Chapter 4

CHAPTER 4

J enny stared out the window from her place at the breakfast table. It'd been three days since the ball, and she could not stop thinking about the Duke's proposal. If she was honest with herself, she couldn't stop thinking about the way his body felt close to her while they danced. Her cheeks flushed at the memory.

But he wasn't just any duke—he was the infamous Duke of Marlow, known for his rakish ways and irresistible charm.

Jenny let out a laugh.

Irresistible charm? They must not have had an honest conversation with the man if that's what they think.

"Jenny?"

"And who is they anyway?"

Frances stopped bouncing the cooing baby in her arms and just looked at her. "What?"

Jenny propped her head on her hands. "I'm sorry, Jenny, I'm a bit out of sorts this morning. What were you saying?"

Frances returned to the child in her arms. "I was just asking if you have anything planned for today. I was thinking of taking Simon out for a walk before the rain starts falling. Would you like to join us?"

Jenny took in the mother and child opposite her. What she wouldn't give to be in her shoes. The Duke's proposal pushed its way to the forefront of her mind.

There's someone who said he could help you get your wish.

She scrunched up her nose at the thought. Maybe she should go on a walk with Frances and the baby? She obviously needed a change of scenery—sulking around the house was doing her no favors.

"I suppose s?—"

"Excuse me, Your Grace." Helen, the head housekeeper, interrupted their breakfast. "There seems to be a problem with the renovations in the library."

Frances groaned. "Let me guess, His Grace has changed the plans again and is being difficult."

Helen dropped her eyes and smiled at the accuracy of Frances's guess. Neither woman envied anyone who tried correcting the Duke of Pilton.

"I will be right in, Helen, thank you." Frances looked back at Jenny. "Would you mind keeping an eye on Simon while I see to your brother?"

Jenny reached out to take her nephew in her arms. It was always a highlight of her day when she got to hold him. However, over the past few days, she began to notice new feelings creeping in whenever she spent time with the baby. She used to just feel overwhelming love and joy, but recently, there was a hint of jealousy and longing that accompanied them.

Frances followed Helen out of the dining room, leaving Jenny to cuddle with the now-sleeping infant.

"Of course you're asleep," Jenny murmured. "It's probably better off this way. I fear I'm not the best company right now." She brushed a soft curl off of his face while he burrowed further into his swaddling blanket. "Not that you'd understand anything I'd say even if you were awake."

She looked back out the window and sighed. Then, she stood up and made her way to the bassinet one of the maids pushed in earlier. She placed the sleeping child ever so gently in it and sat in a chair next to him.

She lazily traced the stitches on his blanket.

"I don't know, Simon. There has been so much change for me these past few years. At first, it was just Thomas and I, and it was fine. Not ideal, but manageable. Then everything changed. We were thrust into this world, and while it has been nothing short of brilliant, I'm starting to feel that I am outstaying my welcome in this house."

The baby shifted in his sleep.

"Oh, don't worry, I don't intend to go back to the shop and take up shopkeeping. I am most grateful to leave that behind. But I sense I'm more in the way here than is appreciated. I know your mother and father love me dearly, and I love them too, but…" She smiled down at him, wiping a little drool that rolled down his chubby chin.

"It's just that they got married not too long ago, and now they're living their lives. They have you now, and if I know my brother, there will be more of you running around here soon. I'm not sure that me being underfoot is helpful." She looked over her shoulder to make sure there were no lurking maids before she leaned into the bassinet to whisper, "Do you think I should take the Duke up on his offer?"

The baby snorted and sucked on his bottom lip.

Jenny sat back and laughed. "I see. You make a good point. I did tell myself that this was the Season I'd do everything in my power to secure a match and elevate my standing in Society. From silly girl to a respectable matron of the ton ."

Simon sighed.

"I know. I could barely get that out without rolling my eyes. Regardless, I need to find a match. I can't live here forever, and I refuse to be your spinster aunt living across the hallway from you until it is your time to leave."

