Chapter Twenty-Two

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

LEVI OVERTON, DUKE OF LENNOX

M iss Braddock hesitated, and fear seized Levi's heart, crushing the organ with its agonizing, viselike grip.

She wouldn't refuse him again, would she?

Fixing him with her blue eyes, her tongue darted out to moisten her lips. "I love you, solely you, Levi Overton, Duke of Lennox, and I have been affected by you since our first dance."

He crushed her torso against his body, his mouth finding hers and his tongue demanding her breath. She clung to him, her arms drawing his head closer as she curled into him.

"And I," he growled against her lips, "have no intention of leaving your side… unless your brother forcibly removes me."

"He may do that," Eveline replied, shivering when the Duke of Lennox brushed his mouth across her swollen lips.

"Even as my fiancée?" he murmured.

She shook her head. "I'm not your fiancée."

"You're not?" He pulled away, his heart stopping. "Have I done something wrong?"

"You didn't propose." Her eyes twinkled.

"I must rectify that issue immediately." Lifting his hand, he tugged the ruby ring from his finger and held it up. "Miss Eveline Braddock, would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"

"No."

She tried to scramble off his lap, but he reacted quickly, slipping his arm around her waist and cinching her body to his.

"I'm going to stop asking if you keep refusing me," he said, pinning her with his gaze.

"That's your father's ring," she whispered, sinking her teeth into her lower lip. "I don't want to take him from you."

"As long as you're with me, he is as well." Levi tilted his head, his eyes sliding over Miss Braddock. "I don't know what Mr. Drummond did to you…"

"Nothing." Her voice trailed off when he raised his eyebrows.

"Based upon my witnessed reactions, I imagine the experience was quite terrifying." He held up the ring. "However, I'm not him, and I've never given you cause to think otherwise, have I?"

"You've always… mostly," she amended with a small smile, "acted as a gentleman in your interactions with me."

"Then, there's nothing else to consider." He touched his forehead to hers. "Mr. Drummond loses, and we spend the rest of our days together, naked."

The delightful blush he loved exploded across her face.

"We can't spend every moment nude," she gasped, glancing over her shoulder as though she expected her brother to come charging into the parlor. "No one will visit us."

"I'm not hearing an argument against foregoing clothing." He wiggled his eyebrows, mentally cataloging the order of rooms in which he intended to take her, but when he thought of the upstairs bedchambers, his heart stopped, his good humor vanishing. "There's something I must tell you as well."

She drew back, trembling. "I don't need to know any more secrets, Your Grace."

He growled, rankled by her formal tone.

"Unfortunately, Eveline," he said, placing a great deal of emphasis on her name, "since I desire my wife to live with me after our wedding, this issue will affect you as well."

"I have a lease on this house under Ernest Braddock," she said, the words tumbling over themselves. "I'm certain he could be coaxed into staying on after the wedding until the contract expires. He may even forgive me for borrowing his name."

Levi set her on the floor, climbed to his feet, and paced the room. He made three complete passes before stopping in front of her and crouching.

"You may wish to remain here longer." He drew a hand through his hair, exhaling a deep sigh. "The exorcism didn't work. Mr. Philbert is still very much my guest."

"Did you see his ghost?" Miss Braddock asked, her eyes widening to saucers.

"Earlier today, Warwick and I heard a door slam and a chair scrape across the floor in the chamber above us." Levi took her hand and squeezed, willing her to understand his concern. "I don't want you to live in my house until I'm certain Mr. Philbert is gone. I can fight a man, but I cannot protect you from the supernatural."

And if he didn't figure out how to rid his home of Mr. Philbert's spirit soon, he'd be spending his wedding night in the chamber beside his wife's brother.

"Of course," she replied, visible tension easing from her body. "You can stay here as long as you like."

"What I'd like," he said, holding out the ring again, "is for my fiancée to put this on her hand so the whole town understands that she chose me."

With a tiny grin, Miss Braddock lifted her hand and spread her fingers.

"Yes, I will marry you."

He slid the ring onto her finger, then leaned forward and, hovering a breath away from her lips, said, "I've no desire to postpone my amorous pursuit of you for a lengthy engagement; we may need to fight Grisham and Roxburghe for their wedding date."

