In truth, she’d assumed he would find something else to occupy his time between yesterday and today.
“And there is nothing more important than getting this right,” he added.
Ah, yes. When a man was on a mission to win the heart of a lady, it trumped all other interests.
“I understand, my lord,” she said. “I haven’t as yet had a chance to make anything new. I had an order to fill for the palace.”
“Indeed! How exciting. I have definitely chosen the right chocolatier,” he said, making her cheeks warm with his praise. “I have information that may help in your artistry,” he said. Pausing, he looked past her toward the curtain.
Did he actually want to return to her workroom?What a strange man!She couldn’t imagine another duke in all the world who wanted to spend time in the back of a confectionery.
“Very well, my lord.” She glanced at her mother, knowing she might already be concocting fanciful notions in her head. Seeing the duke return to their shop, Felicity Rare-Foure was as likely to tell her husband that an aristocratic wedding was imminent.
“We’re going to work on the chocolate surprise for his lordship’s speciallady,” she reminded her mother, hoping to knock any silly ideas out of her head.
“Of course you are.”
Rolling her eyes as she turned so the duke wouldn’t see her, Amity led him through the curtain. She grabbed her recently discarded apron and pinned it at the top before tying it around her waist.
“Would you care for an apron, my lord?”
“Not if my life depended upon it,” he said, then grinned.
Did angels start singing?Amity had to look away to stop herself from blushing, so strong was her attraction to him and his dimples.
“Do not blame me if you walk out of here with chocolate stains,” she said, reaching for her notebook. “If you get too close to me or to my worktable, you are bound to get soiled.”
To her amazement, he stepped closer, reaching his arms around her. She gasped, feeling the heat of him along the front of her.
Staring down into her eyes, he said, “That’s a risk I’m more than willing to take.”
Chapter Five
Amity was about toclose her eyes and tilt her head upward for a kiss, when he snatched a chocolate off the marble counter beside her and backed up.
Popping it between his lips, he closed his eyes and savored it.
