Chapter 6

CHAPTER SIX

Caroline woke feeling cozy and comfortable. The sun shone in through the windows and she briefly wondered what time it was and how she had managed to sleep so well. That's when a hand flexed on her belly.

And all her memories came rushing back.

The baby, the duke, the bath, and finally… the sex. Oh, the sex. She squirmed, her rear pushing into what she quickly realized was his front.

"Careful, sweetheart," he rumbled in a sleepy voice. "I'm half asleep and liable to just roll you on your belly and…"

She felt his cock swelling against her backside and a half moan, half gasp fell from her lips.

His hand slid down her front, cupping her mound and then he did exactly what he threatened, she was on her belly, his weight on top of her, his manhood pressing into her still-slick folds.

A rock-hard duke was one way to shake off sleep, and for the first time in a fortnight, she wasn't groggy, she was wide awake, her body already humming with need and want.

He sank into her, and she clawed at the pillow, her back arching to feel more of him. Her body stretched to accommodate him, her insides vibrating with pleasure.

"Caroline," he rumbled in her ear. "You feel so good."

Last night, she'd told herself that she'd end this quickly and gracefully. Assure him that she'd be fine raising the child, explain she didn't intend to marry.

But all her good intentions disappeared as he slid out of her, pushing back in. Her body hummed, her moans muffled as she buried her face in the pillow.

Because not only was he pumping in and out of her, his hand caressed small circles over her sex, her body tensing to the point of breaking in mere seconds.

"Luke," she cried as he eased the pressure rather than increasing as she craved. She was so close to her finish…

"What do you say, sweetheart?"

For a moment her mind was blank and then she realized what he wished to hear. "Please," she sobbed. "Please."

"Please what?"

"Please finish me," she begged. "I want to break…"

An animal sound ripped from his throat as he pressed his fingers on her nub of her sex, making stars appear behind her eyes as her body exploded in pleasure.

It only took a few more pumps and he was shuddering out his own finish as he collapsed on top of her.

She sank into the bed, the soft mattress and his weight making her feel deliciously wrapped in heat and security. Her eyes sank closed. "And now I'm tired again."

His voice was a rasp in her ear. "You can sleep for as long as you want after you eat."

"Mmm," she murmured already drifting off to sleep. But the cold air as he got up roused her. He crossed the room, pulling the bell cord.

"I mean it Caroline. You need to eat. It'll help."

She rolled over, naked and not the least bit ashamed now. She lifted her hands over her head, stretching out stiff muscles. "If you insist."

"I do," and then he was next to her again, his hand sliding from her neck, over one of her breasts and down the flat of her stomach. "Though if you keep stretching like that, there is no telling what I might do."

She nipped at her lip as a small giggle escaped her lips. "Pass me my chemise then."

He did as she commanded, his body on full display as he helped her in the chemise and then began to wash and dress.

She watched him, still marveling that this man—of all men—wanted her. Which led her back to her first thoughts, they needed to speak about the future. "Should we…" She cleared her throat as he tied his cravat. "Should we discuss what we learned last night?"

His gaze caught hers in the mirror. "We should. But I propose that you eat and nap while I attend to a few pertinent matters. I'll be back late afternoon or early evening and then we can have a proper discussion."

She hated to delay any longer. "Oh… but…"

"Tonight," he said, finishing the knot and crossing the room to drop a long kiss on her lips.

Just as he straightened, the door opened, her morning tray arriving. But this time, there were hard boiled eggs, salted pork, and wilted spinach in addition to her normal toast and tea.

"Eat some meat and eggs," he called over his shoulder just as Mrs. Banks arrived in the doorway.

"Mrs. Banks," Luke stopped in front of her housekeeper. "I'd like quail for dinner, we'll eat here, and a bath just after. Lady Green is to rest today and eat plenty of food."

Mrs. Banks responded with a curtsy as Luke disappeared.

But she didn't follow. Instead, the housekeeper waited for the maid to finish pouring the tea and arrange the tray before she curtsied and exited the room. The moment they were alone, Mrs. Banks turned back to her, her face stricken. "My lady!"

Caroline grimaced. "I know. I've gotten myself into a real dilemma."

"A duke in your bed?" Mrs. Banks whispered moving closer. "I thought you were going to avoid all men like him."

Caroline winced. "At first, I just wanted him to help with that nagging problem. What if a doctor discovered my secret or a maid with a wagging tongue?"

Mrs. Banks nodded. "I see your point."

"But…" Caroline winced. "He enjoyed the experience and despite me withdrawing from society, he managed to track me down."

"That's the problem," Mrs. Banks sank onto the edge of her bed. "He's the sort of man who thinks everyone should do as he commands. He's cut from the same cloth as the late earl, and I'm afraid for you."

Caroline spread the covers over her lap, her head spinning a bit. Mrs. Banks had a point, one she'd thought several times herself.