Jenny looked around then leaned back into the bassinet. "Don't tell anyone, but I think I have made up my mind."

Jenny pushed through the gate. It was heavier than it looked—most likely, the thick mud that settled at its base didn't help. When she set out on this adventure, she thought the rain was over for the day, so it was very surprising when, halfway through her trek, the night sky opened up and started pouring rain. She was drenched and shaking, but her resolve ignited her blood and kept her moving forward.

If her maid's directions were correct, she was at the right residence. If not, whoever opened the door would be in for quite the shock offinding her there, soaked from head to toe, looking most dreadful.

She had a moment of uncertainty as she rang the bell. Her finger had a mind of its own, and she watched in slow motion as it pressed on the bell. She caught a glimpse of her reflection in the side window. Because of the rain, her hair had escaped its pins, and the bottom four inches of her dress and outer coat were coated in mud. Panic set in.

What am I doing?

Jenny gathered her skirts and turned to leave just as she heard footsteps approach the door from the inside. She looked back at the front yard she walked through to get to the front door. There had to be a bush or shrub to hide behind before the door opened.

Her foot hit the bottom of the stoop as the front door started to open. She made a mad dash to the pruned shrubbery to her right, jumping behind it.

"Who goes there?" a deep voice barked from the darkened doorway.

Jenny crunched down as far as she could and prayed that the cover of night helped her escape.

"Come out. I saw you go behind that bush."

Jenny glanced at her surroundings. Just her luck—she hid behind a shrub that lined a wall. She was stuck between a bush and a hard place.

"Feel free to stay there all night." The voice chuckled. "I have nowhere to go, so I'll still be here when you get tired of hiding back there."

Her heart thundered in her ears. Her knees were already starting to ache from her position, and the dampness of her clothing was causing her teeth to chatter. Steeling herself, she stood up to face the consequences of her foolish actions.

Her mind raced with escape plans. She could give his butler a different name. He'd never seen her before, so she could pretend to be someone else, and when word got out about a midnight visitor at the Duke's house, her name wouldn't be associated with it.

She stumbled out of the bush, with only minor scrapes, and looked towards the door.

"Sir, forgive me, I'm— Oh, bloody hell. "

David had never been so glad to let his butler take the night off than he was in this moment. Standing before him, soaked to the bone with part of her coat still stuck in the bush, was the woman who had occupied his thoughts for the past three days.

Miss Jane Bennett stood in the moonlight, her owlish eyes blinking up at him in disbelief. "Your Grace?" Her voice was thin and incredulous.

David tried to hide his smile but failed. He leaned against the doorframe, crossing his legs and arms. "Yes."

She took a step forward, tugging her coat from the brambly bush. "It's me, Jenny—er, Jane Bennett."

"I know."

David was being intentionally obtuse with her, but there was something about her that made him want to push all her buttons just to see what made her tick.

"Oh. Well. Alright then." Jenny looked around the empty street, twirling a ribbon from her coat in her hands.

"Did you come all this way to tell me your name?"

Jenny's head snapped up, and she looked at him. "No," she said in a mocking tone that made him want to push more. "I came here to… talk. "

Now that got his attention.

David pushed off the doorframe and stood to the side. "Then, by all means, come inside."

Jenny had a moment of hesitation, but then she thought better of it and brushed past him. The smell of cinnamon and rain filled his senses. He tightened his grip on the doorknob to stop himself from reaching out to her.

She was a dangerous mix of na?veté, stubbornness, and beauty. Exactly the type of woman he should not be ushering into his house at this late hour.

After a quick glance to confirm that no one saw her, he closed the door behind them. She stood in the entryway, looking much smaller than when they first met. Her personality made her seem larger than life in both the library and on the dance floor, but standing in the darkened foyer, her wet clothes hanging off her, she looked vulnerable—helpless.

