Chapter 23 Seduction and Perdition

"Please, don't play with my heart. I have gone through many hardships in my life. My heart has been torn into pieces more than once... You know all my sorrows and those awful moments I've been through, so please speak to me with the truth. Can I trust you? Can I love you? Do you love me?" Leila took so seriously her acting role and with exaggerated 'I'm the good girl' tone, she clung onto the Duke's neck. Their faces were just a few inches apart.

"Of course I am speaking the truth. I can't be more honest that I'm with you now. My love, what I want is to share my life with you for the rest of my days. You are the woman that I care for and love. I want you to be my wife. I'll be the happiest man in the world with you by my side." Lord Aelderic sealed his proposal with an effusive kiss.

Leila reacted like the experienced seductress she was. She intertwined her fingers in the man's hair caressing all the way back to the base of his neck. He immediately pulled the woman's body closer to his and Leila felt the duke's erection and that assured her victory.

"Oh, Aelderic, I love you so much. You have brought to my life light and joy since I met you. Your attention and affection... your caresses and kisses have erased all those harsh and horrid moments I experienced when I was kidnapped by those evil men. My life now bears a new meaning. I've found a reason to smile and love again...You." Leila cried faked tears and joy.

"There's no need of recalling those terrible moments! I swearer to you that no one would ever put a hand on you. Only me and that will be to replenish you with caresses and kisses filled with ardent passion and delight... Now, my love we just need to wait for your parents' arrival to formally ask for their blessing and everything will be set up." The Duke held Leila's hands and kissed her on the forehead.

Leila opened her eyes wide and stared at the duke with an expression of terror on her face. How could she have missed that detail? She stammered in her sudden reaction. "Wa-wait! Why wait if we love each other? I... I love you with all my heart. I can't wait any longer to be your wife. I crave for you so much that I do not know if I would be able control myself. You don't know what things you provoke in me with your rich kisses and such a passionate touch." Leila was all over the duke cornering him against the wall. The woman placed one of her legs between the man's legs and rubbed his member with her thigh making him pant with excitement and that put him in a situation over the one he would lose control at any moment.

Lord Aelderic only wanted to take her right there on the couch, on the floor... wherever it was. He wanted her more than his body could stand or ever wished for. He was drunk by her fresh scent of roses and honey and he got lost it in her hypnotizing onyx eyes. "Oh, woman you drive me crazy. I want you... But Leila, please, my love, I think it would be wiser to wait until your parents came to receive his blessing... I don't want to disrespect you."

a great surprise for them to find me alive and happy... Don't you think the dream of all parents is to see their daughter married to a wonderful man... like you." Leila was kissing the duke's lips again. Licking and biting softly the man's lower lip. Poor Aelderic closed his eyes and could do nothing. His body was on fire. Heat was everywhere. Obviously this woman knew what she was doing and how to use her perfect and sensual body to get what he wanted... money or blood.

Lord Aelderic swallowed the lump in his throat and cleared it a couple of time to let the words pass though. "Lovely Leila... I still think we should wait. Let's see... I propose to you one thing. If in three days the messenger doesn't come with your parents or at least a message from them, we will get married right away. What do you think? Meanwhile, I'll call you darning for measures on the dress to wear and will go buy jewelry and all the things you need for the wedding. Then, that's plenty of time for Ardith to recover. Doctor finds her a little better and I have faith that the disease that afflicts her will be gone by that. I'm confident that the news of our wedding will ease her sad heart." Lord Aelderic took Leila's hands and tried to make her understand that it was better to wait.

Leila's expression was severe. This is not the way she wanted things to happen. She needed to get married before that hideous and insipid duchess wakes up. Leila knew it was the only way to become as rich as she was. It had been her dream all her after-death existence. To become a powerful duchess and recover what was stolen from her. Leila needed to do something to make all this happen, but for the moment she would have to play the role of the innocent damsel.

"You are right my love in all what you say. I accept your proposal. We should not rush things up and yes, we must wait for my parents to arrive. I missed them so much. They must be so happy now that they know I'm alive... I thank everyday Heaven for bringing me to the doors of your abode. You have made me so happy since that time to now." Leila dismissed giving the duke a kiss. He was still against the wall watching the woman walking away with cadence. He got lost in the swaying movement of her hips. Lord Aelderic wiped the sweat from his forehead with his silky handkerchief. He made a promise of not dishonoring her, but he didn't know if he could be able to keep it. He wanted so much that woman in his bed... He would need to find a duty hard enough to keep his mind and body busy enough to stop thinking of Leila in such a lustful way.

