Page 61 of In Service to the Duke

But in conjunctions with that, for the sake of her health, I will no longer put up a fuss. It’s not enough to admit to myself I want to marry this chit. Oh no. My heart and brain need another reason to cling to. And so, I will soothe my soul with the idea that I do it for my mother and her alone.

I cannot have her death on my conscience on top of all this turmoil. Not like this. Not because I choose to fight with her. Besides, if I’m being honest with myself, it’s not as if the idea of being tied to Miss Gillet is that abhorrent. It’s more the how I’m being forced down the aisle as opposed to the who I’m shackling myself to.

With another peck on her forehead, I pull away, forcing my brain and heart to find some sort of reconciliation. “Please get some rest. All will be put to rights. Our household will not face scandal. I will carry her back to her room and seal the door. This part is imperative. Make the others believe she is ill and not to be approached.”

“I will have my physician pretend to see to her personally. Trust me, he is the very soul of discretion. If I ask him to do this, it will be done without any hesitation on his part.”

As I look at her, I can’t help but think I see a sparkle of happiness in her eyes. This goes far beyond Miss Gillet. Perhaps she’s simply grateful I no longer have a choice and will be yanked off the marriage mart.

Though I knew she wished to see my nuptials before she passed, I didn’t realize her feelings were this strong. Part of me should be far more hurt that she would choose the happiness of some stranger over me, but I understand her. It’s more than likely wishing to see me content and settled before she leaves this mortal plane.

For her sake, I will put on a show of happiness. I will give her everything she wants and make sure her last days are tranquil. After that, I’m not sure. Perhaps my mother will hang on long enough for Miss Gillet and me to form some sort of truce beyond those of carnal couplings. I wanted her to be my duchess before, and I have no doubt I can train her in the way I want her to be in no time.

With a soft sigh, I hug my mother close to me, feeling the frailty in her thin bones. “Think no more about it. I will rescue this deceiver and make sure she does not come to harm.”

Granted, the malicious part of me debates bringing her inside where she’ll be safe but letting her deal with the heat on her own. Unfortunately, my cock is against that idea. I want nothing more than to defile this governess, to split her open as I force my knot into her tight pussy. No, I’ll see to her heat. That part is certain.

“Thank you, Robert,” she replies, her teary voice dragging my thoughts away from the most improper way I’ll make her my wife. “But please, until you know everything which has transpired in full detail, be gentle with her. She may have deceived you in some ways, but I feel in my heart she has a good reason.”

Her voice is almost a whimper, a frail tone which almost drives the last thoughts of Miss Gillet out of my mind. This stress cannot be good for her. Urging her toward the door, I resist the urge to respond.

Anything I tell her will be a lie, and I refuse to allow my mother to be deceived again. Because I cannot and will not be gentle with Miss Gillet. Not only because she craves my violence but also because once I have her in my grasp, there will be a day of reckoning.

Beckoning a maid over, I allow her to take over and usher my mother back to her bed. If anything happens because of this farce, I will have Miss Gillet’s head. She will rue the day she set her cap at me. Unfortunately, all it does is make me harder than a rock. I can’t wait to drag her underneath me, willing or not.

She may not have completed the act of trapping me, but I will certainly trap her. Though she will not have my bond, she will have my name. I will force her to be by my side without fail. Once lost, my trust is hard to regain, and Miss Gillet will learn that lesson at the end of my whip.

Storming out of the room, I make my way to the front door. There’s only so many places she could be. However, if she managed to slink into the woods, that would make things a little more difficult. I shrug off my greatcoat and hand it to the butler.

Though I wish to rid myself of my cravat as well, leaving me in just my shirt, breeches, and shoes, I don’t dare leave it behind. Even now, as I stalk outside, tipping my nose in the air, I loosen the intricate knot. We are not in my dungeon yet, and I may need to restrain her.

My cock pulses as I follow her intoxicating arousal. Knowing that she’s in heat, I can tell the difference a bit better. There’s a hidden note, one which I didn’t want to even contemplate.

In my mind, there was no way she could go into heat, and thus I didn’t allow myself to think in those terms. If I had known… my mind races as I pace back and forth, constantly seeking her out. Things begin to click into place at a rapid speed, and my brain no longer wishes to keep up.

Perhaps it’s good I did leave when I did. Prolonged exposure would have driven her into heat far sooner. If it had happened before I realized her deceit, then she would have trapped me. Plain and simple.

At least this way, I go into this union fully aware. Lust and anger war within me. A most unholy conflagration of emotions spurns me forward. It seems she’s taken to the trees then. With Hunter helping me in the search, I’ll be sure to track her down.

However, the closer I get to the barn, the more my hair stands on end. Her scent is strong here, almost overpowering. Fear for her safety edges out the annoyance until I can think a bit clearer. Maybe she simply availed herself to a horse and rode away?

That thought is even more frightening than the others. At least here, on this estate, she’ll be surrounded by betas. Though they will be enticed by her heat, it won’t be nearly as all-consuming as with an Alpha. I cannot trust that none will be passing by and pick up on her scent.

Spurred forward by fear, I round the post only to stop in my tracks. There, in an empty stall, is Miss Gillet. Her hands frantically sift about through the hay, bunching it here and pulling it there. She cannot possibly mean to make a nest in a place like this.

“Miss Gillet,” I bark out, my tone sharp enough to penetrate her brain. “What in God’s name do you think you’re doing?”

CHAPTER 27

EMMA

I freeze, my heart pounding in my chest. It’s Blackport. The sound of his voice drips over me like hot honey drizzling over a piece of warm bread. Unable to help myself, I moan, doubling over as a cramp tears through me. I’m clearly ill, and yet, all I want is the duke’s hot, possessive hands on me.

At this point, I’m almost willing to agree to marry him if it means he takes me in his arms and makes the discomfort go away. Whimpering, I stare at the mess in front of me, unsure of how to put it to rights. It’s wrong. Everything is wrong.

Though I came here to procure a horse, I couldn’t get past the stall. Even now, my fingers twitch as I move things about, but still, it’s not right. Why isn’t it right? Desperation lances through me as I look over my shoulder, pinning Blackport with a stare.

“Please,” I manage to mumble as he hunches down next to me.