The Duke's Lady (Historical Romance - The Ladies Series) (24 page)

The storm clouds had covered the moon, allowing little light to shine. The poor driver up on the box was having to fight the wind, but Jewel felt confident in his ability to get her home safely; after all, he was employed by Adam.

Jewel had drunk too much tonight. That was what had made her blurt out those sentiments to Colette and then to Adam. Her face felt hot just remembering. How had she allowed herself to care about him when he was nothing but a womanizing scoundrel?

Her head felt woozy. Other than that she was numb, and right now that was a good feeling.

What was she going to do after tonight? Her head hurt thinking about it, so she took the coward’s way out and put it from her mind until later.

It was probably just her mood, but the carriage ride seemed eternal. They hit a
bump, and she felt her stomach chum again. Much more of this and she would be sick. The buggy swayed to the left; then she felt the sharp turn into the driveway of Briercliff. Finally, they were home.

“We’re here, miss.” The driver opened the door, and Jewel tumbled out thankful she hadn’t embarrassed herself. A gust of wind caught in her dress, knocking her off balance, but easing her queasiness. The driver steadied her, and chose to walk with her the rest of the way.

“It looks like we’re in for a
flaw,"
he commented.

“What’s a
flaw?"
Jewel questioned.

“Oh, it’s much worse than a storm, my lady. Some can be quite furious. That’s what we call a violent storm in these parts,” he explained. “But don’t worry, miss, you’ll be quite safe at Briercliff. I’ve never seen as much as a shingle damaged round here.”

“Good night and thank you,” she said with a grateful smile for his help. Giles opened the door.

“Is His Grace with you, my lady?”

“No, Giles.” Jewel handed him her cloak. “You can probably go to bed. I believe His Grace had other plans for tonight.”

When Giles left her, Jewel was thankful to be alone. The clicking of her heels on the slate floor was the only thing that broke the silence. She dearly loved Annie, but she really didn’t want to see anyone tonight.

Jewel closed the door to her room and leaned against it. A fire burned in the hearth, giving off warmth and a soft glow. A lady’s maid helped her unlatch the hooks on her dress; then Jewel removed her clothing and carefully hung up the gown. She dismissed the maid and slipped into a white silk nightdress, tying the tiny pink ribbons on the shoulders and letting the streamers hang loosely down her arms. She caught sight of herself in the glass and her mouth twisted. She’d thought the gown with its pink and white baby roses at the neckline so exquisitely delicate when she’d first seen it, so feminine. Yet now it mocked her. What kind of a nightgown was Colette wearing to entice Adam?

Moving to her dressing table, she jerked the pins from her hair. Couldn’t that man see what kind of woman Colette was? Jewel f
umed as she picked up the ivory brush and jerked it through her hair, tossing the ebony mane over her shoulder to hang loose.

When she was finished, she moved to the door that connected her room with Adam’s. She saw what she needed and headed straight for his liquor cabinet to pour herself a liberal portion of brandy. Tonight she didn’t intend to feel anything.

Looking at the masculine bed, she wondered if he would even bother to come home. She held the glass up in mock salute. “Merry Christmas, Adam.” A single tear rolled down her cheek, and quickly she wiped it away. Damned if she would cry over him when he wanted another.

Back in her room, she flung open the French doors. Cool wind smoothed the alcohol flush from her skin. Partially shielded from the full force of the winds, she stood on the balcony watching for anything and seeing nothing. The res
tless power of the coming storm seemed to ease the tension she felt. This would be a bad storm if the winds were any indication. The few trees she could see were being blown backwards by the force of the wind. The cold and biting gusts chafed her skin, but Jewel was indifferent as she stood lost in her misery.

Was he holding that woman, kissing her with the same lips that had touched hers? She hoped the storm would blow them both away. What hurt the most were Colette’s stinging words coming back to her. “We will just see who Adam spends the night with.” Evidently, Colette had won.

