The Duchess Contest: A Jet City Billionaire Serial Romance

  Rose looked nothing like Helen, and was obviously pretending not to be unhappy about it. Which didn't prove anything one way or the other. Why should a distant niece look like Helen? It was just creepy that I did.

  Lazer took my arm. "There's no denying the late duke had good taste."

  Riggins flashed him a dagger look. That should have been his line. But it wasn't. It had rolled off Lazer's tongue, natural flattery.

  Beth tried gamely to discuss the other paintings in the room. But the crowd had lost interest and was given up to speculation and making up wild stories.

  Beth finally had to give up. "That concludes the tour. If anyone has any questions or would like to know more, I'd be happy to help."

  Kayla gasped suddenly and clutched her belly.

  Justin took her by the arms and stared into her eyes with the panicked look of an about-to-be-new-father. "Kay?"

  "Sorry!" Kayla laughed apologetically. "Particularly strong baby kick. Your brothers are going to be thrilled, Jus. This little girl kicks like a rugby player." She gasped again.

  "And she's tap-dancing on my bladder now. Sorry, everyone. I need to run. I think I'll go back to the room and get some rest before dinner." She sighed. "I haven't been this tired since the first few months. Carrying all this extra weight around."

  Justin put his arm around her and offered to take her up.

  "No, no. I'm fine." She kissed him quickly. "Stay here and visit with Riggins and Lazer."

  Rose had been almost morbidly fascinated by Kayla's baby bump. She winced when Kayla misjudged the space she needed to squeeze around the table and caught it with her bump. Kayla didn't strike me as clumsy. She seemed generally graceful.

  Rose had been trying to hide her reaction to Kayla's pregnancy. I sensed it made her uncomfortable and was an ugly distraction. Not something to look forward to. I hoped Riggins sensed it, too. I could evilly hope it was a deal breaker for him.

  Riggins invited Lazer and Justin to play billiards.

  "I'll walk up with you, Kayla," I offered.

  Rose and Sid joined us. All of our rooms were in the same wing along the same hall. Kayla invited us in to see her room. "Each one's different. I love ours. You have to see it. You have to promise to let me see yours later."

  She let us in. We wandered around looking at the various treasures, chatting while she used the bathroom.

  "Worst things about being pregnant—having to use the bathroom every five minutes and being exhausted all the time. I'm sure you all noticed how many times I disappeared during the tour." She shook her head. "And I have a dark line up my stomach now. Worse—it's crooked."

  "When are you due?" I asked her.

  "Not soon enough!" She laughed again. "I'm due in March. You have to see the tub in there." She pointed to the bathroom. "It's big enough for two—baby and me. I'm looking forward to a nice soak later. Floating defies gravity and takes the weight off." She sighed. "Maybe I can get Jus to join me. We can hope the warm water lulls baby to sleep. She usually likes to keep me awake at night.

  "And woe to us if we make love and wake her up. It's like making love with a basketball between us now, anyway. But when she starts kicking Jus!" She grinned. "Not very comfortable. Even hugging is awkward. All we can do is teepee hug. And even then the baby gets jealous and kicks Jus for sport."

  Sid and I laughed. Rose was quiet. The pregnancy talk seemed to make her uncomfortable. She excused herself early, saying she was fighting a headache.

  Sid and I went back to our room shortly after Rose left.

  "How do you think it's going?" Sid asked when we were safely in our rooms.

  I sighed. "Rose is waging an effective campaign. She seizes every opportunity to remind Riggins how aristocratic she is. How well she'd fit in in his new dukely world."

  Sid pursed her mouth to the side. "Maybe. But since seeing that picture of Helen and how much you look like her, I'm willing to bet the Dead Duke will pull out all the stops to make sure you win this competition."

  I laughed. "I wish that were true. I hate to tell you this, sis—but he's dead."

  "That hasn't stopped him so far." Sid grinned.

  Chapter 10

  Riggins

  After defeating Justin and Lazer soundly in billiards, I headed to my room. Lazer claimed pool was more his game and challenged me to a video game marathon. He kept complaining—

  what kind of pool table didn't have pockets? A billiard table, buddy.

