Stupid girl! You have no money to give him!
He only chuckled and dangled the parchment between them. Celine lunged for it, but he pulled his hand back just out of reach.
“Not so fast,” he murmured. “Do you truly think so little of its value?”
Her eyes narrowed. “What else could you possibly want?”
The corner of his mouth twitched. “I ask you to fulfill the list…” His pause made her heart thud against her ribs. “With me.”
“How dare you!” Celine sputtered before she could fully comprehend his offer. “You think me a light?—”
“I am not dishonoring you as you seem to assume.” He stepped toward her, and she was tempted to retreat a step but held her ground.
He extended his hand, and when she looked down, she saw—to her greatest surprise—that he was giving her the list.
His fingers brushed hers as she snatched it, and her skin tingled at the contact. Relief flooded through her, her shoulders dropping as she clutched the list, its weight a reminder of her folly.
“Why did you give it back?” she asked, despite herself.
A voice in her head warned her against probing, but she ignored it.
“Well,” he murmured, turning toward the door, “I’ll be on my way. I was going to offer you something far more valuable, though. One that will not only honor you, but also encourage you to shine.”
Something more valuable? Celine was too perplexed to understand anything.
“What do you want?”she was tempted to ask.
He was almost out the door when she called, “Wait.”
Her voice was sharper than she had intended, but she stood there, her heart pounding.
Rhys turned, his expression far too pleased, as if he’d baited her perfectly.
“Out of curiosity,” she emphasized. “And don’t take this as me accepting, but what were you about to offer?”
He stepped closer, far closer than propriety allowed, his boots nearly touching her slippers. The air thickened, charged with the scent of his sandalwood cologne and her lingering perfume.
“Something you’d find intriguing,” he murmured, his eyes locked on hers.
He took her ungloved hand, his touch warm and gentle, and raised her wrist to his lips, pressing a slow, deliberate kiss against her pulse.
Celine’s breath hitched, her skin prickling as warmth raced up her arm. She refused to retreat, lifting her chin defiantly, though her heart hammered.
“And what might that be?” she asked, her voice steady despite the heat flooding her.
“To fulfill your list with me.” He repeated it like a tease.
“How?”
“Oh, it’s very simple,” he said, his voice a dangerous purr. He stepped closer still, the heat of his body enveloping her. “By making you my Duchess.”
Chapter Four
“Me? A duchess?” Celine’s voice rang through the drawing room, sharp and incredulous, as she paced the floral-patterned rug, her blue muslin dress swishing with each step.
She clutched a scone, crumbs scattering across her fingers as she took a fierce bite, her black hair slipping from its loose chignon.
The morning light streamed through the tall windows, glinting off the silver tea tray on the mahogany table, where Lady Helena Ayles and Lady Dahlia Hill sat, their eyes wide with amusement.