"It's more complicated than that."

"Complicated how?"

Caroline swallowed down a lump. "I'm carrying his child."

"From a single time together?" Mrs. Banks cried as she jumped up. "Does he know?"

Caroline nodded. "I think he realized before I did, but now…"

"He's ordering the staff about and staying in your room."

That did sound a bit bad. "I'll tell him tonight. That we need to end things…" How was she going to explain without telling him everything? Because some secrets were best left unrevealed.

* * *

Luke trotted up the stairs of the club, mask over his face for the very last time.

Today was the day he turned the club over to Ironheart. He knew the man's commitment to the role was waning, but that was Ironheart's problem. Luke had neither the time nor the inclination to start over to train another man. His duty would be to care for Caroline during her pregnancy.

And he could confess, he was looking forward to the task. She was the perfect combination of sultry and innocent, experienced and young, kind and yet free. Then there were her submissive tendencies…

His body hardened at the mere thought of her. What they'd done last night and then again this morning…

Christ, he'd never had better.

He let out a long breath of air before he swung open the door and stepped inside.

Making his way up to the office, he found Ironheart already waiting. "You summoned?" the man said, his tone dripping with derision.

"I did." Luke sat down at the other end of the long table where they held meetings. "I needed to speak with you urgently."

"Does it involve the attack?"

"Attack?"

"I suppose that's a no." Ironheart let out a long sigh. "One of the newly inducted was attacked by Adam right outside our door. The Summoner frightened him off with a shot from his derringer, but the shot went wide, and Adam escaped. We've confirmation that Adam is alive, and not dead as we'd hoped, and he is actively hunting members again."

Luke frowned, sitting back in his chair in clear withdrawal. "That's unfortunate."

"Oh, no you don't." Ironheart stood. "Don't you quit on me now. You weren't supposed to leave for months."

Luke stood too. "My plans have changed."

"Why?"

"Caroline is pregnant."

Ironheart crossed to the door, firmly closing it before he yanked off his mask. "Is that why you left last night?"

"Sorry about your fern."

That actually caused a ghost of a smile to touch Ironheart's lips. "My ferns in my home are used to being defiled. Normally it's drunk men, not pregnant women. Your reason is far more noble."

Luke smiled too.

"But I wouldn't be your friend if I didn't?—"

His smile quickly disappeared. "Friend? Are we boys at school?"

Ironheart shook his head. "You can't quit. And besides… how do you even know the baby is yours?"

His lips curled as he gave Ironheart a fierce glare. "That is none of your business."

"It is if you're leaving me in a deep pile of horse shit. This club is supposed to be fun. My escape. Not a whole host of paperwork and problems. It's worse than running the dukedom, the job I come here to escape."

Luke shrugged. "The timing is unfortunate."

"Unfortunate? It's criminal. Why can't you do what the rest of us do and pay the woman to go away quietly?"

An anger Luke didn't understand bubbled up in his chest, curling his hands into fists as he snarled, "She's a countess, not some fucking doxy."

Ironheart blinked in surprise. "Have you fallen for her?"

Luke forced his hands to unclench and his shoulders to relax. Emotion was not his motivator, and he didn't want anyone thinking it was. "You know better than anyone that I planned to marry in order to create an heir. I have found a fertile woman with the breeding and temperament I require. Why look elsewhere?"

Ironheart threw up his hands. "Because. You are beholden?—"

"I am beholden to my dukedom. A duty I have long been denying."

With a force that might have frightened another man, Ironheart banged his fist on the table. "I'll quit. I will. I've got my own problems, and I don't need this."

"Fine. Do what you must."

"The club will dissolve. The Club With No Name will be no more…"

"It has a name. The Duke Fraternity. Of which you swore an oath to be a member until you broke the by-laws or married. Keep that in mind, Master of Games."

"The Duke Fraternity? I like The Club With No Name better. Sounds mysterious."

"You'll need to turn the investigation over to someone. I'd recommend the Summoner. You can take over daily operations until you can train a new leader if you don't want the role. But either way, the banns will be posted by Sunday which means that in six days' time, I will no longer be a member. My child will be born under my name and Caroline will be tucked in my house and under my protection."

Ironheart sat back down, his body thudding heavily in his chair. "Damned convenient, if you ask me." He raked both his hands through his hair. "And at the risk of completely pissing you off, I'm going to ask one more time. You're certain this child is yours? A duke who wants an heir is an excellent target."

Luke shook his head. "I have run a secret fraternity for the last decade. You don't think I'm a man who has his finger on the pulse of a person who interests him?"

Ironheart could attempt to insert doubt for his own purposes, but if there was one thing that Luke was certain of, he was the only man who had ever touched Caroline.

Satisfaction rippled through him to know he was the only man who ever would.

Which was why it was time to collect his bride.