A familiar feeling tugged at David's heart, but he pushed it away.

Definitely need to be careful around this woman.

"Let's go to my study, I still have a fire lit in there." He walked to the first door on the left. "You must be freezing. I'll call for some tea to help warm you."

Jenny reached out to his arm. "Please don't. I shouldn't be here. If word?—"

"My staff knows better than to cross me or share my secrets. Your virtue is safe within these walls."

He couldn't keep the scorn from his words. Damsels in distress always made his hackles rise.

Jenny followed him into his study and immediately took refuge in the chair in front of the fireplace. David had been working on some proposals here, so the room was already warm. True to his word, he tugged on the bell-pull. There was always someone awake doing God knows what, but he never cared as long as they remembered their duties and left him to his.

A young kitchen maid called Missy answered and returned some moments later with hot tea and leftover biscuits from dinner.

David handed the tea to Jenny, who wasn't shaking as noticeably as before. "Here, let me take your coat."

He took the proffered garment and hung it beside the fire to dry.

"Thank you, Your Grace. "

Of course, she would bite out his title. It wasn't an accident that he waited until the last minute to tell her who he was.

"Of course." He shrugged. He noticed how her eyes narrowed at the movement, but she said nothing.

David bit back a smile. Making this kitten's claws come out was becoming his new favorite hobby.

"Now that some of your color has returned, do you care to tell me why I found you lurking in my bushes in the middle of the night?"

She rolled her eyes. "I was not lurking. "

She took another sip and groaned as the warm liquid slid down her throat.

Little, bloody hellion.

Her groan went straight to his cock. His breath stuttered as he clenched his fists. His heart skipped a beat when she pointed to him.

Oh God, can she read my thoughts?

He desperately wanted to look down to make sure he wasn't embarrassing himself when she then pointed to the chair behind his desk and motioned for him to sit.

Inwardly, he was thanking the heavens that she wanted him to sit—it would be a lot easier to hide any further physical reaction to her sounds. Outwardly, he raised an eyebrow at her.

Bossy, little thing.

Jenny positioned her body away from the fire, sitting sideways in the chair. "I'm going to get straight to the point, Your Grace. I want to know what exactly you are offering to teach me and what you get in return."

David shook his head in approval. He always appreciated those who didn't pussyfoot around. He took a moment to consider the enigma of the woman sitting in front of him.

She was just a slip of a girl. Her dark reddish hair had fallen loose and hung in wet tendrils around her face. Yet, she could stand toe to toe with the likes of him.

He licked his lips. "I thought we went over this. You want to secure a match, I can give you tips and teach you tricks to catch the perfect suitor."

She furrowed her brow as she looked at him. "And what do you get?"

David sat back in his chair. He watched as her narrowed eyes followed the movement of his thumb rubbing his bottom lip.

"Your time."

"You want my tim?—"

" Alone ."

Jenny bolted from the chair. "You want to be alone with me?"

David couldn't help but laugh at the hypocrisy. "Why is that so shocking?" He looked around his study. "You're alone with me right now. In fact, if my memory serves me right, you were perfectly fine being alone with me during our very first meeting."

Jenny bristled. "Oh, I knew you would bring that up."

She hoisted up her water-logged skirts and stomped over to his desk, slamming her hands down on the blotter.

"Listen, and listen well. I don't know how you know my name, or what you know of me, but I assure you that my common background does not mean you get to take advantage of me. If you think for one moment that I would agree to such a torrid affair, you are gravely mistaken. I am no wanton lady or a lady of the night—or whatever you call them."

Her breath came out in hot puffs of air as her chest rose and fell with each inhale and exhale. She was emotional. She was seething.

She was breathtaking .

David placed his hands on his desk, just on either side of hers. He slowly rose to his full height and leaned across the desk, towering over her.

"You have a very dirty mind, Miss Bennett," he drawled.

