Duchess by Chance(45)

“That you endeavor to remain open-minded about London.”

Eyes open, he held hers as he took her bottom lip between his teeth and bit softly into the flesh.

“I…I will try,” Eva whispered when he released her.

He moved in again, this time to place a slow, sultry kiss on her mouth and Eva felt any resistance flee. She melted, her insides turning to liquid as he tormented her. Only his lips touched her, yet in seconds she was the puppet and he, the master. When one kiss ended, another started until she was arching toward him, wanting more.

“Daniel.” She sighed as he moved to her neck, his breath warm on her skin. Running her fingers through his hair, Eva gripped the curls as he nipped her.

“I want you, sweet Duchess, very badly.”

“Then take me.” Eva could hardly believe she had said the words out loud.

He lifted his head to look down at her, his eyes burning with a need that mirrored her own.

“Soon, Eva, but for now we must satisfy ourselves with kisses. I would not want Reggie to walk in on us in a compromising position.”

“Reggie!” Dear Lord, how could she have forgotten her brother was in the house? “I had not thought about him.”

His smile was smug as he ran one hand up her arm and she shivered.

“I…I will go to him now.”#p#分页标题#e#

“Not yet.”

Eva tried to push him away, but he kissed her again and she did not put up much of a fight.



“I think that is everything, Eva.”

Eva looked at her brother’s excited face and swallowed her tears. The siblings were in his room finishing his packing before he left for Edinburgh. Daniel had secured a place for Reggie at the university and he could take it up as soon as he got there. This news for Eva was a double- edged sword, as on one hand, her brother would get what he wished for - heaven knew he deserved it after the life he had lived - and on the other, she would lose him again.

The past two weeks had been wonderful. Daniel had taken the siblings to see many sights and they had shopped for Reggie, but more importantly, they had spent time together talking. Eva had seen another side to both her brother and her husband. She’d watched Reggie blossom without the threat of his father and brothers looming over him constantly. He laughed freely, talked constantly and asked Daniel endless questions, to which he had patiently answered. The duke had a wicked humor that often made them laugh and Eva felt comfortable around him now - comfortable and unsettled at once. Her skin tingled whenever he was near and she had a constant longing for him that was almost painful.

“I have everything packed in two trunks, Eva, and they are being loaded into the carriage as we speak.”

“You have the books for the trip and the itinerary, plus Jacob, the duke’s man, is accompanying you and will stay until you are settled.” Eva ticked off the points on her fingers.

“Yes, and Daniel has secured a contact for me once I get there. He is Scottish and will be on hand, should I need anything at anytime.”

Reggie was pulling on his new coat. He looked healthy after two weeks of good meals and plenty of sleep. She could feel his excitement and knew Daniel was the one to thank for that.

Daniel. Lord, she blushed just thinking of what they had shared last night in his bed. He had told her that in there, they were just Eva and Daniel. All the problems that awaited them outside the bedroom door were left there when they entered at night.

“Are you all right, Eva?”

“Of course.” She forced herself to smile. “I’m so excited for you.”

They made their way outside to where Daniel awaited them beside the carriage.

“Jaccob is inside and he has instructions on where you will stop and my letter to help smooth your way.”

“Thank you, Daniel, for everything.” Eva watched Reggie step forward and embrace the duke, which surprised him at first but he soon wrapped his big arms around the boy and squeezed him hard.

“Remember we are brothers now, Reggie. I will come if you need me.”

“I will remember.”

Eva bit her lip as Reggie turned to hug her. She would not cry; he did not want that. “Please write to me regularly, brother.”

“I promise.”

She cupped his cheeks and looked into his eyes. He was healing and this journey would finish that process. “You know I love you?”

Color stole into his cheeks as she held him still.

“I know it and you know your love is returned, sister.”

She released him and smoothed his lapels. “Go now while I let you.”

He kissed her forehead. “Thank you for being my sister. Without you, everything would have been so much harder.”