  I would have held his poor sportsmanship against him, but Lazer reported having as little success turning Haley's head as I'd had losing Rose. Which made me almost stupidly happy.

  Rose had nearly surgically attached herself to me all afternoon. I slid into my room, ready to grab my laptop and attend to a few business matters. As I closed the door, I froze.

  What the hell? The lights were off. Candles were lit. And Rose was naked in my bed.

  "Duke, what do you say we test our sexual chemistry before the wedding? I don't think I could accept a man who isn't a good lover?"

  Hayley

  Sid was tired, too, and wanted to rest before dinner. Which worried me, like always. I read in our room for a while, then decided to go out and explore the house again on my own. I wanted to see that painting of Helen again up close without anyone watching me. I couldn't get it out of my mind.

  I shuddered to imagine how Rose would react with the picture of basically me hanging over us reminding her of my superior claim to the duchess title through a zillion courses at dinner. This wasn't what she'd bargained for when she'd wanted to see the castle. Then again, maybe it would fun watching her squirm.

  Mr. Thorne would be arriving soon. I was half hoping to run into him and ask him about that painting. Though odds were he wouldn't know much about it. I slid silently out of my room so I wouldn't disturb Sid just as Riggins' door opened down the hall. My heart jumped into my throat. I started to smile and almost raised my hand to wave.

  But it wasn't Riggins coming out of the room. Rose slid out with a sly look on her face. She looked my way. I went cold and numb. She caught my eye. I knew she did. Her sensual mouth molded into a smile. She looked away quickly, as if she was embarrassed. But she wanted me to see her. I knew she did. And to think the worst.

  I kept walking, right through the great hall and into the cold, dark fog outside. I needed air. I needed to breathe.

  Riggins

  Thorne caught me as I stepped into the hall from my room, ready to head to the great hall to wait for my guests to come down to dinner. "Your Grace."

  I invited him into my room so we could speak privately.

  "Well? What's the news?" I crossed my arms, bracing myself.

  "The DNA test results are surprising, sir. And confusing. Our expert is going over them again and preparing a report in layman's terms. I'd prefer to wait to deliver all the news until then. But I think you'll be pleased with the results. I certainly hope so."

  Would I? I frowned. "I'm running out of time." Though I thought I knew my own mind now, I wanted to be sure of my choice. "When will the final report be ready?"

  "Tomorrow morning at the latest, Your Grace. Maybe even later tonight."

  "You'll let me know?"

  "As soon as I have it, sir."

  "Is Lady Rose still in the running?" I watched Thorne closely.

  "I wouldn't rule her out just yet, sir." Thorne's smile was enigmatic.

  He was holding something back from me. And seemed pleased about it.

  Haley

  I didn't know why I did it. I had a choice. I could have worn the red gown. Or the blue. Each equally gorgeous. But I chose the pink sequined evening gown for dinner. The color was nearly identical to the gown Helen was wearing in her picture above the dining table. The cut was similar, just an updated version. I couldn't say that I hadn't done it intentionally, even though I'd had no idea how I was going to choose between them. Until the last minute.

  Sid tried to talk me out of it. "The comparison's to
o obvious."

  "Is it?" I was hurt and hard inside. Riggins had told me no sex before marriage. I'd assumed that included Rose. And no, I couldn't know for certain. But she'd been in his room and come out looking smug and rumpled. Satisfied with herself and maybe just plain old satisfied, period.

  "He needs to be reminded. I saw Rose coming out of his room, Sid. Remember?" My icy voice matched the way I felt inside. I didn't like either my voice or the feeling.

  Sid winced. I'd told her all about it as soon as I returned to my room.

  "It might not be what it looked like." Sid wasn't usually afraid to confront me, but this time she sounded timid and way too naïve.

  "At the very least, it was exactly what Rose wanted it to look like. And that's enough." I held my chin high as I accessorized with a long strand of beads that could have stepped out of the 1920s as well.

  "What's your plan?" Sid asked. "To bludgeon him with guilt?"

  "Maybe."

  Riggins was in the great hall, waiting at the bottom of the stairs talking to Mr. Thorne, Lazer, and Justin when Sid and I descended the stairs in our finery. Sid, of course, should have drawn all the attention.

