“Thank you, Grimes,” she said, smiling up at the elderly retainer who had always been kind to her.
“Always a pleasure, Miss Temple,” he said, taking her cloak and other items.
She hoped she had not made a mistake in handing them over. It would not take her long to complete her business and then be on her way.
However, the cup of tea and ginger cake were most welcome. She had been making her rounds to the needy all morning long. As a delicious heat seeped into her bones, she had to admit that the day’s activities had left her cold and tired.
The afternoon sunlight had failed to chase the chill from the air.
The duke said nothing as she drank her tea and took a bite of the ginger cake.
“All right, Miss Temple of Virtue,” he said once she appeared to have warmed up, “tell me what is on your mind.”
Temple of Virtue, indeed.
Did he always have to be so rude?
The first thing on her mind was that she wanted to hit him over the head with the teapot. He seemed to take particular delight in riling her. What was so wrong with remaining respectable while holding out for a love marriage? Andnotliberally giving out her favors in the meanwhile? Not that she was likely to marry now that she was just shy of thirty years old and considered firmly on the shelf.
Worse, she had never been kissed.
He knew it, for rakish beasts like him seemed to sense these things. This was why he mockingly referred to her as Miss Temple of Virtue. Fortunately, he saved his mockery for whenever they were alone.
She appreciated that small regard, but he was still an unpleasant curmudgeon and a completely arrogant oaf. Itdid not matter that he was handsome and seemed to grow handsomer with each passing year. Other women might find him irresistible when he graced them with one of his devastating smiles.
Shecertainly did not.
“That spine of yours will crack if it stiffens any further,” he remarked, finding her indignation most amusing.
He resembled a dark-maned lion toying with a helpless mouse before eating it. Big. Powerful. Daunting.
She did not like to think of herself as a helpless mouse. In truth, she was not easily daunted.
“I find it hard to feel at ease around you, Your Grace. Why do you purposely rile me at every turn? What have I ever done to you? If you do not wish to help out those to whom you owe a duty, then just say so and I will be on my way. Frankly, I have had enough of your high-handed manner. I refuse to get down on my knees and beg you for crumbs.”
“Down on your knees?” He was giving her that intensely smoldering look again, that “beast amusing itself with its prey” regard that made her want to reach for the teapot again and crack it over his head. “Much as I would enjoy having you in that position before me…”
Why did he make this pious gesture sound dirty?
He cleared his throat. “Here is what I propose…”
Ugh.
He was going to bargain with her now? Why could he not simply give her the money and allow her to be on her way? “This has all been a waste of time,” she muttered, getting to her feet and glancing out the window. “The snow is falling harder. I do not have time to knock heads with you. Pray, do not exert yourself by seeing me out.”
He rose too, looming quite large beside her even though she was not a short woman. “I have not dismissed you, Ailis.”
She glanced up, startled he was using her given name. It sounded soft upon his lips.
“I really must go, but thank you for the tea, Your Grace. I shall rule you off the charity ball committee, put you down as having offerednothingfor the needy, and will never trouble you again. Enjoy your cold and lonely holidays.”
He burst out laughing and gently grabbed her hand. “Sit down. Gad, you are impudent. I won’t keep you long, for I realize the weather is turning dangerous. Despite my ogrish reputation, I do not ever wish you to come to harm.”
“That is remarkably thoughtful of you. Quite out of character.” She frowned at him. “Why not show similar care to those in the village who truly need it?”
“Perhaps I ought to be more tolerant,” he admitted. “But everyone always seeks to take from me.”
“As I am doing now?”
