Chapter Three

Dinah shook her head at Captain Andrews' suggestion. "No, my dear Captain, that would simply be inappropriate. We do not know each other well enough to address one another by our Christian names."

His eyes twinkled at her. "I already think we know one another fairly well, Duchess," he said, his lips twitching in amusement.

She felt the heat spring to her cheeks, knowing they burned a bright red now.

"I suppose I could reconsider your request," she said primly, the thought of the kisses they had exchanged—and those to come—filling her mind. "My given name is Dinah."

"Dinah," he echoed. "I quite like it. It suits you well. It is feminine, and yet it shows the strength you possess."

"You believe I am strong?" she asked. "No one has ever said that to me before."

He took her hands in his. "Then they were fools. Or unobservant idiots. You entered a marriage with a very powerful man at a tender age, Dinah. You have birthed four daughters and raised them, along with your two nieces. You have run the duke's household efficiently. Although I only met your girls for a brief time at Shadowcrest, they all were polite and seemed quite accomplished. I know you did that all on your own, with no help from anyone else, least of all your husband."

"I did it because they were mine," she told him. "Because I loved them. I have always wanted the best for them. As for my marriage? I knew what was expected of me beyond providing an heir apparent. I have managed Seaton's households and did quite a bit of entertaining while he was alive. He never acknowledged the fact that the events I planned came off seamlessly."

"He was not worthy of you," Captain Andrews assured her. "I doubt many men would be. But for a short while, I would like to try to give you what you need. To acknowledge your beauty and strength. To provide a small escape for you."

"I appreciate that more than you could ever know. Admittedly, it was hard for me to ask this of you. Despite the kisses we have exchanged, we are still, in effect, strangers to one another."

Even as she said those words, though, Dinah felt she did know this man. That he was good, down to his very core.

He squeezed her hands. "Then if we are to get to know one another on a more intimate level, I insist that you call me Drake."

"It is such a strong-sounding name. Commanding. For a strong man. I do not refer simply to your physicality. I know you worked your way up from the lowest position on a ship to that of captaining Vesta. That speaks volumes to your character. Your determination. Your leadership and integrity."

"Thank you for those compliments, Dinah," he said, his steady gaze causing tingles to shoot through her. "Being a ship's captain is a lonely business, I have found. I want to have a rapport with my crew, yet I cannot become overly friendly with them, or they will not respect my command. When James was the captain of Vesta and I served as his first mate, we at least had each other."

"Do you now have a capable first mate?" she asked.

"Denby is most efficient, but he understands that even between a captain and first mate, a certain formality must be observed. I respect Denby, and he respects me. But as to confiding in him, as I did in James and he did in me? That will not happen. I was on my own during my maiden voyage as captain. I suppose it will remain that way in the future. I doubt I will ever be as close to any man as I was to James."

She squeezed his fingers. "Do not speak of it as if your friendship is in the past, Drake. James still views you as the brother he never had."

He smiled ruefully. "While he will always be the brother of my heart, James is now a duke. He moves in a society I will never know, much less understand. Yes, I do hope to see him while I am in England. Before I leave on my next voyage. But with us no longer being in proximity on a daily basis, our closeness is bound to fade over time." He shrugged. "Besides, I heard he wed Mrs. Grant."

"Come. Sit again with me. Let us continue our conversation," Dinah urged.

They returned to the settee, and a small thrill shot through her when Drake took her hand and threaded his fingers through hers.

"Sophie is the most remarkable woman I have ever encountered," she informed him. "She came from the ton, her circumstances similar to my own. Her father wed her to a much older man. Though Josiah Grant was not a member of Polite Society, he was immensely wealthy. Grant built Neptune Shipping Lines from the ground up, and he taught Sophie everything about the business until she was running it before his passing."

"I recall meeting with her after her husband was gone. She was certainly informed and knowledgeable about all aspects of the shipping business."

"There was some gossip after James wed Sophie. Women of the ton simply do not work, much less run a business empire. But Sophie is terribly kind and ever so sweet. She won over a great deal of Polite Society, just as she did James and our family."

"The fact that she had faith in me—and made me captain of Vesta with such little experience—surprised me. Of course, I know James had recommended me to her, but she took a great risk putting one of her leading trading vessels in my care."

"She is carrying their first child now," Dinah revealed.

Drake smiled, a smile so sunny and genuine, that she realized just how false the smiles of the gentlemen she had been seeing this Season truly were.

"Yes, Mr. Barnes informed me of that happy news," he said. "James must be over the moon. He found his family—and now he is creating one of his own with his duchess. I am to go see them at Shadowcrest."

"When?"

"Before I came here, I reported to the Neptune Shipping offices, where I met with Mr. Barnes. He told me he travels to Kent every week or so to consult with Her Grace regarding business matters. He is preparing a report, which will include the results of my trading expedition. Barnes knows I want to see James, and so I am to take this report to Shadowcrest when I visit."

"Perhaps we might travel to Kent together," she suggested, thinking it might be easier to be alone with him in the country than here in town.

"Don't you have social obligations you have committed to?" he asked.

Dinah shrugged. "I am but one individual, a widow, at that. The Season is more for gentlemen reviewing the women on the Marriage Mart."

He looked at her knowingly. "Have you placed yourself on this so-called Marriage Mart this year, Dinah, now that you are a widow?"

"I will admit that I have been open to the idea of marriage again. I have attended many social events and received callers each afternoon."

His brow furrowed. "Are you serious about any of them? I would not want to overstep if you are."

