He wasn’t, but her heart was racing, threatening to leap out of her chest. His low, devastating chuckle was the nail to the coffin of her sanity.
“You mistake me for a man who frightens easily. I am still here.”
And he leaned back in one fluid motion, so fast that she almost fell forward, realizing that she was leaning to him.
“See you next week, Miss Arabella,” He bowed, his eyes pinned on hers.
Arabella, for the first time in her life, could empathize with a small, innocent bunny ready to be devoured.
The Duke was long gone when Winnie came back with the shawl.
I am still here.
CHAPTER 6
Sudden Invasion
“That was an impossible shot,” Morgan protested.
“And yet,” Gerald replied evenly, “it was executed.”
He adjusted the cue with meticulous care over the immaculate green felt, the movement precise, economical. A clean strike. The balls scattered and settled exactly where he intended.
“I don’t know why I bother playing with you.”
“Because you persist in the delusion that improvement is imminent.”
Morgan chuckled and shook his head as he watched his friend make another impossible shot.
“Ok, I can’t attempt this sober,” Morgan poured them both some brandy and lit up a cigar.
Gerald was focused on the game carefully watching his next move, patiently lining his cue before managing to hit all three balls and set them up for his next move. He straightened his back and went for his brandy.
The door to the billiard room opened, and a group of younger gentlemen entered with loud chatter. When they saw Gerald, the prattle ceased. They looked at the table and then at him.
“Apologies, Your Grace,” the ringleader said. “We didn’t know you were playing.”
Gerald drank from his brandy, eyeing the men over the rim of his glass.
“Now, you do.”
Confusion and fear went over their faces as they scrambled to leave the room.
“Yes, of course, Your Grace,” they left faster than they entered.
“You should have joined the army. You would have eyed the enemy to submission.”
“The Army requires taking orders.”
“Of course,” Morgan laughed. “You only take orders from your tailor.”
“The man is standing with sharp objects in private areas.”
Gerald lined up his cue again and focused on his shot.
“Speaking of private areas, how is the pursuit for Miss Arabella going?”
He missed one ball and straightened his body. He went for his brandy as Morgan very triumphantly leaned over.
