Misleading a Duke Read online

  “Faith, you are killing me.” His hands shook as he pulled the bow and strings.

  Breathing a sigh of relief as the binding fell to the floor, she kicked it aside. “Thank you. You can’t imagine how uncomfortable those things are.”

  He slid his hand over her hip and pressed his forehead to her back. “No. I don’t imagine I can.”

  Faith turned, bringing his face to just below her breasts. She ran her fingers through his hair. She reached down with the other hand and slid the knife from her boot.

  His head turned in the direction of the steel. “I will not take any liberties you don’t allow, sweetheart. Besides, I doubt my body would let me do yours justice at this point and I’m sorry to say so.”

  Putting the knife on the table, she wished she could run her hands over his body. Someday when he was whole again, she would indulge. “I don’t really understand what you mean, but I’m sure I wouldn’t stop you.”

  Leaning back, he met her gaze. Confusion, pain, and longing all registered in his eyes and the twist of his mouth. “Wouldn’t you?”

  Stepping away, she avoided his question. Faith sat and removed her boots before padding to the bed. When he didn’t follow, she walked back and offered her hand. “You can barely sit upright, Nick. Come lie down and we’ll talk.”

  He closed his eyes and sighed. Taking her hand, he followed her to the bed. “I wish I was able to do more than make conversation. I’ve never wanted anyone so much nor been so incapable of following through.”

  Pure joy rocketed through Faith. “Is it vanity to be happy that you desire me?”

  When they were both lying on their sides facing each other, she said, “I swear I have been through every emotion where you are concerned.”

  “Tell me about them?” He threaded his fingers through hers but made no move to touch her in any other way.

  “Don’t you want to hear about dinner?” It was foolish to speak of frivolous things when something Charles told her might help their situation.

  He shook his head. “Later. If Jean-Claude and Joseph return tonight, I’d much rather have had time to hear your feelings than the recounting of dinner with a drunk.”

  Nervous, she wished she’d not mention it. “Perhaps I should change your bandages.”

  “You did it earlier. The morning will be soon enough. Tell me what you thought the first time you saw me.” His startling blue eyes shone with curiosity and worry, but he met her gaze directly.

  Sighing, she said, “Honestly, I thought you were too good-looking and impertinent to be crossing the ballroom to introduce yourself to me.”

  “You made my impertinence very clear, but I didn’t realize the first. Why too good-looking?” He used his thumb to caress the palm of her hand.

  Faith never would have believed a touch of hands could be so intimate and erotic. She felt his touch over every inch of her body and longed for more. “I never expected to marry someone handsome. Mother said I’d be lucky to find a nice plain-faced man to take me. You are anything but common looking.”

  Those full lips drew down in a frown, and he thought of how lovely they had been when he’d kissed her.

  Nick released her hand and drew her chin up with one finger so she met his stare. “Your mother and I are going to have a long talk. You are beautiful beyond words, and the fact that she filled your head with all this nonsense infuriates me. To be honest, I don’t know if I can have a civil conversation with her on the subject. It might take years before I am calm enough to utter any words to that woman. Forgive me. I realize she is your mother and I must be cordial, but Lord in heaven, has she never actually seen you?”

  It was funny to have him defend her so vehemently, when she knew her mother was quite right in her depictions. “My mother has certainly seen me, Nick.”

  He shook his head. “No. I beg to differ. She has looked at you, but I don’t believe she has ever really seen you. What do your Wallflower friends say on the topic?”

  Heat rose in Faith’s neck and cheeks. “They are more inclined to agree with you.”

  “Well, thank goodness for that at least.” He rolled his eyes and regained possession of her hand.

  “Why does it matter? I am what I am. I do what everyone does, do my best to hide the flaws in my body and accentuate good teeth and smooth skin.” She watched his expression morph from confusion to anger, and then amusement.

  Leaning forward, he kissed her nose. “What about your perfect nose?”