  My eyes met Riggins'. I kept my chin high and my back straight. His eyes went wide and dark. He paused midsentence. I'd made an impression. Good, damn him.

  I was a shimmer of sequins and silk as Riggins offered me his arm. He leaned in and whispered in my ear, "You look hot."

  "Thank you. And thanks to you for the Flash wardrobe. Erica and Paige are fashion geniuses. Be careful or someone will snatch them away from Flash and you."

  He looked deep into my eyes. "Let them try. They'll never be able to match my counteroffer."

  The gong sounded. A footman opened the doors to the dining room. "Dinner is served, Your Grace."

  "Shall we?" Riggins said.

  I smiled as seductively as I knew how. "Yes. I'm starved."

  "Good." He led me into the dining room and pulled my chair out for me. He was seated at the head of the table with Mr. Thorne at the foot.

  I was seated on one side of Riggins next to Justin with Sid next to him. Rose was on Riggins' other side between Lazer and Kayla at dinner.

  "Isn't this jammy that we could all make it here this weekend?" Rose smiled at me, still smug. Still taunting.

  I forced my insecurity aside.

  "Wonderful." I returned her smile. Mine was as fake as hers was.

  Her gaze flicked between me and the painting of Helen behind me. "Are you channeling Helen in the hopes of bringing out her mother's ghost?"

  "Not at all. I purchased and packed this outfit without knowing about the painting. It's just coincidence. Like so many things here today." I kept smiling.

  Riggins had planned a ten-course Victorian-style meal. I was a light eater by nature and small in size. Just a mouthful or two of each course and I was stuffed by the time the fifth one was served. Conversation flew. Witty banter. Teasing.

  Riggins, Lazer, and Justin were old friends. They ribbed, teased, and generally tried to one-up each other in good fun. Thorne watched with quiet amusement, inserting his British humor at times.

  Rose. She was classy and clearly skilled in social graces. But these were dire circumstances, and she obviously couldn't stand to be ignored or outdone. Her voice pitched a little too high. Her laugh became too shrill. She tried a little too hard to be the center of attention, or at least of Riggins' attention.

  And Kayla seemed to make a point of pointing out the downsides of pregnancy just to see Rose's reaction. It was like she was goading her.

  I suspected Kayla's pregnancy talk was Riggins' doing. Another of his tests. Like Lazer flirting with me and now with Rose.

  What was Rose thinking? What were her battle and backup plans? Dangle another billionaire on a string? Keep him in reserve in case the billionaire duke didn't pan out? Was one billionaire as good as another? How could she resist the temptation of a second billionaire?

  Riggins paid a great deal of attention to me. Even though I was upset with him, and had no right to be, I couldn't help flirting back and falling back into our comfortable roles.

  "British for appetizer?" I said to him when the first course arrived.

  "Entrée." His foot brushed mine beneath the table.

  "You've been studying!" Despite the tension, I was enjoying myself.

  It was almost midnight when the after-dinner coffee and drinks were finally cleared.

  Kayla yawned. "I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to bail on you all and go to bed."

  Justin held her chair for her. The men all stood.

  "I'm going to turn in, too." Justin took his wife's hand.

  I imagined they wanted to try out that bathtub.

  "Watch out for ghosts." Riggins laughed. "Grace Wares is supposed to haunt the castle at night. Midnight is her favorite hour."

  Kayla shook her head. "You're awful, Riggins, scaring everyone just before bed." She cupped her belly. "Don't listen to him, baby. Mama's here to protect you." She smiled at Riggins and gave him a hug.

  To my surprise, she came over and hugged me, too. As she pulled me close, she whispered in my ear, "I hope you win. Don't let Rose get the best of you. And don't be afraid. Some of the greatest loves and best marriages started in unconventional circumstances. Take it from me."

  After she and Justin left, Mr. Thorne said goodnight. Sid went up to bed.

  Lazer took Rose's arm and asked her to go on a ghost hunt with him. "I have all the equipment." His tone was clearly lustful and full of innuendo.

  Riggins offered to walk me up, and took my hand. "I didn't get a chance to ask you—what do you think of the painting of Helen?"

