Whom Shall I Marry... an Earl or a Duke? Read online

  Whom Shall I Marry... An Earl or A Duke?

  Tricking the Scoundrels, Volume 2

  Laura A. Barnes

  Published by Laura A. Barnes, 2019.

  Copyright © 2019 by Laura A. Barnes

  All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review or scholarly journal.

  First Printing: 2019

  Laura A. Barnes

  www.lauraabarnes.com

  Cover Art by Cheeky Covers

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  Dedication

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Epilogue

  Author Laura A. Barnes

  To my family,

  Thank you for all your love and support.

  Prologue

  Sophia wandered around the luxurious parlor, feeling an odd sense of comfort. Why was she so relaxed in a house of ill-repute? Her fingertips traced across the fireplace mantel, caressing the smooth finish. The room displayed an elegance, the kind one would find in the grandest homes in Mayfair. However, she wasn't in Mayfair. She was inside a brothel in Vauxhall Gardens. Why she allowed her best friend Lady Sidney Hartridge to persuade her to come here was lost on her at the moment.

  Belle, the madame of the brothel, ushered Sidney into a private chamber. Once she returned, Belle held out a mask for Sophia to wear. It was a delicate design in a turquoise color decorated with sequins adorning the sides. The mask covered her face securely, only allowing her lips to show. She had to unwind her hair and drape her blonde tresses across her shoulders. Belle helped to tie the ribbon behind her head. She informed Sophia that she didn't want to risk exposing her to any of her customers. The repercussions would cause Belle to lose clientele. Also, Sophia’s reputation would be ruined.

  Sophia again strolled around the room, impatient for Sidney to return. What was taking her so long? She knew Sidney’s experiment on exposing the gentlemen of the ton to their unsavory behavior would get them into trouble. She proved to be correct once again. Sidney always jumped feet-first into strife, while Sophia was one to proceed with caution. However, now they were beyond caution and in danger of ruination.

  The fire in the parlor was too warm for Sophia. Her discomfort was a result of her nerves being on edge about getting caught. Since she was in a private room where only Madame Belle could enter, she decided to get more comfortable. She undid the first few buttons and opened her dress wider. When that didn’t cool her off, she loosened the strings on her chemise. While her breasts were not exposed, they were revealed in an inappropriate manner. Wanting a breath of fresh air, she went to where a breeze slipped through the window cracks. She pressed her head against the cool pane, seeking relief. Sophia took a few deep breaths as she tried to calm herself. Closing her eyes, her body relaxed, only to turn tense again as she heard the opening click of the door. She gasped in embarrassment, then realized the only people who would come into the parlor would be Madame Bellerose or Sidney. Finally, they could leave, and nobody would be the wiser of their visit.

  When Sophia turned toward the door, her relief changed to fear. It wasn't Belle or Sidney that stood before her, but none other than Alexander Langley, the Duke of Sheffield. Her eyes widened in fright at her unfortunate luck. How would she remove herself from this predicament? He would ruin her, rather than save her. Her hatred of this man knew no bounds. His overbearing attitude regarding Sidney fueled her anger toward him. She pressed herself against the window, hoping to hide between the drapes. However, he was already aware of her. He froze Sophia in place with his gaze of desire.

  Alex closed the door and leaned against the panel as he stared at the most amazing creature before his eyes. A new courtesan, no doubt. The mask she wore hid her identity, yet failed utterly to disguise her beauty. If he was a naïve young man, he would say she appeared frightened. But considering where they were, he knew it must be an act she tried to portray. While her eyes may speak fear, her body screamed siren. Her curly blonde hair lay tousled around her shoulders, her lips full and pouty, begging for someone to kiss them. Mmm, well he would have to change that shortly. Her simple dress suggested an innocent virgin. However, the undone buttons teasing him with the display of her breasts showed the role she performed. He never enjoyed these acts of play. Perhaps, he was missing out. He couldn’t lift his gaze away from her chest. In fact, it was what drew him closer to her. The need to touch her.

