“It’s what my parents did.” He scrubbed his face with his hands. “It’s what is expected of me. My sacred duty. A duke’s responsibility to the title.”
“I’ll assume that means ‘yes.’” She swallowed hard. He was looking for the perfect woman… who was her exact opposite. Her fingers went cold. If she’d been looking for proof that they were wrong for each other in every way, well, there it was. She’dknownthey could never be more than friends. The least she could do was act like one. “I’ll help.”
His gaze jerked up in surprise. “You’ll help? How?”
“We’ll playact until it becomes second nature. You be the Duke of Azureford, and I’ll be… Debbie Debutante.” Carole fanned her face with an invisible fan and affected a nasal voice and bored expression. “Ugh, if I have to dance with one more viscount or earl, when everyone knows my dowry is fit for a duchy… Why, good evening, Your Grace. I’m sure you know your very large estate abuts my even larger one. My mother is cousin to the king. Is that a waltz I hear?”
“Stop it.” He knocked her pretend fan out of her hands. “That’s more or less the conversation that led to my parents’ union.”
“How did that work out?”
“It didn’t.” His dark gaze was distant and angry. “Everything they wanted from each other they got with the wedding contract. Other than the night they conceived me, I’m not certain they were ever in the same room again.” His eyes snapped to hers. “That is not the marriage I want.”
She tilted her head. “What do you want?”
“To comply with my ducal duties with a woman Ilike.” His expression was beseeching. “Wouldn’t you?”
“I have no ducal duties and I’m never getting married,” she replied evenly. “But we’re not talking about me. Let’s get you sorted first. How are you currently searching for a bride?”
“I visit Almack’s.” He gave a self-deprecating scoff. “And then stand there like a marble column.”
She winced. “That might be the problem.”
“I’ll probably do the same thing at the party.” He glared over her shoulder at the empty space in the middle of the room. “No matter how fancy my billiard table might be.”
“All right.” Carole rolled back her shoulders. She could do this.Theycould do this. “Let’s make a plan. Bride-hunting can’t be harder than the Excise Officers Allowance Act of 1812.”
His eyes widened comically. “You were listening to me?”
She nodded. “Now listen to me. This is what we’ll do. When the table arrives, I’ll teach you how to play billiards… and in the meantime, I’ll show you how to flirt with the ladies.”
“In return,” he said slowly, his expressive eyes not leaving hers, “I will do the same for you.”
She blinked. “I already know how to play billiards.”
“But do you have much experience with men?” The expression in his dark eyes was stormy. As though he would fulfill his ducal duties as required, even if part of him desired a woman who could never be a duchess.
A woman like… Carole.
“I’m not looking for a husband,” she said carefully.
“Who said anything about marriage?” His brown eyes were serious. “Just because I must select a Society wife doesn’t mean you have to give up your freedom.”
“Ha.” She pulled a face. If only that was a luxury she possessed. “Freedom to what?”
“To enjoy yourself.” He stepped closer. “Like you said, I’m limited to future duchesses. You can do as you please.”
Her throat went dry. Perhaps he, too, despised the thought of her promising herself to someone else. Perhaps he, too, wished they could ignore their divergent futures, just for a moment. Even if it could never be more than make-believe.
She licked her lips. “What would you do if you could do anything you wished?”
His gaze fell to her parted lips. “Do you want me to tell you or show you?”
“Show me.” Her heart pounded defiantly but she didn’t glance away.
Satisfaction glinted in his eyes. “With pleasure.”
Then his hands cupped her cheeks and his lips covered hers.