  “My nose is only passable,” she insisted.

  He surveyed her hair, still bound, braided, and beribboned. The elaborate style pulled the skin around her forehead. “Is all of that comfortable?”

  “Not particularly.” She would need time to take all the pins out. It took a platterful to tame her wild tresses.

  Nick reached up and plucked one free and placed it in her hand. “Hold this.”

  One by one, he pulled hair pins from the mass and handed them to Faith. When he had as many as he could find, he drew his fingers through each braid until the ribbons floated to the bed. A few pins made their way to the coverlet as well. “What about your hair? Surely no one can say that it is merely passable.”

  “My hair is impossible,” she cried. “I want hair like Mercy’s that flows over her shoulders like silk.”

  “How can I convince you of how special you are, and not just aesthetically? You are smart, clever, kind, empathetic, and compassionate. Even when all of this was my fault. Even when you were nearly starved to death in a cellar, you took care of me and placed no blame. You are a miracle of nature, Faith Landon. I wish I was going to live to court you properly and convince you of your worth.” He kissed her lips like a whisper of wings.

  “I like that this is how you see me, and I don’t accept that you are going to die. Somehow, we will get out of this together.” She wanted it to be true. Needed it to be true. The idea of leaving Parvus without Nick broke her heart.

  He smiled. “I’m adding optimistic to my description.”

  She pulled his hand away from her hair, causing her to drop the pins. Threading their fingers again, she said, “You can tell a few more lies and gain us some more time. It can’t be much longer before Mr. MacGruder will have gone for help.”

  A long, sad sigh pushed from the lips she’d come to admire. “Listen to me. You have to live. If Charles comes to take you away, you must go. Do not try to save me.” He kissed her knuckles. “Getting to know you has been the most precious time in my life, Faith. If you are harmed, my life will have been for nothing. MacGruder may have been killed already. He may not have noticed our situation for days. It could be another week before someone comes for us, and maybe not at all. I doubt I can hold out that long. Forgive me?”

  Faith’s temper welled up with the tears. She moved in closer and cried into his bandages. “I will not forgive you, Nick. You have to live. Promise me you’ll live.”

  “I can’t make that promise, sweetheart.” His voice was tight.

  “Then promise me you’ll try.” She wept against his hard chest and wished she could wrap her arms around him.

  He kissed her cheek and neck as he caressed her from her neck to the small of her back. “I’ll try. I promise, for you, I’ll try.”

  Chapter 13

  Nick loved waking with Faith in his arms. It was the second time, and he wished it were not the last, but he could feel his time waning. It was not yet morning and he lingered with her tucked in against him.

  The itching of his healing back kept him up most of the night, but even that was better than the pain that had come before. Unfortunately, more pain was in store, but as long as Faith was safe, it would not be in vain.

  She stirred, and he kissed her forehead. “Go back to sleep, sweetheart. It is not yet morning.”

  Two days of little more than eating and sleeping had helped with
his healing. He might be battered, but his shaft still reacted to the amazing woman in his arms.

  Cuddling in closer, she sighed, soft and seductive. “How long have you been awake?”

  He wrapped a hand around her back, stilling her, but the pressure of her pelvis resting against him in such a delightful way, gained him no relief. “Do you think you might stay still, Faith?”

  Looking up into his eyes, she cupped his cheek. In the moonlight, she was a goddess. Her porcelain cheeks glowed and her mass of curls spread out over the pillow. “Are you aroused by me?”

  He laughed at the surprise in her voice. “From the instant I ever laid eyes on you.”

  With her head buried in his chest, he couldn’t see the blush he suspected bloomed on her cheeks and neck. In only a thin chemise, she was all but bare to him. “I assumed you were too injured for such things.”

  Pressing her tighter against his erection, he said, “At least part of me thinks otherwise.”

  Her head popped up, and she stared at him wide-eyed. “Should I leave you?”

