A Duchess Enraged (25 page)

“Ah. I could help you
there, as well,” promised Tristan. He shifted so that he faced her, at the same
time sliding closer along the sofa’s smooth surface. “You can’t forget him if
you don’t move on, Allegra.”

“I know.” Allegra
looked cross. “I just don’t want him to win, either. He means to divorce me and
marry that horrible woman, you know. I refuse to provide him with evidence that
would let that happen.“

“Ah. But there are
ways around that. He can’t watch you every moment of the day. He’s far too busy
with his pretty mistress just now, for instance. And don’t you think you
deserve to have some pleasure of your own? Are you going to let all your beauty
and youth waste away, simply to spite him?”

“No,” said Allegra
hesitantly. Tristan’s words both shamed and excited her. She grew angry with
herself for still wanting Adam, when he was totally in Louisa’s thrall. And she
felt an unbidden wash of desire as she remembered how he had made her feel when
he held her in his arms, of the wonderful way his hands on her body had made
her feel, of the shattering pleasure when they climaxed together. Was she to go
without that forever, when she had just barely learned about it?

“I would love to show
you how beautiful you are,” said Tristan softly, persuasively. “If he can’t
appreciate you, I would like you to know that I can.” He watched with an
experienced eye as Allegra‘s breath grew a little faster, and the lace at her
breast trembled gently. He felt himself begin to grow hard at the thought of
having her. God, she was a delectable creature. He thought perhaps he could stay
with her for months before he grew weary of her.

“That’s very kind of
you, Lord Gresham. But I don’t know...I don’t know if I’m ready.”

 Allegra looked into
his face and saw the ardent look in his eyes. She tried to imagine kissing him,
but she couldn’t. She liked Tristan, and was grateful to him for his support,
but she felt none of the passion that Adam stirred in her.

“Of course you are.
You’re simply shy, which I find charming. After all, sweetheart, you can’t mean
to let all your sensuality wither away while your husband attends to another
woman. It would be a sin.”

Very slowly and
gently, so as not to alarm her, he wrapped one hand around her arm, his fingers
gently caressing her white skin. A thrill shot through him as he sensed her
nervousness. She was trembling on the brink. He needed only to nudge her over
it, to overcome her natural reluctance and use her desire for satiation and
revenge to serve his own purposes.

“But this would be
wrong as well,” she protested.

“How? Has your
husband been faithful to you? Does he cherish you and protect you? Of course he
doesn’t. He scorns you and neglects you, and leaves you unsatisfied. Let me
satisfy you, Allegra. I know that I can. You have only to give me the chance.
And then you‘ll have broken his hold over you. You’ll know that it isn’t him
you need, but me.”

Allegra’s brow
furrowed as she pondered Tristan’s words. Was it possible that he was right?
After all, Adam had been her only lover. Perhaps another man would do as well,
would make her feel the same amazing things that he did. It seemed unfair that
Adam should be able to do as he pleased, while she withered away in solitude.

Tristan saw that he
had struck a nerve, and pressed his advantage. “You’re far too young and
spirited to let him cage you so. Am I asking so much when I urge you to defy
him, to allow me to love you as you deserve? It will be wonderful, my dear.
I’ll make you forget him entirely, I promise.”

Allegra shivered.
Tristan’s offer was so tempting, holding the shimmering promise of revenge as
well as the opportunity to quench her own raging need. Despite her attempts to
ignore it, her body reminded her often and forcibly that it had grown used to
Adam’s loving. But wasn’t one man much like another? At least Tristan cared
about her. Why did she long for what she couldn’t have?

“I don’t know,” she
whispered.

“You do know,”
answered Tristan. “You know that I’m right. Let me show you, sweetheart.”

His warm hand
wandered up to her shoulder, caressing and soothing as it went, and his other
hand wrapped around her waist, drawing her close. She felt his muscular thigh
press against hers through the silk of her dress, and tried to relax. It was so
strange, she thought. As fond as she was of Tristan, she didn’t feel the
thrill, the need that drove her when she was this close to Adam.

Tristan looked down
into her confused eyes and smiled slightly. “Just relax, darling. Let me show
you.”

His fingers moved up
her neck to her jaw, feathering lightly over her soft skin. She was so open, so
vulnerable. He recognized her need, and though he knew it wasn’t for him, he
also knew he could turn it to his advantage. He could trust his skills to bring
her to a fever pitch, and, after a few minutes of resistance, she would give in
to her body’s demands. Then there would be no turning back.