  His footsteps brought him but an inch away from her. He heard the hitch in her breath at his closeness. When his fingers hovered over her creamy flesh, she let out a gasp. He felt the heat singe him and he stilled. Alex was in awe of the effect she held over him. He had yet to caress her, but she already felt like heaven to him. His fingers trailed across her chest. Her skin was the softest silk, smooth, and pleasurable to his senses. He began to explore her hidden charms as his fingers dipped inside her chemise. When his touch brushed across her nipples, they contracted into tight buds. He lowered his head, lost in a sensual desire, and a moment later she pulled out of his grasp.

  Alex shook his head to clear his mind. A courtesan never affected him this strongly. He must pull himself together or she would take advantage of him. A duke must always be in control, even in the height of passion. If not, he was nothing but a mere man. And the Duke of Sheffield was anything but a mere man.

  Sophia stood in shock. Did the Duke of Sheffield actually place his hands on her breasts and fondle her? The more important question was why she hadn't stopped him? He caught her unaware with the feelings he ignited in her. They were new to her. How did a man she detested awake her sexual awareness?

  He watched the confusion in her eyes. They were a magnificent violet. Violet? Were her eyes the shade of purple? He peered into them, lost in her gaze, and admired the beautiful colors as they changed to match her emotions. When Alex again tried to close the gap between them, she slid past him to make her way behind a chair. So, this was how she would play this game. She was intriguing enough that he allowed himself to indulge her.

  “Belle had not informed me of a new girl. What is your name, my darling?”

  Sophia shook her head in denial. She couldn't speak without Sheffield recognizing her voice. She was caught in his trap until Belle rescued her. Sophia couldn’t simply escape either. It risked running into another member of the ton. She was stuck in this intimate room with the one man she disliked above all others.

  “Mmm, you wish to remain mysterious. I am game. It has been a long while since any woman has drawn my attention. Since I am bored with my life, I will play for a while, my sweet.”

  Bored in his life? Why, that condescending arse. He was the bore in life. His pursuit of her friend was boring? Sheffield should be so lucky that Sidney even gifted him a minute of her attention. Lost in her silent tirade toward him Sophia was unaware he had moved close to her once more. He now stood behind her. Wi
th the sweep of his hand he brought her hair around to drape over one shoulder. The next thing Sophia felt was the touch of his lips. Slow kisses that he dragged along her neck up to her ear, where he whispered the most scandalous of suggestions. Sophia’s knees sagged and Sheffield drew her against his body. His kisses and touch were shocking enough without him saying how he wanted to make love to her. No, what he suggested was not love-making. They were the naughtiest of thoughts that a gentleman should never whisper to a lady. However, he didn’t know she was a proper lady of the ton, but rather a lady of the evening.

  She tasted like the sweetest spice. He wanted more. When his whispered words caused her to melt against him, he couldn't stop. His hand guided her head to the side as his lips took hers. Ahh, yes. So sweet. He coaxed her lips open with his tongue. As he slid inside, it was to teach her how to kiss. The game of innocence enticed him more. Soon, the girl's experience revealed itself and their tongues meshed in a dance of pleasure. Each stroke only became stronger. He turned her around in his arms, Alex's hands diving into her hair as he consumed her mouth. She was divine. He caught her gasps in between his breaths, each turning longer and into moans of desire.

  Sophia was sinking into the pleasures of sin. How one man could spew such arrogance and kiss as a god confused her. She didn’t want to stop this madness; it was a pleasure never known before. Her lips followed his. When he stroked inside her mouth, Sophia copied his lead and moved her tongue along with his. His moans and the hold on her conveyed his need. When his hands slid inside her chemise, Sophia could only enjoy the thrill. Before she was aware of his intentions, he lifted and carried Sophia to the divan. She didn’t stop him. Not from fear of him learning her identity, but answering to the desire growing inside her.

