“Sensible and compatible. I am sure you swooned right there.”
“Swooning is a ridiculous sentiment,” Prim said resolutely. “And in his way, the Duke is perfectly capable of making a woman swoon.”
“I can hardly believe that.”
“On behalf of women, Your Grace, I would like to enlighten you on a matter you might find puzzling but quite educational too. You don’t need to be a charming rake to make a woman swoon. Shocking, I know.”
Leo’s smile faded immediately. He stopped so abruptly that Prim almost stumbled. She looked up to him, her sarcastic expression morphed into surprise. The playful glint in his eyes sharpened into a predatory look. He leaned in, closing the distance between them more than propriety dictated.
“Is that so?”
“All I am saying is that some women they prefer substance to style.”
If looks could kill. Prim would be lying on the thick grass as tragic, beautiful corpse.
“Tell me, Miss P.J.,” his voice dropped into a soothing purr. “Does he make your breath catch?”
Leo notices with satisfaction that her breath did exactly that as Prim looked at his eyes like a startled doe.
“Do your knees forget how to stand?” His voice lowered into a rough whisper. “Does he make you forget every sensible, compatible thought till all that exists is the space between your lips?”
Leo leaned in closer, his eyes dropping to her lips. Prim’s chest was struggling to control her breathing, and without thinking, she bit her lower lip. If he just-
“Leo!”
The voice fell like cold water on them both, shocking them apart. Leo looked up only to find Edwin and Abigail, arm in arm and with a wide smile on their faces.
“How lovely to meet you!” Abigail’s enthusiasm was evident in her bright eyes.
Leo was less enthusiastic about the ill-timed interruption.
“What an unexpected…delight,” he deadpanned.
“I am sure your walk has been… delightful,” Edwin said pointedly.
The two men have been friends and partners in crime for way too long. It was virtually impossible for Leo to hide from Edwin, who looked at him with amusement. The women linked arms and smiled at each other.
“Well, why haven’t I thought of that?” Abigail lamented. “We could have arranged a picnic, the four of us.”
Prim was still struggling to catch up with reality. Going from losing her composure and biting her lip to exchanging pleasantries was a complete change of pace. Leo watched her as she beamed at Abigail, the Duchess’s smile warm enough to be infectious.
“It is very interesting to see you so invested in this…endeavor,” Edwin whispered.
“I am not invested,” Leo hissed. “I am merely participating for an allocated time and purpose.”
“The purpose being…?”
“I think it has been a while since we entered the ring together,” Leo threatened.
“Don’t mind them,” Abigail said. “They tend to behave like schoolboys.”
They walked together, the four of them, Abigail and Prim, heads together, whispering and laughing while Leo had to endure Edwin’s silent judgment. At some point, Prim’s chaperone tripped on a stone. Abigail sent her back to the Jenkins household, relaying the message that she would be taking care of Prim.
“You will be riding with us on the way back. I would love to meet your family,” Abigail said with enthusiasm.
Leo noticed how Prim’s jaw tightened. He realized that Prim was afraid of how her parents would treat the Duchess.
“I believe that is my obligation as her suitor,” Leo said and took Prim’s arm. “Let’s keep our walk.”