Jenny gasped at his insinuation. Her hand came up to slap him, but he caught her wrist right before it made contact.

"Now, now, kitten. There's no need for violence," he tsked.

She sucked in a breath as her eyes trailed up his lips to meet his eyes. Her wrist felt so delicate in his hand. A shiver that he hoped was hidden under his clothing ran down his spine.

His eyes darkened as he leaned further across his desk. " You listen, and listen well. I never take what is not offered freely, and I certainly wouldn't need to stoop so low as to bargain for it. If I want a woman, I go and find a willing partner. It's never been an issue for me, and I don't see that changing in the future."

Jenny flinched at his words. If the closeness of her body wasn't causing his brain cells to misfire, he would have taken a moment to study her movement. Alas, he made a grave miscalculation by leaning so close to her.

She blinked, all the bravado leaving her right before his eyes.

"I-I'm sorry. It was inappropriate of me to assume such horrible things about you. Please forgive me, Your Grace." Her eyes dropped to where he still held her wrist.

He watched her eyes as they focused on their connection, and he used the opportunity to pull her further across the desk.

"No need to apologize. I know my reputation precedes me where women are concerned. Plus, I remember being the one who told you that there was only one reason why men would want to be alone with a woman."

Her eyes flicked up to his. "Wait. So, I was right?"

"No. It appears I was wrong." He chuckled at the look of shock that crossed her face. "I know. While I am not wrong often, I do own my mistakes. You should note this—it doesn't happen often."

A small smile danced on her lips, and he couldn't help but smile in return.

Their breaths mingled as his fingers twitched around her wrist.

His eyes drifted down to her plump lips that were slightly open. Inviting.

Didn't I just say I wouldn't take anything from an unwilling partner?

Although he'd been with enough women to know that from her body language and eyes, she was more than willing.

It was that thought that had David straightening up, dropping her wrist in haste. Anger and disgust coursed through his veins at the narrative his mind had just created. He banished that line of thought to the far recesses of this mind.

"I think it is time for you to go, Miss Bennett."

Jenny's body fell forward, her hands slapping the desk surface to stop her face from hitting it. She pushed herself up, still breathless from their interaction.

"What?"

She brushed the drying red curls from her face—David couldn't help but notice how soft they looked.

He took a deep breath. "Do we have an agreement?"

Jenny huffed, clearly dumbfounded. He couldn't blame her. If this was any other woman, he would have her across his desk right now.

He could tell the next words out of her mouth were not going to be pleasant. And while he has been developing a certain taste for their special brand of conversation, he needed to see her out.

He raised his hand to stop her. "It is late, Miss Bennett. We're both very tired, and I think it would be better for both of us to continue this another day."

He moved around his desk and took a step towards her. Fighting against his better judgment, he tilted her chin up so their eyes could meet.

"Do we have an agreement?" he asked again. "My helpful tips in exchange for your company?"

The tip of Jenny's tongue darted out to wet her bottom lip. It took all of his willpower not to lean in and capture the tiny tease.

She shook her head slowly while his hand still held her chin.

"Very well," he said, dropping his hand.

He opened the study door and led her out into the hallway, to the front door. Jenny stood there expectantly.

He looked between her and the door. "Is there something else, Miss Bennett?"

She looked at the door and back to him. "Oh, I thought… Usually, people call for a carriage or a hackney. I just assumed you…"

David laughed. "And risk people seeing you leave my residence in the middle of the night in a carriage? Oh no—not happening, kitten. You got yourself here just fine, you can get yourself home."

If David could paint, he would paint the picture of absolute surprise mixed with distress written all over her face. There was a reason why redheads were his favorites. No matter how hard they tried, their complexions could hide nothing.

Her face went from ghostly white with shock, to red with embarrassment, to an almost purple with rage.

She was magnificent.

She could do nothing but stutter half-sentences as he ushered her out into the night. She was still muttering unintelligible words when he closed the door.

This was going to be fun.