  She wanted more of his caresses. More of his kisses. She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling his head closer, and ran her fingers through his short, dark tresses. He was the ever-proper duke. But when he kissed her, he turned into the man of her dreams. She'd often read stories about the hero sweeping the heroine off her feet. But no book ever prepared Sophia for the emotions Sheffield stirred in her core.

  Sheffield laid the temptress on the sofa and knelt on the floor. The furniture wasn't wide enough to fit both of them comfortably. He only wanted to play. The first time he made love to her, it would be in a bed, not on a couch where anybody could walk in on them. But it didn't mean he couldn’t pleasure her for a while. Belle was occupied with another matter. He had time to tempt this sweet girl into becoming his mistress.

  As he pulled away, her eyelids fluttered open to reveal the dark amethysts full of desire. He continued to watch her, pulling the buttons of her dress undone to fully reveal her breasts. If he thought her eyes couldn’t darken even more, he was wrong. When he spread the chemise wider, his hands slid over her breasts taking one into his palm. When his fingers brushed across her nipple, her eyes grew wide and a moan escaped her. He looked down at his hand and saw the beautiful globe begging to be kissed. When he drew it between his lips and softly sucked, his cock hardened. Aching to be relieved. If he thought her lips tasted sweet, it was nothing compared to her delicious nipples. When her fingers slid through his hair, she guided him to her other breast. This was a woman who understood how her body needed to be pleasured. He drew the sweet bud into his mouth. She arched against him, filled with the same need.

  She must stop this insanity. But she could no more pull from his arms than stop him from kissing her. Sophia's mind was in a whirl and wouldn’t let her think, because her body didn’t want her to. She wanted to spin out of control, if this is what crazy felt like. These senses were like floating on a cloud of pleasure. She wanted more. No, she craved more. She was past caring who was eliciting these emotions. Her body silently pleaded for Sheffield to continue, tightly strung and begging for release. There had to be more.

  Sheffield sensed her body unraveling. He needed to be the man who flew her over the edge. His hand slid underneath her skirts, tracing the silkiness of her legs to the spot he wanted to pleasure. When his fingers swept across her curls, it was to find her wet for him. He lightly traced over her wetness. When she moaned and pressed herself into his hands, he was certain this girl was no innocent miss. She was a woman who wanted him. When his fingers guided into her wetness, she melted at his touch. Her moans became long-winded sighs of pleasure. Sliding his fingers inside her deeper, he wanted to come right then. She coated his fingers with her warmth. He desired to push her skirts higher and press his mouth against her charms. He ached to sink his cock into the tight core of her body. She tightened around his fingers, close to release.

  He drew her lips onto his as his fingers slid in and out of her. The rhythm increasing with each stroke. Her hips rose in time with his hand. Her sighs grew louder as he brought her near the edge. When she fell apart in his arms, her cries echoed around the room. Not wanting anybody to be summoned by the noise and interrupt them, his mouth devoured the enchantress as her passion exploded.

  As her body calmed, Sophia realized she lay wrapped in Sheffield’s embrace. What came over her? The greatest pleasure imaginable. Her heart beat in a fast rhythm as his hands caressed her. Never in one place for very long. It was as if he wanted to consume her, but at a slow pace. He touched her as if he regarded Sophia as a special prize to treasure. It made her feel vulnerable and cared for. This whole encounter engulfed her in confusion.

  Sheffield placed more soft kisses as his hands continued to explore the temptress in his arms. She was an enigma. One he wanted to understand. His hard cock yearned for release pressing into her hip. Still, he didn’t want to take her. This reaction was new to him. He felt a sense of sexual fulfillment just by bringing pleasure. Holding her while the girl regained her senses satisfied him.

