The duke met her gaze with a level stare and then cocked one brow. “Presently, yes.”
Collette nodded and then rolled her lips together. That gaze of his, which ought to leave her cold but didn’t, flicked to her mouth and then up to her eyes again.
The effect of his perusal was disconcerting, but it was also… exhilarating.
“I would have come sooner if I’d known. I have every intention of meeting with your brother…”
Collette stared up at him, confused. They’d already been over this. She’d released him from any responsibility he felt toward her.
She searched his impassive expression for any sign as to what he was thinking. A tick in his jaw gave away… something. He was not as unaffected as he seemed. But why?
“How are you?” He asked.
How was she?
His question seemed to reach inside of her chest and squeeze her heart, and she didn’t know why.
For an instant, she found herself staring at his mouth. His lips appeared firm and set just now, as they’d been at the onset of the kiss they’d shared. But he’d softened them gradually, like early snow beneath a warm autumn sun.
“Miss Jones?”
“I am… fine.” She was not really. But when a person asked how you were, Bethany had explained to her that one never actually answered truthfully.
* * *
Addison’s throat thickened.How had he not realized how lovely she was? Or had she intentionally downplayed her looks while at the school?
Tonight she wore a gown of brilliant blue silk, although not as blue as her eyes. And rather than the tight chignon she’d worn before, delicate curls framed her face and a few silky strands looped flirtatiously around her neck.
Jolted by an unexpected surge of attraction, he skimmed his gaze around the others in the room and inhaled a slow calming breath.
He was acquainted in some way or another with all of Chaswick’s guests, and he likely would only be allowed a few more minutes, if that, to speak to her alone.
Contrary to the answer she gave him, it was obvious that she wasnotfine. Having lived with women, whether they be his mother, his sister, or even one of the servants, he’d learned that the wordfinemost definitely did not meanfine.
Best to get this over with quickly. He stepped forward and bent his head closer, for a hint of privacy.
“It is my fault that you lost your employment. I intend to meet with your brother tomorrow.” Tiny earbobs shaped like hearts dangled alongside a few golden tendrils. He licked his lips and then, remembering Rowan’s advice, flicked his stare to meet her eyes. “If you have no objections.”
“Meet with Chase? But that isn’t necessary. We discussed this already…”
“Perhaps that was true last month.” Addison skimmed one hand along her arm. “But in light of your dismissal from Miss Primm’s, surely, you feel differently.” He’d not expected her persistent contrariness—although he should have. “Allow me to do the honorable thing here.”
“But my circumstances have nothing to do with you.”
“They have everything to do with me. Miss Primm dismissed you because of complaints that you were not suitably upstanding.”
“Yes, but—”
“I don’t know who let it out, and when I do, I’ll take them to task myself. But in lieu of your dismissal, I assumed that you, an educated woman, would see fit to reconsider your answer.”
She tilted her head, and her scent tickled his senses. But the incredulous light in her eyes reminded him of the look she’d given him when they’d been locked in the stairwell. As though she wasn’t quite certain he wasn’t dicked in the knob.
“Nothing is out that wasn’t already public.” She cast an anxious glance behind her. “No one knows about… what happened between you and me.”
“Then why…?” He ran a hand through his hair. “Why were you expelled? Did you get yourself caught in some other scandal following my departure?” Good God, if that was the case, Miss Primm had had a perfect right to let her go. “Is there someone else?”
“Oh, heavens, no.” She frowned. “The scandal I was expelled for occurred over twenty years ago.”