Her mouth curved into a grin. "Though I'm quite certain Miss Webb and Philbert would share their day, we cannot steal it. They've been engaged much longer than I and their suffering is greater."

"Suffering?" He pulled back with a frown.

"If their fiancés are as talented at seduction as you, then it must feel as though they are constantly aflame." She reddened and glanced down.

"Is that how you feel?" he asked, lifting her chin until she stared into his eyes.

She nodded. "I've never been affected by anyone in the same manner as you."

"I certainly hope not," he replied, inching closer.

He pressed his mouth to hers, and fire exploded in his body as though he were burning from the inside out. He welcomed the flames, basking in the heat licking across his skin.

She was his… forever.

The sound of carriage wheels passing the house startled him, pulling him back to their current position on the parlor floor. Reluctantly, he broke the kiss.

"I swore to your brother that he wouldn't discover us on the floor," Levi said, rising and holding out his arm.

She placed her hand in his. "I thought you swore we'd be dressed."

"I don't need to remove your clothing to bring you pleasure." He dragged her to her feet and grinned. "Your brother should know that."

He escorted her to the sofa, sat, and pulled her down on top of him, splitting her legs, so she straddled his lap.

"I'm fairly certain my brother would be livid to discover us in this position as well," she gasped the last word when Levi shifted, digging his hardening length into her.

"Your brother should have been more specific on his restrictions," Levi said, his hands gathering her skirt and petticoat and yanking the material out from beneath her, so her bare skin rested against his trousers.

His uncomfortably tight trousers.

Reaching between them, he unfastened his pants and shoved them down his hips, then tugged up the long shirt, exposing his erection. He grasped himself, lifted her, and guided her down onto himself, expelling a low groan as she sank down, sliding inch by inch until he was fully sheathed in her warmth.

Grasping her hips, he rocked her forward and thrust, drawing a gasp from Eveline. Her hands fluttered over his chest and settled on his shoulders, curving around them as she adapted to his guided rhythm.

Her moans surrounded him, and he encouraged her pleasure, driving himself deeper. Breath catching as his fingers dug into her soft skin, she?—

The front door opened.

Levi pushed Miss Braddock off his legs and jerked up his trousers, wincing as he tucked himself back into the material and fastened his pants. While he shoved the ends of his shirt under his waistband, Miss Braddock scrambled from the floor and darted over to the table, sliding into a chair as the voices of Roxburghe and Miss Webb echoed in the foyer.

"Roxburghe!" Levi ground out, his body raging.

"Lennox?" Roxburghe's brown head peered around the open parlor door. "When did you arrive?"

"Shortly after Miss Braddock," Levi said, gesturing to her as she halved the deck, pretending as though she intended to shuffle the cards.

"Did something occur?" Miss Webb glided around Roxburghe, concern filling her honey-colored eyes. "Both Miss Braddock and her brother vanished before the performance began."

"Miss Drummond," Levi growled, rounding the sofa and heading toward Miss Braddock, "is the sister of Miss Braddock's rejected fiancé, and she's been extorting money and jewelry from Miss Braddock in exchange for silence."

"It was her mother's necklace!" Miss Webb glanced back at her sister.

Miss Braddock rose, turned around, and clasped her hands in front of her waist. "Miss Drummond also took possession of the watch fobs I won from the Duke of Grisham and the Duke of Roxburghe, as well as…"

Levi moved beside her and took her hand, entwining his fingers with hers.

"Go ahead," he encouraged. "Warwick already knows."

She nodded and raised her chin. "As well as the gold watch fobs that disappeared the night you and your friends stayed at my home. There was no thief."

Leaning around her sister, Miss Fernsby-Webb's eyes rounded. "Why did you climb through the library window?"

"I wondered that myself." Levi turned toward Miss Braddock. "Surely, the door would have been much easier."

A tiny grimace appeared on Miss Braddock's face. "After I departed the house to meet Miss Drummond, Mrs. Hawkins locked the front door and retired. I couldn't get back inside, and I feared I would freeze to death."

He squeezed her hand. "And you tried every window until you managed to open the library pane?"

She nodded and leaned against his arm.

"This evening," Miss Webb said, striding forward, "what did you give Miss Drummond?"

"My refusal." A shudder rippled down Miss Braddock's spine. "And Miss Drummond threatened not only to inform Humphrey of my location but to have him harm anyone who tried to protect me."

