Chapter Nine

Geoffrey joined Henry and his guests in the dining room. He bid everyone a good morning. Noticeably, Serena was not present.

“Geoffrey, I’ve received word from my sister who is under the weather. She sends her regrets and advises she will join us for supper. It appears the Grappa was too much for her system. There’s a note for you from Serena.”

With a smile, the Duke accepted the note and read it in haste. “I am summoned to sit again for my portrait. Serena wants to finish at least one of them before I take my leave.” He didn’t offer any facial expression so as not to give his emotions away to her brother. Inside, he couldn’t wait to see her again. He liked being in her sacred sanctum, the studio. Intense desire swelled within him as he fantasized about another sacred place, between her thighs.

“I’m so sorry Serena is under the weather,” said Lady Rebecca.

“Nonsense,” Henry answered. “If she feels well enough to continue Geoffrey’s portrait, I do believe it will be a lesson well-learned.”

“I would like to see her work, but most artists do not appreciate the interruption of their creative inspiration. In what medium does she paint?” Rebecca looked to Henry, but it was Geoffrey who answered.

“In oil, although she does charcoal sketches first. You would enjoy her canvasses. I think she will make a fine children’s book illustrator, if such opportunity were afforded to a woman. It is more of a man’s arena.” He folded the serviette. “Perhaps Lady Serena has the gumption to challenge the trend.”

“She has no need of money. I do not want her engaged in such vulgar endeavors.” Henry said. Geoffrey’s hackles rose. His instincts warned that Henry might have unfavorable plans for Serena that she wouldn’t be of a will to accept. He made an issue of his legal guardianship clear to her, and frequently reminded Serena of her dependence on him. Geoffrey remembered the emotion that crossed Serena’s face when Henry did so. He determined to speak to her to discover the reason behind her discomfort.

“If you will all excuse me, I need to tend to Solomon and check a scratch on his leg. He took the last hurdle a bit low.” Lord Geoffrey smiled. “I do not wish to leave good company, but must attend my animal. I will rejoin you soon.” On his way to the stables, his thoughts became anxious.

He walked to his horse’s stall and leaned down to feel the foreleg for swelling. Solomon’s small cut was treated with salve and wrapped just as he’d instructed the groom. It appeared no real problem existed.

He heard unusual sounds and walked toward them. There in a corner he saw a dog being nuzzled by greedy pups.

The groom came up to him. “Cute, aren’t they?”

“Yes.” He pointed to the mewling puppies. “How old are they?”

“Ten weeks old, my lord, but you can see she is of good stock.”

“Are they for sale? I should like to purchase one for Miss Serena.”

“They are not for sale, but you may choose one for her ladyship. The mother dog is a stray that I took in at the stables. The pups are ready to be set on their own. If you wish one for Miss Serena, I’ll fetch it. Which one would you select, my lord?”

Geoffrey kept his gaze on one particular black pup. The white circle around one eye held an impish appeal. “Hunting dogs?” he asked.

“Yes, I believe so. Will you visit her now?”

“I would like to surprise her. Is there another steed available? I do not want to ride Solomon until I am confident he is fully mended.” He selected the precocious pup that caught his attention.

Lord Geoffrey embraced the wiggling animal, and spoke in a soft voice. “You will do fine. If you go to Miss Serena, you will lead a spoiled life.” The pup stopped whining.

The groom smiled and went to prepare a horse. The stable hand presented a small basket in which to place the pup. “It’s not a long ride, and he will be comfortable on the blanket until you reach the house.”

“We shall be fine.” He guided the horse out of the stable with the strength of his knees. On the short ride to Serena’s house, the gentle motion of the hoof beats lulled the pup to sleep.

Geoffrey arrived at the studio, dismounted, and left the basket with the sleeping animal on the veranda while he took the horse to the stall. He returned with haste, held the basket and lifted the knocker.

The maid answered, smiled, and curtsied, then stepped aside for him to enter. “Good afternoon, Emma.” She took his crop and hat.

He handed her a container. The curded cheese is for this visitor. He raised the basket and lifted the blanket to allow her a peek. “If our lady likes him, the groom will send over appropriate food.”

