Ravaging the Duke Read online

  "It's quite old. Built by Wexwood's great-great grandfather. It's always been maintained, and the dukes always invite their tenants to come on important days."

  "You have me intrigued. Wexwood and I have had many a discussion about architecture since I'm fascinated with how old some structures are here."

  Her mother squeezed her arm. "Don't be foolish and look, but there is a gentleman standing to your left. I can't tell who he is, but there is something familiar about him and how he carries himself."

  Margaret slowly gazed from one side of the ballroom to the other where the gentleman still stood staring at them. She laughed nervously as she pretended to engage in conversation with her mother and the dowager duchess.

  "You are right, Mother. He is familiar, but it would be preposterous that it would indeed be him."

  She looked out of the corner of her eye. He was gone just as quickly as he'd been there.

  "Perhaps I can help," the dowager duchess said. "I've been to many of these masked balls, and it's hard to fool me. I recognize most people in an instant."

  "He's gone," Margaret replied.

  "Describe him, please."

  Margaret gave the woman as clear a description as she could considering she'd only seen a glimpse of the mystery man.

  "He was standing right over to our left. On the other wall, watching us," Margaret replied. "His mask was black and red, which I found unusual."

  "Indeed. I did catch a glimpse of him, but he was walking towards the terrace. Probably one of the young bachelors Evermont invited."

  "Her Grace is probably right," her aunt agreed. "Sussex and Marlborough are two of them."

  "Yes, of course. How silly of me. I hadn't even thought of that. Since we haven't announced our betrothal, he was probably eyeing me for a possible dance."

  In her mind, Margaret wasn't convinced. She kept telling herself over and over it couldn't be him. Her cousin Jacob might be smart enough to have followed them. When they left Boston in such a hurry, she was sure they hadn't left a trail. Her mother rarely spoke of her family to others, especially her husband's brother.

  Once her father had died, the only way to flee the iron fist of her uncle was to leave. Had they not, he would have found a distant cousin or some old friend of his to marry her off to. Her dowry and other things would not be hers to control.

  Dare she speak to Alec about this? No, she must be sure before she had this conversation with him. Once they married, she'd tell him everything. She couldn't risk it now.

  And if it was Jacob, what would it take to be rid of him?

  "Are you all right, my dear?" her mother asked. "You seem a little flushed."

  "It is hot, and I neglected to bring my fan," she replied.

  "Here, use mine." Her mother gazed at her with fear in her own eyes. She realized what this could mean if it were, in fact, Jacob. It could easily be their downfall and ruin.

  Norwood, who'd also signed her dance card, came to claim his dance. The quadrille meant moving to different partners and left little time to talk with one's original partner.

  Changing partners midway through, Margaret panicked as she came face to face with Jacob Douglas. He said nothing, and she pretended she didn't recognize him. It was him, no doubt about it. She'd know the man anywhere with the scar that ran across his left jaw bone and down his neck. Even a mask couldn't hide that.

  "Everything all right?" Norwood asked as the dance finished, and she returned to him. "You look as though you've seen a ghost."

  "No, everything is fine. I'm simply not used to dancing. It's been a while."

  "Ah, yes. I forgot. Why don't I return you to Wexwood rather than the ladies? You look as though you could use a diversion from their planning."

  She nodded. Alec was standing on the side of the ballroom. Had he been watching her dance? Did he sense anything wrong? His face was hard to read. He was adoring, but she needed to get him alone.

  "You dance quite well, my dear. For an American," Alec teased as Norwood returned her to his side.

  "Thank you, Your Grace."

  "Would you like some punch? I could go get us some."

  "I'd much rather go outside to the terrace. Cool air is what I need far more than punch."

  "As you wish. Eleanor has quite a spread laid out. Please let me know when you'd care to eat."

  He nodded at Norwood. Probably a signal between the two to watch out for them. Though they were betrothed, no one but close family knew that yet. Soon it would be revealed.

