Undone by the Duke by Michelle Willingham

Author:Michelle Willingham [Willingham, Michelle]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2012-12-31T14:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

LATER THAT NIGHT, Victoria lay in her nightgown within her own bed. Though Jonathan had kissed her once more, bidding her goodnight, her thoughts lay in chaos. She didn’t know what had possessed her to let him touch her so intimately. What he must think of her now.

She buried her head in the pillow, her cheeks burning. Every part of her body felt alive, as if his touch had transformed her.

But even more, she now understood what he meant about the unmentionables. The early designs were flawed, suited to a maiden—not a lover. Her mind was caught up in transforming the designs, while her heart bemoaned the liberties she’d allowed him to take.

Though she tried to console herself with the fact that no one would know what she’d done, she couldn’t avoid her own shame. She’d behaved like a wanton, surrendering to the tremulous feelings and reveling in the pleasure he’d given.

The guilt plagued her, as she worried over how this had changed their friendship. She doubted if they could go back to what it was. If it had ever been anything at all.

Closing her eyes, she clenched her legs together, almost wishing she could erase the moment they’d shared. And yet, she didn’t regret it. He’d given her a gift, a glimpse of carnal knowledge that she never would have had otherwise.

Inside, the bleak truth remained. He was leaving. These moments with Jonathan would become memories, stolen fragments of a dream.

Unable to sleep, she pushed back the covers and lit one of the lamps. Her room was freezing cold, but she needed to occupy her hands. Anything to escape the tumultuous thoughts racing through her mind.

Victoria reached for the purple corset she’d been constructing earlier. The color was a rich amethyst, and the matching chemise had a drawstring to adjust for a woman’s bust. Staring at it now, she realized it was entirely too prim.

She seized a pair of scissors and began tearing out the seams, changing the construction while her mind drifted back to the moment Jonathan had touched her. Her hands reshaped the fabric, as she envisioned his hands upon her nipples, how he’d taken her into his mouth.

She worked through the night, sewing up the seams until her eyes blurred. When at last the first rays of dawn slipped across the horizon, she set the sewing aside. It was, by far, the most scandalous garment she’d ever created. Likely, it wouldn’t sell.

But she’d poured her own desires and needs into every stitch, remembering the swift pleasure that had consumed her. There were pieces of herself in this corset, dreams of another life.

She packed it away in brown paper, her feelings bruised and hurting. When it was done, she stared outside at the sunlight as it pierced through her window.

It would be today, she vowed. No matter how long it took, she would take her first step outside.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.