Destined For A Duke (Completed)

Chapter 24

Brandon stayed silent on the matter of his parentage. Everyone wanted to know who his father was but nobody wanted to force it out of him. Ella was happy that at least now she had her sister.

Her relationship with Max had not progressed to anything at all. She wanted to be with him but she wanted Max to be the one to take the first step.

"Why can't you be the one to take the first step? We are living in the modern times, surely a Lady can do the courting?" Emma and George were taking tea with the two sisters when the discussion started.

"Maybe because I want to be courted." Ella said in frustration. Emma had said the same thing for the last hour. Ella was starting to think that her friend might soon join the suffragist.

"You are such a woman. Make him fall in love with you and then make him court you." Emma made wild gestures with her hands.

"He should have been in love with me by now. If he doesn't want me then I don't want him." Ella stubbornly answered.

"Well then,stop complaining." It was obvious by now that both women were now angry. Before the argument could advance to a fight Bella gently said.

"How about you ask Max to take you shopping? That way you will make the first move and it will not exactly be courting." The girls looked at each other before the giggles started. They looked at Bella with awe. It was a great solution. Now they understood why even men would ask for her opinion on things.

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Ella had announced over dinner that she wanted to go shopping and she wanted Max to accompany her. The very next morning she sat in the carriage on her way to milliner, trying to think of something witty to say. It came as no surprise that her brain wasn't cooperating.

She partially blamed Max for it. After all the man looked so sinfully good that her brain had turned into mush at sight. His white shirt was the only thing that was not navy blue. It accentuated the blue of his eyes. Ella thought back to what happened in the library and hummed softly. Maybe it will happen again. Hopefully they will not be interrupted this time.

When they arrived at the shop, Ella was surprised to see that it was full.

"You are surprised? Why?" Max asked as he tried to open the door. The shop was overflowing with customers.

"It never cross my mind that so many woman would want clothes this late in the season." Ella looked at all the elegantly dressed woman. The amount of fabrics that were available was overwhelming.

"Everyone wants to end The season with a great dress. They cannot do that in dresses they had already worn. Hence new dresses." Max had reached one of the shop assistants by now and started asking about the colors that would suit Ella. The assistant was a sweet girl named Rose. Ella decided to take every advice the girl gave because it seemed that she had a great eye for what would look good.

They were looking at different patterns for a dress when a Baroness started screaming. Her loud tantrum about the lack of attention that shop attendants gave her drew the Madame's attention and she was soon at the front of the shop. She quietly assessed the situation before asking for Rose.

"We will deal with mistresses later." It was an offhand comment that angered Ella. She knew that her coloring was a disadvantage but almost everyone knew her after the ball. Ella stood up to her full height with her spine straight and glared at Madame.

"I am sure you don't. However, I think you can make time for the Duchess of Stanford." Max stood beside her to show his support.

"This is my shop and I will serve any customer I want. It you don't want to wait then I suggest you leave." Madame waved her hand dismissively before turning towards the Baroness. Ella turned to leave. She could feel every patrons eyes on her. She wanted to fight back but knew that the woman was right. It was her shop.

"Rose, do you want a different job?" Max's demand stopped Ella. She turned around to see Max still in the same position. Madame, however, was now completely focused on Max.

"Yes?" Rose looked frightened but was curious enough to answer.

"How would you feel about running your own shop across the street?" Ella heard gasps from a few patrons. She felt herself blushing.

"You cannot take my worker just like that. She works for me, she is mine!" Madame screamed at Max.

"I can and I will. She's a free woman. We no longer have slaves here. Come on then Rose. Gather your things and let's go. We will be waiting for you in the carriage." Max gently pulled Ella on his way out.

Ella could not believe that her husband had defended her. She could not keep her eyes off his face as he helped her climb the carriage. He sat beside her and started to wait for Rose.

"Don't you worry about your gown. Rose will make all the gowns you need while I look at places for her shop. You don't ever have to see that woman's face. I will make sure that she is ruined. You have..." Before Max could utter another word, Ella attacked his lips.

The kiss started as a clumsy attempt by Ella. Max took control of it as soon as he realized what was happening. He guided Ella's lips, moulded them with his own and pushed his tongue inside. Ella followed his lead and started kissing him back properly.

Max pulled Ella into his lap to get a better grip on her waist. Ella gasped when he lightly but her lower lip. She started panting as Max continued to trail kisses and gentle bites down her neck. Her breasts felt heavier with his face so near them. She would have let him continue if someone had not knocked on the carriage door.

"Does the offer still stand?" Rose's timid voice asked from the other side of the door.

"Of course. Just give us a minute." Max answered as Ella left his lap take her seat. She saw the evidence of his arousal in his trousers. At long last, some evidence in her favour.

Naughty Max. How was this chapter? If you find any mistakes, tell me.