  "Do you know when our betrothal is to be announced?" she asked as they walked out on the terrace. The cool air felt good on her skin as a slight breeze blew gently.

  "Shortly. Why? You haven't changed your mind have you?"

  "Heavens no. I was merely curious."

  He put his hand on her cheek. "What had you so spooked out on the dance floor? You can tell me. Did someone bother you or say something rude to you?"

  "No, nothing like that at all."

  "But..."

  "There is a gentleman who reminds me of someone mother and I knew in Boston. It's impossible."

  "Who is he to you? If indeed it is him?"

  "It's a long story, Alec, and I'm afraid you may not like what I have to tell you."

  "It can be no worse than keeping secrets before we're even married."

  "You're right," she replied. "I'll tell you the moment we have time."

  "No, you can begin by telling me who you fear is here. Who is this man?"

  Margaret shook her head. "If it is even him."

  "I think, by your face, you know it is him. Mask and all. Tell me."

  She looked away from him and out at the garden instead. "I believe it's my cousin, Jacob Douglas. His father was my father's brother."

  "Your uncle."

  "Yes. He seemed to think even though my father had established in his will and in other ways that upon his death I could decide who I wished to marry, he could intercede and declare the will null and void."

  "But you and your mother left before he had an opportunity to do so."

  "Correct. At first, Mother and I simply went about our business. We were in mourning and wouldn't be bothered. The will had been read, much to the anger of my uncle."

  "What did he intend to do? Marry you off to the highest bidder?"

  "Something like that. If this is Jacob, I'm afraid he's come to take me back. By force or whatever means. My uncle intends to have my dowry and all."

  "Then we must not let him."

  "How?"

  "We must outwit him. We'll announce our betrothal as planned," he said with a smile. "But I have an idea in mind."

  "What is it?"

  "It's best if you know nothing in advance. How discreet is your lady’s maid?"

  "Your sister sent her."

  He nodded. "She's trustworthy to a fault then."

  "What do you have in mind, Alec?"

  "I need to set things up first. Trust me, and don't mention anything to your mother or mine. Everyone must think we're planning to be married here next week."

  "In your family chapel."

  "Ah, I see my mother has spoken. Yes, let everyone think that."

  "When will you tell me something?"

  "I'll try later this evening."

  "What if I'm just being silly, and it's not my cousin?"

  He smiled. "I shall ask my brother-in-law if he knows this man."

  "Jacob can be slick. He may not even be here now. His only intention may have been to scare me."

  "Just act as though everything is fine. I'll set everything else up."

  "Are we going somewhere?"

  He smiled smugly. "Just be ready with a small bag. Pack one or two dresses. That's all I'll tell you. Put it in a secure location."

  Margaret thought of the dress under her bed. She couldn't possibly leave it behind.

  "There is one thing I need you to put away for me. I can't leave it behind."

  "Can you sneak it out to me?"
/>   "It depends on how fast this is to take place."

  "Can you not leave it with Norwood?" he asked.

  She shook her head. "I'd rather not involve him. He's done so much for Mother and me."

  "Very well. We'll get it all sorted out."

  "I trust you implicitly, Alec. Thank you for not asking a lot of questions."

  "We'll have plenty of time for us to discuss the matter later."

  "Come," he said, tucking her hand in the crook of his arm. "I believe we have a betrothal to announce."

  With that, he leaned over and kissed her on the cheek before leading her inside the ballroom. They'd completely forgotten their first dance. Who cared? No one but a few would have noticed. Their future together was far more important.

  ***

  After standing in front of family and friends, Norwood made the announcement of his cousin's betrothal to the Duke of Wexwood. Standing alongside Margaret, Alec hoped she would see this man she was so sure was her cousin. He'd spoken with Evermont about the situation. His brother-in-law in turn left the room. No doubt to alert his staff.

  He drank in the intoxicating scent of the perfume she was wearing. It suited her. Nothing flowery for Margaret, though he recalled one of their rides and her smelling of orange and vanilla.

