Chapter Two

L ord Rex, Duke of Smythington

Our private quarters were on the west side of the house and far from the festivities in the ballroom. I tucked Harry into his bed, nearly tripping over some gadget he used for his experiments. No matter how often Eleanor ordered his room cleaned, he managed to put everything back where the servants had found it.

"Good night." I tightened the covers over his shoulders the way he liked and turned on my heel to leave. Eleanor, with her smooth skin and silky red hair, awaited my return. After a few more minutes in the ballroom, I would suggest we leave to be alone.

He grabbed my wrist, sitting upright. "Don't go yet."

Harry wasn't always very self-aware, rather like me at times. We both had a bad habit of focusing on a project and were blind to everything but the fierce need to complete it. With luck and time, I prayed that he would learn to balance his priorities. Until then, I had to be patient with him and explain things in a way he could grasp them. "There are many people downstairs who are here by our invitation. I mustn't keep them waiting too long."

All the toasts and sentimental stories had been entertaining, yet they churned up longings I had tried to suppress.

"It is your anniversary, and Mama said you were celebrating with the people you love." Harry yawned, his fingers squeezing my wrist. "I am a person you love."

"You are, indeed." I removed his hand and gently pushed his shoulders back down to the mattress. In some ways, he was mature for his age, but other ways concerned me. The blanket had fallen to his waist, and I covered him again. I pushed his blond hair from his forehead, revealing a tiny scar at his temple. We were elated when the twins were born, but after Eleanor lost two babies in eight years, we'd despaired of having another. Harry had been a miracle.

He might dislike crowds and cover his ears at loud noises, but he was fearless in other ways. "I found a new species of worm in the garden. I am most eager to study them," Harry informed me.

"I am sure you will discover everything you can about them." I tucked his blanket tighter around his frame. Other gentlemen of my station might insist the nursemaid put the children to bed. Tucking the children in had been a tradition Eleanor and I embraced. Some might say Harry, at age nine, was a bit too old for me to perform the service, but I loved my son and would do what I thought was best for him. "Go to sleep. I will see you in the morning."

"Will you be here in the morning?"

The soft words sent instant tension to my shoulders. I began to say yes until the issues I'd been dealing with on behalf of the nation intruded into my thoughts. I was an active member of Parliament and was in charge of a select committee. My duties were extensive and very important to national security. "I have much to do for Her Majesty."

He looked at me and frowned. "You are never home."

"That should all change by the end of the month." The guilt I carried with me continued to weigh heavily on my mind. I had been forced to take the reins after my father's untimely death. "The Queen has asked me to do something very important for our country. Once I am done, we can spend time together."

"I won't be here at the end of the month. I will be attending Knutchester."

"It is tradition. Like every Smythington and Larsson before you." I had met Flynn at Knutchester. His family's London home was across the green from mine. He was an outgoing and unabashed sort who had been there for me when I needed someone after my father's death. The night I received the sad news, Flynn comforted me. There had always been a part of me that felt more than mere friendship for him. I had suppressed those thoughts. Yet tonight, those feelings floated to the forefront of my mind.

"Larsson boys , not girls. Beatrix says she can't go to school," Harry said, referring to Flynn's youngest. She was his only friend, and I was pleased she didn't scorn Harry because he was different.

"That is unfortunate. You, however, will attend Oxford like Atticus. I have very fond memories from both schools." I had been carefree with the entire world in front of me until my father's death. When I received news of his demise, Flynn had been a friendly shoulder to cry on. "Every gentleman needs an education."

"Atticus doesn't need an education. He will be a duke."

"Being a duke doesn't mean he doesn't need an education." I was eighteen when my father died, a year older than my eldest. The duties of the title were exhausting, and sometimes, I wished I could simply hand it over to Atticus. I ran a hand through my hair, gripping the strands before settling my hand on the nape of my neck. Shame continued to dog me over the selfish thought. I had been forced into being a duke at a young age, and I didn't want the same for him. "An education is important to help him navigate when he steps into my shoes."

"When you die." Harry bit his bottom lip, a shimmer of tears in his eyes. "I don't want you to die."