Emma smiled broadly, “Pups are so precious. This one warms the cockles of my heart.”

“Is our lady better?”

“Oh, yes, your Grace, your pickle juice worked.”

He laughed.

She led Lord Geoffrey up the stairs and announced him. He entered, and closed the door before handing her the basket.

“Geoffrey, is it for me?” She reached into the basket and brought the squirming pup to her. Serena’s squeal of joy at the sight delighted him. “Is it male or female?

“I checked myself, it is male. I know about those things.” He smirked.

She sat on the lounge and patted for him to sit next to her. “I haven’t received a gift that could mean more.” A bright smile engulfed her face. “This is a living gift, and I will cherish him as I treasure you.” The pup settled against her breast and nodded off again.

“He seems quite comfortable.” Geoffrey grinned. “Is there room for me too?” he jested.

“I think not. You would not sleep.” Serena stroked the pup’s head. “What shall I call him? What does he like to eat?”

“I gave Emma the instructions. The stable groom will further advise her.” Geoffrey warmed at her side and touched the puppy’s head with his finger. “He should have a special name.”

“I would name him Duke but it would be too obvious. Perhaps King? Or Majesty? I will need to think on this.”

“When he gets bigger he will protect you when you take your midnight walks to the lake. I will help you train him. Would you like me to?”

“Midnight walks with me or your help to train the pup?” she asked in her usual humor.

“I would prefer both, dear lady.” Geoffrey stroked the dozing pup. “I am pleased you like my gift.”

“Diamonds could not compare.” Serena gave the pup a kiss on the tip of his nose.

“What? None for me?” Geoffrey pointed to his cheek.

She kept the pup between them and gave Geoffrey a kiss on his scar. His mouth curled, his eyes gleamed with naughtiness.

“Do you want me to sit in the same chair so you can finish the sketch?”

He picked up the dog, nestled it in the blanket and set it near her. “I think it is time we put him back in his basket while he sleeps.”

After several hours, the puppy awoke and Geoffrey set him on the stone floor. The dog walked in a circle and then piddled. Alarm shone in Serena’s eyes.

“Don’t worry. I will clean it up. It is a natural thing when so young. Give me something I can use.”

Geoffrey bent. His breeches stretched to reveal the strength of his muscular thighs as he leaned to wipe up the puddle. He stood. His broad shoulders and massive chest seemed to fill the room.

She was impressed by the tenderness of his care for the pup and awestruck at his elegance, when he extended his hand to her, she accepted. Overwhelmed by an unfamiliar emotion, she went to him. His embrace more than satisfied. Suddenly overcome, she didn’t know whether to laugh—or cry.

Was she in love with him? Was she worthy of him? Could he love her in return and not leave her behind?

Serena ached with desire, longed for his touch, yearned with a burning need for him, a feeling she’d never before experienced.

Could she give herself to him without fear? Could he shoo away her demons? Would the quaking inside ever stop? The important question, could she trust him not to hurt her?

At the sight of his gentleness when he put the puppy back into his basket, in that singular moment, she knew this man wouldn’t harm her. The black and white bundle of fur curled into a ball and slept.

Lord Geoffrey rose and reached to her, took her face gently in his hands and brushed her lips lightly. “Open up to me.” He pulled her close.

Her arms wound around his neck, her mouth begged him to plunder.

He did. He ran his fingers through her hair and locked his lips to hers. It became a mystical revelation. He looked deeply into her eyes. “You cause me dreams I wish to see come to life. Will you continue to deny my pleasure and let an arousal go to waste again and again? Touch me,” he whispered.

Geoffrey saw the fear in her wide-eyed gaze. He stroked her cheek, then took her hand, kissed her palm and placed it against him where he pulsed with desire. He moaned. Her touch nearly sent him over the edge.

“You do torment me. I want to show you how enjoyable our lovemaking can be. Let me carry you to your bed. You need never be afraid of me, sweeting. I would never hurt you.”

Geoffrey enjoyed her gentle touch. Serena jerked her hand from his rock-hard member. Her body trembled.

