“Indeed, you’re correct. I’ve been developing Lord Golden, the dark knight, and Oph—sorry, Lady X’s characters for over a year. Moran wished for me to change her name. Although fictitious, they’re all near and dear to my heart.” She twisted her neck to look at me, the smile back in play. “What kind of book are you writing?”
“It is a sleuthing novel, like Sir Author Conan Doyle.” I moved to the locked cabinet at the back of the library. The books in question were very risqué, and the subject matter was taboo. I had locked them away in case the duchess snooped, which she did with much frequency. Lord Kendrick had moved here for privacy, but I thought she was lonely, thus the reasons for her visit. Rather like Lady Lillian’s.
“Oh, I’m an avid reader of his works. Such clever prose and the mysteries are most thought-provoking.” She followed close behind me, her voice picking up momentum. A faint scent of lilies drifted in the air, reminiscent of her name. She must favor the fragrance for that reason.
My heart belonged to Lord Kendrick, but Lady Lillian grew in her appeal. Why others didn’t notice was baffling.
“Hence my passion for the genre. He is a master storyteller. I hope to emulate him.” It was nice to have someone to confide in.Lord Kendrick didn’t know about my longtime infatuation, nor would I tell him about it either. I worked for him, and although we were on friendly terms, I was his employee. A stone settled in my stomach, and I knelt down in front of the locked cabinet.
Lady Lillian fiddled with the fabric of her navy skirt, slender fingers pale and unadorned. From my position, I was eye level with her thighs. If she was aware, it didn’t show on her face. “If you ever need someone to discuss your writing with, I would gladly listen. It’s difficult to get an honest opinion from my family.”
She was an innocent and a lady. I was the first son of the third son of a viscount, and my physical tastes were blurred. I had been enamored of the duke, but he was as unreachable to me as he was to her. I told myself multiple times to find a woman I could settle down with.
Or perhaps another man. It wasn’t unusual for bachelors to live together without questions. I balked at settling for anyone but Lord Kendrick, which brought me full circle.
“That is a very kind offer.” I twisted and opened the cabinet door. There were three shelves full of books of a risqué nature. I pulled out a thin volume and handed it to her.
Our fingers touched in the exchange, and a shock of awareness cut through me. Green eyes met mine, her pupils enlarging to a velvety black. My mind said to remove my hand from the book, but I made no move. It struck me that she was as affected by my touch as I was by hers. Could the solution to my problem be standing in front of me? I had inherited a barony and a fortune; thus, an earl’s daughter was no longer beyond my reach. However, the fact I worked for a living prior might taint my chances in her father’s eyes. Unfair, but true.
“Thank, um, thank you.” She lowered her lashes and turned the book to glance at the spine. A pretty blush highlighted her cheeks. “You are very kind.”
Her compliment warmed me more than it should. I had no choice but to relinquish my hold. Lady Lillian was here by the duke’s invitation, and from the glowing way she spoke of him, she was already enamored of my employer. In that regard, we had yet another thing in common. “This is one of Moran’s risqué publications. Are you sure you wouldn’t rather read something more, um, acceptable? I have several of his other books that are very good,” I said.
“I have some as well, hence why I inquired at his publishing house.” She worried her lip, sucking on the plump bottom one. “Can I ask you a question?”
“I believe you just did,” I said, relocking the cabinet before climbing to my feet.
Lady Lillian snorted, slapped her hand over her mouth, and giggled. “I did, didn’t I?”
Laughing at the sweet sound, I straightened to my full height. She was almost as tall as me, and it felt strange meeting her eye to eye. “Yes, you did. But please, what was your real question?”
“Mr. Moran originally asked for an audience because he read my book title.Kneeling at the Altar of Achilles. He never explained why he thought it would fit in with the libertine works he published.” She tilted her head, inquisitiveness in those enchanting eyes.
“It is a euphemism,” Lord Kendrick said, striding in through the connecting door to my office. He had a habit of dropping in to see me without warning. She startled and settled her fingers on her chest. I turned to look at him. His hair was down around his shoulders, and he was in his shirtsleeves. Every part of my body tingled at the sight of him. I wanted to kiss him so badly it hurt. I glanced back at Lady Lillian, trying to regain my composure. Her brow shot up, and she blinked several times. I spun on my heel, dismayed at how easily she read my lust for him.
“I’ll leave you two here to discuss. I’ll order that tea.” Without looking at either occupant again, I exited the library before I could humiliate myself any further.
I raked a hand through my hair and prayed she said nothing to him. Why I put myself through this torture every day still alarmed me. I would soon have to leave and start my life as the owner of a shipping company, but each time I gazed upon his handsome countenance, my will fled. I was damned if I did and damned if I didn’t.
Either way, I was damned.
Chapter Seven
Lord Kendrick, Duke of Alton