  "I don't see him," she whispered.

  "Probably because it was your cousin, and he was an intruder. He won't take a chance at being called out."

  "You don't think he'll go to Norwood's while we're all occupied here, do you?"

  "I'd like to see him get past Norwood's butler or valet. To put you at ease, Evermont was going to speak with Norwood first."

  She smiled, making his cock twitch. There was no time for this. As soon as the evening was finished, he needed to discuss what Margaret had shared with him with Evermont and Norwood. Then put their change of plans into motion. Fortunately for him, his brother-in-law took him and Norwood aside to discuss the interloper.

  "Margaret is sure it's her cousin from Boston?" Norwood inquired.

  "Yes."

  "The news of your betrothal may have spooked him. I believe he will stay in the area," Evermont said as he took a sip of brandy.

  "It'll give us time to find him," Norwood agreed.

  "I have a plan, but it's going to take the two of you to help me pull it off," Alec said.

  "Do tell," Norwood pressed.

  "While her cousin hides out wherever he may be, my bride and I shall be headed north."

  "Gretna Green? Why?" Evermont asked.

  "From what Margaret has said, he'll not allow our marriage to take place. I suspect he'll lay low, letting everyone scurry around with the wedding details, and try to put a stop to it right before. My fear is he'll try to abscond with her."

  "Kidnap? Then what? Doesn't make sense. He's American, and he's on an island." Norwood snorted at the idea. "And why would he try and stop a wedding?"

  "He's that desperate if he's come all the way from Boston for a dowry that his father desperately wants," Wexwood added.

  "Then your idea of going north is the best plan. It'll be hard to keep it from your mothers," Norwood said.

  "I think I have a way to fool even them."

  "How's that? Remember you also have Eleanor to contend with. It's nearly impossible to fool her."

  "I intend to enlist her help. We're going to lead the young man on a wild trip back to London," Alec replied, smiling.

  "On what grounds would you make it appear a trip to London with your betrothed is needed?" Evermont inquired.

  Alec took a drink of brandy. "Money. It'll look as though I've gone to London to secure the details of Margaret's dowry with your solicitor, Norwood. Naturally, it'll look as though I'm going without my bride. He knows Margaret loves to ride and will use the opportunity to try and take her while I'm away. In the meantime, Margaret and I will be halfway to Gretna Green."

  "Excellent. He should be easy to catch since he's not familiar with the area," Norwood agreed. He nodded his head of black hair.

  "That's what I'm hoping."

  "If you're going all the way to Scotland to marry, why don't you take your bride up to your Scottish estate? Practically no one knows you have it, Wexwood. It would be a perfect time to not only check out the condition of the estate, you and your bride could spend a few weeks alone. You know, without family dropping by. Which they'll do if you go to Somerset after your wedding," Evermont advised.

  Alec rubbed his face with his hands. "That would be perfect. It's not too far outside Edinburgh, so I can show my bride the city as well. I'll send word to the staff as soon as we're in Scotland."

  "Now how do you intend for the two of you to leave unseen?" Norwood inquired.

  "In the dead of night after everyone is abed. The moon shall be full soon. We'll leave then," Alec replied.

  Evermont picked up a decanter of brandy and poured the three another round. "How do you intend on handling the women?" He smiled.

  "I'm not. I will send word once we've married, but until then, they'll be under the impression Margaret has accompanied me to London."

  "In the middle of the night?" Norwood asked.

  "They don't rise early, so they'll not know when we left. You can just tell them we left early in the morning to make good time. That should be sufficient."

  "Except where Eleanor's concerned. Though she knows what's going on, I've not let her in on all our plans," Evermont mused.

  Alec smiled and chuckled. "She's your problem now, Cameron."

  Chapter Nine

  By the time Margaret and Alec walked arm and arm down the drive to his waiting carriage, plans had been revised several times. They would make the journey to Scotland as planned, under the cover of night. The Wexwood Scottish estate was the least known and, therefore, somewhere they wouldn't be found by Margaret's cousin, Jacob. The men hoped to intercept Jacob in London at some point unless he was still in the area.

