Chapter 12

It was delightful how much whiskey and ale could loosen a tongue and Leopold wondered if she would have ever broached the subject of her curiosity when sober.

Likely not.

He chuckled. Bethany was five and twenty, and part owner in a salon and gambling den, but was as innocent as a debutante right out of the schoolroom. Then again, such was not discussed with innocent misses and from what he gathered, misses were not given many details for what to expect on their wedding night, such as the changes in a gentleman.

At least her frowns had been out of curiosity and not displeasure.

"I do think it is unfair that you have seen all of me, but I was only able to enjoy what the gape in your bodice revealed."

"Well, that is all you will be seeing."

Leopold was not going to argue with her, but he knew that one day, not far away, he would be able to gaze upon her.

"It was more than desire, Bethany. It is love," he admitted. He might as well admit the truth fully because they would wed and he wanted her to know. "I have wanted you for over two years and started to fall in love with you that spring and as much as I tried to hide it, even from myself, it never went away." Her state of mind also made it easier for him to confess his heart, something he never thought he would do.

A bright smile burst on her beautiful face. "I fell in love with you too. And if you must know, I suffered a good deal of guilt over it because you were supposed to be courting my dearest friend." She then frowned. "I have resented you because I loved you."

"That makes no sense," he laughed. Nor did it matter. She had just admitted that she'd loved him too, and he hoped that she still did.

"It does to me." She added a nod in emphasis.

"Perhaps my being attacked was not such a bad thing after all."

"My finding you was not such a bad thing. Your being injured was."

"You had loved me. Is there a chance that you might still?" he asked. While he was glad to know what her heart had been then, what mattered is where it was now.

Bethany sighed. "Yes, you grumpy duke, I still do."

He nearly snorted and rose from the bed. "And I still love you, even though you have treated me quite poorly until you came across me in the road."

Bethany gasped.

He reached her side and placed a finger against her lips because he did not want to get into another argument.

"Perhaps a marriage between us may work after all." Leopold was just about to kiss her again when there was a scratch at the door.

Bethany wasn't expecting their supper so soon, but she was glad for it. She should not have drunk so much because she had confessed far more than she had ever thought she would. She also was not sorry for it either.

Leopold loved her. She loved Leopold.

This may be the very best Christmas ever.

Crossing to the door, she opened it to find George, her driver.

"How did you return so quickly," Leopold asked.

"A mail coach," he answered. "The horse I was riding lost a shoe and I had to leave him in the stables. A mail coach was leaving just then, and I found a seat." George shook his head. "It is true. They do travel much faster than any carriage."

"Where is Ellings?" Leopold asked.

"He is not coming. Instead, he sent this." George passed over a bundle wrapped in paper.

"Thank you for your quick return," Bethany said.

"Is there anything I can get you, Lady Bethany or you, Your Grace?"

"No," she answered. "Find something to eat and then your rest."

He gave a quick nod and left them alone.

At the ruffling of paper, she turned back to Leopold, as he opened the package from the Duke of Ellings. "Bloody hell!" He removed an oversized shirt. "Ellings knows I don't wear nightshirts."

"Though perhaps you should then I'll not need to wonder and frown any longer."

He snorted. "I believe that wonderment has been explained."

Her face heated but she said nothing.

"Ah, another set of clothing. Trousers, shirt, waistcoat, suitcoat, and cravat and boots."

"How did he manage to completely outfit you?" Bethany asked.

"Ellings and I are much the same size."

He set the clothing aside and then unfolded a piece of parchment and read. Then he laughed.

"What does it say?" she asked before she thought better of it. It was probably a personal letter not meant for her.

Still laughing, Leopold held it out to her. Curiosity compelled her to take it from him.

Leopold,

This is not a crisis requiring my assistance. Nor does this require that I leave Shropshire when Christmas is so near. Tessa is also in favor of me remaining at home as she believes this is the best that could happen to you and Lady Bethany. Not your being injured, simply the circumstances in which you find yourself. She told me long ago that the two of you were in love and either did not realize it or were too stubborn to admit it. Therefore, I am eager to learn what is the truth, though I hope she is correct for I do not see how the two of you being alone in an inn can remain a secret.

However, if Lady Bethany does wish to be free of you, I have no doubt that the whole of the dukes' alliance will do everything in their power to preserve her reputation and set matters right before the next Season begins. She should not suffer for having saved and taken care of you.

Congratulations, cousin, and Happy Christmas.

Darius.

"What is the dukes' alliance?" she asked with a frown.

"Nothing you need to worry about now or ever," Leopold answered.

She thought to question him further, but decided that it really did not matter, especially since she did not wish to be free of Leopold.

"It appears Tessa knew better than the both of us." Bethany looked up into his warm brown eyes. "We have been fools. Stubborn fools."

Leopold grasped her hand and pulled her onto his lap. "Yes, we have. If only I would have demanded an answer."

"If only I would have chastised you."

"You can do so later," he said as his hand cupped the back of her head and drew her close and then, his lips were on hers.

Bethany sighed when he pulled away and then his lips were on her again, harder, and passion began to burn deep inside.

Goodness! She had become warm simply looking at him, her body now heated from the inside out, and she grew dizzy, as if she were falling, and then Bethany found herself on her back, the bed cushioning her as Leopold continued to kiss her.

Wrapping her arms about his shoulders, she kept him close, afraid this was a dream.

His hands swept down her body, caressing as his lips traveled across her jaw and down her neck and then he cupped her breast. A need to have his hands on her flesh and not her clothing rose within, and Bethany wondered how she could get out of her dress without breaking the magic of his kisses and touch. She wanted to learn more, experience more, and for the ache that was developing in her nether regions to be soothed, but before any of that could happen, Leopold pulled back and stared down at her.

"I will not seduce you tonight."

She supposed that was what he was doing, though the words hadn't formed in her mind, and she hadn't cared. "Why not?"

"I will only do so when you have your wits about you."

"I do have my wits about me," she argued.

"Two whiskeys and a pint of ale is not having one's wits. We shall discuss our future in the morning, when you are clear-headed." He grinned. "Then I shall seduce you and show you what desire truly looks like. And, how it feels. As for tonight, you shall be sleeping in this bed beside me."