Allegra drew in a
quavering breath as she gazed up into Tristan’s intent face. His touch on her
skin wasn’t unpleasant. As a matter of fact, it was quite pleasurable, soothing
and at the same time exciting. She gave a tiny wriggle as her nerves responded
to the stimulation. Tristan smiled.

“Just so, my dear.
Let yourself feel it. It’s wonderful, isn’t it?”

He could still see
the shade of doubt in her eyes, and knew that he had to banish it. Soon he
would see the fire of desire instead. He sensed that under her innocent
exterior, Allegra concealed a passionate nature. It would take only a few
minutes to unleash it.

He pulled her closer
until her breasts were pressed against his broad chest. His hand moved to cup
her little chin and his lips traced a line from her eyebrow down towards her
lips, nibbling and teasing, promising her greater pleasures. Allegra closed her
eyes, trying to yield to the sensations that were shooting through her body.
But her mind, her heart, stubbornly clung to the picture of Adam and refused to
let go of it. She gave a tiny sob.

“It’s all right.
You’ll be fine. Just relax,” urged Tristan. His mouth touched the corner of
hers, his tongue flicking gently out, urging her to yield to him. Then he
pressed his lips to hers, seizing the initiative, demanding a response. He felt
her tremble on the brink of surrender and pressed forward, sensing the ultimate
triumph.

But then Allegra gave
a tiny cry and wrenched her head away from his grip, her bright blue eyes filling
with tears that spilled over onto her pale cheeks. “I’m sorry,” she gasped.
“I’m sorry, I just can‘t. I don’t know why, but I can’t do this.”

Tristan stared at
her, amazed. He knew that she was ready, that her body was primed, that she
felt the same powerful physical need that burned in him. Why was she resisting
her obvious need? “There’s nothing to worry about,“ he said trying to draw her
close again. “No one will see us. I’ll lock the door.”

“No, it’s not that,”
said Allegra, shaking her head, her face full of pain. “I can’t explain it. But
I can’t do this with you if I don’t mean it, if it’s just to hurt Adam, to get
even. It’s not fair to you. Or to me. I have to be honest.”

Tristan blinked. No
one had ever stopped him in the middle of a seduction to discuss the fairness
of their actions before. She was just nervous. Another few minutes and she
would forget her fears. He leaned forward, determined to erase her silly
thoughts with more kisses.

She made a little
sound of agony and turned her head. “No, don’t, please. I know that I will give
in eventually, but I don’t want to. It’s wrong, wrong for both of us. Don’t you
understand?”

Tristan raised his
head and glared at her. For all his reputation as a rake and a womanizer, he
had never forced himself on a woman. All his companions had been more than
willing, and he had never seduced anyone, duchess or chambermaid, without her
full consent. He gritted his teeth and concentrated on his need to humble his
rival’s pride, but instead all he saw was Allegra’s tear-filled eyes and
anguished face. Caroline was right, damn it. Allegra was a woman of honor, who
wouldn’t easily give in to what she knew was wrong. And she was staring up at
him, trusting him to understand, to let her go. “Damnation,” he bit out.

“I’m sorry,” said
Allegra. “You must be very angry with me. I let you think that I would--that I
could--well, that I meant to let you have your way with me. But it wouldn’t be
fair to you. I think I must love Adam, despite everything.” Her heart twisted
as she said the words. She was a pitiful thing, loving a man who felt nothing
for her.

“I’m not angry with
you,” said Tristan slowly. He released her, his own actions amazing him. He had
only to insist, to press his advantage, and she would yield to him. She had said
so herself. Sooner or later her scruples would be overcome by her body’s urges
and his own skilled lovemaking. Then he would obtain everything he wanted. His
revenge would be complete, and Allegra would have no choice but to become his
mistress. He would provide her with a great deal of pleasure before their ways
parted. What was it to him if her childish dreams were shattered? Allegra was
clinging to an illusion that could never be sustained, and she would be better
off if she learned that now.

“I wouldn’t blame you
if you were,” she said wretchedly. “I know I’m being silly, but I can’t do this
while I have any hope. And as long as I’m near him, I can’t help but think
there‘s something I can do to make him want me again.” Her head drooped on her
slender neck, like a flower in the rain.