“I want to please you. You don’t understand. I cannot be loved.”

Their eyes locked. “Why do you test me?”

Serena worried how he’d feel about her scarred body. Even though he would be aroused, he might interrupt the lovemaking, but then repudiate himself that he didn’t stop, but instead took his release with a woman he couldn’t stand to look upon otherwise.

“You do not know the entire truth about me. Forgive me, I cannot give myself to you knowing full well you would satisfy your need and then rebuke your weakness for it. You would not desire to see me again.”

“What will it take to break through your shell? Is it a commitment you demand?”

“If I demanded it and you did not offer, you’d wound me. I want a man who will be faithful to me as I will be to him. I do not believe you can do that, especially when you see my naked body. Your history testifies to this. You turned my head with the puppy and I melted. I’m sorry. It’s not my intent to hurt you. I care for you. It is complicated and hard to explain. Can we not remain friends? I do not wish to toy with your affections.”

“Friendship is not a circumstance I could share with you, Serena. Let me come to you tonight. Lay with me. Let me love away your fears.”

She turned away. “I cannot. I’m not a normal woman, Geoffrey. There will always be fear. It could take a lifetime to explain. Know the desire I feel for you clutches at my heart like the insidious torment of a satanic beast.” Serena wiped away tears.

“Please move to the chair so I can regain my composure. Let me finish the sketch.”

Geoffrey turned from her, went to the chair and allowed her to pose him. Frustration replaced his desire. God’s blood, what would it take to break down the walls she erected around herself?

His eyes beheld the confused expression on Serena’s face as she worked on the portrait. When could she trust him enough to reveal her secrets? What ill fortune did that monster of a husband commit upon her?

The dread of what her desire unleashed was real. He found it difficult to speak. Time moved too slowly. He started to fidget. She must have recognized that his patience was at an end.

“Shall I ring for tea? I think we are finished for this afternoon.” She rinsed her hands in the basin of water and dried them on her apron.

“No tea, thank you.” He stood. “I don’t wish to see the portrait either. I prefer a surprise.” He picked up his riding crop and hat. “The pup might wake soon. You will want to call your maid to walk him. Once the chore is finished, Emma can feed him.”

“I’m sorry I made you angry.” She went to him, touched his arm.

He recoiled. “I do not leave in anger, but in aggravation. It seems nothing I do will unfreeze your frigid heart. Why did your husband beat you? Did you deny him his conjugal rights? It reminds me of my mother. Perhaps your denial of my seduction is best.”

“I wish I could make you understand, Geoffrey.”

“Good afternoon, Serena.” He quickly exited, and slammed the door.

He mounted his horse and rode hard. The wind blew unwanted thoughts from his mind. Upon his return to the manor house, he found himself alone in the drawing room and assumed everyone was busy dressing for dinner.

Geoffrey went to his room and headed for the decanter of brandy. He stared into the snifter he’d filled and his mind clouded. He didn’t know how to read her.

She responds to my touch and allows me great liberties, widow or not. But she cannot succumb. Why? What demon possesses her? Do her religious beliefs forbid bed sport without marriage? How often had she read that worn Bible on her table?

Her brute of a husband was responsible for the wall she hid behind. It became a dauntless endeavor to break down her inhibitions, even for him. He wouldn’t manipulate her. With Serena, he didn’t want to. Somehow, it’d become paramount that she give herself to him of her own free will.

His valet came to attend him. Yet his mind still pondered. During this visit to her studio, he made her the center of his attention. Tonight at dinner, he would be cool and inattentive. After all, he could not let her treat him as a toy on a string.

When Lord Geoffrey arrived in the drawing room, greetings were exchanged. Serena was seated and conversing with her brother. She wore emerald green this night and it complemented her beautiful ivory skin. Pearl-tipped pins entwined her chignon. Geoffrey’s heart skipped a beat, her beauty overruling his determination to ignore her.

He took a seat in a straight-backed chair and visited with the other guests. At an appropriate moment, he glanced toward Henry.

“What have you been up to, Geoffrey?” Sir Henry asked.