"You needn't worry about that quite yet. I am hardly in the grave." My father was much older than me when he passed unexpectedly. I prayed to be around for my children for a very long time. "Perhaps you can show your worms to your brother."

Harry worshipped his older brother, and the two of them often spent hours outdoors in the woods at my country estate. "Atticus isn't interested in worms. He's too busy flirting with pretty girls." He released a childish snort of mockery. At nine, he wasn't interested in girls yet, although he was very close to Beatrix. "I asked him if he liked flirting with ugly girls, and he said I was being ridiculous."

A light laugh escaped me, and I shook my head at his joke. Harry often surprised me with sharp observations and a keen wit. In times like this, I was confident he would be able to stand on his own two feet. "Go to sleep."

"Would you be mad at me if I didn't go to Knutchester?"

"Of course you will go to Knutchester. It is a tradition. Do you wish to go somewhere else?" I wouldn't count it out if he knew of another school. His memory and recall of details flummoxed me sometimes.

"No, I want to stay here with you and Mama." He expelled a long breath and turned his cheek into his pillow, his eyelids falling shut.

"I think you will like Knutchester." I didn't wish to argue with him, and if I stayed, he'd still ask me questions. With a kiss on his forehead, I left the room, eager to seek out Eleanor. Had I not gone to Knutchester, I might never have befriended Flynn. He was the most important person to me outside of my family. While it was taboo to admit, I loved him. The intimacies we'd exchanged so many years ago had stayed with me for a lifetime and although there had been passion between us, I had vowed my fidelity to Eleanor. We never spoke of it again after that night. I had a sense I wasn't the last man Flynn shared intimacies with. I might have physically desired Flynn, but I was deeply in love with my wife, even to this day.

Late nights at Parliament kept me from home most nights. Unlike many couples of our station who slept in separate rooms, we shared a bedroom for Harry's sake. He sometimes became agitated at night and often crawled into bed with us. Besides, I rather liked sharing a bed with her. When I returned, usually close to midnight, Eleanor was often asleep, or if she was awake, she was tending to our children. Anne had come out this season, adding chaos to the household. Between the social events and her imminent engagement to Nigel, she was absent more often than not. I missed being with them, but duty called.

The doors to the ballroom were open, music and the hum of voices drifting into the hallway. I entered, stopping just inside the door to look for my wife. Standing in the middle of the room, she was forever the gracious hostess. The blue-beaded gown accented her pale skin and rich red hair. Her earlier flirtation and the promise behind it made me eager to be by her side.

"Your grace," a man said. Another woman and her daughter glanced at me, and I read the intent to talk to me in their stares before all eyes seemed to settle on me. Heat rushed under my collar, and my heart raced. I tugged at my necktie, a bead of sweat rolling down my back. The vicar and his wife, as well as an elderly neighbor and his daughter, crowded around me.

"Beg pardon, I must find her grace." I spun on my heel, not able to leave fast enough. The hallway led to the card room, where I slipped inside for some most welcome quiet. I waved down a servant and requested a scotch. The ten tables set up for play were full of quiet conversation. Several people looked at me and smiled their greetings. I turned my back on the room and stared out the window to the garden. Moonlight peeked from between clouds.

"Your drink." The servant stood behind me with a glass on a tray. I took the scotch and swallowed the dram in one gulp. The wine at dinner had put my mind in a pleasant place I wanted to return to. Like Harry, I often became overwhelmed in social situations, thus I tried to avoid crowded places.

"Please ask the duchess to join me," I told the man.

If he thought my request odd, he said nothing and went to do my bidding. As a duke, I was used to having my orders complied with. It was a privilege and a curse to be blessed with my birthright. I continued to stare outside while waiting for my wife. My conversation with Harry continued to weigh on my mind. I loved my father, except I didn't wish to be like him, consumed by the responsibilities of the title. Granted, I had staff to help, but most of the burden fell on me.

"Rex." Eleanor placed a hand on my shoulder, concern in her regard.

I glanced behind me to ensure we weren't overheard. "Do you recall the night we officially became engaged?"

She blushed, lowering her lashes for a brief second. "I do."

"It is a lovely night. Shall we take a stroll?" I had uttered a similar invitation twenty years before, after her father had given me permission to marry her. Would she remember the night as vividly as I did?