  “Only if that is what you want, sweetheart.” He must have lost his mind, but wanting Faith had become more important than his life.

  “I…I don’t want to go anywhere.” She stretched her neck and elongated her body. Her lips reached his just as her breasts pressed against his chest.

  Forcing aside the agony of his itching wounds, he focused on her sweet lips and the curve of her hip where it fitted against him in maddening arousal. “Then stay.”

  “And what will you do, Nick?” There was the slightest quiver in her voice.

  “Are you afraid of me, Faith? You know I would never harm you or take liberties you did not wish.” He must look a monster in her eyes with his open wounds, healing scars, and swollen face. She was smart enough to know he was little better than the men who’d done this to him.

  She drew his lower lip between both of hers and then did the same to the upper. “I am not afraid, only nervous and embarrassed.”

  Curls shrouded her face and he combed them back with one hand while sliding his knee between hers. “Why embarrassed?”

  “I’m certain women from your past, like Léonie, will have been better able to pleasure you. I only know the little bit that women speak of in private.” Despite her worry, she brought her hips forward until she rubbed against his thigh. A surprised moan punctuated her statement.

  “You are the only woman who has ever or will ever matter, Faith.” He pressed his leg tighter against her cleft and let her set a pace that pleased her.

  “I want to touch you, Nick.”

  Never had any six words sounded so beautiful. He released her hip and let loose the fall of his breeches. Rising with care, that pain not end this before it had really begun, he removed what few clothes he had on. “I will not be able to lie on my back.”

  She sat up and gawked her fill of him in the moonlit room. Tentatively, she touched the tip of his shaft, then slid her fingers lower. Her touch was soft and light and maddeningly erotic. “Is it strictly necessary for you to lie on your back?”

  Taking hold of her hand, he stopped her seduction. “Not strictly.” He laughed. “If you are certain, I’m sure we can make do.”

  Faith got to her feet on top of the mattress and tugged her chemise over her head, then flung it to the floor. “I am taking your word that you find my form pleasing.”

  With the moon behind her, she glowed in a perfect feminine silhouette before she knelt down in front of him.

  Knowing it would not be what it should, Nick vowed it would be wonderful for Faith. He slid his hands from her shoulders down and let his thumbs rub over her pebbled nipples.

  “Oh. That feels nice.”

  Nick cupped her full breast and tugged her bud into his mouth, worrying it gently with his teeth.

  Crying out, she gripped his shoulders. “I’m afraid I’m going to hurt you.”

  “I’m willing to risk it.”

  They both laughed.

  He offered his hand and helped her sit on the edge of the bed before kneeling in front of her.

  Those wide golden eyes surveyed him with trust and interest.

  Nick slid one hand between her knees and applied just enough pressure so that she knew what he wanted. An instant later, her legs opened for him. “Lie back, sweetheart.”

  Staying on her elbows, she watched.

  Somehow her constant attention was even more arousing. Nick’s body thrummed with need, but he lowered his head and made love to her with his mouth. She tasted like the sweetest honey and threw her head back while biting her lip to keep from waking the house.

  Faith collapsed back on the mattress, her head rolling from side to side and her hips pumping against his ravenous mouth.

  Nick slid a finger inside her just as her muscles clenched in release. It was spectacular. She was magnificent. He pulled her from the bed and into his arms, holding her until her rapture passed.

  Wishing he had the strength to lift her onto the bed wouldn’t make it so. Instead, he lowered her to the mattress with her help. When she put her head on the pillow and waited, he joined her on his side, facing her. “Are you all right?”

  “Poppy said it was wonderful, but I have to admit I didn’t believe her.”

  Laughing, Nick caressed her from shoulder to hip. “And what do you think now?”

  She took his shaft in her hand. “I think there is more pleasure to be had before the sun comes up.”

  He sighed. “I will do my best, love, but you will have to be satisfied with a half-broken man.”

