding? She shook her head. "I've not been feeling my best."

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing. I don't know. I've just been tired."

"Tomorrow night, a friend of mine, the Duke of Ironheart, is having a small get together. A few close friends. Come."

She cocked her head, not recognizing the name. "I am not invited."

"You are now."

She let out a sigh. "If I agree, can we go back to the baroness's dinner?"

"Yes."

"Fine. I shall go to the dinner, but I've not changed my mind about the affair."

Slowly, he lowered her feet to the ground, his hands coming to her waist to make certain she was steady. "I insist you stay next to me this evening."

"That isn't necessary."

"Nonsense. I'll catch you if you should faint again. Are you prone to fainting?"

"No. Not usually."

"Have you seen a doctor? Fainting and fatigue are concerning."

Perhaps he was right. If she did not feel better by next week, she'd see someone about her symptoms. "I know an excellent physician I can call upon to assist you."

"That won't be necessary." But inwardly, she melted a bit more. What was it about a strong capable man that could make a woman forget all her principles?

* * *

Luke stayed by Caroline's side the whole of the evening. She seemed fine after her fainting spell, but he did note that she hardly touched her wine or her food.

He wasn't supposed to be concerned.

And women fainted. Whether for effect or because of their clothing, it was a common enough occurrence. So why couldn't he shake his worry?

He'd insisted on seeing her home, her carriage following behind his.

She sat across from him looking fragile and beautiful. He'd balled his hands into fists to keep from pulling her into his lap.

Despite her willingness to give him her virginity, she'd been steadfast tonight in her refusal of his advances, but he was convinced, she just needed a bit more convincing.

And Ironheart's event would be perfect.

Ironheart was a member of his club and his successor. Normally they kept their identities secret even from each other, but because Luke was months away from retirement and he was training Ironheart to take over, they'd given up their anonymity.

They arrived at Caroline's home and her eyes met his before she looked away, dipping her chin again. "It wasn't necessary to see me home."

He was aware he wasn't getting an invitation inside. At least not tonight. Ironheart's party was a small gathering of lords and ladies who wished to enjoy each other's company. The dinner would be short, and couples would make their way to the bedrooms for the real fun in very short order.

Which would give him plenty of time alone with Caroline.

"It was to me," he said as the footman snapped the door open.

Then he stepped down, intent upon handing her out himself and seeing her up the stairs. She sighed as she slipped her hand into his. "Try to understand, Your Grace."

"Understand what?"

"I'm not sure I want to marry."

"I certainly don't." The fact that she didn't seem to want to trap him in anything was a large point in her favor.

But his words made her smile. "Fair enough. But I'm not sure I wish to have even a casual relationship. What we did… it was a large step forward for me."

Forward from what? "I'm not asking you to do anything other than what we enjoyed a month ago. I can assure you, I will not get attached."

She stared up at him, her head cocking to the side and he knew she was considering his words. Victory roared in his veins, not that he hadn't been enjoying the chase. But winning, that was going to be particularly sweet.

"It's been six weeks," she said with a blush. "Surely, you've met someone else who attracted your interest?"

Had she been keeping track? Had she missed him? He stepped closer. "You are the most interesting woman I've met in a very long time."

She gasped, her eyes going wide.

"Promise you'll at least consider my offer. Not only will I keep your secret, but we can share a few of our own."

She nipped at her lip, and he knew she was weakening. He nearly growled in satisfaction as she said, "I'll think about it."

"Good." And with that, he leaned forward and placed a kiss on her forehead, her scent of apple blossom and jasmine filling his nostrils.

It took everything in him to turn and go as she slipped into the house. He wanted to follow her all the way to her room and then strip her bare as he kissed every inch of her.

Instead, he got back in his carriage and headed for the club.

He knew Ironheart would be there tonight. There was an event happening with several ladies as guests.

He found himself completely uninterested. Maybe he was transitioning into the part of his life where he'd be content to be married.

Because those women at the club didn't tempt him at all. They seemed so easy…

He much preferred a challenge.