  He needed to withdraw from the room before Belle arrived. Her rule regarding a new girl didn't mesh with him sampling the merchandise. Belle always chose a specific gentleman to introduce a new girl to this profession. This way the girl would not be drawn toward the more powerful gentlemen of the ton and fool herself into believing it was love. When it was only pleasure. All new girls would be shown to mature men who would use them for sex, not young pups who always thought they were in love with whoever they bedded. Nor with any gentlemen of influence.

  He was a duke who held power in his own right. But it was his control in Parliament that made him the most powerful. This creature was the last thing he needed to involve himself with now. She was a big mistake. With his pending betrothal to Lady Sidney Hartridge and the article of interest he was having Lord Hartridge research for him, it left Alex no room for distractions. And this temptation that lay in his arms moaning her pleasure was the biggest distraction there could be. Maybe he could find a way for them to amuse themselves without inducing Belle’s wrath? He would explain his intentions and work out a deal to spend time with this beauty.

  As innocent as she looked when he touched her, she came alive at the pleasures of the flesh. Each stroke of his finger and tongue had her falling apart in his arms. He smiled to himself as a plan formed in his mind. Perhaps they didn’t need to involve Belle. He would sneak time in with her with nobody knowing. In the end he would provide well for her in case someone caught them.

  He coaxed her head to rise as he placed a gentle kiss to her lips. While he desired to make passionate love to her, he also wanted to treasure her. She invoked a tenderness in him he had never felt with another soul—an emotion he should share with his intended, but didn’t. No, she only provoked his anger most of the time. But his involvement and pursuit of Sidney Hartridge was a game he couldn't lose, not even with the temptation of this intoxicating miss.

  Sophia leaned into the gentle kiss. She felt a tenderness from him while he held back from his passion. His gentleness undid her. She should lay in his arms in shame. Instead she stayed in his embrace wanting more, reluctant to rise and put herself back together. She must be a wanton at heart. However, he must have thought differently
, for he pulled away and rose to his feet. In embarrassment for clinging to him, she tried to set herself right. Her hands shook as she yanked the ribbons tight on her chemise. His hands clasped over hers.

  “Easy, love. I am only pulling away, because if I hold you in my arms one second longer, I will ravish you with not a care on who disturbs us. When I make love to you, I want it to be in private. There will be a lock on the door, with no interruptions.”

  Sophia blushed at his declaration. She'd thought he was dissatisfied and wanted to untangle from her web. Instead he proclaimed his true intentions.

  However, this could never happen again.

  Her blush was very becoming. She was a supreme actress to be able to blush so easily and to continue her act. He was charmed by her and didn't call her out on her deception. He would indulge her play, because it amused him. Alex tied her chemise and fastened her dress. When she pressed her hands to her skirts to smooth out her wrinkles, he pulled them into his and brought them to his lips. He brushed his mouth across her knuckles with tenderness. When she lifted her head to gaze into his eyes, the soft violet drew him in with a caring expression.

  He reached behind her to undo the ribbon on the mask. He wanted to see her face. More than that, he needed to hear her voice. Even though he'd never heard the sweet melody, he imagined it would sink into his soul, for her moans and gasps had certainly brought him to his knees. To hear her speak his name would be heavenly. However, she stopped him before he undid the knot. Again, she silently shook her head in denial.

  Now, Sophia panicked. Her heart stilled in her chest. Her hands settled over his, tugging them away from the strings to her identity. How can she convince him not to uncover her face without speaking? Her only thought was something she read in an erotic novel she discovered at the bookstore. She placed her hand on the placket of his trousers. When she encountered his hardness, she stroked, exploring him. The groan that swished between his lips encouraged her. As her palm enclosed around him and she rubbed, he rested his forehead against her as he fought for control. She felt it slipping when he placed his trembling hands over hers to halt her movement, his grip tightening and pulling her fingers away. Sheffield’s breathing quickened as he tried to fight against the pleasure. As much as she wanted to continue, even though it was wrong, it stopped him from discovering her true identity. He forgot about untying the mask.