Chapter 20

CHAPTER20

When Jane woke up the following day, the memory of the previous night was still as firmly implanted in her mind as if she had scorched herself on an open fire. The mark was there, unwilling to leave both her body and mind. She was burning up, her body convulsing as if in a feverish dream. That was what he did to her. That was the extent of his effect on her.

She smiled as she opened her eyes. She never thought a man could bring a woman such pleasure, to bring her to the very brink of feverish madness. Although she knew that there was more, but she could barely imagine it being more pleasurable than this.

She jumped up from bed, the image of Leo in front of her mind at all times. It made a smile eternally stuck on her face. She doubted she would ever stop smiling. She got ready as hastily as she could and rushed down the stairs to the dining room. To her disappointment, she was informed that the Duke had urgent business and would be gone the entire day, but he had left a note for her in the drawing room. Breathless, she rushed there, only to find a purple-colored box with a note attached to it. She hastily opened it, her fingers trembling as if it was her birthday, and she was about to get the gift of a lifetime.

Dear Jane,

I regret having to leave for an entire day, but we shall still attend Lord and Lady Hilton’s ball this evening. I have taken the liberty of purchasing a new gown for you. If you do not like it, wear whatever you wish. I am certain that you will be the most stunning lady present tonight.

I shall come for you at eight. Please be ready.

L.

She opened the box with equal haste, only to find a gown of the finest make inside. She lifted it up, and the gown spilled downward; delicate embroidery coupled with the finest pearls filled the fabric on the sleeves, the hems, and around the neckline. It was the color of the summer sky—the lightest shade of blue Jane had ever seen.

She glanced inside the box. She gasped to find a necklace with gemstones of the same color. She swirled around the room with the gown pressed to her chest, closing her eyes. She had no idea how on earth she would survive these long hours until the evening when she would get to wear this beautiful gown and see her husband again.

Her husband.

The word felt so natural now as it always should have been. The Duke of Dunton was her husband, and she was his wife. Tonight, she would not pretend that she was madly in love with him. She would act accordingly to her emotions, to her feelings which were spilling over.

She tried to busy herself with reading and embroidery, but the time passed devilishly slowly. Finally, it was eight o’clock, and Leo, as punctual as ever, knocked on the door to her chamber. She rushed to open the door, meeting him, breathless. How she longed to fall into his embrace, but she prevented herself. Instead, she smiled, taking the sides of her gown and swirling around.

“Do you like it?” she asked, her smile revealing it all.

He was stunned into silence. “You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen.” She felt like she had never heard a more genuine compliment.

“I am ready,” she told him, taking him by the hand. His touch was soft, warm. She would rather not even go to that ball and instead stay home, take him by the hand, pull him to the library, and sit in his lap again in hopes that he would touch her again like he did the previous night. But there would be plenty of time for that when they returned.

“I have to warn you, though,” he said gravely as they walked out of the house. Her heart clenched at those words. “I won’t allow you to dance with anyone else.”

She looked at him. He looked back at her so seriously that she couldn’t help but burst into a loud chuckle.

“I am serious,” he continued as he helped her up into the carriage, closing the door behind them once they were both in.

“I see nothing wrong with that,” she smiled back, mischievously. “But for now, tell me about your day.”

He seemed surprised with her question, then he smiled and started telling her about the business meetings with his attorneys and possible investors in the brewery. It was all good news.

As soon as they arrived, they were greeted by the hosts as custom dictated. Both of them commented on Jane’s gown, and she proudly announced that it was a gift from her husband.

“Why, he must be madly in love with you!” Lady Hilton pointed out. “Only a man who is truly besotted with his wife can gift her something so truly spectacular.”

Jane could not have felt more proud than at that moment. She felt like she was truly shining in that gown, and all she wanted to do was hold Leo by the hand, proving to the world that she was taken, that she was his.

He asked her to dance, and he already knew the answer, even before she said anything. She allowed him to take her where the other dancing couples were standing, wondering if he wanted her to talk.