Jewel’s eyes burned with unshed tears. Tipping the glass, she gulped down another swig of brandy. Funny, it didn’t even burn anymore. “This really is god-awful stuff.”

Adam had looked so handsome tonight. His bronze skin accented by the snow-white shirt would set any woman’s heart aflutter. And the darkness in his eyes had hidden a message she could not read. He was everything a woman could want, but Colette had made it clear Adam had been with her in London. Jewel felt stupid having thought otherwise. So, just where did
she
fit in?

Her jumbled thoughts were dulled by the brandy as she tried to remember once again what Adam had said earlier. Hadn’t he told her that Colette meant nothing to him? Hadn’t he been attentive to her tonight instead of Colette? And his Christmas present had left her breathless. Jewel reached up to touch the choker. She rubbed her fingers across it, feeling each opal
burn into her skin. It was the one thing she hadn’t taken off tonight. At least his present was a part of Adam she could keep for herself. Each little opal would remind her of his furious personality. He possessed a virile strength that couldn’t be captured. He was a lot like this storm.

“Damn man,” Jewel swore again for the dozenth time. Why did she keep thinking about him?

He was probably arranging for that Captain Lee to take her away, but she had a surprise for him. She would be leaving, but on her own terms.

Jewel was sure she’d seen Lee before. A flash of lightning streaked across the sky, and for a moment her back ached as if it had been struck. Draining the remaining brandy, Jewel felt the warmth in the pit of her stomach. A light drizzle began to fall. Soon the clouds would let loose the raindrops they had been holding all day.

She should go in, but she couldn’t pry her fingers away from the railing as the drizzle mixed with her tears.

“Where are you Adam?” she said into the cold, wet night.

Chapter
Seventeen

Adam’s breath caught in his throat. Through the double doors of the bedroom, he glimpsed how the wind molded Jewel’s thin white gown to her body, accenting every lush little curve. She appeared as an alluring apparition cloaked beneath a mane of long black hair that whipped about her face. Letting his breath out slowly, he tossed his greatcoat onto the chair beside the door. His jaw tightened, but his desire flamed. The little fool stood in the cold wind, staring out into the darkness.

In no time, he’d crossed the room. “This is a damn good way to catch your death!” he snapped, grabbing her by the arm. “I don’t want you sick and near death like the first time I laid eyes on you.”

Stunned at first, she didn’t speak. Was he
really
here, or had she just conjured him up by merely thinking of him? It must be the damn rum—no brandy—she thought, her brain as murky as the darkness surrounding them. His fingers tightened when she didn’t speak. Now she knew Adam was really here ... in front of her . . . holding her . . . confusing her with his closeness.

“Did you hear me? Are you trying to cause your early demise?” Adam’s eyes were as stormy as the night, and still she had no idea how he truly felt.

“Would you care?” She jerked her arm from his hand, stumbling backwards. “I—I think I’ve definitely had too much to drink.”

Adam steadied her. A bolt of lightning flashed overhead. He placed his hands on her face and tilted it up until he could look into her eyes. Those rose-red lips were definitely made for kissing. His gaze caressed her pink cheeks as her eyes spat fire at him. Such a temptress!

Suddenly another bolt of lightning streaked across the sky, and Adam drank in Jewel’s beauty. Thunder rumbled all around them, but neither of them moved. Adam didn’t bat an eye because a more urgent storm brewed within him. “You’ve been in my brandy again.”

“And what if I have?” Her eyes had grown as black as his, a smoldering fire burning deep in their depths. “I’d have saved you some, but I expected Colette to warm you tonight.”

He chuckled. “You’re jealous.”

“I am not!” she insisted, turning her head away.

But he knew better. Purposefully he reached to turn her around. An exasperated sigh left his lips. “I’m only going to say this one more time. The lady means nothing to me. Do you hear me, Jewel?” Finally, she nodded, and he could see tears glistening on her eyelashes before one escaped down her cheek. He reached up to wipe away the glistening drop. He saw the hurt in her eyes. The knowledge stirred him more than he cared to admit.

