Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 97740 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 489(@200wpm)___ 391(@250wpm)___ 326(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97740 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 489(@200wpm)___ 391(@250wpm)___ 326(@300wpm)
‘Naturally, I told him we were not, but I should like to be.’
I laugh under my breath. The Duke could be regarded as a brave, brave man. Or he simply does not care. I conclude it is the latter, for my father is not a man to be feared. Being angry has always been somewhat of an effort for him, which makes his grim mood and snappy words of late harder to accept.
Of course, I am not surprised by the brick wall the Duke was faced with, but I am rather surprised that he took such drastic action. Because he was concerned for me? I do not wish to tell His Grace that I was, in fact, feeling like death in my bed. He would drop me like a hot coal, I’m sure, and, save my soul, I am liking this closeness far more than I should. But I mustn’t. I mustn’t! ‘I did not wish to see you,’ I snap, wriggling.
He inhales. ‘Do not squirm like that Eliza. I cannot promise to control myself.’
I still immediately, alarmed by the hardness of something pressing into my lower stomach. It’s disturbing, if only because this dress is rather padded, so the Duke is quite clearly well-endowed.
Good heavens.
He takes a moment, his eyes low. Then he looks at my bonnet. ‘What is this?’ he asks with a disapproving scowl.
I roll my eyes. ‘It is not of my choice.’
‘Then why are you wearing it?’ he says. ‘My defiant, wilful lady.’
‘If I were defiant, I would be fighting you off and screaming for assistance.’
His eyebrows jump up. ‘I think I would like the thought of a physical altercation.’
‘Then perhaps you should wait upon Lady Dare to knock at your door.’
His eyes widen. Mine narrow. ‘I do not care for that woman.’
‘Then why did you let her into your home on the eve you demanded I leave?’
‘You were spying? Again?’ he asks. Guilty. ‘Had you waited a few minutes, you would have seen Hercules escorting Lady Dare back out.’
Oh? Well, that is pleasing.
Then his face comes so close, for a moment I am terrified he will kiss me. He must not!
‘My mother,’ I whisper.
‘She is far too busy fabricating the latest tale of my sins.’ His hot breath is drenching my face. ‘I expect by morn, I will have been brandishing a pistol at the milliner.’
I cannot hide my amusement. ‘I am beginning to think you enjoy being the talk of the square.’
‘I enjoy your company far more.’
‘Well,’ I say on a laugh. ‘You are not going about the right way of gaining anyone’s approval in that regard. We have had it confirmed that my father would probably rather die than allow me to so much as take a walk with you.’
‘Pity.’
‘It is,’ I murmur, my eyes falling to his lips. My thoughts are positively sinful. ‘We have done far more than simply take a walk together without a chaperone.’ I have been alone with this man. On numerous occasions. If anyone were to discover my transgressions, I would be ruined forever. Not that I care for the approval of the ton. I simply care for the wellbeing of my father. And the Duke? Well, he will go on about his business of intimidating and brooding. His reputation is of little consequence, since it is obliterated already.
‘We have,’ he agrees, his face a picture of contemplation.
‘But as I have told you on numerous occasions, Your Grace,’ I whisper. ‘I am promised to another.’
‘Yes, your father may have mentioned the nitwit.’
I take my lip between my teeth.
‘Do not do that, Eliza.’
‘Why?’ Whatever am I saying? I must not encourage this madness. There can be no pleasant ending.
‘Just…’ He frowns, breaking his body away and raking a hand through his hair. ‘This is all rather unfortunate.’
‘What is?’ I breathe, trying and failing to gather myself.
‘I find I rather like your company.’
‘And that is a surprise?’
‘Indeed, it is.’
I think what the Duke is trying to say but also not say so not to insult me – my god, he isn’t entirely without reason or feelings – is that he had only allowed for physical intimacy. He had not expected to actually like me. ‘So you really do like me?’
He looks up at me on a roguish grin that could melt me. ‘You have a kind heart, Eliza.’
I snort. ‘I think perhaps you do too, under all of that brooding.’
‘Shhh,’ he hushes me playfully, and I roll my eyes.
‘Why are you so determined to make everyone dislike you? Imagine if… you were liked.’
His head cocks curiously. ‘Yes,’ he muses, so thoughtful. ‘Just imagine.’
I look back towards the main promenade. ‘I really must go. I’m sure my mother will soon be finished detailing her brush with death in the milliner’s shop.’
‘I must see you again.’ His tone is demanding, not pleading. ‘Tonight. We will… have pleasant conversation and drink wine from Italy.’