Free A Duke Deceived by Cheryl Bolen

your weakened health.”
    “Pooh!” Emily said.
    The marble floors ran into the newer west wing, but this wing looked cozier because oriental carpets in deep reds and blues covered much of the floors, and the rich dark woods of the wainscoting and balusters added a warmth that was lacking in the opulent main house. As they mounted the stairs, Richard pointed out portraits of various ancestors.
    The duke showed Emily to her room, which was near the top of the stairs. Bonny entered the room to satisfy herself that a fire had been laid.
    Next, Radcliff walked his wife to the end of the broad hallway to his own chamber, where deep reds covered the bed and windows, and dark woods gave the room a masculine look. Opened draperies offered light from the many windows of this corner room.
    Bonny’s eye fell on the large tester bed, but her husband was already walking toward the adjoining dressing room.
    “Our rooms connect through this room,” he told her.
    She joined him and found the chamber as large as most sleeping chambers.
    “Now you will see your room,” he said softly. “It is where I was born. In my mother’s day it was pink, but I had Mrs. Green oversee having it decorated for you.” He opened the door to her room. “I wanted it the color of your eyes.”
    Sun bathed the large room from at least ten tall windows, where aqua draperies opened beneath gold cornices. The aqua damask walls and silk bedspread matched the rose-patterned carpet.
    The duke watched his wife’s face brighten as she surveyed the room, then turned to him, her eyes twinkling with excitement. “It’s the most beautiful room I’ve ever seen.”
    He kicked the door shut behind him and closed the short gap between them. “I’m glad you like it, for this is the most important room in the house, my love.” He gathered her into his arms. He could hear the rapid thumping of her heart as he held her, cherishing the feel of her, his wife.
    He lowered his head to kiss her and was pleased with her hungry response. His hands moved over her back, her hips, pressing her ever closer. Her breath, like his, grew harsh and labored as the kiss deepened. His lips trailed from her mouth to the hollow of her neck, and down the slope of her chest. He reached into her bodice and cupped a breast, while his other hand worked in a frenzy to free her of her dress. When it fell to her waist, his mouth closed over a pink nipple.
    Her eyes darted to the window. “We’ll be seen.”
    “No one will see us, my love,” he said softly.
    She backed away from him. “I would feel better if you drew the draperies, Richard.”
    “But I want to see you.”
    Color rose to her face. “I would rather you didn’t.”
    A smile curved his mouth. “Very well, my love.” He strode to each of the windows and pulled the draperies together, turning to her when he finished, longing in his eyes.
    She modestly held her dress over her breasts, her eyes on him as he crossed the floor to her and drew her to him. The top of her dress fell down as she closed her arms around him.
    “Don’t be shy, Barbara, for I am your husband. I will know your body as well as you do, and you will know mine. We belong to each other now.” He tugged gently, and the rest of her garments slid off.
    He took her hand and led her across the darkened room to the big tester bed. She lay on the bed, pulling part of the spread to cover her nakedness while her husband threw off his own coat and cravat and kicked off his boots. Wearing only breeches and an open shirt, he came to lie beside her, lifting away the blue bedspread to gaze upon her.
    Catching his breath, he swallowed hard as his eyes lingered over her lovely milky white body. God’s eyes, but she was incredibly beautiful! He reached to cup her full breasts, kissing her feverishly until she arched against him, her breath ragged.
    Pleased beyond measure at his wife’s hungry response, he slid his hands along her satin curves until his fingers moved into