A Captain's Order - A Duke's Command (Hot Regency Read) (Scandalous Series Book 2) by Tamara Gill Read Free Book Online Page B

apologize.”
    The doctor, summoned by Gabe's second, waddled over to him, opening his bag as he came. “Shall I have a look at the wound, Your Grace?”
    With the help of Eloise, Gabe struggled out of his ruined jacket. The red stain covered most of his left arm, but the injury itself when revealed was only a flesh wound.
    The doctor ripped the shirtsleeve away and bandaged his arm. “This should suffice until your return to London. Send for your usual doctor to see to it. Should have a thorough cleaning before it's bandaged again.”
    “Of course, thank you, doctor.” Eloise shook the man’s hand.
    Noting her paleness, Gabe grimaced, his heart thumping hard against his ribs. He loved her, could see this morning's events had rattled her usual steadfast resolve.
    “Very good,” the doctor said and bowed. “Good day to you, Your Grace, my lady.”
    They were silent for a moment before Gabe led Eloise toward his carriage, before he realized he had one more item of business to attend. He turned to his second. “My time on the seas has come to an end, my friend. And so the ship is yours to do with as you please.”
    Hamish, who was packing up the pistols stilled at his words. “You’re giving me the ship?”
    Gabe smiled at his friends shock. The man was more than worthy of such a gift, having a steadfast character and generous soul. He didn’t know a lot about the fellow, where he came from or how he came to be working for him, but having spent the past two years at sea he knew a great man when he met one, and Hamish Doherty was exactly that. “I am.” He looked down at Eloise. “My life is in London now, and it is where I belong. But should you ever need me, you know where I am.”
    “I don’t know what to say,” Hamish said.
    “No need to say anything, my friend. I wish you well.” Gabe helped Eloise up into the carriage. He took a calming breath, the smell of the cool morning air brought his life back into focus. That he was alive was a bonus he had not thought possible only hours before. Now, however, beside the woman he loved, everything fell into place. For the first time in his life, Gabe felt free of scandal. Ready to do justice to his title and to the huge estates he had inherited. “Ride with me back to London?”
    She nodded, her dark hair, tied by a loose piece of ribbon, shining in the early sunlight. Gabe shut the door behind them, forgetting his wound, and winced.
    Eloise shifted to his side. “Does it pain you?” Her brow furrowed; her bottom lip captured by her teeth. An overwhelming urge to capture her delicious lips overrode all his thoughts of decency.
    Gabe tilted her chin and looked into eyes as green as the rainforests of South
    America. “Kiss me.”
    “But your arm,” she said, sliding a fraction closer.
    “Is fine.” Gabe bent and took her lips, allowed all he felt for her to come out in the kiss. Hesitant at first, Eloise soon forgot his injury, forgot where they were, who they were and matched his desire. Her tongue stroked his and sent fire shooting through his body.
    Lifting her onto his lap, Gabe set about teasing her, giving her pleasure before the tree-lined streets of Mayfair ended their interlude. Not a moment wasted as he supped from her lips, curled his hand about her back, and held her tight against him. Her breasts rubbed his chest, the pebbled peaks straining against her morning gown.
    He clasped the strap and held them both upright as the carriage lurched around a corner. Her chuckle brought a smile to his lips.
    “We cannot make love here.” She chuckled when his hand curved about her breast and kneaded.
    “What about sex. Would you be willing to do that here?” Gabe bent his head and took a nipple into his mouth. Allowed his tongue to swirl, his teeth to nibble and tease her into agreement.
    Her hands clasped his hair, and Gabe knew she was fighting her own sense of decency.
    “My, that feels good.”
    Gabe set to work on her other breast. “Have you