  Alec patted her hand as they walked in the moonlight. Having procured a special license, he had arranged for the vicar to meet with them. No need to go to Gretna Green. The vicar had married them earlier, with only Norwood and Evermont present. It hadn't been difficult since Alec's mother was spending time at Evermont's, preparing for what she thought would be a grand wedding. They married in Alec's study; Margaret seemed quite relieved at not having to continue with the charade of wedding planning.

  She smiled up at him, her green eyes sparkling in the bright moonlight. She was now his wife and duchess and they would spend many happy years together. At least that's what she hoped.

  She'd given him her father's jewels, and Alec in turn listened to her story regarding their background. The stones were now safe, and she and Alec had no more secrets. All she could do now was trust her husband, and everything else would fall into place.

  The carriage appeared, it's lacquered finish shining in the light. Margaret stepped up inside and sat. She reached under the seat in front of her and pulled out a lap blanket and waited on her husband.

  A moment later, he joined her. The door shut behind him, and he settled in beside her on the black leather tufted seat. As the carriage jerked forward, she lifted the blanket to cover her husband. He graciously covered his legs. Margaret noticed the hint of a smile on his handsome face.

  "This is a very nice coach," Margaret said as she touched the velvet walls of the coach.

  "I like a big traveling coach for long distances. They make the journey easier."

  "Then I shall be able to sleep. I usually can never sleep in a coach," she said nervously. Why was she so nervous? It wasn't as if they hadn't shared intimacies before. Perhaps it was the idea that they no longer had to rush or look to make sure no one was around to catch them. They were truly alone.

  Alec silenced her with a kiss.

  Soft lips met hers as she kissed him back. In spite of everything, she was nervous. She giggled. "Stop laughing," Alec said against her mouth.

  "I'm not laughing," she said, cupping h
is cheek. "How do you intend to take me in this coach?"

  "I've never had a woman in a coach before," he replied.

  "Never? Really?"

  "Yes, really. Now Duchess, wouldn't you like me to help you out of your corset?

  "Thank you, no. I never wear one when I travel. Especially long journeys such as this."

  She heard a strangled noise come from deep inside his throat. She'd caught him off guard. What would he think when he learned her undergarments were rolled up and in her pocket rather than on her body?

  Margaret leaned against the tufted seat as her husband lifted her skirts. His coat came next, then his waistcoat and cravat. Alec slid his hands under her thighs, lifted her legs and eased them around his waist. She felt him through the fabric of his trousers and the hardness beneath.

  "That's it, my sweet." His hands were big and hot on her legs, moving around to her buttocks as he rocked against her.

  Margaret felt like a wanton woman being ravished by her most handsome husband.

  Alec cupped one breast in a large hand. She gasped as Alec licked it, sending fire through her body, her heart swiftly beating. He flicked his tongue over the taut peak of her nipple. She gasped. He did it again before suckling her breast.

  Margaret thought they would begin their coupling. Instead, Alec lifted her and laid her against the cushions. He parted her legs and bowed over her hips. This was really happening, right here in the coach.

  She was open to him as Alec closed lips and tongue over her most intimate place. She felt no shame, only heat and a deep, burning need. Her legs came up, knees bending as her feet rested on the seat.

  Margaret's hands ran through his black hair, pushing his head against her as he continued, his strokes and pulls harder. She ached for him, wanted him, and the friction of his tongue was glorious. His mouth was hot, tongue swift and skilled. The burn of his whiskers on her thighs was wicked.

  She was coming apart—she couldn't see, hear, or breathe as Alec went on and on. The only thing was his mouth on her, the wild fire spreading through her.

  "Alec..."

  Margaret didn't know what she begged for, only that she wanted him close, inside her. Always.

  Alec raised his head and stroked his fingers through the curls between her legs. "You are wet for me, my Maggie."