Deceiving the Duke of Kerrington (Ladies of Deception) (11 page)

             “I don’t know what you’re
doing to me, Pierce.”

            He placed a large hand over her
hand that was trailing circles on his chest, “It’s called passion, minx.”

            She pulled back to look into
his face, “Is that what this is between us?”

            “Of course, and we should
consider ourselves lucky that if nothing else at least our marriage will be a
passionate one.”

            “Is that all we can expect
of this union?” Her warm amber eyes were searching his face for any sign of
something more but all she saw was lust.

            “Quite possibly, and we’d
both be fools to expect otherwise.” His earlier warmth was replaced by a cool
aloofness that bothered Hope as she watched and felt him withdraw both
physically and emotionally from her.

            Straightening his shoulders
he said, “Now hurry along and change, dinner will be served soon.” Hope watched
as he turned on his heel and strode into his own room, shutting the door firmly
behind him.

Chapter 14

            By the time Hope had peeled the
sopping dress off of her frame, Esther was pouring steaming buckets of water
into the copper tub sitting in front of the fireplace. Hope looked longingly at
the bath, grateful for the first time since this charade had started that she
was the one that would soon be enjoying the relaxing warmth of the water
instead of the one pouring the buckets.

            She quickly got into the
tub, letting the warmth of the water distract her from Pierce and the
unsettling feelings he roused in her. She felt foolish for giving into the passion
that he sparked within her, knowing he gloated in the fact that she went weak
under his expert caresses, as she was sure many women had done before her. She
laid her head back against the edge of the tub and closed her eyes, resolving
within herself to stop falling into the alluring trap of passion that the duke
presented.

            Hope hadn’t realized how
exhausted she had become, it was all she could do to pull herself from the tub
and allow Esther to help her dry off and comb her thick waves until they were
nearly dry before the fire. By the time Esther was done, Hope could barely
muster enough energy to even think about getting dressed and the thought of spending
the evening with Pierce and Caroline drained the last of her reserves. Instead
she made her way to her bed and curled up under the thick bed coverings, notifying
Esther to inform the duke that she wouldn’t be dining with him tonight before
falling into a dreamless sleep.

            The next thing she
remembered was being awoken from her deep slumber by an incessant knocking at her
door. She scurried out of bed, throwing a Chinese silk wrapper around her body
before rushing to see who was at her door. She was surprised to see Pierce
standing there looking casual in his tan breeches, white linen shirt and riding
boots.

            Pierce drank in the sight of
Noelle, all warm and cozy looking from sleep. “Good morning Noelle, I was
worried when you didn’t come down for dinner last night that you had either
taken ill or were purposely avoiding me. It appears you are well so I must
conclude that it was the latter.”

            “Must everything always be
about you? I was simply too exhausted after such a tiring day that I retired
early.” She explained, pulling her wrapper more securely around her body trying
not to let her surprise that it was now morning show. She couldn’t believe she
had slept so long.

            Pierce laughed, “Someday
you’ll admit that you want me as much as…”

            Hope cut him off, “As what?
As much as you want me? Well then your grace, someday is in fact today because
I will indeed admit that I want you as much as you want me which is not saying
much, we’ve already established that. Now if you don’t mind, I’d like some
privacy to get ready for the day.”

            Turning back to her room,
Hope let the door shut on its own but before it could fully close, Pierce put
one brown hand out and caught it. Much to Hope’s horror, he followed her into
the privacy of her bedchamber. Turning on him wildly she exclaimed, “What are
you doing? This is highly improper and I demand you leave at once!”

            “It’s my house and I’ll do
as I wish. Now calm yourself before your screeching alerts the entire
household. I came to inform you that I will be touring part of the estate today
and was wondering if you’d like to come along. I’ve asked cook to prepare a
picnic for us.”

            “Oh…that would be nice,” she
stammered, caught off guard by his suggestion.

Seeing the
relief on her face, Pierce couldn’t help but taunt her, “You didn’t think I had
come here solely to ravish you, did you?”

The blush that
crept up her neck and scattered across her high cheekbones gave her away though
her words said otherwise, “Nonsense, now kindly leave so I can ready myself.
I’ll be down shortly.”