Tristan swallowed and
stood up, backing away from the sofa. He couldn’t believe his own actions, but
he felt a sudden distaste for himself and his behavior over the past weeks. He
had never thought of his seductions as anything but an exchange of pleasure, a
game that both people participated in freely. But Allegra was clearly in pain,
and despite his determination not to let it touch him, or interfere with his
plans, he felt an unwanted sympathy with her.

“I’m sorry,” he said
finally. “I didn’t realize he meant that much to you. I thought that I could
make you forget him.”

“I wish you could,”
said Allegra bitterly. “I tried, but it didn’t work.”

Tristan shook his
head. If he left the room now he would be throwing all his plans away. He could
still take her. She was distraught enough that if he pressed his suit, she
would give in, if only out of loneliness and guilt. But he realized dimly that
he didn’t want her in that state. It would be empty and hollow for her, and she
would be destroyed. Despite all his anger with Gravesmere, he didn’t want to
ruin this beautiful young woman. She had no part in what had happened in the
past, and she deserved to find her own happiness.

“I should go,” he
said quietly. “I imagine you want to be alone.”

“If you don’t mind.
I’m surprised you still even speak to me. I treated you wrongly.” Allegra
looked guilt-stricken.

“No, you mustn’t
think that,” Tristan countered. “I knew what I was doing. I’ve behaved badly.
Please believe me, if I can ever be of assistance to you, let me know.”

“Thank you.” Allegra
looked down at her hands, which were twisted together in her lap. A sob broke
from her lips. She heard Tristan’s footsteps move slowly out of the room and
the door close behind him, and she was alone. She threw herself down on the
crimson brocade and wept.

On the Side of the
Angels

In the ballroom, the
dance had come to its end, and Adam led Lady Manning away from the dance floor.
She beamed up at him, her eyes glowing. All was going precisely to plan.

“Thank you, Adam.
That was delightful. It’s so pleasant to be by your side, where I feel I
belong. I’ve loved you for so long, but never until now did I hope that I might
one day be your wife. You’ve made all my dreams come true.” She smiled slyly.
If it were only guilt that kept him with her, then she would make sure his load
was a heavy one.

Adam managed a smile,
but had no response. His eyes wandered to the door of the ballroom. He hadn’t
failed to notice that Allegra had left the room with Lord Gresham, and his
blood boiled at the thought of what they might be doing. He moved restlessly.

Louisa eyed him
thoughtfully. She had only to give him permission to do what he wanted to do
and all would be over. “Did you see what your wife did?” she whispered. “I’m
shocked, Adam. To be so bold in front of all these people. How disgraceful.”

Adam looked down at
her, his expression guarded. The thought occurred to him that Allegra was doing
no more than he was, flaunting her relationship with Gresham as he was using
Louisa. Then he pushed the notion away. Allegra had turned against him first,
and she deserved what she got. She was doubtless somewhere now, allowing
Gresham free access to her body. He clenched his teeth.

Louisa watched a
muscle tic in his jaw, and smiled. “Surely you don’t mean to let her get away
with that? You must follow her.”

Adam shrugged. “Her
behavior is no longer any concern of mine.”

Louisa reined in her
annoyance at his reluctance. “But Adam, if you wish to divorce her, we need
evidence. If you were to find her in Lord Gresham’s arms, no one would be able
to deny you. This is your chance, my dear.”

Adam frowned. Louisa
seemed almost indecently eager for him to find Allegra in a compromising
situation. Her eyes glinted sharply, and he wondered if what he saw on her face
was greed. But she was right; this was his best chance to secure evidence for a
divorce. Allegra had apparently let her desires get the better of her, and had
cast discretion to the winds. He had hired men to follow Allegra, but if he
could catch her in the act himself, it would be best.

“You’re right,” he
said shortly. “Wait here. I’ll see if I can find them.”

He turned on his heel
and strode away. Louisa licked her lips in anticipation. In less than an hour
she would be well and truly on her way to being Duchess of Gravesmere.

Adam left the
ballroom, his face set in a mask of cold anger. He realized dimly that he
didn’t truly wish to pursue Allegra, that the sight of her giving herself to
another man would destroy the last shred of illusion that he clung to that she
might actually care for him. But he had to know, to find the proof that would
free him from her and allow him to get on with the rest of his life. He would
have no peace, no dignity, until he had rid himself of her presence. He
hesitated in the hallway. There was no one about except the servants.

“Did a man and a
woman come through here?” he demanded. “She was wearing blue, he was tall and
very dark.”