“Brisk rides, long walks, and backbreaking poses for my portrait, which I am told will soon be completed.”

“I hear the stables have lost a puppy,” her brother chided.

“News travels fast, it seems,” Geoffrey added. “They crave love and protection. I have a fondness for puppies.” He grinned. “I am guilty as charged.”

“At least the puppy will remain in our family,” Sir Henry muttered, tugging at his cravat. “When do you leave, Geoffrey? I know you have business that awaits your attention.”

“Unless you are anxious to see me gone, in three days I return to London. My mother has debutantes she wants to flaunt. I do declare she never stops plotting to end my bachelorhood. The more she parades them, the more adamant my refusal. Sooner or later she will tire, at least that is my hope. Excuse me, I need to chat with Lord Winston.”

He stood and nodded to Henry and Serena. Geoffrey walked toward the other side of the room to share a few words with the Earl and his lady.

Serena was alone. Her fan ruffled the air around her. Her wide eyes appeared to implore him. How could he resist? He went to her. He was a glutton for punishment.

“My Lady, I do believe the color of your dress suits you. Is your mood jade green or emerald? There is a difference, you know. Jade is tame while emerald excites.” He stood, rocking on his heels. He continued without waiting for a response. “If you insist on waving your fan with such force, you will upset my hair.” Geoffrey placed a strand of his hair in place.

Serena laughed, folding the fan in her lap. “You remind me of a schoolboy who has been chastised for a transgression and wishes for everyone to know it did not matter,” she chided.

“You are wrong, Serena. It did matter. Or perhaps you became so involved in your own self-pity you cared not to notice? Shame on you.” Geoffrey adjusted his waistcoat and flicked a wayward piece of lint.

“I notice everything about you.”

“Notice is one thing, Serena, to take action is another. However, I grow weary of the game.” He turned and gazed about the room. “I do not appreciate a tease that provokes but does not gratify. Perhaps, my lady, I should give you one more chance.” His brow lifted. “Or maybe you would like to fall into my arms and touch me again? A simple effort to quench my burning need, perhaps?”

He would wager on her answers to that request. “Is there anything you would like to do this evening? Whist? Reading? Or perhaps you might care to play the pianoforte again, Serena?”

“You would have me behave like a harlot?” she hissed.

“No. Just misbehave as a woman,” Geoffrey answered with a crisp calm. “Serena, I am a man, not a popinjay.”

“You are a cad to speak so to me. You want me, but I am not a caprice to be used and left behind. You have your standards, your Grace, and I have mine.” She looked away as her eyes brimmed.

Would she cry? If she did, he would be obliged to kiss her tears away, sweep her into his arms and take her to his bed.

God’s blood. Henry would pound on the door, and demand a duel.

“Your brother stares at me. Does he think I care for you? Perhaps you are wise not to yield to my rakish ways. To be quite frank, I do not care anymore. I can forget I ever met you, if need be.” His eyes lay her bare. “I want more than a friendship from you, Serena, and I will not abide by your terms.”

His words sounded aloof and unconcerned even to his ears. He hoped he might evoke some emotion in her. He hated himself for every harsh word he uttered. It had worked well before with other women, but this night he had inflicted pain he’d not intended. The hurt was apparent in her eyes. His heart fell in a million pieces at her feet, but he could not allow her to know it.

Damn her, what had she done to him?

Serena had so far refused to acknowledge the sting of his words. It was obvious he’d provoked her.

She took a deep breath, straightened her shoulders, whipped open her fan again and marched toward him. “Geoffrey, I have decided to name the puppy Adonis, after the handsome Greek youth who Zeus allowed to lodge between the two worlds of light and dark. Adonis loved two women, but a boar killed him. Not sure why, Zeus took pity on the mortal man and allowed him to divide his time between the two. Which would you choose, Geoffrey? Would it be Aphrodite in the light of day or Persephone in the underworld by night?”

“I am familiar with the myth, but if I did have a choice, I would choose you whether you resided in heaven or hell.”

He’d broken his resolve with those spoken words. He wouldn’t let her taunt him further.

Geoffrey nodded to her and walked away.