Lord Aelderic left the living room that still smelled of Leila and walked up the second floor. He thought of his poor daughter. Yes, to marry Leila was the best option. She was a healthy and strong young woman who would bore him many children. If Ardith didn't improve, at least Leila would help him take care for her daughter. And if something bad happened to the young duchess, Leila would give him heirs. Lord Aelderic stopped in the middle of the hallway to shake away that last thought. He wouldn't be able to stand the thought of losing his beloved daughter. The lump in his throat was harder to swallow when thinking of a fatal outcome for his daughter.

Lord Aelderic was standing in front of his daughter's room. He took a deep breath and hoped for the best to see. When the door opened the smell of medicinal herbs filled his nostrils. Lord Aelderic approached to the bed and the pallid face of his daughter made him lose his hopes. Ardith in fact showed some improvement but she still lacked the candid vigor that characterized her. At least she was breathing. Her chest rose and fell rhythmically... but slowly. She was only awakened to feed and to be washed by the maids. The rest of the time was spent sleeping. Baron Ascili watched over her health state as usual. He'd explained the duke that once Ardith was fully recovered, she could better assimilate things, including Orla's death.

Lord Aelderic still couldn't understand how her daughter accused Leila of doing such atrocities: Killing people to drink their blood. Assassin to feed on humans like a cannibal... not his Leila. She was the most heavenly creature on Earth. That could only be the product of her illness and her weak state of mind.

Lord Aelderic stroked his daughter's silky blonde hair. Ardith looked like an angel in the tranquility of that tucked deep sleep. The duke leaned and gave her a kiss on her forehead and gave her a bedtime blessing. "Please Jesebelle, don't hesitate in calling me if you notice any change, good or bad in her condition. I want to be the first one to know." Lord Aelderic gave instructions to the maid who served as chaperone for her daughter and proceeded to leave the room. The rest of the day he will spend it arranging everything for his wedding with Lady Leila Von Dorcha.

Late night, Lord Aelderic was his room's lavatory. He reviewed all the things he did while he took a warm and foamy bath in his bronze tub. He had already sent message to the bishop, the seamstress, and the notary. The duke had also ordered which would be the menu for the day when Leila's parents arrived. He had already sent to buy groceries and all that was needed for his wedding celebration. A letter on his desk was waiting to be opened. He had not even read the sender. Lord Aelderic was too tired to attend other matter.

After taking the bath he walked all naked out of the bathroom. His huge canopy bed looked so inviting, he just wanted to dive in the soft feather stuffed mattress the way he was. A soft breeze blew through the window making him shiver. Wearing his night robe seemed to be a better idea after all. He needed some rest. The next day will be full of tasks to attend.

Lord Aelderic was getting dressed to sleep thinking of the latest news sent from the southern regions where the battle was held. He would also need to send a new letter to Edmund to make sure he was fine. The duke walked to his bed but he felt the strange sensation of being observed. He knew he was not alone in his room. Indeed, by turning to his left he saw Leila standing right in the middle of his alcove wearing only a translucent night garment that allowed the duke to see all the beautiful feminine details in her body. His gaze scanned over every inch of Leila's womanhood. Lord Alderic was astounded by her firm and erect nipples, her flat stomach and the curved line of her thin waist down to her rounded hips. All her femininity was exposed under those revealing cloths.

"Oh, my beloved maiden, what are you doing almost naked in my bedroom? Do you want me to lose control? You have no idea of what you are provoking. Oh my God you are so perfect. There's no other woman like you in this world or beyond... you are an angel... a goddess. The most beautiful and ethereal being my eyes have seen." The duke retreated, seeking refuge for his carnal desires in the other side of his huge bed. But Leila walked with cadence towards the man. She dropped her robes to the floor completely exposing all her nakedness.

The evil woman knew what she wanted and how she was going to get it. Playing the innocent and pure maiden's from the wood girl was not an option. She needed to seduce the duke as she did with Ardith. Making love was something she mastered and a weapon she would use at this moment... again. The sway of her hips enthralled the duke that could no longer contain himself.

"Make me yours." Leila whispered in her melodious voice. She was closer... and closer to the Lord Aelderic who was still standing next his bed incapable of lifting a finger. He was hypnotized, spell bounded by Leila's stunning and sensual movements.

"Leila ... this is not right... My....-" The duke tried to talk but it was difficult. He could only utter in a whisper some words as if imploring for some mercy. But Leila had her plans and she was implacable, merciless. The woman clung to the man's neck. The dark haired belle was all naked and he could the brush of her ethereal body next to his. He could smell Leila and that drove him crazy.. Her breasts pressed against his chest and Lord Aelderic gasped lost in passion. He leaned and kissed her ardently. It was too much temptation for him and he was about to sin... the most pleasurable sin of all. Lord Aelderic grabbed Leila by her waist and placed her on his bed. Both melted in fervent kisses and caresses. They moaned and cried of ecstasy as their naked bodies writhed frantically on the bed that night.