Hope waited a
couple of minutes after Pierce had left before calling for Esther, careful to
make sure he wouldn’t return and burst into her room once more. Esther helped
her change into one of Noelle’s dark blue riding habits before braiding her
hair back and out of her face. When she reached the bottom of the stairs,
Pierce was waiting for her. He reached for her hand, placing it in the crook of
his elbow before guiding her out towards the stables.

The day was
young but the sun was already making its appearance in the sky, promising to be
a nice, warm day. They strode in silence to the stables, both lost in their own
thoughts. When a kind looking grey was offered to Hope she reached up and
stroked the horse’s nose. Pierce came up behind her, placing both hands on her
waist and gently lifted her into the sidesaddle. Hope marveled at the ease with
which he hoisted her onto the horse then watched as he effortlessly saddled his
own black stallion that looked as imposing as its master.

Hope purposely
trailed a few paces behind Pierce, hoping he wouldn’t notice her slight
awkwardness in the saddle, for riding was not something she had gained much
experience in during her role as a lady’s maid. They passed many grey stone
cottages that were placed sporadically through the countryside before Pierce
pulled his reigns back, stopping Tristan and waiting for Hope to catch up.

When she pulled
her own horse up next to his he turned to her, “I spent many hours as a boy
riding over every square inch of this estate. I know it like I know the back of
my own hand but I never get sick of it.” Hope looked out at the miles of
farmland being prepared for planting and harvesting and could understand why.
“Whenever I feel weighed down by responsibilities I go for a long ride and
remind myself why it is I do what I do.”

Hope looked at
him skeptically, “Oh? This reminds you of why you gamble, drink and womanize? I
admit it is inspiring but I had no idea its beauty could provoke such rakish
ways.”

Pierce glowered
at her, “Your impossibly low opinion of me is flattering. Tell me, is it based
solely off of rumor or is that what you’ve deducted for yourself in the short
time we’ve been personally acquainted?”

“Your behavior
has left some things to be desired that’s for sure,” she answered honestly but
was surprised when a look of pain momentarily flashed in his eyes. In lieu of a
response, Pierce kicked Tristan in the flanks and resumed galloping.

Hope tried to
ignore the impression that she may have misjudged him unfairly, instead she
tried to focus on her surroundings as she followed closely behind. Hope watched
Pierce’s broad shoulders in front of her, sensing the tension in the set of his
back. She felt slightly guilty for being so hard on him and vowed to spend the
rest of the day not being so defensive. The fresh air felt rejuvenating and she
wanted to enjoy the day without anymore fighting or awkwardness between them so
she vowed to hold her tongue and try to be pleasant. She could only hope that
he’d try to do the same.

Pierce’s
thoughts were in a jumble. It bothered him that his own fiancée had such a low
opinion of him. He wasn’t foolish enough to expect to fall in love with the
girl but he had at least hoped that they could become friends of a sort but
that was proving to be difficult.

When they pulled
to a halt in front of a cluster of small cottages, Pierce was once more by her
side helping her down from her horse. “These here are some of my tenants,” he
motioned towards the various people out working in the nearby fields, “and I
thought since we are here I might introduce you to a few of them. I reckon
they’ll be fairly happy and surprised that I have finally decided to take a
wife.”

Looking up Hope
saw a middle aged man brushing his hands on his trousers as he walked towards
them. His thick hair was like straw, poking out in all directions completely
unruly, but his blue eyes were kind and the smile he bestowed on her warmed her
heart. He bowed before them before standing and saying, “Your grace, to what do
we owe this honor?”

“Good day Derry,
we were just out riding and enjoying this fine day,” then turning to Hope, “I’d
like to introduce you to my fiancée, Derry this is Lady Noelle, Lady Noelle,
this is Derry Fitzpatrick.”

Derry stuck out
his hand, looking sheepish at the dirt that clung to his skin, “Congratulations
milady and your grace, though I must apologize for my soiled hands.”

Hope thrust her
hand into his outstretched one, not bothered in the least by a little dirt, “It
would be silly to expect a farmer to have clean hands while in the midst of
working and toiling with the earth, now wouldn’t it?”

