The Compromised Duchess

Chapter 4

Lord Giles stood in a darkened corner of the brightly lit ballroom and watched the dark haired beauty as she spun gracefully across the room with her dance partner, wearing a particularly lovely red gown that accentuated the curves hidden beneath. His pulse quickened at the thought of running his hands down that body while she writhed in inexperienced passion beneath him.

He idly stroked the ribbons on his costume and smiled, when she threw back her head and laughed at something her partner said. He knew she had searched for him because he had been at the party for quite a while staying out of sight, watching as she would occasionally scan the room, her slim graceful neck arched elegantly. She wanted him too...even if she did not realize it yet.

The song ended and he moved from the shadows, as Laurel was escorted back to her waiting mama, who was seated in a corner of the ballroom reserved for chaperones and was immediately surrounded once again with admirers. He scowled and walked towards the little gathering, glaring at some of the young dandies till they reluctantly parted and made way for him.

Laurel's eyes lit up as soon as she saw his costume. She turned to him and gave him her hand.

"My Lady" He murmured and took her hand, raising it to his lips and kissing it softly. "My apologies for keeping you waiting"

"I hoped you would come" Laurel replied a trifle breathlessly. "It's almost time for our waltz."

He gazed deep into her eyes and smiled "I was unavoidably delayed. Forgive me?"

"Of course Lord Giles, I forgive you" She laughed and hit him playfully with her fan. "Now, you are here, everything is forgotten."

The orchestra began playing a waltz. Lord Giles smiled and gave her his arm. She placed hers lightly on his and allowed herself to be led to the middle of the ballroom. Her pulse raced at the contact, just as it had when he'd kissed her hand earlier, and she felt a slight burning sensation when he placed a guiding arm around her waist, the other linked with her own and they began to sway softly to the music.

Everything else vanished for them as they gazed into each other’s eyes and let instinct guide them through the steps necessary for the dance. Laurel felt as though she were drowning in a pool of something indescribable, a feeling that was pleasant yet threatened to consume her in an instant. She shut her eyes briefly and was immediately inundated with a vivid image of the two of them locked in a passionate embrace. She gasped and opened them again, to find him staring at her with a faintly amused expression.

"Are you alright Lady Abbington?" He asked, tightening his grip on her waist, "You seem flushed. Would you like to retire?"

"No...no..." She shook her head to clear her wayward thoughts. "I am quite fine, My Lord., I assure you."

"I have often thought about that day on the sidewalk" He murmured into her ears, his breath, a warm fire that suffused her with its heat. "You have been constantly in my thoughts; I cannot stop thinking of how beautiful you looked then, and how lovely you look now."

Laurel blushed. "You should not say such things, Lord Giles, it is considered improper to address a lady thus."

"I believe in being honest about my emotions" He replied, still twirling her about. "I do not stoop to mere flattery simply to please a lady"

"Nevertheless, My Lord," Laurel said still very conscious of every inch of him that touched her. "A lady's reputation can be ruined if there is even the slightest whiff of impropriety with a gentleman"

"Of course," He flashed her a devilish grin, "My sincerest apologies, though I assure you we were not overhead"

She blushed again and looked away so he would not read her expression. Her gaze swept the room, her eyes coming to rest on a man she barely recognized even though he was not wearing a costume. He was standing next to Lord Worthington, tall, dark and even from this distance; she could sense a aura of danger about him. As though he sensed her gaze, he turned his head and looked at her directly, his gaze seemingly piercing her very soul. He held her gaze for a few seconds before turning back to address his companion.

Lord Giles studied his partner intently. Something had drawn her attention from him and he followed her gaze until they came to the source of her distraction. His lips thinned in sudden anger.

The arrogant swine

He subtly shifted his body so that Laurel's back was to the Duke, effectively blocking any further attempts at communication. Then he began to stir her towards the edge of the dance floor, moving expertly through the crush of swirling bodies, till they were close to the doors leading to gardens.

"Would you like to take a walk through the gardens?" He asked, when she shot him a puzzled look. "The song is almost over and it is a very beautiful night, it would be a shame to miss a chance to see the stars."

"I would like a breath of fresh air" Lady Laurel replied with a smile, "But we cannot wander far, or my brothers will worry"

"Then we shall hurry" He took her hand and led her outside, feeling triumphant at the small victory he had achieved. She must desire him too, otherwise he knew her sense of propriety would never let her go out to a secluded garden with him unchaperoned. The air was filled with the fragrance of a dozen plants, and the high shrubs that lined the path provided a measure of privacy for lovers who wanted to steal a few moments together. He could hear whispers of other couples but he knew they would be well hidden in the thick bushes. He spotted a deserted seat motioned for her to sit.

Laurel perched on the edge of the wooden garden bench, thankful to be off her feet at last. Her shoes were beginning to pinch, and her back ached from holding herself upright throughout the evening. She sighed in relief and smiled at her companion.

"Thank you for suggesting this," She said softly, pushing back a strand of hair that had worked free of the pins her maid had used to hold up her mass of black curls. "I had no idea how exhausted I truly am, from all the excitement of the evening"

He towered over her, his costume lending an air of mystery to his arresting physique. Laurel studied him covertly, drinking in the sight of his beautiful features; Lord Giles Fairchild cut the kind of riveting figure that even men could not help but notice, his natural grace, his dashing mane of thick raven hair, high ruddy, lean cut cheeks, and mesmerizing blue eyes. Women, married and unmarried constantly swooned at his feet, but as far as Laurel could tell, he had never been linked with any scandal.

