The Irish Duke (47 page)

James reached for his robe but then changed his mind. He’d have more authority if he was dressed and booted. He donned shirt and riding breeches, and then pulled on knee-high boots. He was no sooner finished than Molly was at his door with a breakfast tray to take through to her mistress.

“Thank you, Molly. I’ll do the honors this morning.” He saw the look of relief on the young maid’s face and watched with amusement as she made herself scarce. He unlocked the adjoining door between their bedchambers and then, balancing the tray, he kicked the door with his foot and watched it swing open. He stepped through and found the chamber empty. “Jaysus!” James abandoned the tray and rushed to the window. A certain amount of relief swept over him when he saw Louisa was not lying in a heap below the string of tied-together sheets.

Then his heart plummeted. “She’s gone!”

James took the stairs two at a time, shouting to the servants as he descended. “My wife has left the house! Has anybody seen her?”

He rushed outside and looked up at her boudoir window. His heart constricted.
It’s such a long drop. I warrant she hurt herself. My God, what if she’s injured and crawled away somewhere?
James was covered with guilt.
It’s my fault. I never should have locked her up when I know what a reckless little bitch Lady Lu can be when provoked.

James ran to the stables and asked the grooms and horsemen to search the grounds of Barons Court. “She could be injured. Look in the woods when you’re done scouring the park.” He went to the paddocks where the horses were grazing and searched meticulously. James found no sign of her, and the stablemen reported they had no luck.

With a heavy heart, James returned to the house. He summoned Mrs. Connelly and the indoor staff. “No one can find Lady Abercorn. Would you be good enough to search Barons Court for me? There are so many rooms; she could be anywhere.”

After two hours the staff assembled in the rotunda. No one had anything to report. Lady Abercorn had simply vanished.

“Thank you all for your help.” His face was grim; his mood had gone from optimistic to hopeless. He went into the great hall and leaned his head against the black oak mantel of the stone fireplace.
Louisa has left me. She’s doubtless on her way back to England. Lu has neither clothes nor money, but she won’t let that stop her. Perhaps she went to see Rowan Maloney for travel money.

James summoned a footman. “Would you have one of the grooms ride into Omagh to see if Rowan Maloney has seen Lady Abercorn? Thank you.”

James didn’t feel optimistic.
Lu could have climbed out the window last night. She could be long gone by now. Dear God, I love her so much; I can’t bear to lose her.
Abercorn made his decision instantly
. The stubborn little wench has gone home to Woburn, so I have no choice. I’ll simply have to go and get her and bring her back to Ireland where she belongs!
A sudden thought hit him.
What if she refuses?
His jaw clenched along with his fists.
I’ll drag her back by the bloody hair if I have to!

W
hen Louisa heard the hue and cry and knew that James and everyone else at Barons Court were searching for her, she slipped from the guest wing, went into the master bedchamber, and closed the door.

With great anticipation, she relished the thought of the confrontation she knew would erupt when she and James came face-to-face.

She saw her abandoned breakfast tray and sat down to enjoy it. She sighed with satisfaction and then used his water to wash. She brushed her hair until it crackled, applied powder and rouge, and finally placed a drop of jasmine perfume between her breasts. She picked up her apple, set it on the bedside table, and propped herself up on the pillows of the wide bed where her husband had recently slept. She took a deep breath to appreciate his provocative male scent that lingered on the linen.

It was hours before Louisa saw the knob turn and the door swing open. She picked up her apple and took a bite.

“Lu! You didn’t leave after all.” Abercorn’s amazed expression turned to one of relief. “Thank God you are safe!”

She gave him an indifferent glance and took another bite of her apple.

The gesture angered him. “I should tan your arse for being so willful and causing such unnecessary alarm.”

Louisa held up her hand imperiously. “Don’t come one step closer.”

His dark brows drew together as the storm gathered.

“I know you are not the father of Kitty’s child, but don’t think for one moment I will
ever
forgive you for taking me captive and keeping me locked up, you Irish devil!”

