She tilted her head to the side as her eyes drifted towards the ceiling behind him, a common stance when she was thinking.
“I suppose it is different for each couple and depends on a multitude of variables…”
“Sorceress?”
“Hmm? Oh! I am sorry. Sometimes when I am thinking I lose myself.” She suddenly didn’t know what to do with her hands. “Um, right, like I was saying, various stages and all that. I think tonight would be perfect to dive into thefirst kissstage.”
The Duke barked out a laugh. “Is that all you want then? To kiss?” He waggled his eyebrows suggestively. “How do you knowthat one kiss will be enough to satisfy you? How can you be sure you will not beg me for more?”
Theodora snorted.
Perhaps I should have heeded the warning Anna gave me.
His eyes danced merrily as he waited for her to reply. She definitely was losing patience with this scoundrel.
She pointed to the door. “I assure you I can find several men out there to conduct this experiment with me.”
He raised his hands in apology. “I am sorry, sorceress. I mean no offense. I am just not used to ladies of thetonbeing so outspoken or forward.”
Theodora’s heart sank. She was well aware how her personality and interests were viewed amongst theton. She did not need the reminder. She lowered her head and fought the lump forming in her throat. She was so tired of being on the outside of things. Theodora felt a finger slide underneath her chin to pull it up.
“I mean no offense. I find it refreshing and remarkable. I wish more would speak plainly instead of playing all the games.”
She smiled nervously and stepped away from his hand. “If we are to do this, I ask that I be permitted to do it my way.”
When he raised an eyebrow beneath his mask she responded, “Experiments should be done in a controlled setting. One that can be replicated. Since I may have to do this a few times, I am the only constant, thereforeIneed to kissyou.”
Amusement lit his eyes as he took a step back, placed his hands at his sides, and stood tall. “I am all yours, sorceress. Kiss me.”
The words hit her straight in her stomach.
This is for educational purposes only. This is for educational purposes only.
The chant did nothing to slow her racing heart. She took a step towards him, then another. Raising onto her tip toes, she placed a chaste, clumsy kiss on the corner of his mouth. She lowered back down and furrowed her brows. With a noncommittal grunt, she turned to her book.
Nothing.She wrote.
She still felt the Duke hovering behind her.
“What was that?” He questioned.
“What was what?” she asked without looking at him.
He shook his head and closed the distance between them. “I thought you were going to kiss me.”
Theodora spun around but she was not aware of how close he was again. She stumbled back into the table.
“I…I did. Then I recorded my findings.” She tried to snap the book shut behind her, but he plucked it from her hands.
He opened to where she last wrote.
“Nothing!” He said incredulously. “Well of course you did not feel anything because you did notkissme.”
It was her time to laugh once more. “I may be naive in some areas of the romantic relationships,”all right, all of them,“but I know what a kiss is.” She sniffed.
The Duke shook his head. “If you think that was a kiss you are in need of more help than you think.”
“Oh really?” She said, placing her hands on her hips.
