Dukes By the Dozen

Julia slowed, and the puffs of her breath came heavier. She was tiring. William held her hand tighter and pulled her with him in an attempt to ease her efforts.

“I didn’t do it,” he gritted from between his teeth.

“I know.” Her voice was weak.

She was fading. He could lose her still. The shore was still a fair distance away. He gripped her to his side, holding her in his arms as he dragged them both.

“We’re nearly there,” he said by way of encouragement.

The ice snapped somewhere in the distance, a savage beast nipping at their heels. By God, he would get them out of this.

“I’m sorry.” Julia gave a violent shiver. “I shouldn’t have run off.”

They reached the shore. Finally.

He leapt to his feet and lifted her into his arms. Even drenched with icy water, her weight was easily borne. Carrying her, he made quick work of the walk to the house and met with the very concerned crowd of party guests.

“Out of his way. Now.” Lady Bursbury waved her fingers toward the lot of them, shooing them about like small children. A path formed.

“Is she dead?” Lord Mortry peered curiously at her, as William passed.

William glared at him. “No.”

Lady Bursbury ignored Lord Mortry and rushed along beside William. “The servants had water already heated for a bath for Lady Venerton. I’ve instructed them instead to move it to your room. It will be at the ready for you.”

William nodded his thanks.

Lady Bursbury pressed a hand to her chest. “Mercy me, this has been a night!”

Indeed, it had, but William didn’t waste time on those words. Not when his only concern was getting Julia upstairs and warmed in that bath.

CHAPTER 10

JULIA HAD NEVER BEEN SO cold in her entire life. She could barely think for the shivers rattling through her. William’s strong arms kept her pressed against him, no matter how violently she shuddered, up the stairs, through the door, and into the privacy of their chamber.

“I know you’re cold, my love.” He lowered her to her feet before a bath tub. “We need to get you out of this gown and into the water.”

She hugged herself in an effort to trap in some heat. “I c…can’t—”

“I’ll do it.”

She faced the steaming water, while he worked over the fastenings. At one point, a quiet rending interrupted the pop, pop, popping of the line of buttons. She didn’t care. All she wanted was heat. The gown fell heavily from her body and slapped in a wet pile to the floor. Her corset followed, then her shift. Next was her stockings, and she was left completely naked and shivering in front of him.

Ordinarily, she would have been embarrassed, but there was no thought of that. Not now. Not until she was submerged in the heat of the water and the initial pain faded to the prickling tingles of heat that warmed her body to something languid.

“Do you want some tea?” William asked once she’d stopped shivering.

“In the bath?” She couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Are you still cold?” He frowned and put a hand into the water. Ripples arced away from his hand and lapped over her skin.

“It’s wonderfully hot.”

Noting the relaxed tone to her voice, he shifted his focus to her face, his brow still furrowed. “Lady Venerton threw herself at me. Quite literally.”

“I belatedly realized as much. I only reacted as I did because of my father, because of what he did to my mother.” Julia sighed, and the swell of her breasts rose slightly from the water.

William’s gaze slipped to the rise of her bosom for one pulse-stopping moment before returning to her face. “I’m devoted to you, Julia. When we were courting, and now, and on through forever. I want you and only you.”

“You want me?” She sighed again, long and purposeful.

His gaze lowered once more, and he swallowed. “There’s nothing I want more in my life.”

“I believe you said I’m owed a prize still.” She shifted in the tub to arch her back. “Is that correct?”

He nodded.

The swish of water against her skin went from soothing to sensual, each sway and brush against her skin made her body hum with pleasure.

“In the bed?” She tilted her head in a wicked grin. “Or in the tub?”

He hesitated. “Are you sure? This night has not been kind to you.”

“Then make it so and answer the question.” She slipped a wet, naked leg from the water and let it dangle over the edge in front of him.

His stare followed the action. “Definitely in the tub.”

“Not with your clothes on,” she chided.

If he’d removed her attire with haste, he did so doubly fast with his own until he stood before her, chiseled with muscle and wonderfully nude. The firelight flickered golden shadows over his beautiful body. He was perfect. Even the scars crisscrossing jagged lines over his arm made him even more so, a symbol of his survival, of what he’d lived through and overcome. Julia’s gaze trailed down the expanse of his chest and lower still to where the hard maleness of him jutted in anticipation.

“I won’t hurt you,” he promised.

“Don’t be too careful, either.” She curled her finger to beckon him closer.