She idly wondered what kind of husband he would be. She hoped to one day be matched with a man like her father had been, strong and masculine, but utterly capable of complete devotion to his wife and family. She felt a jolt of sadness at the thought of her papa. How she missed his warmth and his laughter. Even though he had passed away when she was ten, six years ago, she still missed him dearly.

She looked up at Lord Giles, who was studying her with an unfathomable expression. He suddenly reached out and gently stroked her left cheek, his touch causing havoc in her body. She shut her eyes and savoured the feel of his slightly calloused hands against her bare skin. She heard him groan, and she opened her eyes in time to see him lean down and press his lips to hers.

Laurel froze, her senses at war with her head, this was wrong...... she shouldn't allow him to kiss her so freely, they could be caught, and yet........ the feeling invaded every pore in her body as he brushed his lips against her own, his hands snaking around her waist to scoop her into an embrace. She gasped and he swallowed the sound with his mouth. The faintest growth of whiskers brushed her chin. His breath was delicious. She moaned in pleasure and astonishment, melting in his arms, feeling a growing hunger for more.... of what she had no idea. This was pure madness, and she never wanted it to end.

Lord Giles knew the exact moment she surrendered to him, could sense it in the sudden slackening of her soft body against him, the way her mouth gave up its secrets. He was on fire, and he fought the urge to lay her down on the grass and rip these garments from her luscious body. He drew back, and she whimpered. She gazed at him with those huge green eyes and he nearly lost the battle with desire. He released her and took a step back, watching her warily, wondering if she would raise an alarm. She simply stared at him, bosom heaving.

"W....why did you kiss me?" She finally whispered, clasping her hands together on her lap, her eyes filled with questions and residual passion.

"Because I could not resist you" He smiled wryly and moved to seat beside her on the bench. To his pleasure, she did not run away like a frightened rabbit, rather she leaned towards him. "You have completely bewitched me, I find myself lost in your spell."

"Oh my!" She gasped, her hands flying to her bosom. "You should not say such things"

"But each word is true" He said, leaning close to kiss her lightly. "If I don't bare my soul to you, how would you know what I truly feel."

She glanced away, but he grasped her head and turned her back to face him. "Tell me what you feel when you think of me" he said.

"I.....I ......don't know how to describe it" She whispered, "It is so new and so strange, I'm almost afraid

to say anything"

She suddenly lurched to her feet and fled, picking up her skirts and hurrying away, leaving him staring at her retreating figure in astonishment.

Laurel hurried away, her head down, concentrating on not tripping over the uneven stones. Her mind was in turmoil; she had behaved scandalously, and if she had been caught with him, her reputation and that of her family would be ruined forever. And yet....... being with him had been the most wonderful experience of her life.

She walked quickly, and had almost reached the door leading to the ballroom when she suddenly collided with a solid breathing object. She gasped and flung out her arms to steady herself, finding support against a warm, hard, lean chest. Her eyes flew up and she found herself looking up at the familiar stranger she'd seen with Lord Worthington earlier.

"I beg your pardon sir" She said, mortified at her clumsiness, "I was not paying attention to where I was going."

His gray eyes studied her for a few moments before he reached out and removed her hands from his chest. Laurel blushed, and made to step around him, but he threw out an arm to halt her.

"Why are you wandering about without a chaperone?" He asked, his voice deep and well-cultured, with a hint of arrogance.

Laurel bristled. How dare her address her as though she were an imbecile?

"I hardly think that my safety or lack of thereof would be of any concern to you" She said coldly. "But in case you were wondering, I do have a chaperone, and I need to meet her, so if you would kindly let me pass, I'd like to go inside now."

His eyes glittered dangerously, but Laurel was past caring if she had offended him or not. A fierce headache had begun to build and she wanted nothing more than to fetch Benedict so he could take her home. She tried to brush past him, but this time he gripped her shoulders and glared at her.

"Silly schoolgirl" He said, his voice low and dangerous. "Did you fail to learn some manners in the nursery or is it something you have newly acquired?"

"Unhand me this instant," Laurel shrieked struggling to free herself of his grasp. "How dare you insult me. I'll have you shot for this."

"That is something I look forward to." He replied with a grin and lowered his mouth to hers.

For the second time that evening, Laurel was taken by surprise to find her mouth once again at the mercy of another. However, this kiss was different. While Giles' kisses had been soft and sweet, this stranger's was hard and demanding, taking without permission, plundering the depths of her mouth.

The feeling was so utterly.........satisfying and without thinking, Laurel wrapped her arms around his neck and explored his mouth with her tongue, seeking, he tasted of brandy. The stranger hesitated in surprise at her response, but soon recovered and together, they duelled with each other, drinking in their mutual passion. He wrapped a strong arm around her waist and crushed her to him, hard to soft, pliant to unyielding.

His free hand swept over her bosom and delved into the low- cut bodice to touch her. The touch startled Laurel from her stupor and she drew away in shock. He stood and stared at her, arms clenched into fists by his sides, a mocking smile playing around his lips.

"I was very much mistaken" He said with a deep chuckle, "You are no innocent schoolgirl, rather, you are a temptress, albeit an inexperienced one."

Laurel saw red. She smiled at him, then drew back her right hand and slapped him soundly. Her palm tingled painfully from the contact with his hard cheek, but she ignored the pain and addressed him coldly.

"And you sir, are an evil, despicable, unrighteous, blackguard" She spat, gathering her skirts and sweeping past him, head hair high, despite the sound of his mocking laughter that followed her all the way into the ballroom.