A Duke for Lady Ellen

Chapter 27

As the town of Ashbourne was only about seventy miles away from Bright Vales, with some hard driving, their coach made good time and arrived at Hambidge Meadows right as it was growing dark. The butler—Walters—and Hambidge himself, as well as a bevy of maids, footmen, and grooms met them in the driveway.

"Greetings Lord and Lady Eastforth, Lady Brightly, and Lady Ellen," said Ethan. "Welcome to the Meadows. I'm so glad you're all here."

It was everything Ellen could do to stop herself from running and pitching herself into Ethan's arms. From the smile on his face, she expected he felt the same way. Instead of acting a hoyden, however, she curtseyed and followed behind the butler and her parents with Aunt Lottie making up the rear of their party. Walters directed the servants where to take the guests and Ethan said that his cook would be sending up soup and sandwiches to everyone's rooms within the next hour. Then he wished them all a good night and said he'd see them in the morning.

Ellen was a little undone—she hoped that she and Ethan would at least have a few secret minutes together before everyone turned in for the night. But then with a sudden sharp pain, she realized that a day's hard ride in the Eastforth coach had left her derrière and back aching, so she would enjoy the rest that a good night's sleep would bring her.

As she undressed, a knock came at the door. Assuming it was the maid with her supper, she said, "Come in" and continued undressing. When she turned around, she couldn't believe Ethan stood there, holding a tray heaped with sandwiches and fruit. He shut the door with a foot, and set the tray on a large ottoman table in front of a settee, looking for all the world like he was ready to pounce—a ferality she was coming to know and appreciate.

"What are you doing here? Are you mad? Anyone could have seen you!" Ellen wrapped herself up in her night rail and tied it extra tightly over her shift. He strode over and wrapped her in his arms, breathing in her scent. He started nipping at the column of her throat and she moaned.

"You smell like lavender and vanilla cake," he said. "I could eat you up." He pulled her over to the bed and patted the space next to him. "Anyway, no one saw me. Your virtue is safe with me."

"Ha!" she scoffed, sitting and putting her head on his shoulder. "It was never safe with you."

"But it was safe with Danbury after all."

Ellen stiffened, gritting her teeth. "Don't start that noise again."

"I want to know why you didn't choose the Duke," he said. "Understand, I'm thrilled that you didn't. If I had lost you—well, my daughter said you were close to him."

She sighed and looked up into his face, seeing only curiosity and not the jealousy she might have expected from him. "For a moment, I thought so too. We did seem well-suited, and probably could have made a good match. But he never understood me the way you do. He's fun. He's like a glass of champagne. Quickly drunk and enjoyed. But there you are like a fine brandy or port, something to be savored over time. And it's you I love, Ethan, it's you I'll always love."

"I'm glad," he said, smiling so hard she thought his cheeks could break. "I love you too." Ellen shivered as he brushed his lips over her ear. "But if you don't get undressed right now, I'm simply going to die."

Ellen giggled despite herself, untying the night rail she had just tied and shimmying out of her shift fast as a cat. "I cannot have the death of Lord Hambidge on my hands," she said, as he reached for her breast and caressed it.

"I would advocate against it for sure," Ethan said, replacing his mouth with his hand.

"Oooh, Ethan," she moaned. "Kiss me."