“I can think of more than one way to be a menace, my lady.” His voice came out huskier than he intended and he watched herblush travel down her neck. He had to stop himself from looking too closely at her neck, and even lower, but wishing he could kiss his way down her reddened skin.
Penelope cleared her throat and leaned back in her chair, taking a sip of her tea. Neither of them said anything to fill the silence. Evan knew if they continued talking, he would betray how much he desired her at this particular moment, and despite all of their conversation of him being a villainous rogue, he was not looking to truly scandalize her or make her uncomfortable.
Perhaps she was already uncomfortable or simply saw no point in further conversation, because she didn’t make any effort towards more conversation either.
When all the tea and food were gone, the young lady stood up, along with her companion. He stood up as well. “Well, it’s been a pleasure, Your Grace,” she said, giving him a quick curtsy. She tripped over her own feet and lost her balance for a brief moment. He started to reach out to grab her and steady her, but stopped himself at the last moment. They were in a public place, after all.
“Careful there,” he murmured instead.
She flashed him a smile in response. “I am sure you don’t want to see me ever again. It is a shame it didn’t work out. I wish you the best of luck on your hunt for a bride.”
He knew one thing for sure: he could not let their acquaintanceship end here. “Actually, I do want to see you again. Perhaps next week?”
CHAPTER 4
Joanna stared up at the strange man who towered over her now that they were standing. His face was still arranged in a scowl while his cold blue eyes bored into her. His anger had been rising throughout the date, she was certain of that.
He rose to her provocations and even threatened her at the end. How else was she to interpret it when he said he could be a menace? Everyone knew he was a menace after everything that had happened with the baker and baron, even if his motives were more admirable than the ton realized.
What she would certainly not think about was how sensual the threat sounded from him, and how it sent a thrill of excitement down her spine.
“My lady? Did you hear me? Will you be available next week?”
Certainly, she misheard the words that just left him. “I beg your pardon?” she managed to say weakly.
“May I see you again next week, Lady Penelope?” he said smoothly.
The scandal sheets mentioned the Duke of Ice to be cold-blooded and ruthless when it came to business. But they never mentioned he might be completely devoid of common sense. “Why?” She asked.
“You intrigue me,” he said. “I admit, I was not looking forward to today. I thought your company would be tedious and dull. Instead, I am pleasantly surprised.”
Of course. She was entertainment for him. Most likely, he wanted to toy with her for fun until he decided to get serious about finding a proper wife. Perhaps it would even entertain him to humiliate her further in front of theton.
Joanna finally recovered her senses enough to wipe the stunned look off her face. She drew herself up to her full height and glared at him. “Is that how you attempt to flatter a lady? To imply you thought her tedious and dull? I am glad I managed to exceed your high expectations of this date, but you have failed to meet my very low expectations. I do not wish to have another date with you. Good afternoon.”
As she turned to leave, he caught her wrist and spun her around to look at him. Joanna’s eyes widened. His firm grip on her wrist sent a frisson of excitement through her. His hand wasincredibly warm and gentle. She snatched her hand back before she could think further on the feeling.
“How dare you!” she hissed as she looked around. Thankfully, everyone else in the shop was absorbed in their own conversations, and no one noticed his improper touch.
The duke did not look phased in the slightest. Instead, his gaze was unyielding as he watched her, as if he were a hunter tracking his prey. “In what ways have I failed to meet your low expectations?”
She felt frozen to the spot, and her breath caught in her throat. Even though he was no longer holding onto her wrist, he had effectively trapped her all the same. His look was enough to keep her still. “You remind me of a hawk,” she finally managed to say.
“A hawk? A Beast then?”
“The worst kind!”
“Oh, but ladies love Beasts. They’re the only ones who can make you scream,” he said with a slow smile.
“Well, that may be so…But they still don’t meet with them for second dates.”
She reached out her right hand, searching for Lydia’s hand or arm, just to ground herself at the moment before she drowned inhis blue eyes. Lydia understood. She grasped Joanna’s hand and quietly steered her to the exit.
Joanna breathed a sigh of relief as soon as they were out the door. “Did I hallucinate?” she whispered to the older lady. “I must have come down with a horrible fever that causes grotesque delusions. That’s the only way to explain what just happened.”
“If you are referring to His Grace desiring to see you again, then I am afraid you did not hallucinate that, my lady.” Lydia was no longer trying to hide her smile.
“Perhaps he is the one having delusions, then.”