He slipped his arms with infinite care around her, then brushed her face with his lips. “Are those tears for me?” he whispered, placing a light kiss on her brow, the tip of her nose, and finally her moistened lips, where the taste of brandy still lingered. “I want you, Jewel. I have tried to stay away from you . . . God knows I’ve tried, but I can’t.”

Adam felt her tremble. He tightened his grip, pulling her body close to his chest. She melted against him, her thigh resting against his manhood. Sensual chills ran up his back.

Jewel’s heart beat wildly within her breast. Dazed with pleasure, she kept hearing his words. He wanted her. Pleasure and anticipation coursed through her, yet a part of her still hesitated. What exactly did he want? Did he want to marry her? Did he want to stay with her for always? Her mind whirled giddily. She told herself to be careful, but her body seemed to know what it wanted. She clung to him. She grew hot—no, cold—no, both. And then time stood still.

His hot, wet mouth caressed her earlobes, then pressed tender kisses down her neck. She shuddered beneath his subtle seduction. His lips produced a warm, tantalizing blush that covered her body with fever and produced the most unusual yearning for something more. Should she stop him? Did she want to? Her heart yearned for his touch. She wanted to be held and protected in Adam’s arms. Hadn’t she always wanted this?

“I need you, Jewel. Don’t send me away tonight.” Adam’s raspy voice choked with emotion as he buried his face in her hair and held her tight against him. Almost as if he were afraid of losing her.

Jewel pulled back and looked into his passion-filled eyes. If only she could read his thoughts. If only she knew how he felt about her. But he
did
want her. Burning desire made her weak. She didn’t trust her voice as she nodded her head in response to his request.

“Are you sure?” Adam asked. Again she nodded her head, though she really wasn’t sure at all. But she knew Adam would never hurt her.

Casting caution to the wind, Adam crushed Jewel hard against his body, cursing himself for wanting her with his very soul. He lifted her up into his arms and started across the room. He didn’t stop at her bed, but headed straight for the master bedroom. This night might be the only night they’d have—one night that would have to last a lifetime.

She stood beside his bed with a vague uncertainty in her eyes of what she should do next.

But he knew.

He reached out and untied the pink ribbons that fastened her gown at the shoulders, then watched as it slid to the floor, leaving her body exposed to his view. She gasped and tried to cover herself, but he caught her arms and whispered, “Don’t.”

He rubbed his hands down her arms. “Your skin’s so smooth, sweetheart,” he murmured as his gaze took a slow journey over every inch of her frame while he drank in her beauty, a sensual smile coming to his lips.

Shyly, Jewel started unbuttoning his shirt, surrendering to the stormy splendor of his wonderful kisses. “I believe you once said I was a goddess.” She tugged at the last button before pulling open his shirt and pushing it from his shoulders. Her palms glided over his bronzed skin. She caught the faint smell of musk, and couldn’t resist brushing her lips across his chest. His every muscle tightened, and he shuddered.

Adam growled passionately. “Yes, I did. A goddess from the sea.”

Outside, the full fury of the squall raged—just like the storm that had brought Jewel to him. But tonight the violent winds were mild compared to the inferno that brewed within his body.

Somewhere a shutter thumped against a wall. The rain lashed Briercliff. And the roar of the angry waves drifted through the open doors, and became music to them as it pounded the coast, releasing all its pent-up energy.

A flash of lightning illuminated the glistening bodies of the two lovers as they came to know each other. They sank down in bed. Caressing, touching, sharing themselves as they never had with anyone else. Jewel and Adam were caught in their own whirlwind, seeking a release that only they could provide.

Tonight, Jewel belonged to him, and after this night she’d never remember another. His kisses grew bolder. Her lavender fragrance engulfed him—a scent he’d come to know well.

Adam stared down into her infatuated eyes as he tenderly brushed a strand of dark hair from her cheek. He wanted to memorize her high cheekbones, her cute nose, and most of all her parted, moist lips. He might be leaving soon, but a part of her would be his tonight.