  “So far, it has been brilliant. Maybe you shouldn’t worry so much. I have nothing to compare you to. For me you are the best lover in the world.” Her grin was infectious.

  Unable to keep from laughing, he kissed her hard, ignoring his bruised lips, and slid his tongue inside her willing mouth.

  She wrapped her hand around the back of his head, allowing him to deepen the kiss, and moaned into his mouth.

  Lord, he could listen to that sound for the rest of his life. Unfortunately, that might only be a few more hours. It would have to be enough. He rolled her to her back but couldn’t hold his own weight on his arms. Sighing, he rolled back to his side. “We’ll have to try this another way.”

  She faced him with those inquisitive eyes boring into him. “There’s more than one way?”

  “Hundreds, my sweet. I wish I had time to show them all to you and perhaps discover some new ones.”

  Frowning, she cradled his face in her hands. “Do not talk like that. Make love to me, Nick, and don’t think about anything else. Can you do that?”

  His painfully hard shaft jerked, indicating that he could. “I will do my best.”

  Rewarding him with a long, wet kiss, she bent one leg over his, bringing them intimately close.

  Nick lifted her other leg over him but kept hold of it so she didn’t touch his back. She rolled onto her back, cheeks flush with desire. She was so wet to his touch he couldn’t help sliding his fingers over her sensitive bud until her hips pumped and her eyes closed.

  With just the slightest adjustment his tip entered her and he drew her hips down hard.

  Eyes wide, she cried out. Nick covered the sound with a kiss and kept them still and locked together. After a moment, he drew his mouth from hers. “I’m sorry, sweetheart. It will never hurt again. Just this one time.”

  “I know. I should have been prepared. I think I’m okay now.” She lifted her hips.

  It was heaven and torture to be inside this incredible woman. She should have been his in name as well as body, but he would have to settle for only one. Slowly, they moved together at opposing angles.

  Nick thumbed her bud and delighted in her expression as another orgasm wracked her body. She tightened around him, drawing his own climax.

  Pulli
ng free, Nick spilled his seed between them. “It is my dream to have another day when we will lie together, my sweet Faith.”

  A tear escaped from the corner of her eye and wet the pillow.

  What he wouldn’t give to roll onto his back and pull her with him. He wanted to hold her until all her tears were spent and they were happy. However, he couldn’t even manage the first part, and settled for wrapping his arm around her waist and drawing her against him.

  In a matter of months, Faith Landon would find a nice nobleman to marry. Nick hated the unknown man with everything he owned, but he would not begrudge Faith a happy life.

  The first light of day breached the curtains. Nick sat up. “We had better get cleaned up and dressed, before the servant and Charles arrive. I’m sure Jean-Claude and Joseph will return today and our respite will be over.”

  In all her perfect naked glory, Faith rose to her knees and blocked him from leaving the bed. “Whatever happens, Nick, I do not regret this. I want you to know, I wanted this and you.”

  Desperate to keep her, he hugged her tightly to him. “I wanted you too, sweetheart. I always will.”

  * * * *

  Faith changed his bandages and the scabbing tugged and pulled until he thought he was back against the whip. As gentle as she tried to be, it still ached as she pulled the bandages away.

  “I think I shall leave this off for a while. Jane managed to get some ointment from the apothecary and we shall use that. Perhaps it will help with the itching as well.” Her hands were as gentle as a bird’s wing as she applied the ointment.

  For a time, it did help his discomfort.

  “Nick?” They sat across from each other, poking at a fine luncheon Thea had delivered.

  “Yes, Faith?”

  “Are you a gambler?”

  It had not been a question he’d expected. He put down his fork and studied her down-turned face. Her sweet nose pointed at her plate of meat and her ribbon of a mouth turned down. “I would not say it is a habit, but I have been known to make a wager if the odds were good.”

  “Odds, yes, that’s what you call it when a wager is bad or good. What would you say the odds are that we shall live through the next few days?”