"Therefore, she decided to abandon Wiltshire and packed a trunk." Levi raised Miss Braddock's hand to his mouth and kissed her knuckles. "However, I was able to sway her mind."

"Were you?" Roxburghe grinned, sidling forward until he was even with Miss Webb. "I'd like to hear that argument."

"Merritt!" she hissed, glancing at him. "Clearly, he's referring to their obvious amorous connection."

"I know," Roxburghe replied, his grin widening. "I want to hear him admit he's a fool."

Levi rolled his eyes. "I've asked Miss Braddock for her hand."

"And…"

"And I'm in love with her," Levi snapped. "Are you satisfied?"

"Extremely." Roxburghe drew Miss Webb into his embrace and stared at Levi over her head. "I expect you've formulated a plan to deal with Mr. Drummond and his sister."

"Warwick and Mr. Braddock left for the printer to request a special article appear in the morning's newspaper." His gaze dropped to Miss Braddock. "We're going to reveal Eveline's true name along with the suffering she endured at the hands of a visitor to Wiltshire."

"Then you expect Mr. Drummond to descend upon our town." Darkness passed over Roxburghe's face, and he drew Miss Webb closer to his body.

"I want him to," Levi growled, scarlet coloring his vision. "And until he understands there is nothing in Wiltshire that he desires, Miss Braddock will be accompanied by two men at all times."

"Two men, meaning yourself and someone else?" Issuing a dramatic sigh, Roxburghe flung his hand across his forehead and said, "I suppose, since you desperately need my assistance, I'll volunteer my time."

Levi snorted. "Aside from the lure of your delightful fiancée, could your quick decision to accept my request be due to your new house guests?"

Eyes narrowing, Roxburghe leaned over. "The only way to expel them from my house before the season's end will be to find them companions as well."

"Perhaps," Miss Webb said, tilting her head back and staring at Roxburghe, "Winifred could assist with that issue."

"Since," Miss Fernsby-Webb said, giving them a wide berth and taking up a position in front of the crackling fireplace, "I've recently earned my freedom from prison, I have no desire to give it up for the demands of any man."

"You swore," Miss Webb said, glaring at her.

Miss Fernsby-Webb held up her finger. "I promised to assist you with matching the Duke of Roxburghe's friends. I didn't agree to marry one."

The front door swung open, crashing into the wall and startling Miss Braddock, who screamed. Instantly, Levi shoved her behind his body, blocking her from the unknown person entering the house. Roxburghe reacted in a similar fashion, tucking Miss Webb behind his back.

"Eveline?" Mr. Braddock's red face peeked into the room.

He seemed quite surprised by the defensive positions of both Levi and Roxburghe and hesitated before stepping into the parlor.

The outer door closed, and the dull thud of Warwick's cane echoed in the foyer. A moment later, he appeared in the doorway, still clothed in his greatcoat.

"Tomorrow," Warwick groaned and leaned against the door frame, discomfort straining his features. "The story will appear near the top of the newspaper."

"I propose," Levi said, concerned by Warwick's deteriorating condition, "we retire for the evening. Nothing else can be accomplished this evening."

Warwick shook his head. "While I appreciate the peril of this situation, the cold has set into my leg, and the ache is stealing my agreeable personality. I prefer to return to your residence, where I'll be afforded peace and solitude."

He bowed, then turned, and limped into the foyer.

Levi hurried after him, catching Warwick as he opened the door. "Are you certain you wish to return to my home? Mr. Philbert's spirit is still a guest."

"And he'll be less inclined to bother me than Beaufort and Mansfield." Warwick forced a tight smile. "Consider this a test. If I survive to attend the Venning's ball in two days, your house will be safe for occupation. I highly doubt Mr. Drummond will make an appearance prior to that event. However, if he does…"

"I know where to contact you," Levi said, clapping his hand on Warwick's shoulder. "Take care of yourself."

"Of course." Warwick's mouth stretched into a genuine grin. "After all, both you and Roxburghe have lost our wager. I'll have some additional funds at the end of the season."

"Not if you lose, too."

"We've had this discussion." Warwick stabbed his cane into a mound of snow gathering on the doorstep. "I'm unapproachable."