“And don’t you think for one moment I will ever forgive you for
suspecting
I was the father of Kitty’s child.”

“I want a profound and heartfelt apology, Abercorn.”

“I’m
truly sorry
you behaved like a lunatic and needed locking up, Lady Lu.”

“I have emerged from my
defensive crouch
.” She threw the apple at him.

He deftly caught it and took a bite. He arched a dark eyebrow and a wry smile played about his lips. “The woman tempted me.”

“Don’t quote the Bible to me, you uncivilized heathen!”

“Me, uncivilized? You are the one climbing down sheets in your drawers.”

She raised her chin defiantly. “I’m a marchioness; I can do what the hell I please.”

“Only with my permission. I am lord and master of Barons Court, madam.”

“You are delusional, Lord Bloody Abercorn!”

“You need a good beating or a good bedding. I think I’ll give you both!” James launched himself onto the bed and pinned her beneath him.

Lu squealed and tried to free herself.

“You may as well stop struggling. To the victor go the spoils.” He rose onto his knees and pulled off her ruffled drawers. “Which will it be, the beating or the bedding?”

She made a little moue with her lips. “You decide. But if you choose the latter, would you mind removing your riding boots?”

James grinned. “Since you ask so nicely, Lady Lu, I’ll remove more than my boots.”

She watched avidly as her husband undressed and then came back over her in the dominant position. “You cannot resist me.”

“I don’t want to resist you—there’s a difference. I intend to be master in my own house, Lu. But I wouldn’t change you if I could. I want you just the way you are.” He removed her busk and her luscious breasts spilled into his palms.

Her silvery laughter spiraled about them and James thought it the loveliest sound he’d ever heard. “Vow you will never keep me locked in a room again. I won’t yield to you until you swear it.”

“Won’t yield to me?” He swept his hands from her breasts to her waist and lifted her so that her face was close to his. “I warrant it will take about three kisses to wear down your defenses.”

In fact, it took only one.

His hot mouth took possession of hers and their tongues mated wildly. He slipped the head of his cock inside her and urged her to wrap her legs about his back so he could bury himself to the hilt. He made passionate love to her until she could no longer think. She could only taste and smell and feel. When her climax came, he spilled his seed into her slippery satin sheath.

James rolled beside her and cradled her in his arms, whispering love words that made her very bones melt. He kissed the corners of her mouth then put his lips close to her ear. “I love you, Lu.”

His intimate whisper made her heart sing.

“I’m sorry I accused you of fathering Kitty’s baby. When I saw her and found out she’d been here at Christmas, I felt threatened and vulnerable. To love is to trust, and I love you with all my heart, James.”

“I’ll tell you a secret. My pride was mauled because Kitty is my grandfather’s child. Kate Connelly was more than his housekeeper.”

Lu’s eyes widened. “That makes Kitty your aunt.” She found the situation quite funny.

“For some reason, Kate Connelly has never told Kitty, but I think it’s time she knew. I’ll speak to Kate about it.”

“Will James Herdman marry Kitty?”

“Yes, as soon as he learned she was carrying his child, he insisted they marry.” James looked into Louisa’s eyes. “Would you mind if I settled some money on her? My grandfather left Kate an annuity, but nothing for his child.”

“Of course I wouldn’t mind. You are filthy rich, Abercorn, especially since you took my father’s money as an inducement to marry me.”

“Ah, about that money.” He brushed back the dark tendrils from her forehead. “Before we were wed, I put that money in trust for you.”

“For me?” she asked in wonder.

“You may never need it, but if and when your mother is widowed, you may have to help her, Lu. Your father’s will leaves everything to his heir, except for the Campden Hill house.”

“However do you know?”

“I pay my attorneys well, sweetheart.” He brushed his lips across her temple. “While we are on the subject of money, I may as well confess that I will bear the cost of whatever my brother Claud needs to gain him a seat in Parliament.”

