She watched her brother leave and then followed. He was right. She did owe Daniel an apology and she needed to get it over with before she lost the courage to do so.
Tapping on her husband’s study door minutes later, Eva entered. He was not seated as she had expected but standing before a shelf of books, his fingers skimming the spines.
“If I may have a few minutes of your time, your Grace.”
“My name is Daniel, Eva. Your brother has no problem using it and neither did you until recently. Therefore I’m sure you can do so again.”
She didn’t have to like his rebuke but knew she deserved it.“I would like to apologize to you for my words at the breakfast table, Daniel. They were uncalled for, considering what you are doing for my brother. My only excuse is that he has been my sole responsibility for many years.”
“And you resent accepting anything from me.”
“No - “
“Yes, but I am a duke with a great deal of money, Eva. Your brother has a dream and it is within my power to see he achieves it.”
He made her sound petty.
“I would ask you to try and accept both me and London, Eva, or our marriage will test both of us. I’m not asking for undying devotion, only that we rub along together.”
“I shall try.”
He nodded and turned back to the books before him, selecting one. “Do you think Reggie will want to read this? He told me he has an interest in old literature and this is very old.”
Eva walked to where he stood and looked at the book. Ignoring the tingle as his fingers brushed hers, she opened the cover.
“They are letters written nearly two hundred years ago. He may not be able to read them, as most are written in French, but it will be interesting for him to look at.”
Eva read the first few lines. “We both speak and read French.”
“Excellente.”
“Are you sure you wish him to touch it? These look very old.”
“He is seventeen, Eva, not ten. I trust him not to damage them.”
Handing him back the book, Eva offered Daniel a tentative smile. “It is sometimes hard to remember that fact and yes, he would very much love to look at this. Thank you again.”
Eva watched him replace the book, his big hands sure and steady. “I will get a tailor to come to the house to have Reggie fitted for clothes, and if between you a list can be made for the rest of his needs, I will see it filled.”
His face was inches from hers now, but she could read nothing in his grey eyes. “I will say again that I’m sorry for the way I spoke and I realize now that if I had not come to London then I would not have been here when Reggie arrived. It will take time for me to adjust to this city, yet I promise to make every effort to do so.”
“If that was your attempt at an apology, you will need to try harder, Duchess.”
Eva flicked a glance at him, then away again. His eyes had changed. They were no longer cool and unemotional.“I think my apology is more than adequate, Daniel. I…I assure you it was delivered sincerely.”
She watched him step to the right and Eva had to turn to face him and it was then she realized he had maneuvered her back against the bookshelf. Rather than feel fear, she instead felt anticipation.
He moved forward slowly, bracing his hands on the shelves on either side of her and kept coming until his breath brushed her lips. “I want you to promise me something, Duchess.”
“What?” Eva shivered as his warm breath brushed her lips.
“That you endeavor to remain open-minded about London.”
Eyes open, he held hers as he took her bottom lip between his teeth and bit softly into the flesh.
“I…I will try,” Eva whispered when he released her.
He moved in again, this time to place a slow, sultry kiss on her mouth and Eva felt any resistance flee. She melted, her insides turning to liquid as he tormented her. Only his lips touched her, yet in seconds she was the puppet and he, the master. When one kiss ended, another started until she was arching toward him, wanting more.