Levi crossed his arms. "You're stubborn and cantankerous."

Warwick shrugged, then bowed. "Have a pleasant evening, Lennox. Don't get caught sneaking into Miss Braddock's chamber."

Which was, of course, precisely the task Levi intended to attempt in roughly an hour. He grinned, closed the door, and turned to find the foyer was not as empty as he supposed.

Scowling, Miss Braddock's brother dragged her toward the staircase, a firm grip clamped on her arm.

"I expect every man—and woman—to remain in their respective chambers until the morning. Understood?" Mr. Braddock's eyes locked on Levi.

"Your Grace," Miss Braddock said to Levi as her brother led her up the stairs, "Ernest is staying in the room you previously occupied. However, the first chamber at the top of the stairs is available, and His Grace may stay in the chamber beside it."

A hissed whisper floated down the steps. "I should lock you in the room."

"This is my home," Miss Braddock retorted, "and you'll not demand that I adhere to your rules."

"It's not a demand, it's a request." Her chamber door opened. "And either you promise you will not open this door, or I will sleep outside of it all night long."

Miss Braddock issued a curse word, then slammed her door.

"At least Miss Fernsby-Webb hasn't made that threat," Roxburghe chuckled.

"Don't tempt me, Your Grace," she replied as the four of them climbed the staircase. "I've slept in less comfortable places."

They bade each other good night, and four doors slammed in rapid succession.

Levi removed his outerwear, tossing his jacket and waistcoat over the back of an armchair near the fireplace. He pulled off his shoes, wiggling his toes, then padded back and forth in the chamber. Impatience crawled through his body.

An hour passed, and he crept to the door. Opening it a crack, he peered through the small space at the empty corridor. Then he slipped through the gap, closed the door noiselessly behind him, turned, and crashed into Roxburghe.

"Good evening." He grinned and bowed. "Taking a late-night stroll?"

Levi's mouth twitched. "I didn't want to waste such a beautiful evening as this."

"Neither did I." Roxburghe bowed again, took two steps down the hallway, then turned back. "A warning for you since your stroll may end beside Mr. Braddock's chamber; loud noises can be heard in the room next door."

He tiptoed down the corridor, stopped at Miss Webb's chamber, and vanished inside.

Levi waited a beat, then, following Roxburghe's example, crept across the hallway to Miss Braddock's chamber. However, he hesitated outside the door, uncertain if opening it without knocking would cause her to scream and quite certain that if he knocked, he'd draw Mr. Braddock's attention.

Sucking in a breath, he clasped the door handle and depressed it, easing Miss Braddock's chamber door open and peeping into the room. The door ripped from his hand, and a fist closed around his shirt and yanked him inside.

"Hi," Miss Braddock whispered, closing the door with a soft click. "I was hoping you'd stop by."

"Were you?" he murmured, his gaze dropping to her lips. "Why was that?"

"I promised Ernest that I wouldn't open the door. However,"—she blushed—"I wanted to finish the conversation we began in the parlor."

"I think I remember where we left off." He grinned and bent his head, his mouth brushing over hers as his arms wound around her waist.

She moaned against his lips and pressed her body into his.

Levi lifted her—she wrapped her legs around him without direction—and strode toward the bed. Laying her down, his mouth trailed across her throat, drawing the delightful mewling sound from her.

"Shush," he murmured, nipping his way to her earlobe. "I don't want to draw your brother's attention."

"Then, you'll have to stop doing that," Miss Braddock panted, grinding her hips against his.

The door flew open and slammed into the wall.

Mr. Braddock vibrated in the doorway. "Yes, definitely stop doing that!"

"We're eng?—"

"I do not care, Eveline!" He stomped into the chamber, grabbed the back of Levi's shirt, and yanked him off the bed, flinging him across the room. "You may not know better, but he does."

Turning around, Mr. Braddock raised his fists, then strode toward Levi.

"I don't want to fight you," Levi said, sliding to his right.

Mr. Braddock anticipated the move and swung, striking Levi in the jaw and sending him flying backward into the armoire. Hitting the back of his head against the mahogany door, Levi groaned, then slid to the floor, black spots dancing through his vision.

"You don't need to worry about Mr. Drummond," Mr. Braddock said, bearing down on him. "I'll kill you before he even arrives."