  "You mean, what do I think about her looking like me?"

  "She came first, so you must look like her." He smiled that lovely smile that made his eyes crinkle.

  "Is that how it goes?" I shrugged. "It's eerie. But at least it explains why the Dead Duke wants me to be your duchess." I didn't see any harm in reminding him who the once and true duchess should be. "It's odd, though, how genetics work. People say I look more like my mom than my dad. But Mom didn't look like Helen, even though she was one generation closer to her."

  He grinned. "Genetics are a mystery."

  "I was wondering—do you look at all like the Dead Duke? Wouldn't that be the ultimate joke of fate?"

  "We'll have to find out. Maybe Thorne has a picture of him."

  "In his prime. Not as an old, wrinkly hundred-something-year-old. That won't be a fair comparison."

  Riggins came to a stop in front of a room, but it wasn't mine.

  "I'm there." I pointed to my room.

  "I know." His eyes sparkled. "This is my room. It's the King's Suite. Supposedly King George V spent a night here once. Would you like to see it?"

  My heart pounded in my ears as I nodded, unsure what, exactly, he was asking. "Sure."

  He opened the door. A fire crackled in the fireplace. Electric candles sparkled on the nightstands. The four-poster bed was expertly turned down. Maid service had been in.

  Before I could react, Riggins pulled me into his arms, cupped the back of my head, and tilted my face to his. "You look beautiful tonight, Haley. Absolutely stunning."

  His lips came down on mine, gently at first. I opened my mouth to him as he pressed me against him, and wrapped my arms around his neck.

  Kissing Riggins wiped all rational thought from my mind. He tasted good. He knew how to kiss. My heart sang. My heart raced. If he was just leading me on…

  His kisses slid from my mouth to my chin. He lifted the hair from my neck and trailed hot, insistent kisses down it while I grasped his hair and held his head to me, heart pounding so loudly he had to have heard it.

  He kissed the side of my neck, sucking, licking, teasing. I arched my neck back, encouraging him to kiss the hollow. Gasping as his kisses trailed down to the tops of my breasts.

  "I've been wanting to do this all night," he murmured as he slid the straps o
f my gown off my shoulders. "I can't stop thinking about you, Haley."

  He kissed my shoulders and the hollow where my pulse leaped for him. He shrugged out of his dinner jacket. "You're naked beneath this dress, aren't you? Your bouncing breasts have been making me hard all through dinner. You make me crazy with want."

  I loosened his tie and slid it off. Unbuttoned his shirt and pulled it loose from his pants. What are you doing, Haley? What are we doing? What does this mean?

  He swept his hands through my hair, pulled me close again, kissed the tops of my breasts, unzipped the back of my dress, and slid it off.

  I was naked beneath that dress. Or nearly so. I wore only a sheer thong panty and my heels. The firelight flickered over my bare skin and lit the angles of Riggins' face. He scooped me into his arms and carried me to the bed, laying me softly down on my back. Staring at me, he took his shirt and undershirt off. Revealing a hot body beneath. Sculpted abs. Firm biceps. A hard chest that rippled as he kicked off his shoes.

  He was definitely eye candy. But that wasn't what I liked best about him. Not that or his money. I just liked him—his wit, the way he smiled, the whole package.

  When he stared at them, my breasts budded up in the heat of the fire. I was terrified. But my fear didn't keep me from wanting him. So badly. Enough to face my fears and expose the inexperience I'd kept from everyone. But I wanted him to want me for more than just a night. I didn't want to our first time together to be an experiment. Or a test.

  I wanted it to mean something to him. I'd given him the wrong impression by coming into his room. I hadn't meant—

  Before I could say any of that, he lay down next to me on the bed, slid a finger beneath my thong, and bent to gently suck my breast.

  I whispered his name as his finger pleasured me and his hot mouth took possession of my breasts. He had me just where he wanted me. "Riggins. Riggins."

  His finger slid inside me. Then another. He knew exactly what he was doing as he found and caressed my clit. He was so experienced, and I…

  Was on the edge of pleasure. With a secret. "This isn't fair. I'm naked and you're still half dressed."