How had a tryst turned into the very conquest he'd been craving? Within a half hour he'd reached the club. Tying a mask over his eyes, he entered the door, the sound of female laughter and male appreciation filtering down the hall.

One couple stumbled out of the game room, their arms about each other as they laughed that secret laugh that was just for two.

He ignored it. "Where is the Master?"

"Emperor." The man straightened.

"Charger." He paused, waiting for the other man to answer. A beast of a fellow, he was slow to start tasks, but once going, he was near impossible to stop. And while he appreciated that trait in the man, his patience was short tonight, and he needed the man to give him the required information.

He was eager to get home and… He paused for another moment, knowing that he wished to think about Caroline in the privacy of his own bed chamber. How odd was it that he'd rather be alone fantasizing about a woman than participating in debauchery with his compatriots? But he pushed that thought aside. "The Master?"

"Pardon," Charger gave his head a shake, still holding the woman tightly about her waist. "Upstairs. Alone, I believe, but not really keen about completing the paperwork. Called it a crime against manhood."

Luke smiled. That was Ironheart, all right.

He saluted Charger, leaving the man to his fun and headed up the stairs with determined strides. The office door was open, candles lit.

He found Ironheart as expected, but the man wasn't alone. Devilishly handsome with the sort of lean muscle made for Greek statues, Ironheart had a parade of willing women who fell eagerly into his bed.

Currently a curvy blonde sat perched in his lap, the stack of paperwork scattered in front of them on the desk. It had clearly been disturbed. By the lady's derriere perhaps? "Master."

Ironheart's gaze flicked up. "Emperor."

He looked at the woman. "Give us a minute, love."

She smiled at him with the sort of private sweetness that let him know her alliance would switch in a moment should he offer her a tasty treat. And by treat, he meant enough coin. "Of course," she slithered off Ironheart's lap and scooted by him in the doorway, her breasts heavily brushing his arm.

He frowned, his interest not piqued in the least. He didn't want fake moans, but real ones… The sound of Caroline begging him echoed through his head. Please.

"How's the paperwork coming?"

"Dreadful," Ironheart grimaced. "I think you were right when you said that the Keeper and I should have been co-leaders. He's much more suited to these tasks than myself."

The Keeper was the Duke Helmsworth. He'd married Caroline's best friend, Miss Chloe Fairchild. "I think he's quite happy with his retirement."

Ironheart grunted. "Miss Fairchild was enough to tempt any man."

Not for him. Give him a dark-haired girl with large, wide eyes and a pretty mouth… But he digressed.

"Since you haven't made any progress on the administrative role, I wonder, have you discovered anything about our foe, Adam?" A religious zealot, the man had killed two of their members two months ago.

Helmsworth had almost caught him, but Adam had jumped through a third-story window to escape. They had no idea if he was dead or alive.

"I've pulled our financial backing from both Lord White and Lord Crest. Crest in particular is nearing financial ruin, and he's agreed to leave the Order of the Righteous and tell us everything we need to know about Adam. I meet with him tomorrow."

"Excellent work." Then he leaned forward. "You can update me at your party."

"I thought you couldn't make it."

"Change of plans. I'm coming and I'll bring my own company."

Ironheart's brows lifted above his mask. "A lady or a paramour?"

"A lady. A widow." But as he looked at the other man, he realized he might have been mistaken in suggesting Ironheart's gathering. Because if Ironheart showed any interest in Caroline… there would be a third murder among their ranks.

"Do tell," Ironheart leaned forward. "Don't leave a detail out. I love widows. Free. Easy. Eager…"

Luke leaned forward too but every line of his face was set in battle lines. "Keep your salacious thoughts to yourself."

Ironheart sat back, but his grin told Luke the other man wasn't scared. "Of course, Emperor. I look forward to seeing you and your widow tomorrow."

Luke rose, ready to be home. He needed his rest. Tomorrow night, he had a widow to seduce. Because Ironheart was right. Widows made for excellent lovers…