The Duke's Twin novel Chapter 11

Miles dragged his hands through his hair as he paced the length of his bedchamber. The events of earlier in the afternoon were unbelievable. He had seduced the virginal Miss Livingston in a gazebo during a rainstorm. Dallying with innocents wasn't like him.

But Christ, he'd wanted Rebecca. There was a side of her that was wild and wanton, and yet she was also so bloody sweet. He'd never been with someone like her. Every kiss and caress had elicited an excited shiver in her. The way she'd reacted to her first climax had overwhelmed him. She was fascinating like no other woman, and it wasn't merely due to her passionate responses. She was amusing, devilish, and delightful when she wasn't under her mother's scrutiny. She could laugh at herself and enjoy being teased. And she seemed to love a good challenge.

Never had a game of shuttlecock aroused him before. Yet playing with her had had him both panting and hard. Her need to match him stroke for stroke would undoubtedly carry over into the bedchamber. Even though he was well known as a rake, his other interests in life remained unchanged, and Becca seemed to share those interests. Riding, reading, and playing-whether it be games or teasing. He'd always preferred women who were lighthearted and enjoyed life, rather than arrogant ladies who required drama and tension in their lives to keep them entertained.

The thought of going back to London and seeking out his usual bed partners and haunting gambling tables for amusement now seemed rather unappealing. Lounging in bed with Becca, reading a Gothic novel to her and making love to her bathed in the warmth of morning sunlight-that appealed to him.

"This is madness," he muttered to himself. "I cannot be falling for her. She doesn't even know that I'm Miles, not Justin. And certainly not after such a short time." His brother had been right to test Lydia's affections by this charade, but Miles hadn't expected to encounter a need to reveal the truth about his own identity. What if he dared to fall in love with Rebecca only to be spurned by her because he'd lied to her about who he really was, regardless of the motivations? The idea bloody terrified him. And nothing had ever scared him before, not like this.

Justin leaned against the doorframe, a smug expression on his face. "So it's true. You've fallen for Rebecca. Lydia told me she suspected as much."

How long had his brother been lurking in the doorway?

"Justin, we have to switch back, first thing tomorrow morning. I have to confess to Becca who I really am. I..." He swallowed hard. "I don't want to lie to her anymore, not if it runs the risk of hurting her."

"I'm glad you like her, though I must admit she's not your usual type of woman." His twin came into the room and closed the door to prevent anyone from overhearing them.

Miles frowned. "What do you mean? I admit, she's certainly not what I've been seeking out all these years, but..."

Justin kept smiling. "I mean, she's what you need. Just as Lydia is what I need. I hope you have the good sense not to walk away from her."

"I don't know what I intend to do, only that I need her to know the truth. If there is something there..."

Justin nodded. "Give me until tomorrow night. Then we may switch back after dinner."

"Have you considered whether Lydia might be furious with you for the deception?" Miles asked.

Justin was quiet a long moment. "I believe few women would be upset to learn the man they desire is in fact a duke. Her position will only be bettered by the revelation of our temporary switch. I believe you may face the greater challenge, given that Rebecca might be entertaining thoughts of being a duchess."

It was a concern that Miles had been trying not to face. He knew Rebecca was not the favorite child, but what if, during this little playacting as the duke, he'd led her to become hopeful that she was really falling in love with a duke, and now her dreams might be dashed? Perhaps she even hoped her mother would find more value in her if she won the heart of a duke.

Because of my lies, she may despise me for what I've taken from her by not being what she was led to believe.

His brother said good night and left Miles to settle in for bed. But sleep did not come easily. He stayed in his trousers and removed his waistcoat, leaving his shirt on. Then he slipped on his dressing gown and left his chambers. He and Justin had rooms close to one another, and he could hear his brother speaking softly to his valet in the room across the hall. Other than that, the large manor house was silent, save for the occasional creak and groan as the stones and wood settled. Somewhere inside, his Rebecca was removing her gown, letting her petticoats slide to the floor, and brushing out her lovely dark-brown hair. She would climb into bed, blow out a candle, and slip into the land of dreams.

Would she dream about him? He desperately hoped she would after what they'd shared together that afternoon. She'd been so exquisite, so free in his arms, and all he wanted was to hold her again, to taste her lips and run his hands over her and lose himself inside her. It hurt him to think that neither of her parents seemed to care that she was lonely. His chest ached when he recalled the look in her eyes when she'd been trying to paint and seemed genuinely surprised to hear herself being called interesting. The poor woman was so lost in her sister's shadow that she must feel invisible.

Miles wandered down the hall and headed toward the library. He froze, however, when he realized someone was already there. Rebecca. She stood by one of the shelves, a candle held aloft as she examined the titles of the books closest to her. She wore a nightgown that was thin enough that the candlelight illuminated her figure through the cloth. Miles groaned softly at the sight of her full hips and breasts creating such tantalizing curves beneath the nightgown.

He knew he should turn around and go back upstairs, but he'd be damned if he could stay away from her when she looked like a tempting Gothic heroine in desperate need of seduction.

He whispered her name as he stepped into the library. "Becca..."

She gasped and turned to face him, but she soon relaxed when she saw it was him.