“I don’t have any objection.” Her eyes lit with amusement. “Confession is good for the soul. What other secrets have you been keeping from me?”

“Well, there is one little thing. The night we arrived at Barons Court and you withdrew to your boudoir, you left your unpacked trunks in here. I opened one and found your diary.”

Louisa stiffened. “You didn’t read my private journal?”

“Well, actually I did.”

She pulled from his arms in outrage. “You Irish devil! Always going on about trust! You are nothing but an uncivilized lout!”

James pulled her back into his arms and held her captive. “I was eaten alive to know who had fathered the child that you miscarried. When I read your diary and learned it was Georgy, it made me the happiest man breathing. That was the night I became hell-bent on seducing you.”

She stared at him for a full minute as her mind absorbed the things he was saying.

The corners of her mouth lifted. “Then what the hell are you waiting for? You had better get on with it, Abercorn.”

His face became serious. “In all truth I must warn you my lovemaking could result in a baby, Lady Lu.”

“James, I trust you implicitly.” She smiled her secret smile. “Just make sure it’s a girl!”

 

 

 

“M
ay God save our gracious Queen Victoria.” Lord Abercorn offered the toast to their sovereign who had brought her family to their Scottish estate for a visit.

“Thank you, James. We truly appreciate your generous hospitality. We have fallen in love with the landscape and are firmly convinced we need our own Scottish estate.”

James hid his amusement. Victoria always used the royal we. His glance moved from the queen to his wife, Louisa, who was engaged in an animated conversation with Prince Albert. He could not help comparing the two females. The queen was both short and plump, and though she had pleasant features, she had no claim to beauty. Lady Lu, on the other hand, was exquisite.
Though Lu is five years older than Victoria, no one would ever guess.

His glance moved to handsome, twenty-seven-year-old Prince Albert, who was seated on Louisa’s right.
He hasn’t taken his bloody eyes off Lu since we sat down to dinner.
James felt extremely proprietary about his beautiful wife. She was an accomplished flirt and had the supreme self-confidence of a goddess who walked among mere mortals.
Lady Lu is certainly not the vulnerable girl I married. Acting as my political hostess and being fawned upon by every male who was invited to Barons Court soon gave her self-esteem and polish.

Two years ago, the Marquis of Abercorn had been appointed the lord lieutenant of County Donegal, and in no small measure his wife had helped him secure the post. His term as viceroy was now over, and James had his eye on becoming the lord lieutenant of Ireland. Louisa’s brother, Lord John Russell, was the new prime minister of England and doubtless would be able to use his influence to get Abercorn the appointment.

“May I have wine with my dessert, Mama?” Lady Harriet, age twelve, appealed to her mother.

“Yes, Harry, providing it’s
negus
wine.” Negus wine was mixed with sugar and water and served especially to children.

“Me too!” Edward, the five-year-old heir to the throne, demanded.

Prince Albert frowned. He had very definite ideas about how children should be brought up. “I don’t think so, Teddy.”

Louisa gave the prince a sideways glance from beneath her dark lashes. “A little bit of what you fancy never hurt anyone. Indulge the boy, Your Highness.”

Prince Albert allowed himself to be persuaded and gave in to Lu’s suggestion without further demur.

It was Abercorn’s turn to frown.
The bloody prince is lovesick! Lu has him wrapped around her little finger.
James felt a hand on his sleeve and turned to look at Victoria.

“Albert runs the nursery like a sergeant major. He’s a stickler for manners. We are rather strict with the children.”

“I must compliment you on your children, Your Majesty,” James said gallantly. “I warrant you won’t regret securing a Scottish estate. This country is such a healthful place for young ones.”

Only two of the queen’s children were taking dinner with them. Princess Adelaide was six, and Prince Edward only five. The other three were in bed in the nursery wing.

“Your own children are a credit to you and Lady Abercorn. We are amazed at the way they handle their Highland ponies.”