The young lady hurried to catch up, a look of indignation on her face. “You cannot just announce something like that, Your Grace,” she said. “Believe it or not, I have a choice in the matter as well.”
“Do you?” He retorted as he walked into another room of the gallery. “Your parents approve of me. I simply have to keep sending you invitations, which they will accept on your behalf.”
This room was smaller and featured paintings by a little-known artist—no doubt a favorite artist of one of the larger donors for the gallery, but one who sparked little interest in anyone else. He doubted they would be disturbed here. Even better, her chaperone hadn’t realized they had left. He was truly alone with her now, and he felt a rush of satisfaction at the thought.
She hadn’t realized her predicament yet. Instead, she was giving him a look of outrage. “I promise you, Your Grace, if you try to court me against my will, then I will make your life a living hell.”
“I look forward to seeing you try,” he said, smirking. “It was quite entertaining the last time you tried.” He stepped closer to her and grabbed her gloved hand. It was so small compared to his own. “I think you will find my company not nearly as tedious as you expect.”
She tugged at her hand and he reluctantly let her pull it out of his grasp. “I never said your company would be tedious. I said I am not ready to find a husband, no matter what my parents think. I assure you, my decision has nothing to do with your character.”
“If you have no objections to my character, then you won’t mind going on dates with me.”
“Didn’t you hear what I just said?” She looked so indignant that he had to smile.
“Yes, my lady. You object to ensnaring a husband this Season. I assure you, I’m far from ensnared. Believe it or not, the Season can still end without an engagement being announced.” He grabbed her hand again, his thumb brushing gently against her knuckles. “Perhaps I am perfectly happy not going home with a wife this Season. Perhaps I just want to get to know you.”
A small furrow appeared between her eyebrows. “Why would you possibly want to get to know me, Your Grace, if not to marry me?”
“Because you’re the most fascinating person I’ve spoken to in a long time.” He brought her hand up to his lips for a brief kiss. He wished he could kiss her bare skin instead of the soft fabric of her gloves.
She blushed as she looked up at him, but she did not pull away. Instead, she seemed entranced as she looked at him.
He stepped closer to her and leaned down until his lips were mere inches away from her own. He could smell her sweet perfume and he wanted to bury his face in her neck and breathe in the scent.
“Perhaps you were right to compare me to a hawk, Lady Penelope,” he murmured. “The thing about hawks is they always get their prey.”
CHAPTER 8
Joanna’s body felt warm all over. She hadn’t realized he had lured her to a secluded area until it was too late. Now he was holding her hand as he was about to kiss her.
And the worst part? She wanted him to.
This entire date was a lie. She truly enjoyed her time with him. But if he knew the truth about who she was, then he would never look at her twice.Maybe one kiss will not hurt. Would it not be nice to pretend for a little longer?
He gently touched the underside of her chin with his index finger to lift her face to meet his own. She inhaled sharply as heat spread through her and smelled his slightly musky cologne. She looked down at his soft lips, getting closer and closer and knew it would be so easy to let him kiss her.
She could not do that, and she knew it. It would be wrong. Right before their lips touched, she put her hands on his chest and pushed him away. She did her best not to notice how muscular his chest was, but was not completely successful at ignoring that fact.
He looked surprised and disappointed. His eyes were dark with desire, but he didn’t try to pull her back in for a kiss.
Joanna swallowed. “We cannot, Your Grace. I am simply not interested in you.”
She turned away to look at the paintings on the wall. None of them were particularly interesting. All of them were still lifes of pears in different arrangements. But it was better than looking at the duke at this particular moment, especially as she tried to get control of herself.
He didn’t move from his spot. She wasn’t sure if she was disappointed or not that he wasn’t closing the short amount of distance between them. “Forgive me,” he said softly. His voice brushed over her skin like velvet. “I forgot myself for a moment. My lady, I understand you are not interested in marriage, and frankly, I am not interested in courting an unwilling lady. But I enjoy spending time with you. Perhaps we can come to a mutually beneficial agreement.”
She didn’t trust herself to speak, so she kept looking at the painting in front of her. If she spoke or even looked at him, then he would see just how willing she was, and he would never give up the hunt.
When she didn’t reply, he continued speaking again. “Even if I stop sending you invitations, other gentlemen surely will, and your parents will simply accept them on your behalf again. I will also be forced to turn my attentions to other eligible ladies because my grandmother is determined to see me married off this season. However, if I publicly court you for the rest of the Season, then your family will not push you to entertain other suitors, and the dowager duchess will not send invitations to other ladies without my knowledge. At the end of the Season, we can part ways amicably without harming either of our reputations, if that is what you wish. I will accept your decision and be grateful to have been able to spend time with you at all.”
Joanna swallowed, trying to eradicate the lump in her throat, but it stubbornly persisted. “Bloody hell,” she whispered. “I never expected you to be this kind.”I never expected to enjoy your company as much as you enjoy mine.
“Is that a yes?” His voice was still gentle and full of hope.
“No, I cannot.”
“Why not? I can ensure you no longer have to fend off suitors this Season. Isn’t that what you want?”