“Are you—”

“Shhh,” he whispered as he leaned closer to her, interrupting her. “I want to look at you, Jane.” His words melted her heart. “You truly have no idea how stunning you are. I just want to look at you… all day.”

He took her into his arms possessively to the first sounds of the music. They swirled together, and he was unwilling to let go of her even for a single moment. She felt that was exactly where she belonged. There was not a trace of doubt in her mind about that.

Her gaze lowered to his lips. Nothing would have pleased her more than having him kiss her right then and there in front of everyone. She felt his fingers around her waist, once again remembering how he brought her to the brink of pleasure then pushed her over right into the abyss. The memory had been haunting her all day. The promise of more to come this very evening made her entire body throbbing with need. She was certain that if he merely brushed his fingers against her most delicate flesh, she would feel that heat once again, instantly, taking complete control over her.

Now, they were so close. Too close. Everything about the way he looked at her was tempting. He was teasing her. He refused to look away, and so did she. The music stopped, but her desire did not cease. It did not diminish.

He took her back, offering a drink, and just as they were about to walk out into the terrace for a breath of fresh air, they noticed Seth approaching. He was elbowing his way through the crowd, aiming for them. A few moments later, he reached them. He greeted them cordially, and just like everyone else present, he was mesmerized by the sight of Jane in her sky-blue gown.

“You are a masterpiece,” he gushed. “Leo, where on earth can I find a lady like this one? You must tell me!”

Jane chuckled, and this time, so did Leo. She felt like the drinks they had were making them less anxious about their surroundings. They did not care who was watching as long as they were watching each other. That was all that mattered.

Suddenly, Seth took her by the hand, but Leo grabbed him before he could snatch Jane and drag her to dance.

“I’m afraid I can’t allow that, old boy,” Leo said apologetically, but it was obvious that it was all said in good fun. Seth looked confused. “My wife is too beautiful tonight for me to allow anyone to dance with her other than myself.”

Seth immediately understood, releasing his grip on Jane’s hand. He bowed respectfully. “I completely understand.” When he was back up, he winked at Jane. “If I had such a wife, I would not leave the house at all!”

It was obvious what he was referring to, and once again, the alcohol they all consumed allowed them all to see it as the joke that it was meant to be without any hidden agenda behind it. Jane chuckled sweetly, only to have Leo take her by the hand and bestow a chaste kiss upon it.

There was something about that kiss that caught her off guard. She wanted more of them. So much more, but in a place where no one else would be around. She could not wait for the night to be over. Wrong choice of words. For the ball to be over. Then, they would return home in their carriage, and perhaps…

“What has you smiling so mischievously?” She heard Leo whisper right into her ear as he leaned closer.

She looked about only to see that Seth had disappeared off to somewhere. They were left alone as much as a couple could be alone at a ball. She thought of his question and wondered if she should tell him.

“I remembered last night,” she whispered back, making sure to speak so softly that even he barely heard her.

“I fear you might have forgotten some things,” he said, equally teasingly, and the moment he said it, heat exploded between her thighs, even stronger than before. “Perhaps I could remind you once we get home?”

She felt like another drink might be in order. She was parched, and now with his talk of reminding her, she felt like her inside were on fire and needed to be extinguished. Then, she decided to be equally playful.

“Why wait until we get home?” she asked, her voice down to a barely audible whisper, feeling mischievous. “We shall be alone in the carriage.”

“Jane…” His baritone, deep and masculine, did things to her which she never even thought were possible to be done with merely a voice. It titillated her body and her mind, and it seemed to awaken all her sense. “Get ready to say goodbye to our hosts. It is of the utmost importance that we retire early.”

She giggled at that. With those words, he grabbed her by the hand, and they flew through the crowd, hastily finding the hosts and mumbling apologetic explanations as to why they needed to leave the ball earlier than expected. She barely listened to what he was saying. She was already lost in the daydream of what was to come. She could hardly wait.

The carriage waited for them outside. The moment Leo slammed the door shut behind them, their mouths locked; he cupped her face with his hands, kissing her hungrily, threatening to devour her lips, worshipping her with every bite, every suck, every lick.