Derry smiled up
at the charming lady before planting a gentle kiss to the top of her hand
before releasing it, liking the lady immensely. Pierce, for his part, looked
nonplussed by her behavior, surprised that she would so expertly put his tenant
at ease with her charm and her practicality.

            Before anything more could
be said, they were distracted by a small blonde bundle of energy bursting forth
from the cottage and coming to stand before Hope, pulling enthusiastically on
her skirt, “Miss, miss, are you a real princess?”

            Hope looked down into the
angelic face of a girl who could be no older than five years of age. Chuckling
she said, “I’m afraid to disappoint you, but no, I’m no princess.”

            The girl made a moue, “But
you’re beautiful just like I imagine a princess must be, and your gown is so
fancy!”

            Hope bent so she was at eye
level with the girl, “What is your name child?”

            “Hannah.”

            “Well Hannah,” she reached
out and gently tweaked the girl’s nose, “then surely
you
must be a
princess for you’re the most beautiful child I’ve ever seen.”

            The girl’s eyes lit up,
“Really? Do you mean it?”

            “I do.” Hannah reached up
and put her chubby arms around Hope’s neck and Hope returned the hug.

            When the hug was complete, Hannah
took Hope’s hand in her own, unwilling to part with her imagined princess. “Oh
papa, can I show…” she turned wide eyes on Hope, “I don’t know you’re name!”

            “You may call me, uh…Noelle,
little one.”

            “Princess Noelle?” she
asked.

            “Just plain Noelle will
suffice, now what did you want to show me?”

            “I’ve been helping mama tend
to the rose bushes on the side of the cottage, would you like to see?” Finding
the girl irresistible, Noelle glanced at Pierce long enough to make sure it was
okay before being led off by Hannah to view her handiwork.

            Pierce watched the two
saunter away, hand in hand and smiled. He really couldn’t blame the child for
taking to Noelle, she was as beautiful as any princess he had ever imagined and
had a way of putting people at ease. He walked with Derry out into the fields,
asking questions about the upcoming crops that were going to be planted, taking
his time inspecting and approving of their work. When he returned to the
cottage to find Noelle he found her sitting in the grass with Hannah in her lap
as she plated the girl’s hair into two long braids that reached halfway down
her back. He slowed before approaching the pair, mesmerized by the sight of her
with a child in her arms. Something tugged at his heartstrings and he watched
Noelle with new eyes. She was so kind and loving, behaving as no ordinary lady
would, holding a ragamuffin child in her arms and giving the girl some much
desired attention. He watched as she reached up and removed a blue silk ribbon
from her own hair to tie the girl’s braids off with. He imagined her holding
their child in her arms and giving it the same love as she was bestowing upon
Hannah.

He went to her then,
“Well my lovely princesses, I regret to inform you that it’s time we head out,”
he reached down and took Hannah’s hand and pulled her to standing, “Thank you
for taking care of my princess while I took care of business with your father,
that’s a very important job you know?”

            She looked at Pierce with a
serious face, “Yes, your grace.”

            “Now run along and be a good
little girl and mind your mother and father.” Hannah ran over and gave Hope one
final hug before running off in the direction of the cottage.

            Pierce reached down and
helped Noelle stand, watching as her own braid came undone, spilling over her
shoulders and back. He couldn’t resist and reached one hand up and ran it
through the thick waves. He couldn’t believe how silky it was.

            Hope stared into his black
eyes, “What a delightful girl.”

            “Yes,” he murmured, never
taking his own eyes away from hers. Hope had the feeling he wasn’t referring to
Hannah and she took a step back, breaking their contact.

            “Should we go have that
picnic? I find I’m suddenly famished.” she admitted.

            “Of course, I have the
perfect spot in mind.” And with that he helped her onto her horse before mounting
his own and galloping off in the direction which they had come.   

            Hope was surprised when they
arrived back at the stables and waited patiently while Pierce gave the stable
boy instructions before reaching into his saddle bag and retrieving a bag,
presumably their picnic luncheon. Pierce took her arm in his and started
leading her back towards the main house.