"No," she said frankly. "While I believe there are more than a few I could enter into marriage with, it would merely be a pleasant union. Not one of passion. Or love."

She hesitated a moment and then added, "I am hoping you will show me what passion is, Drake. What it means to feel desire and fulfill it. If I have that knowledge, perhaps I could make a match with an affable gentleman and bring something to my second marriage that was lacking in my first."

He frowned a moment, and then his features relaxed again.

"Just how far do you want to take our relationship, Dinah? I want transparency between us."

She swallowed, hesitant to voice her needs. But then she recalled he had complimented her, telling her she possessed a strength which had never been acknowledged.

Meeting his gaze, she said, "I want to know all of it. I need you in my bed, Drake. I want you to show me what truly can occur between a man and a woman. I know there are mysteries in the marriage bed which were never revealed to me. I yearn to lose my ignorance and discover them in detail."

He cradled her cheek with his palm. "Then I am more than willing to embark upon an affair with you. I will show you these things, Dinah. I suspect you possess a very sensual nature. One which you have buried deeply, having no release for it. I will teach you to acknowledge it and not be ashamed of it. I plan to enlighten you about what occurs between a man and a woman who are open to exploring one another."

She wet her lips nervously. "I know you have years of experience. You have said as much to me."

His thumb caressed her cheek. "I do know how to please a woman, Dinah. I plan to please you in many ways."

She desperately wanted him to kiss her again.

"You do?" he asked, looking amused.

A hot blush stained her cheeks. "Did I voice that aloud?"

Laughter rumbled deep within his chest. "I believe you did, Duchess. You know a little about kissing now. Kiss me."

"You want me... to kiss you... first?"

"I do. Show me that you desire me. Because I want you to kiss me. Very much so."

She cradled his face with her hands. Slowly, she pulled him down to her, until their lips met. It was as if electricity shot through her. This man made her feel things no other man ever had.

Dinah pushed her fingers into his dark, thick hair, holding tightly as she increased the pressure of her mouth on his. She broke the kiss and immediately kissed him again. And again. Something began filling her, which had to be desire. Her breasts tingled. Her core tightened. She imitated his previous actions, using the tip of her tongue to run along the seam of his mouth, teasing it open.

Boldly pushing her tongue inside his mouth, she found his and caressed it, hearing a groan come from him. Immediately, a sense of power flooded her. Her touch had caused that sound to emit from him.

And she wanted to hear it again.

Dinah tightened her grip on him, and thus began the war between their tongues as they fought for control. She instinctively understood there would be no losers in this battle. Only winners.

She kissed him with everything she possessed, feeling her breasts swell and grow heavy as she did. She longed for his touch there and decided he would have no objection if she demanded it.

Releasing her hold on him, she found his hand. Taking his wrist, she brought his hand to her breast. Breaking their kiss, she murmured, "Touch me. Here."

Drake kissed her again, both his hands going to her breasts, kneading them until she whimpered. Then he tweaked the nipples, causing hot desire to flood her. She broke the kiss and gazed at him, asking, "Will you kiss my breasts?"

He smiled at her. "You are learning, Duchess," he said, his voice husky.

He dipped one hand into the bodice of her gown, lifting and freeing her breast. His callused fingers brushed over it, teasing her nipple until it stood taut. Then he dipped his head, and his mouth was on her, sucking hard, causing her core to pound violently.

Drake feasted on her breast, sucking, laving, nipping at it playfully. His teeth grazed the nipple, making her shudder.

Lifting his head, he said, "I shouldn't neglect your other breast."

He freed the untouched one, dining upon it until Dinah writhed. She had wrapped her arms about him, pressing his head close to her, her entire body coming alive. Never had she felt such need pouring through her.

Then he stopped, raising his head, a satisfied look on his handsome features. He slipped her breasts back into place and took her hands in his, lifting them and kissing her knuckles.

"You asked me for that," he said. "That is a very big step, Dinah. To understand what you need and ask your lover for it."

She gave him a timid smile. "It was not as hard as I thought it might be." Pausing, she added, "But I find myself greedy, Drake. I want more. So much more."

He laughed heartily. "Then you shall have more, Duchess."

Drake rose. "I have overstayed my welcome." He reached for a sandwich and gobbled it down in one bite.

He proceeded to do the same with four others, washing them down with his cold cup of tea.

Grinning at her, he said, "I hope your cook will be satisfied."

Whipping out his handkerchief, he wrapped three of the scones in it before placing it in his pocket.

Dinah stood, reluctant to let him go. "When will I see you again?" she asked urgently. "Would you like to stay for dinner?"

"Are you having guests?" he asked.

"No. I was just going to have a light meal before I left for a ball." She brightened. "Would you care to escort me to it? You look incredibly handsome in your captain's uniform. I would be proud to be on your arm."

Drake shook his head. "No. For one thing, the only dance I know is a sailor's jig. I can't be a part of your world, Dinah, and I refuse to keep you from it. Go to your ball tonight. I can call upon you again. Perhaps tomorrow we could take tea together again."

The thought of not seeing him until this time tomorrow caused a deep sadness to run through her.

"I will skip the ball," she told him.

He cocked an eyebrow at her. "Despite what you told me earlier, I believe you would be missed. By several gentlemen, at the very least."

"Possibly by a few. They will most likely call on me tomorrow afternoon to see why I was absent."

This time, she took his hands in hers. "Stay, Drake. Dine with me this evening. We can go from there."

"If that is what you wish, Duchess, then I will do as you ask."

Dinah hoped by the end of this night that Drake Andrews would be in her bed.