The footman he had
addressed stared at him blankly. “I don’t recall, Your Grace.”

Adam cursed. “You’re
well trained, aren’t you? Well, I’ll find them myself.” He strode to the
nearest door and flung it open. A woman’s voice cried out in alarm and a couple
that was embracing on the couch fell away from each other, their clothes in
disarray. Adam stormed into the room, bile rising in his throat.

“I see you couldn’t
restrain yourself, madam,” he said, and then paused in shock. The woman who
gaped up at him wasn’t Allegra, but a certain infamous Countess, and her
companion wasn’t Lord Gresham, but instead his friend, Freddie Brocklehurst.

“Damn it, Gravesmere,
what are you about?” he demanded. “Aren’t two women enough for you?”

Adam gaped at the
couple. The countess clutched her open bodice together with her hands, but her
long lashes fluttered at him flirtatiously. He gave a snort of disgust. Was all
of society given over to debauchery? He bowed and backed out of the room.

“Forgive the
intrusion. I mistook you for someone else.”

“Well, I’ll be
damned,” Adam heard Freddie say as the door slammed shut behind him. He looked
up at the footman he had spoken to and detected a look of amusement there.
Snarling, he moved down the hall, opening the next door with a bit more
caution.

A darkened room
spread out before him, faintly lit by a few candles in the wall sconces.
Silence prevailed, but he saw a figure huddled on the couch, and he moved
closer. Even in the dimness he could sense that it was Allegra. Her shining
hair reflected the glow of the candles and her skin took on the glow of pearls.
Where the hell was Gresham, he wondered.

He stepped on a loose
board and the floor creaked.

Allegra gasped and
sat up, her hand at her breast. Her eyes widened when she saw Adam standing
before her, staring at her grimly.

“Adam!” she choked
out, her hands flying to her cheeks in a vain attempt to wipe away the tears.
“What are you doing here?”

“I might ask you the
same thing,” he answered, looking at her closely. Her silk dress was crushed as
though someone had been holding her, and her hair was in disarray. Something
had been going on here, he thought grimly. It seemed he was just moments too
late to catch her in the act. “Where’s Gresham?”

“He left,” answered
Allegra quietly.

It seemed pointless
to try to explain to Adam what had happened. It seemed extraordinary, even to
her, and there was no reason why her husband would believe her. And any
explanation would involve telling him that she loved him, and that was
something she couldn’t do.

“So you admit he was
here,” snapped Adam. “What a fine gentleman you have there. He uses you and
then leaves? He might at least accompany you back into the ballroom.”

“It wasn’t like
that,” protested Allegra, a little of her spirit returning. Why did Adam always
think the worst of her? He was the one who had turned away from her in the
first place.

“No? What was it
like?” Adam approached the couch and grabbed her by her naked shoulders,
lifting her so that she stood in front of him. Her scent enveloped him, and he
closed his eyes. “Why don‘t you tell me all about it?”

Allegra shook her
head, her tears threatening to spill over again. “No, Adam. We just talked. And
then he left. That’s all.”

“Gresham doesn’t take
beautiful women into private rooms to talk to them,” snarled Adam. Black waves
of anger beat through his brain. Allegra belonged to him. “What kind of an
idiot do you think I am? Tell me, Allegra, does he please you more than I did?
Does he bring the same fire to your blood, do you call out his name the way you
did mine?”

“Adam, you’re hurting
me,” protested Allegra, struggling in his grip. In truth, his hold was tight
but not painful, but she wanted to move away from him in order to fight the
feelings that shot through her at his touch. It was unfair that she should
respond to Adam’s mere presence in this way, when Tristan’s experienced kisses
had left her feeling so empty.

“Answer me,” said
Adam. “Did you feel the same things with him that you did with me?”

“No, of course not,”
Allegra cried out. “I haven’t done anything with him, Adam.”

“Liar. But since you
enjoy it so much, perhaps you’d like a comparison. I know you enjoyed what we
did together. Now you can see how I rate next to your lover. Does he make you
feel like this, Allegra?”

Allegra stared up at
him, both mesmerized and horrified, as his lips descended towards hers. She
gave a tiny cry, whether of surprise or protest she wasn’t sure, and then his
mouth covered hers. She knew he was furious, but his kiss was unexpectedly
gentle and persuasive. She sighed into his mouth as her body exploded with
reaction. She felt her knees grow weak, her heart began to pound, and a
telltale dampness gathered between her legs. If his kiss had been brutal and
rough she might have had the strength to fight him, she thought, but this
tender assault was more than she could resist. Almost without her wishing it,
her arms rose to clutch his shoulders and she returned his caress with abandon,
opening her lips and entangling his tongue with her own.