A knowing smile curved her lips. "It looks like it might rain."

"We are in England. It always looks like it might rain." I took her hand and led her to the balcony door. We had been young and impulsive that night, and while there weren't any Chinese lanterns to guide our path, the light spilling from the ballroom would provide adequate illumination. "I assure you it will not rain."

Light laughter followed my comment. "That is what you said then, and if I recall, it rained."

A set of stairs led to the garden, and I guided her down until our feet hit the gravel path. "A drop or two."

"Or more. I didn't mind. I was with you." She leaned against my arm, the soft fragrance of her perfume adding to my need for her as I steered her in the direction of a small folly.

She had been courted by a dozen or so gentlemen during her coming out, Flynn being one of them. Of course, he had been courting several ladies, Mary among them. Ultimately, he chose Mary for his wife after Eleanor accepted my proposal.

Once we rounded the stone building, I halted, slipped my arm around her waist and drew her tight into my body. Her face upturned, she looked much like she had save for a few lines around her eyes and mouth. She was still the same stunning woman I fell in love with.

"Do you remember the other thing we did in the garden that night?"

"You kissed me, and I knew you were the one I wanted to be with forever." Her eyes shimmered in the dim light.

I wiped the tear away from the corner of her eye with my thumb. Her response warmed like nothing else could. I dipped my fingers into her thick hair, the heat from her body in contrast to the coolness of the outside. Pulling back, I caught her mouth in a searing kiss, need sizzling inside my blood. I glided my hands down her sides to cup her bottom. My cock was at attention, aching to get lost in her warmth.

Eleanor broke the kiss with a breathy sigh. "Should we go to our room?" Very early on in our marriage, she'd made it known that she was not open to pushing the boundaries of traditional coupling.

Having relations outdoors might push against her boundaries. I didn't want to waste a moment alone with her or risk being interrupted.

I had been a randy youth wanting to explore every inch of her body with my hands and mouth. She had declined to remove her gown. Thus, I hadn't truly ever seen her entire body unclothed in twenty years. Her father had browbeaten her to always be the proper lady. Eleanor had been the dutiful daughter. While I wanted more at times, I respected her wishes. I kissed the underside of her chin, settling my lips on the place that incited her desires. "I'm afraid if we try, we'll get waylaid again."

"Surely you don't intend to couple with me out here?" She remained in my embrace, her voice unsteady.

"I do, unless you are adamant." I wanted her so badly I could barely think straight. "I want you, Eleanor. It has been a while for us."

"Indeed it has." With a nod, she released a soft sigh. "I am not adamant."

My heart swelling, I moved her until her back rested against the marble. With shaking fingers, I opened the placard of my trousers and helped her lift her skirts. She stared at me with dewy eyes, her chest rising and falling rapidly. Pulling her leg up to the side of my hip, I entered her hot center with one satisfying thrust of my cock.

She gasped, her head back, exposing her neck for my mouth to discover. "This is most scandalous."

"Indeed." I placed kisses along the column of her throat. Supporting our weight with one hand flat against the cool stone, I continued to glide in and out of her pussy, her inner muscles clutching my length. The strains of the music still floated in the air, along with an unwelcome drop of rain.

"Oh bother," she murmured, her arms clutching my shoulders, her hips rolling with a frantic rhythm. "Do not stop."

"I will not stop, my love." Holding back was difficult, and I waited until she shuddered before I allowed the pleasure to flow. There had been no other pregnancies since Harry, thus we took no precautions. If, by some miracle, another child came our way, I would be ecstatic.

Silence settled between us, broken only by falling rain and our heavy breathing. I pressed a kiss to her parted lips and withdrew from her body.

With a slight smile, she remained with her back against the stone edifice. "That was quite nice."

"Very fulfilling." Taking out my handkerchief, I handed it to her and righted my own clothes. Lately, I'd sensed she wasn't fulfilled by our marriage, and unfortunately, being gone from the house hadn't helped. My chest swelled with pride that she had allowed me liberties outside of the bedroom. It gave me hope that she might be more adventurous in the future. I was by no means a degenerate, however, after twenty years, I wanted to explore our passions more.

The spark between us was alive. Now I needed to enflame the tinder of my wife's desires.