Adam laughed
knowingly. “You’re insatiable, aren’t you?” he muttered. In one corner of his
mind he contemplated walking away, but he knew that he couldn’t do it. No
matter what sort of a wanton Allegra was, he couldn’t control his desire for
her. He gripped her more tightly, one hand sliding up to tangle in her
carefully arranged curls, tearing them loose from their pins as he held her
head still, raining kisses across her mouth, her cheekbones, her brow. She gave
a tiny groan of desire and tried to move closer.

Continuing to hold
her head with one hand, his lips playing skillfully across her face and neck,
Adam’s other hand went to the bodice of her dress, tugging at it until the low
neckline slipped further, exposing one white breast. He grazed the nipple with
his fingertips, watching her face with intent eyes as she gasped and bit her
lip, the sensation rocking her entire body.

“Lord, Adam,” she
groaned. “Please.”

“Please what?” he
asked, his fingers stroking her gently. He lowered his head and gently nipped
at her, and she clutched at his head with frenzied fingers.

“You know what I
want,” she said, a touch of petulance in her voice. “You know exactly what
you’re doing to me.”

“Maybe I do.” Adam’s
tongue moved over her nipple again, while his hand caressed her other breast
through the material of her dress. “But I like to hear it.”

“Love me, Adam,” she
whispered, hating herself for saying the words, but aroused beyond the point of
holding back.

“Ah.” Adam cupped her
naked breast, his fingers gently kneading it, and he kissed her again, a deep,
dark kiss that promised endless pleasure. “So you still want me.”

Allegra nodded,
unshed tears glimmering on the ends of her lashes. She wanted him to love her,
to take her because she was the woman he loved, but if this were the only way
she could have him, she would accept it. For just a few minutes, anyway, he
would be hers.

“Well, I want you
too.” Adam’s big hands wrapped around her waist and he urged her backwards
until she leaned against the silk covering of the library wall. “You’re in my
blood, whether I like it or not.“

Allegra stiffened as
she felt him brush aside her heavy skirt, but then his hand was on her thigh
and she let out her breath as another wave of desire swamped her. His tongue
continued to torment her breast as his hand crept higher, creeping tantalizingly
near to the seat of her need, but not touching it, tangling gently in her curls
and bringing her to a fever pitch. She made a sound of frustration and then
reached out, grabbing him through his breeches, and realized with a flare of
triumph that he wanted her every bit as much as she wanted him. He was rock
hard, straining against the material until it seemed it would be unable to
contain him.

“So you’re impatient,
are you?” asked Adam. “No time for subtleties?” He laughed in his throat and
then, rapidly tearing her lacy drawers away, plunged two fingers into her,
making her gasp with astonishment and delight. Throwing all caution to the
winds, she ground against his hand, seeking the release that she so desperately
needed.

“You certainly are
ready for me,” muttered Adam, withdrawing his hand with one swift movement and
holding it in front of her face so she could see the signs of her need. Too
desperate to be abashed, she made a mewing noise in her throat and worked away
with impatient fingers at the buttons of his trousers until he burst forth into
her hand. She squeezed gently, teasingly, remembering exactly what he liked,
what would send him over the edge most quickly.

“Damn you,” snapped
Adam. But then his anger was lost in the wonderful feelings coursing through
his body. He never felt this abandonment with Louisa, this rush of joy, of
being completely overwhelmed and overcome. He lifted her skirts high and
wrapped his hands around her waist, lifting and bracing her against the wall.

Allegra’s eyes grew
wide with astonishment. “Adam, what are you doing?”

“So there’s still
something Gresham hasn’t taught you? I’m surprised. I would have thought him a
master at this.”

Allegra opened her
mouth to protest against his charges, but Adam covered it with his instead,
kissing her with a dangerous passion that erased all her thoughts. Then, before
she had recovered, he angled himself up between her legs and brought her down
with one swift movement onto his fully erect staff. He slid in all the way to the
hilt as Allegra’s body welcomed him, reveling in the sensations it had been
denied for the last few days. She gave a shout of amazement and satisfaction as
he filled her and then continued to stretch her, her warm flesh giving way
eagerly.